Deathgreeter MTG Card


Deathgreeter’s life gain from creature demise aids in maintaining player life total and board control. While not ramping mana, it’s a resource accelerator in sacrifice-centric decks for strategic gains. Its versatility and combo potential make it a valuable asset in creature-focused MTG strategies.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Shaman
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Whenever another creature is put into a graveyard from play, you may gain 1 life.

"The bones of allies grant wisdom. The bones of enemies grant strength. The bones of dragons grant life eternal."


Cards like Deathgreeter

Deathgreeter holds a unique space in the MTG universe, offering strategic value for players who capitalize on creature deaths. A card to compare with would be Blood Artist, which takes the concept further by not only gaining life but also inflicting damage whenever any creature dies. This incremental advantage can add up quickly and swing games.

Another comparison is with Falkenrath Noble. Though it comes at a higher casting cost, the Noble also triggers off any creature’s demise and impacts life totals. However, where Deathgreeter excels is in its low cost, allowing for an early game setup that is both efficient and effective.

Playing a subtle, yet impactful role within its niche, Deathgreeter offers an advantage in decks that thrive on the graveyard-play interaction. While it might not deal damage or affect the opponent’s life directly, its reliable, low-cost life gain can be fundamental in strategies that need that incremental edge to stay ahead and maintain pressure.

Blood Artist - MTG Card versions
Falkenrath Noble - MTG Card versions
Blood Artist - MTG Card versions
Falkenrath Noble - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Deathgreeter by color, type and mana cost

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Stone-Throwing Devils - MTG Card versions
Will-o'-the-Wisp - MTG Card versions
Vampire Bats - MTG Card versions
Bog Rats - MTG Card versions
Sewer Rats - MTG Card versions
Muck Rats - MTG Card versions
Vebulid - MTG Card versions
Zodiac Rat - MTG Card versions
Urborg Skeleton - MTG Card versions
Carrion Rats - MTG Card versions
Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight - MTG Card versions
Dark Supplicant - MTG Card versions
Bile Urchin - MTG Card versions
Rimebound Dead - MTG Card versions
Plague Beetle - MTG Card versions
Festering Goblin - MTG Card versions
Sleeper Agent - MTG Card versions
Knucklebone Witch - MTG Card versions
Nightshade Stinger - MTG Card versions
Smolder Initiate - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Deathgreeter doesn’t directly provide card draw, but its ability to give you an advantage through consistent life gain whenever creatures die can indirectly influence card advantage by allowing you to maintain your life total while utilizing your cards and resources to control the board.

Resource Acceleration: While Deathgreeter doesn’t ramp your mana, it functions as a form of resource acceleration in decks that are built around sacrificing creatures. Each instance of life gain can be translated into additional resources, as it provides more cushion to use life payment as a resource or to stay ahead in aggressive matchups.

Instant Speed: While Deathgreeter’s triggered ability is not an instant itself, its synergy with instant speed removal spells and sacrifice effects can provide instant speed interaction, granting you life gain at crucial moments during the game—such as during an opponent’s turn or in response to removals or board wipes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Even though Deathgreeter doesn’t ask you to discard cards, players may often find themselves needing to part with valuable cards for optimal synergy. This requirement is prevalent in black-colored strategies where sacrificing creatures or discarding is part of the overall tactic to trigger Deathgreeter’s ability.

Specific Mana Cost: Deathgreeter demands a single black mana to play, which is ideal for black-centric decks but can be a limiting factor for multicolored decks that may struggle with mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Some MTG players argue that despite its low initial cost, Deathgreeter’s ability might have a higher opportunity cost. In competitive situations, using the card’s effect requires a creature to die, which could potentially be a slower and less efficient process compared to other low-cost creatures with immediate impact or those providing sustained advantages over time.


Reasons to Include Deathgreeter in Your Collection

Versatility: Deathgreeter offers a utility that fits seamlessly into various deck designs, particularly those looking to capitalize on creature death and graveyard mechanics. This card can turn the tide in strategies focusing on sacrifice and attrition.

Combo Potential: This card excels in combinations, pairing well with cards that create tokens for sacrifice or with those that have beneficial effects when your creatures die. It can be a key component in an intricate engine that provides consistent life gain.

Meta-Relevance: With its low mana cost and passive ability to gain life whenever a creature dies, Deathgreeter remains relevant in metagames where aggressive creature-based strategies are prevalent or when paired with board wipe spells to mitigate life loss.


How to beat

The Deathgreeter card presents an intriguing challenge in Magic: The Gathering, serving as a useful utility creature in many decks. It thrives in strategies that capitalize on creatures entering and leaving the battlefield. To effectively counter this card, it’s essential to minimize the ways in which your opponent can reap benefits from the Deathgreeter’s ability. This involves avoiding unnecessary trades and creature removals that can trigger its effect, thus starving the opponent of the advantages they might gain.

Incorporating graveyard hate cards into your deck can also be a strategic move, preventing the Deathgreeter from fully utilizing its potential. Managing the battlefield with targeted removals that exile instead of sending creatures to the graveyard can significantly diminish the Deathgreeter’s impact on the game.

Finally, employing counterspells or hand disruption techniques to prevent the Deathgreeter from hitting the field in the first place would disrupt your opponent’s plans from the outset. Addressing the card before it can influence the game flow allows you to maintain control and potentially turn the tables in your favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

In the MTG world, where every card choice can turn the tide of battle, Deathgreeter stands out for its nuanced benefits. It’s a gem for decks that thrive on sacrifices and creature deaths. When integrated correctly, this discreet powerhouse can bolster your life total, giving you that extra resilience against aggressive opponents. If you’re intrigued by the strategic depth that Deathgreeter offers and its potential to augment your deck’s performance in both casual and competitive play, delve deeper with us. Discover more must-have cards and elevate your gameplay as you craft winning strategies around Deathgreeter’s unique ability.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Deathgreeter MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara and Duel Decks Anthology: Garruk vs. Liliana, 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 Deathgreeter and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Deathgreeter Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2008-10-03 and 2014-12-05. Illustrated by Dominick Domingo.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-10-03Shards of AlaraALA 712003NormalBlackDominick Domingo
22014-12-05Duel Decks Anthology: Garruk vs. LilianaGVL 332015NormalBlackDominick Domingo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Deathgreeter has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal