Corpses of the Lost MTG Card
2023-11-17 - Number 98
2023-11-17 - Number 366
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
Skeletons you control get +1/+0 and have haste. When Corpses of the Lost enters the battlefield, create a 2/2 black Skeleton Pirate creature token. At the beginning of your end step, if you descended this turn, you may pay 1 life. If you do, return Corpses of the Lost to its owner's hand. (You descended if a permanent card was put into your graveyard from anywhere.)
Cards like Corpses of the Lost
Corpses of the Lost weaves a nuanced slot in Magic: The Gathering, with its grim theme and distinctive mechanics. It bears resemblance to cards such as Gruesome Fate, which also revolves around creatures in graveyards to deal damage to opponents. While Gruesome Fate counts creatures you control, Corpses of the Lost takes into account those that have perished, giving it an edge in later game stages.
In the same rhythm, we have cards like Poison the Well, engaging in a delicate dance with graveyard interactions. Though it also benefits from fallen creatures, Corpses of the Lost differs with its focus on creature-card types and provides potentially larger impact as the graveyard fills. Additionally, there’s Call to the Netherworld – another card that profits from death. This card, however, leans towards retrieval rather than exploitation of the lost, providing a different strategic angle.
All things considered, while evaluating the utility across strategies that involve graveyard manipulation, Corpses of the Lost stands out. It showcases its strength in decks that fill graveyards quickly, capitalizing on the inevitability of creatures’ demise to tip the scale in its favor.
Cards similar to Corpses of the Lost by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Corpses of the Lost. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Rakdos Midrange | Pioneer | Rakdos Midrange | Pioneer Preliminary 2023-12-19 (1) |
| B | Standard | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 5, 2024 | |
 | Orzhov Midrange | Pioneer | Orzhov Midrange | Pioneer Challenge 32 2024-05-05 |
| UB | Standard | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 22, 2024 | |
 | Mono-Black Aggro | Standard | Mono-Black Aggro | The Pizza Box Open: Standard |
 | Mono-Black Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
| Rakdos Aggro | Standard | Rakdos Midrange | 16 Day1 |
 | Abzan Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 08 2024 | |
 | Sultai Some Brand of Cereal | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 09 2024 | |
 | Decklist | Free form | Torino Tournament - Lost Caverns of Ixalan |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: “Corpses of the Lost” could potentially provide multiple cards’ worth of value by returning several creatures from your graveyard to your hand. This restocks your hand and sets you up for substantial plays in future turns, maximizing strategic depth and giving you a variety of options.
Resource Acceleration: When “Corpses of the Lost” hits the field, it has a profound impact on the development of your mana base if it includes creatures that can tap for mana or provide other resource-related benefits. This can greatly accelerate your game plan and give you an edge in resource competition.
Instant Speed: The ability to play “Corpses of the Lost” at instant speed provides tactical flexibility. You can choose the opportune moment to surprise your opponent, such as during their end step or in response to a board wipe, ensuring that you retain initiative and momentum when timing is crucial.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Corpses of the Lost compels players to discard a card, posing a potential setback when hand size is critical for maintaining game presence.
Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost demands black mana, which may restrict its integration into multi-colored decks or make it inaccessible for decks not running black.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card’s mana cost is on the higher end for its capabilities. This cost-efficiency issue may deter players from choosing it over alternatives with lower mana requirements that yield similar or better effects.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Corpses of the Lost is a valuable addition for players who revel in manipulating their graveyard. Its ability to potentially reanimate multiple creatures makes it a versatile choice for decks focusing on graveyard synergies.
Combo Potential: This card shines in setups designed around combos. Combining Corpses of the Lost with cards that fill your graveyard can set up powerful plays, leading to overwhelming board states that can turn the tide of the game in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where decks that utilize the graveyard are prevalent, having Corpses of the Lost could provide you with an essential edge. It can help outgrind opponents in long, drawn-out matches where resource advantage is key.
How to beat
Corpses of the Lost poses a unique challenge in the MTG realm due to its ability to disrupt board states and reclaim resources from the graveyard. Dealing with this card effectively requires a strategic approach. Tapping into removal spells that can exile it from the graveyard before it triggers any effects is key. Graveyard hate cards, like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void, are excellent at keeping Corpses of the Lost at bay by preventing it from ever hitting the battlefield again.
Another tactic is to control the pace of the game, ensuring you have enough countermeasures, like counter spells or instant-speed removals, ready to deploy when your opponent decides to use their Corpses of the Lost. Moreover, keeping pressure on the opponent by maintaining a consistent threat on the board can detract from the value they get from resurrecting creatures, as they will be on the defensive. Board wipes are also effective due to their ability to handle multiple creatures at once, minimizing the impact that Corpses of the Lost can have on the game.
Ultimately, beating Corpses of the Lost in MTG depends on your preemptive actions, tight control over the graveyard, and maintaining a commanding board presence to limit its potential impact.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Corpses of the Lost MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Corpses of the Lost 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 Corpses of the Lost Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-11-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Izzy.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-11-17 | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan | LCI | 98 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Izzy | |
| 2 | 2023-11-17 | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan | LCI | 366 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Izzy |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Corpses of the Lost has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Corpses of the Lost card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-11-10 | A permanent card is an artifact, battle, creature, enchantment, land, or planeswalker card. Tokens are not cards, and while tokens are put into the graveyard before ceasing to exist, that action doesn't count as a player having descended. |
| 2023-11-10 | Abilities that begin with "At the beginning of your end step, if you descended this turn" will trigger only once during your end step, no matter how many times you descended this turn. However, if you haven't descended this turn as your end step begins, the ability won't trigger at all. It's not possible to put a permanent card into your graveyard during the end step in time to have the ability trigger. |
| 2023-11-10 | In either case, it doesn't matter if those cards are still in that player's graveyard. |
| 2023-11-10 | Multiple cards have abilities that begin with "At the beginning of your end step, if you descended this turn." These cards don't need to have been under your control at the time you descended. For example, if a permanent card is put into your graveyard during your first main phase and you cast Stalactite Stalker your second main phase, its ability will trigger at the beginning of your end step. |
| 2023-11-10 | Some cards refer to a player who has "descended this turn." This means that a permanent card has been put into that player's graveyard from anywhere this turn. |
| 2023-11-10 | Some cards refer to the number of times a player descended this turn. Those cards care about the number of permanent cards put into that player's graveyard from anywhere this turn. |
| 2023-11-10 | You decide to pay 1 life as the last ability is resolving. If you decide to pay 1 life and Corpses of the Lost is still on the battlefield, it will immediately return to its owner's hand. No player may take any actions in between you deciding to pay life and it returning this way. |