Overseer of the Damned MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Demon
Abilities Flying
Power 5
Toughness 5

Key Takeaways

  1. Generates card advantage by removing threats and creating zombies, outpacing opponents in creature count.
  2. Enables better resource management by consolidating board control and token generation, without extra mana.
  3. Offers tactical flexibility with its death-triggered token creation, fitting well into various strategies.

Text of card

Flying When Overseer of the Damned enters the battlefield, you may destroy target creature. Whenever a nontoken creature an opponent controls dies, put a 2/2 black Zombie creature token onto the battlefield tapped.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Overseer of the Damned offers not only removal for a threat on the board but also generates a 2/2 black Zombie token whenever another nontoken creature dies. This can quickly outnumber opponents and tilt the balance in your favor, making it a key player in managing card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: By eliminating opposing creatures and simultaneously producing Zombie tokens, you streamline your path to a more substantial board presence. Although not direct mana acceleration, this process allows for more efficient resource utilization as it frees up your mana and spells that would otherwise be used for creature control.

Instant Speed: While the card itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, the tokens are created whenever creatures die, creating the potential for instant-speed interaction when paired with flash enablers or other instant-speed tricks. This variable builds flexibility in your game plan and surprises your opponents with unexpected blockers or sacrificial fodder depending on your strategy.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Overseer of the Damned could be a strategic setback as it does not require a discard, yet demands immediate board presence, often forcing players to prematurely use removal or creature spells during setup which might be crucial for later stages of the match.

Specific Mana Cost: This commanding undead creature’s casting cost includes two black mana symbols, which makes it a heavy commitment to black mana resources and less flexible in multicolored or splashable deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total casting cost of seven mana, Overseer of the Damned can be a challenging card to play in the early to mid-game. Despite its powerful effects, its cost requires a significant amount of setup and resource allocation, which can slow down your overall game tempo and leave you vulnerable to faster, more aggressive strategies.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Overseer of the Damned is a flexible addition to any black deck, fitting comfortably into control or midrange builds. Its ability to destroy a creature upon entering the battlefield, coupled with creating zombie tokens, makes it a multi-purpose card suited for different game states.

Combo Potential: The card’s death-triggered ability to create 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens can be utilized in various strategies. It combos well with cards that benefit from creatures dying, such as dictating the terms in a sacrifice-themed deck or bolstering token strategies.

Meta-Relevance: Within a meta filled with creature-heavy decks, Overseer of the Damned serves as an effective form of removal. It directly impacts the board and potentially disrupts opponents’ synergies, making it a pertinent choice for your collection.


How to beat

Overseer of the Damned is an imposing presence on the battlefield in the realm of Magic the Gathering. This card stands out due to its ability to destroy a target creature upon entry and create a 2/2 black Zombie creature token whenever any player’s nontoken creature dies. While daunting, there are effective strategies to turn the tide against this demonic overseer.

One key to success is countering the card before it can affect the board. Utilize counter spells such as Counterspell or Negate to prevent it from resolving. If it does resolve, exile effects bypass its ability, making spells like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares strong tools to remove it from play permanently. Another tactic involves minimizing the impact of creature death triggers. Graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace prevent the Overseer from generating zombies, drastically reducing its value on the field.

In essence, preparation and precise timing of countermeasures can effectively neutralize Overseer of the Damned’s intimidating abilities, keeping the upper hand in your magic duels.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the intricate dance of Magic the Gathering takes more than just owning powerful cards; it’s about understanding every facet of their potential. Overseer of the Damned is a true power play in your black deck arsenal, offering removal benefits and token generation to outpace your opponent. Yet, playing this card to its fullest requires insight into both its strengths and limitations. Elevate your strategy by integrating this creature into combos that exploit its token-making prowess. Ready for in-depth analyses and strategic deck-building tips that harness the might of Overseer of the Damned? Journey with us to unravel the secrets that will forge your path to victory.


