Death-Priest of Myrkul MTG Card


Death-Priest of Myrkul excels in converting creature sacrifices into powerful board presence with Skeleton tokens. It speeds up your play by turning tokens into additional mana, enabling bigger plays earlier in the game. Despite powerful synergies, it can be restrictive due to specific mana needs and a higher casting cost.
Death-Priest of Myrkul - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Tiefling Cleric
Released2021-07-23
Set symbol
Set nameAdventures in the Forgotten Realms
Set codeAFR
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number95
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byLius Lasahido

Text of card

Skeletons, Vampires, and Zombies you control get +1/+1. At the beginning of your end step, if a creature died this turn, you may pay . If you do, create a 1/1 black Skeleton creature token.

"The Reaper bids you rise!"


Cards like Death-Priest of Myrkul

Death-Priest of Myrkul introduces a unique flavor to Magic: The Gathering’s lineup of creature cards. Standing in comparison with cards like Skirsdag High Priest, both revolve around the theme of death and resurrection. Skirsdag High Priest also leverages creature deaths, but it translates this into the creation of large Demon tokens. Whereas Death-Priest of Myrkul has a more consistent, albeit smaller, output through the steady generation of Skeleton tokens.

Another card to consider is Teysa Karlov, who like the Death-Priest, accentuates the death-trigger ability of other creatures. However, Teysa doubles the triggers and expands the synergy beyond token generation. Conversely, Tymaret, the Murder King, offers a different take on utilizing the graveyard by allowing you to sacrifice creatures for direct damage or to resurrect Tymaret himself.

When assessing the relative strengths and strategies, Death-Priest of Myrkul holds its ground within MTG’s strategic framework as a card that fortifies board presence and fuels sacrificial mechanics, appealing to players keen on exploiting death-triggered abilities.

Skirsdag High Priest - MTG Card versions
Teysa Karlov - MTG Card versions
Tymaret, the Murder King - MTG Card versions
Skirsdag High Priest - MTG Card versions
Teysa Karlov - MTG Card versions
Tymaret, the Murder King - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Death-Priest of Myrkul by color, type and mana cost

Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
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Faceless Butcher - MTG Card versions
Crowd of Cinders - MTG Card versions
Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Deathgazer - MTG Card versions
Dirty Wererat - MTG Card versions
Faceless Butcher - MTG Card versions
Crowd of Cinders - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Death-Priest of Myrkul shines in decks centered around creature sacrifice, turning death into a resource by creating Skeleton tokens. With every loss of your creatures, you reinforce your board presence, maintaining a stream of creatures that can either become a defensive wall or an aggressive force. This continuous reanimation sets the stage for consistent card advantage without expending resources from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: With the Death-Priest of Myrkul, each Skeleton token represents potential mana through various sacrifice outlets available in MTG. This interaction allows you to effectively bypass mana costs for larger spells or activate abilities earlier than you normally could. In essence, it grants you the luxury to overextend on your game plan with creatures that keep coming back from the graveyard.

Instant Speed: While Death-Priest of Myrkul itself may not be an instant, it can significantly benefit from instant speed spells in your arsenal. It allows you to respond to threats or opportunities on the fly by sacrificing creatures in a pinch. Plus, by maneuvering around your opponents’ actions during their turn, you can surprise them by bolstering your army with Skeleton tokens right before your turn begins.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the traits of the Death-Priest of Myrkul card is its precondition that necessitates the player to discard another card. This can be particularly straining in gameplay scenarios where your hand is already depleted or when each card you hold is crucial to maintaining your strategic advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both black and colorless mana to play, the Death-Priest of Myrkul enforces a rigidity in your mana base. This means the card may find restrictions in multi-colored decks or those that can’t consistently provide the necessary black mana, potentially limiting its overall versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When put against other options in the format, the Death-Priest of Myrkul comes with a mana cost that might seem steep for its offered benefits. Players may find other creatures or spells that bring similar or increased value for an equal or lesser investment, possibly relegating the Death-Priest to a lower tier of strategic choices.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Death-Priest of Myrkul proves itself as a flexible choice for any black-focused deck. Its ability to churn out Skeleton creature tokens provides a steady stream of defensive and offensive options, making it well-suited for strategies that require creatures on the board to control the pace of the game.

Combo Potential: With its inherent ability to create tokens, Death-Priest of Myrkul synergizes exceptionally well with sacrifice and death-triggered mechanics. This means it can smoothly integrate into combo decks that capitalize on creatures dying, effectively turning each token into a potential engine for drawing cards, draining life, or buffing other creatures.

Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-present nature of creature-based strategies in various metas, Death-Priest of Myrkul’s automatic token generation keeps opponents on their toes. This card thrives in an environment where stalling opponent attacks or building up for a critical turn can pivot the outcome of a match.


How to beat

The Death-Priest of Myrkul is a compelling card within Magic: The Gathering, especially for those who favor a strategy centered around clerics and life manipulation. Similar to other formidable cleric cards, it enhances gameplay by offering creature and token generation abilities. However, overcoming this card requires a tactical approach, with a focus on disruption and timing.

Engaging with removal spells is often the most direct method to handle such a threat. Cards like Murder or Doom Blade allow you to target and eliminate the Death-Priest before its abilities become too overwhelming. Sweeper spells, which can clear numerous creatures at once, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, are also highly effective, particularly after the Death-Priest has begun to establish a board presence.

Moreover, countering the card before it hits the board is an efficient strategy, utilizing spells like Counterspell or Negate. It’s also wise to prevent the accumulation of clerics through selective removal or using cards that hinder creature abilities, such as Cursed Totem. In essence, preventing the Death-Priest’s impact on the game early on will be key to maintaining control over the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the depths of MTG strategy brings you to cards like Death-Priest of Myrkul, which can redefine your gameplay through their multifaceted abilities. Whether you’re looking to harness the power of sacrifice, accelerate your resources, or adapt to on-the-fly strategies, this card adds a layer of depth and resilience. We recognize the intricacies of mastering cards like this, and it’s our mission to help you refine your tactics and strengthen your collection. To delve deeper into the strategic uses of Death-Priest of Myrkul and similar cards, enhance your knowledge with our insights. Embark on your journey to mastery with us and discover the full potential of your MTG deck.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Death-Priest of Myrkul MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, 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 Death-Priest of Myrkul and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Death-Priest of Myrkul has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Death-Priest of Myrkul card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2021-07-23 A creature you control that's more than one of the creature types listed in the first ability will get only +1/+1.
2021-07-23 Death-Priest of Myrkul doesn't need to have been on the battlefield when the creature died. For example, if a creature dies during combat on your turn and you cast Death-Priest of Myrkul during your second main phase, its last ability will trigger at the beginning of your end step.
2021-07-23 Death-Priest of Myrkul's last ability will trigger only once during your end step, no matter how many creatures died this turn. However, if no creatures have died so far this turn as the end step begins, the ability won't trigger at all. It's not possible to cause a creature to die during the end step in time to have the ability trigger.