Cemetery Desecrator MTG Card
2021-11-19 - Number 100
2021-11-19 - Number 366
2022-01-28 - Number 367
2002-06-24 - Number 95357
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Creature — Zombie |
| Abilities | Menace |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Menace When Cemetery Desecrator enters the battlefield or dies, exile another card from a graveyard. When you do, choose one — • Remove X counters from target permanent, where X is the mana value of the exiled card. • Target creature an opponent controls gets -X/-X until end of turn, where X is the mana value of the exiled card.
Cards like Cemetery Desecrator
The Cemetery Desecrator is an intriguing creature card that offers a unique twist to graveyard interaction strategies in MTG. This card stands in comparison to other creatures like Withered Wretch, a creature that also allows you to selectively exile cards from graveyards. While Withered Wretch offers a lower mana cost and repeatable graveyard control, Cemetery Desecrator adds a more impactful one-time effect by also putting a -1/-1 counter on another target creature whenever a card is exiled from a graveyard.
Another creature card to consider is Scavenging Ooze, which, similar to the Cemetery Desecrator, can exile cards from graveyards. Scavenging Ooze allows for incremental growth and life gain, which appeals to a different strategy of continuous self-improvement rather than the impactful one-shot effect the Desecrator provides. Then we have Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet, which creates a token whenever an opponent’s creature dies instead of triggering from graveyard exile.
All in all, the Cemetery Desecrator occupies a special role within multicolored creature cards with graveyard manipulation abilities. Its mix of immediate impact, utility, and the ability to disrupt opponent’s plans position it as a versatile choice in decks focusing on controlling the battlefield and leveraging graveyard-based strategies.
Cards similar to Cemetery Desecrator by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Cemetery Desecrator. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Cascade | Standard | Cascade | Standard Challenge 32 2024-02-24 |
 | Dimir Midrange | Standard | Dimir Midrange | Standard Challenge 64 2024-03-17 |
 | Invasion of Alara | Standard | Cascade | BOP! Standard Open |
| Five-color Combo | Standard | Cascade | After Showdown: Murders at Karlov Manor |
| WUBG | Standard | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 26, 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Cemetery Desecrator provides value by potentially removing multiple threats. This can contribute significantly to card advantage by handling more than one of an opponent’s cards with a single card from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: Although Cemetery Desecrator does not directly accelerate resources, its ability to police the board can indirectly preserve your resources. By effectively dealing with threats, it allows you to allocate mana more efficiently to other game-winning strategies.
Instant Speed: Its triggered ability can occur at instant speed, which is pivotal for disrupting an adversary’s game plan. Whether it’s a critical spell on the stack or a menacing creature entering the battlefield, Cemetery Desecrator’s ability can be a formidable and timely response.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Cemetery Desecrator doesn’t have a direct discard requirement, managing your graveyard as a resource is integral to maximizing its value. This can be a downside if you lack a reliable way to fill your graveyard, potentially reducing the impact of this card when played.
Specific Mana Cost: Cemetery Desecrator demands a specific mana arrangement for casting, requiring both black mana and a total of six mana. This can present a challenge, particularly in decks that aren’t mono-black or in multicolor decks where mana fixing is less consistent.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of six mana, this card comes into play later than similar creatures. While its ability can be powerful, the mana investment is significant, and in faster-paced games, this cost can hinder its playability. Other options may provide more immediate value or pose a faster threat to opponents.
Reasons to Include Cemetery Desecrator in Your Collection
Versatility: The Cemetery Desecrator provides a unique flexibility in gameplay, readily fitting into multiple deck archetypes particularly those seeking to capitalize on graveyard manipulation. It’s also resilient against a wide range of threats thanks to its ability to exile cards from graveyards upon entering the battlefield or dying.
Combo Potential: This creature creates synergy with decks that utilize death triggers or need selective graveyard removal. Its ability to target and exile cards can disrupt opponents’ strategies while fueling your own, giving it an edge in both offensive and defensive maneuvers.
Meta-Relevance: Given its potential to shift the tide of the game by dealing with key pieces in opponents’ graveyards, the Cemetery Desecrator is a valuable addition when facing graveyard-based decks that are common in many competitive scenes.
How to beat
Cemetery Desecrator is a potent utility creature that can thwart your game plan in Magic: The Gathering. This six-mana black Zombie Wizard packs a punch with menace and a pivotal death trigger that allows the manipulation of graveyards and counters. To navigate around this card, focus on strategies that limit its impact or negate its graveyard triggers. Spell-based removal that exiles can prevent the triggers from activating upon death. Similarly, graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace can neutralize the Desecrator’s ability altogether by removing graveyards from the equation.
It’s also prudent to apply pressure early in the game. Cemetery Desecrator thrives in the late game, so capitalizing on a faster, more aggressive strategy can limit the time your opponent has to leverage its abilities. Sideboard cards offering graveyard interaction or exile-based removal can give you the upper hand. This ensures the Desecrator doesn’t disrupt your board presence or modify the strategic flow of counters. Anticipating when to play your key creatures and spells while being mindful of the Desecrator’s potential can turn the tide in your favor.
Ultimately, being proactive and informed about the capabilities of Cemetery Desecrator is essential to outmaneuver this daunting adversary on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cemetery Desecrator MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Innistrad: Crimson Vow, 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 Cemetery Desecrator 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
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Printings
The Cemetery Desecrator Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Dan Scott.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 95357 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | ||
| 2 | 2021-11-19 | Innistrad: Crimson Vow | VOW | 100 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | |
| 3 | 2021-11-19 | Innistrad: Crimson Vow | VOW | 366 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | |
| 4 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 367 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cemetery Desecrator has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Cemetery Desecrator card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-11-19 | After you exile a card from a graveyard, another triggered ability goes on the stack. You choose the mode and target as you put that second ability on the stack, not before you exile a card. |
| 2021-11-19 | The controller of Cemetery Desecrator chooses which counters are removed, and they may remove more than one kind of counter. If the target permanent has fewer than X counters, all of them are removed. |