Cards like Overseer of the Damned

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Overseer of the Damned stands as a powerful creature card teeming with potential. It hails from the tribe of Zombies, beings known for rising from the graveyard to dominate the battlefield. Within this tribe, cards like Zombie Apocalypse mirror the resurrection theme, bringing back all Zombies from the graveyard to hand. But Overseer of the Damned goes even further, killing opponents’ creatures upon entering the battlefield and, as a plus, creating a 2/2 black Zombie token with each creature’s demise.

Another kin in horror is Ghoulcaller Gisa, who capitalizes on sacrificing a creature to spawn a number of 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens equal to the sacrificed creature’s power. Although Ghoulcaller Gisa doesn’t destroy enemy creatures directly like the Overseer, it presents a strategic play by multiplying your undead army. Comparatively, Grave Titan generates Zombie tokens by sheer presence, spilling out two 2/2 Zombies with every attack or entering the battlefield, an efficient way to swarm foes without the fulfilling condition.

Each Zombie commander offers unique advantages, shaping the tactics of the undead legion controllers in Magic: The Gathering. Overseer of the Damned, however, delivers a valuable double-edged sword, adept in both annihilating key threats and expanding the legion’s numbers, securing its place in the echelons of formidable Zombie tribal cards.

Zombie Apocalypse - MTG Card versions
Ghoulcaller Gisa - MTG Card versions
Grave Titan - MTG Card versions
Zombie Apocalypse - Dark Ascension Promos (PDKA)
Ghoulcaller Gisa - Commander 2014 (C14)
Grave Titan - Magic 2011 (M11)

Cards similar to Overseer of the Damned by color, type and mana cost

Lord of the Pit - MTG Card versions
Minion of Tevesh Szat - MTG Card versions
Minion of Leshrac - MTG Card versions
Cateran Overlord - MTG Card versions
Deathbringer Regent - MTG Card versions
Black Dragon - MTG Card versions
Reaper of Night // Harvest Fear - MTG Card versions
Zombie Brute - MTG Card versions
Patron of the Nezumi - MTG Card versions
Tresserhorn Skyknight - MTG Card versions
Lim-Dûl the Necromancer - MTG Card versions
Phage the Untouchable - MTG Card versions
Ebon Dragon - MTG Card versions
Kalitas, Bloodchief of Ghet - MTG Card versions
Sheoldred, Whispering One - MTG Card versions
Sutured Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Abhorrent Overlord - MTG Card versions
Fell Shepherd - MTG Card versions
Butcher of Malakir - MTG Card versions
Eater of Hope - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Pit - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Minion of Tevesh Szat - Masters Edition IV (ME4)
Minion of Leshrac - Ice Age (ICE)
Cateran Overlord - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Deathbringer Regent - Commander 2021 (C21)
Black Dragon - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms (AFR)
Reaper of Night // Harvest Fear - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Zombie Brute - Legions (LGN)
Patron of the Nezumi - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Tresserhorn Skyknight - Coldsnap (CSP)
Lim-Dûl the Necromancer - Time Spiral (TSP)
Phage the Untouchable - Conspiracy (CNS)
Ebon Dragon - From the Vault: Dragons (DRB)
Kalitas, Bloodchief of Ghet - Zendikar (ZEN)
Sheoldred, Whispering One - Multiverse Legends (MUL)
Sutured Ghoul - Magic 2012 (M12)
Abhorrent Overlord - Theros Promos (PTHS)
Fell Shepherd - Commander 2013 (C13)
Butcher of Malakir - From Cute to Brute (PCTB)
Eater of Hope - Midnight Hunt Commander (MIC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Overseer of the Damned MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2014 and Archenemy: Nicol Bolas, 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 Overseer of the Damned and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Overseer of the Damned Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2014-11-07 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by rk post.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-11-07Commander 2014C14 282015normalblackrk post
22017-06-16Archenemy: Nicol BolasE01 362015normalblackrk post
32019-08-23Commander 2019C19 1252015normalblackrk post
42021-09-24Midnight Hunt CommanderMIC 1272015normalblackrk post
52024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 1322015normalblackrk post

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Overseer of the Damned has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

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