Butcher Ghoul MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Zombie
Abilities Undying
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Butcher Ghoul’s undying ability offers a persistent field presence, effectively giving players a recurring creature.
  2. Resource acceleration comes easily with Butcher Ghoul, making it a fine catalyst for sacrifice-driven strategies.
  3. Limited by specific mana needs and a higher cost relative to impact, it finds best use in mono-black decks.

Text of card

Undying (When this creature dies, if it had no +1/+1 counters on it, return it to the battlefield under its owner's control with a +1/+1 counter on it.)

Without a mind, it doesn't fear death. Without a soul, it doesn't mind killing.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Butcher Ghoul doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its undying ability ensures that it returns to the battlefield after death with a +1/+1 counter, effectively giving you an extra creature without using an additional card from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: As a low-cost creature, Butcher Ghoul can be an efficient tool for resource acceleration. It makes an excellent target for sacrifice effects, helping you to activate abilities or synergize with other cards to gain an advantage on the board more rapidly.

Instant Speed: Though Butcher Ghoul itself is not an instant, its undying capability means it is effectively an ‘instant’ blocker that can come back once each game cycle. This can surprise an opponent during combat, dissuading them from attacking or helping you to better maintain field presence.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Butcher Ghoul doesn’t necessitate discarding directly, yet its undying mechanic may not be as impactful if your hand is already depleted. When hoping to utilize cards that synergize with creature death, having a full grip is advantageous, otherwise, the Ghoul’s return might be less significant.

Specific Mana Cost: Butcher Ghoul requires a precise mana setup to cast efficiently—two mana, one of which must be black. This can be a hurdle for multi-colored decks that might not always have the necessary black mana available at the right time, restricting its inclusion to more mono-black focused strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While two mana is not exorbitant, in an aggressive strategy, there are alternate two-drop creatures that could provide immediate board presence or utility. The Butcher Ghoul’s one power may not exert enough pressure early game compared to other creatures in its mana slot, potentially impacting your tempo.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Butcher Ghoul can seamlessly adapt to various deck types, especially those harnessing undying or +1/+1 counter mechanics. Its resilience makes it a solid choice not only for aggressive strategies but also for more controlling or combo-oriented decks.

Combo Potential: This creature can become an integral part of combos involving sacrifice effects and +1/+1 counters, making it a formidable addition to decks that exploit these synergies for incremental advantages or game-winning plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where board wipe effects are prevalent, Butcher Ghoul stands out for its ability to withstand such removal spells, maintaining board presence and pressure. Additionally, its two toughness makes it immune to popular ping effects, ensuring its relevancy in the current competitive scene.


How to beat

The Butcher Ghoul card is a resilient adversary in Magic: The Gathering, presenting a challenge due to its undying ability. When this creature dies, if it had no +1/+1 counters on it, it returns to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it, making it tougher to remove permanently.

To effectively remove Butcher Ghoul from the game, players should consider using exile effects or spells that do not destroy but rather alter the state of the creature, such as Oblivion Ring or Path to Exile. Another strategy would be to apply a -1/-1 counter before destroying it, as this would counteract the undying mechanic. Cards like Grasp of Darkness or Tragic Slip could successfully manage this task. Additionally, leveraging spells that force the opponent to sacrifice creatures can bypass Butcher Ghoul’s perseverance, like Diabolic Edict or Liliana of the Veil’s sacrifice effect.

Understanding and countering the mechanics of Butcher Ghoul can flip the script in a match. Players need to arm their decks with tools that nullify or circumvent the undying ability to maintain control of the battlefield against this tenacious creature.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delve into the dynamic world of MTG with cards like Butcher Ghoul that offer unique undying capabilities, enhancing your gameplay with durability and resilience. Whether integrating into resource acceleration tactics, creating an unyielding defensive line, or weaving them into intricate combo plays, Butcher Ghoul can significantly contribute to your deck’s performance. If you’re keen on fostering a collection that thrives on adaptability and longevity in the face of board wipes and removals, consider this tenacious zombie creature. For more insights and strategies on how to optimize your deck and outmaneuver your opponents, continue on this journey with us. As we explore the nuances of the game and share expert tips, your path to becoming an adept MTG player is wide open.


Cards like Butcher Ghoul

Butcher Ghoul stands as a resilient creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering with its undying ability, returning to the battlefield stronger after being destroyed. This feature draws a parallel to Young Wolf, an equally tenacious creature with undying, posing a continuing threat to opponents. Both cards excel in strategies that capitalize on creatures bouncing back from the graveyard, but Butcher Ghoul does shine slightly brighter thanks to its slightly higher toughness, making it a more robust blocker.

Exploring further, Strangleroot Geist also shares the undying attribute, but instead boasts haste, allowing it to impact the game immediately. This speed comes at an increased mana cost, which can be a strategic consideration. Geralf’s Messenger is another relative, a zombie with undying and an enter-the-battlefield ability that deals damage to opponents, contrasting with Butcher Ghoul’s more straightforward comeback with a +1/+1 counter.

Evaluating these options, Butcher Ghoul presents a solid choice for MTG players looking for durable creatures within their decks. Its synergy with sacrifice and counter manipulation strategies can potentially turn the tides of a game, showcasing its place in the MTG card ecosystem.

Young Wolf - MTG Card versions
Strangleroot Geist - MTG Card versions
Geralf's Messenger - MTG Card versions
Young Wolf - Dark Ascension (DKA)
Strangleroot Geist - Dark Ascension Promos (PDKA)
Geralf's Messenger - Dark Ascension (DKA)

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Butcher Ghoul MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored and Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed, 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 Butcher Ghoul and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Butcher Ghoul Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2016-02-26. Illustrated by Christopher Moeller.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-05-04Avacyn RestoredAVR 892003normalblackChristopher Moeller
22016-02-26Duel Decks: Blessed vs. CursedDDQ 532015normalblackChristopher Moeller

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Butcher Ghoul has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

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