Corpse Augur MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 4 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Creature — Zombie Wizard |
Power | 4 |
Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
When Corpse Augur dies, you draw X cards and you lose X life, where X is the number of creature cards in target player's graveyard.
Even when the flesh grows cold, knowledge waits in the bones for a master to release it.
Cards like Corpse Augur
Corpse Augur is an intriguing creature card for any Magic: The Gathering arsenal, particularly within strategies that toy with the graveyard. When looking at cards of a similar nature, you may consider Midnight Reaper, which like Corpse Augur, allows you to draw cards when creatures die. However, Corpse Augur is unique in that it can potentially draw you a multitude of cards at once upon its demise, based on the number of creature cards in target player’s graveyard, setting it apart from the Reaper’s one-card-per-creature limit.
Another card worth mentioning is Grim Haruspex, which shares the theme of profiting from death by allowing the player to draw a card whenever another nontoken creature they control bites the dust. Where Grim Haruspex requires a more active creature-focused strategy, Corpse Augur isn’t picky about whose creatures fill the graves to apply its effect. Harvester of Souls further expands upon these themes, yet it triggers on any creature’s death—not just your own—although at a higher mana cost.
A reckoning of features reveals that Corpse Augur presents a compelling choice, especially for players capitalizing on graveyard manipulation. Its ability to reap card advantage from deaths makes it stand out in the realm of death-triggered draw effects in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Corpse Augur by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Corpse Augur rewards you by drawing cards equal to the number of creature cards in target player’s graveyard upon its demise, a substantial gain in resources that can tilt the game in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: While Corpse Augur itself doesn’t accelerate resources in the traditional sense, the cards drawn can lead to more plays and more opportunities to utilize mana, indirectly influencing your resource management and pacing for the game.
Instant Speed: Corpse Augur’s ability is triggered when it dies, which you can orchestrate at instant speed through various sacrifice outlets. This manipulation allows strategic plays during your opponent’s turn, maximizing the timing and impact of regained card advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Corpse Augur’s ability hinges on it dying, requiring strategic planning or potential sacrifice outlets. This can be a hindrance if you lack ways to reliably trigger its ability or if the opposing player avoids killing it, denying you the card draw.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature demands both black mana and generic mana, which may clash with multicolored mana bases and is not as flexible compared to mono-colored or colorless options.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At four mana, including two black, Corpse Augur comes with a sizeable investment. In competitive play where mana efficiency is key, players may opt for lower-cost creatures or spells that provide card advantage or graveyard interaction without such a steep cost.
Reasons to Include Corpse Augur in Your Collection
Versatility: Corpse Augur is an excellent addition to any black-based deck, particularly those centered around graveyard strategies. Its ability to draw cards upon death makes it a multifaceted tool for both maintaining card advantage and fueling reanimation tactics.
Combo Potential: This creature’s death-triggered card draw effect pairs incredibly well with sacrifice outlets. By intentionally sacrificing Corpse Augur, players can strategically manipulate card flow and exploit death-trigger mechanics, leading to powerful interactions on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: Given the card’s applicability in the current playing environment, Corpse Augur stands out in metas that heavily employ creature removal. In such scenarios, having a card that capitalizes on the frequent demise of creatures can turn the tide of the game in your favor.
How to beat
Corpse Augur is a nuanced creature card that offers an impactful death trigger, rewarding players when it dies with card draw proportional to the number of creatures in their graveyard. This kind of ability can make it a formidable component in graveyard-centric decks, where death is not an end but a new strategic angle.
To circumvent the card advantage that Corpse Augur can provide, it is wise to manage your removal resources efficiently. One tactic is to exile the Augur before its death trigger can activate, perhaps using cards with exile effects like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares. Moreover, graveyard hate spells like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void will nip the problem at its root, nullifying the reward of drawing cards by disabling the accumulation of creatures in the graveyard altogether.
Another strategy is to employ counterspells, preventing Corpse Augur from entering the battlefield in the first instance. Effective counter magic like Counterspell or Dovin’s Veto can provide such a solution. By anticipating the moment your opponent seeks to gain card advantage and acting preemptively, you can maintain control of the game’s flow and diminish the impact of cards like Corpse Augur.
BurnMana Recommendations
If you’re delving into the realm of black mana decks, Corpse Augur can be an astute addition to your Magic: The Gathering collection. Given its ability to turn the demise of creatures into a valuable card advantage, it’s a card that aligns well with strategies centered on graveyard play. Enhance your MTG deck’s performance by leveraging Corpse Augur’s potential for card draw and combo plays. Keep in mind the metagame, and adapt your strategy to harness the power of this impactful creature. Ready to delve deeper into MTG tactics and refine your deckbuilding skills? Explore further with us and embrace the full depth of your card collection.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Corpse Augur MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2015 and Legendary Cube Prize Pack, 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 Corpse Augur 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 Corpse Augur Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2015-11-13 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Scott M. Fischer.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2015-11-13 | Commander 2015 | C15 | 17 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer | |
2 | 2015-11-18 | Legendary Cube Prize Pack | PZ1 | 40 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer | |
3 | 2017-06-09 | Commander Anthology | CMA | 52 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer | |
4 | 2017-08-25 | Commander 2017 | C17 | 106 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer | |
5 | 2021-09-24 | Midnight Hunt Commander | MIC | 109 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer | |
6 | 2022-06-10 | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate | CLB | 744 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer | |
7 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 145 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Corpse Augur has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Restricted |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Corpse Augur card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2015-11-04 | You choose the target player as the ability goes on the stack, but you determine the value of X as that ability resolves. If you target yourself and Corpse Augur is still in the graveyard, its ability will count itself. |