A-Graveyard Shift MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Released | 2022-04-29 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Streets of New Capenna |
| Set code | SNC |
| Number | A-81 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Liiga Smilshkalne |
Text of card
This spell has flash as long as there are five or more mana values among cards in your graveyard. Return target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield with an additional +1/+1 counter on it.
Cards like A-Graveyard Shift
A-Graveyard Shift stands as an intriguing instance of graveyard manipulation within Magic: The Gathering. A notable parallel can be drawn with the card Reanimate, which also enables players to return creatures from the graveyard to the battlefield. A-Graveyard Shift, however, has its unique set of mechanics as it often includes conditions or additional costs that must be met to utilize its effect.
Unearth is another card that shares a semblance of purpose, providing the player with the ability to temporarily bring a creature back from the graveyard into play. The defining difference here is that Unearth’s effect only lasts until the end of turn, while A-Graveyard Shift could have a more lasting impact, which makes for a significant strategic divergence. Exhume is yet another comparative example, allowing each player to return a creature from their graveyard to the battlefield, which introduces an element of unpredictability and potential advantage for both players.
Evaluating the nuances of these cards, A-Graveyard Shift can claim its unique space in the ecosystem of reanimation spells in MTG. Its distinct conditions and cost structure can offer tailored advantages in specific deck builds, affirming its value in strategies centered around graveyard synergy.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The uniqueness of A-Graveyard Shift lies in its ability to improve card advantage by selectively returning creatures from the graveyard to your hand. This not only replenishes your resources but also strategically positions you for subsequent turns.
Resource Acceleration: As a card that thrives in a resource-rich environment, A-Graveyard Shift can expedite your gameplay by providing access to creatures that potentially generate additional mana or offer other valuable in-game resources.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast A-Graveyard Shift at instant speed adds a layer of flexibility to your strategy. It enables you to respond to threats or opportunities at the most opportune moment, often at the end of your opponent’s turn, keeping them off-balance and conserving mana for reactive measures.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: A Graveyard Shift demands that you discard another card to use its abilities. This can disrupt your hand and strategy, particularly if you’re running low on cards or if the card you’re discarding is vital to your game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost requires a specific combination of Swamp (black) mana, potentially restricting it to a mono-black or two-colored deck that can consistently produce black mana, which might not align with all player’s deck-building strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: A Graveyard Shift’s mana value can be considered high by some players. When you weigh the benefits against other cards within the same mana range, it’s possible to find alternatives that could provide more immediate impact or versatility on the battlefield.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: A-Graveyard Shift’s unique capability to manipulate graveyards allows it to slot into various archetypes, from reanimator to control decks, ensuring it can adapt to multiple strategies and serve different roles as needed.
Combo Potential: This card offers significant synergies with graveyard-centric combos, enabling powerful plays that can retrieve key creatures or spells, amplifying the impact of each card played from the graveyard.
Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of graveyard strategies in many formats, A-Graveyard Shift acts as both an enabler for your own game plan and a disruptor against opponents, making it a tactically astute inclusion in any deck that anticipates encountering graveyard tactics on the battlefield.
How to beat A Graveyard Shift
A Graveyard Shift can be a formidable challenge on the battlefield, capable of reanimating powerful creatures from the graveyard. To effectively counter this card, players should consider including graveyard disruption cards in their decks. Cards like Relic of Progenitus or Tormod’s Crypt can remove the contents of the graveyard, rendering A Graveyard Shift less effective.
Enchantment removal is also a crucial strategy. By playing cards like Disenchant or Naturalize, you can directly target and destroy A Graveyard Shift before your opponent gets the chance to utilize it to its full potential. Similarly, countering it upon casting with spells like Negate or Dovin’s Veto can prevent it from ever hitting the board.
Moreover, targeted removal for the creatures it brings back, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, limits the advantage your opponent gains from this card. Remember, being proactive and keeping the graveyard clean can stop A Graveyard Shift from shifting the game in your opponent’s favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase A-Graveyard Shift MTG card by a specific set like Streets of New Capenna, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the A-Graveyard Shift and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where A-Graveyard Shift has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.