Cruel Revival MTG Card

Cruel Revival destroys opponent creatures while retrieving zombies, enhancing card advantage. Acting at instant speed, it offers tactical flexibility and opponent disruption potential. It demands specific mana and may be costly, yet bolsters decks against creature-heavy metas.

Onslaught (ONS)
2002-10-07 - Number 135

Planechase (HOP)
2009-09-04 - Number 23

Magic Origins (ORI)
2015-07-17 - Number 88

Game Night (GNT)
2018-11-16 - Number 28

Card sets	Released in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant

Text of card

Destroy target non-Zombie creature. It can't be regenerated. Return up to one target Zombie card from your graveyard to your hand.

Few Cabal fighters fear death. They fear what follows it.

Cards like Cruel Revival

In the realm of removal spells, Cruel Revival stands out as a potent option for Magic: The Gathering players. This card mirrors the function of other spells like Murder, a straightforward spell capable of destroying any target creature irrespective of its type. Yet, Cruel Revival offers an added advantage by targeting only non-Zombie creatures, and furthermore, it has the unique benefit of returning a Zombie card from your graveyard to your hand.

Comparatively, the card Go for the Throat is an alternative that efficiently eliminates creatures, though it excludes artifact creatures, unlike Cruel Revival which does not have this limitation. Despite the selective nature of Go for the Throat, it compensates with its lower casting cost. Unmake is another similar spell that exiles the target creature instead of destroying it. This can be pivotal in games where preventing recursion strategies is essential. However, Cruel Revival’s ability to be a pseudo two-for-one by reanimating a Zombie gives it a different strategic edge.

Ultimately, Cruel Revival holds a unique position for its combination of creature removal and reanimation, providing an integrated approach for players who aim to leverage their graveyard for strategic benefits while controlling the battlefield.

Cards similar to Cruel Revival by color, type and mana cost

Death of a Thousand Stings - MTG Card versions

Rescue from the Underworld - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When casting Cruel Revival, you get to target and destroy an opponent’s creature, potentially removing a key piece from their game plan. Since creatures are such a vital part of nearly every MTG strategy, being able to eliminate one while also potentially returning a creature from your own graveyard to your hand is a significant swing in card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing traditional resource acceleration like mana ramp, Cruel Revival can expedite your plays by bringing back powerful zombie creatures from your graveyard to your hand. This recapturing of resources is akin to drawing into extra opportunities for board presence and serves to accelerate your strategic development.

Instant Speed: The instant-speed nature of Cruel Revival cannot be understated. It grants you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s threats during their turn or at the end of it, catching them off guard and potentially disrupting their plans. Additionally, by being able to act during your opponent’s turn, you maintain the threat of interaction, which can complicate their decisions and lead to less optimal plays in anticipation of your possible responses.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Cruel Revival allows you to target and destroy opponent creatures, it doesn’t come without its drawbacks. For players aiming to maintain card advantage, this spell does not feature a discard element, which can often be a critical strategic maneuver in controlling the tempo of the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Cruel Revival has a specific mana requirement, necessitating both black mana and generic mana to cast. This requirement could potentially restrict its integration into multi-colored decks that might not have the necessary resources available exactly when the card is needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring a total of five mana to play, Cruel Revival has a higher cost compared to other removal spells in the game. Efficient deck builders often look for lower-cost spells to ensure a faster, more versatile response to threats, which could leave Cruel Revival being overlooked in favor of alternatives with lower mana requirements.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Cruel Revival boasts the ability to remove creatures from the battlefield while also recovering a creature from your graveyard. This two-pronged functionality means it integrates well into various deck archetypes, from control strategies to zombie-themed builds.

Combo Potential: By targeting an opponent’s creature and returning a zombie to your hand, this card can be a cog in an engine that leverages graveyard and undead synergies. It can be especially potent in recurring creature loops or when paired with ability-focused zombie cards.

Meta-Relevance: Facing a meta with a dominance of creature-based decks, Cruel Revival shines as a targeted removal that can turn the tide, disrupting your opponent’s plays and gaining card advantage. Its spot removal plays a crucial role against resilient threats that are commonly seen in many competitive formats.

How to Beat Cruel Revival

Cruel Revival is a powerful card in Magic the Gathering, known for its ability to obliterate creatures and effectively disrupt an opponent’s board presence. Unlike other straightforward removal spells, Cruel Revival also allows its caster to resurrect a Zombie from the graveyard, providing a two-fold benefit. This card stands out in decks brimming with Zombie synergy and can quickly turn the tides of a game.

To effectively counteract Cruel Revival, it’s essential to consider cards and strategies that limit its impact. Since it only targets non-Zombie creatures, one could adapt by integrating more Zombie-type creatures into the deck, rendering Cruel Revival less effective. Additionally, incorporating cards that grant indestructible status to your creatures or those that can be sacrificed for a benefit could neatly sidestep the removal element of Cruel Revival. Cards like Selfless Spirit or Dauntless Escort can provide protection to your entire board when a Cruel Revival is cast.

Magic the Gathering hosts a plethora of strategies to counter powerful spells. While Cruel Revival can be daunting, understanding its mechanics and building around its weaknesses ensure that even the darkest of revivals can be outshined by smart, anticipative play. By adopting these strategies, players can mitigate the card’s impact and maintain control over the game’s flow.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cruel Revival MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught and Planechase, 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 Cruel Revival and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Cruel Revival Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2018-11-16. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2002-10-07	Onslaught	ONS	135	1997	Normal	Black	Greg Staples
2	2009-09-04	Planechase	HOP	23	2003	Normal	Black	Greg Staples
3	2015-07-17	Magic Origins	ORI	88	2015	Normal	Black	Miles Johnston
4	2018-11-16	Game Night	GNT	28	2015	Normal	Black	Miles Johnston

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cruel Revival has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal