Desecrated Tomb MTG Card


Generates 1/1 bat tokens boosting board presence whenever a creature leaves your graveyard. Offers strategic advantage with instant speed token creation for flexible play. Effective in graveyard-centric decks, increasing combo potential and versatility.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeArtifact

Text of card

Whenever one or more creature cards leave your graveyard, create a 1/1 black Bat creature token with flying.

The grave robbers were startled, for the door to the mausoleum was already open.


Cards like Desecrated Tomb

Desecrated Tomb stands as a unique piece in the MTG arsenal, designed for graveyard-centric decks. Its functionality is reminiscent of cards like Phyrexian Tower, which also interacts with creature sacrifice, though Phyrexian Tower does so to ramp up your mana. Desecrated Tomb, on the flip side, triggers whenever a creature leaves your graveyard, generating a 1/1 black Bat creature token with flying. It’s a continuous source of creatures that can benefit strategies revolving around death and rebirth.

Similarly, Tormod’s Crypt and Nihil Spellbomb are both artifacts that offer graveyard manipulation by exiling cards, curbing opponents’ graveyard strategies rather than bolstering your own. Neither provides the steady stream of tokens like Desecrated Tomb. Another analogous card could be Bloodsoaked Altar, which requires a creature sacrifice and payment of life to create a Demon token. The altar becomes a harder resource to utilize than the free trigger from Desecrated Tomb on suitable creature movement from graveyard to game.

When delving into the mechanics of graveyard exploitation and board presence through token generation, Desecrated Tomb offers a distinct advantage. It synergizes effectively with self-mill and reanimator strategies, making it a valuable asset in decks that often interact with their graveyard.

Phyrexian Tower - MTG Card versions
Tormod's Crypt - MTG Card versions
Nihil Spellbomb - MTG Card versions
Bloodsoaked Altar - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Tower - MTG Card versions
Tormod's Crypt - MTG Card versions
Nihil Spellbomb - MTG Card versions
Bloodsoaked Altar - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Desecrated Tomb by color, type and mana cost

Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
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Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
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Pristine Talisman - MTG Card versions
Alloy Myr - MTG Card versions
Guardians of Meletis - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Herald's Horn - MTG Card versions
Manalith - MTG Card versions
Sword of Vengeance - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Training Drone - MTG Card versions
Pristine Talisman - MTG Card versions
Alloy Myr - MTG Card versions
Guardians of Meletis - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Herald's Horn - MTG Card versions
Manalith - MTG Card versions
Sword of Vengeance - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Desecrated Tomb provides a unique form of card advantage by creating a 1/1 black Bat creature token with flying every time one or more creature cards leave your graveyard. This process can recycle creatures that serve their purpose and pivot your graveyard strategy to the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Despite not creating mana or Treasure tokens, Desecrated Tomb accelerates your board presence. It effectively turns graveyard actions into tangible resources, generating a steady flow of tokens to apply pressure or uphold defenses.

Instant Speed: Desecrated Tomb’s ability triggers at instant speed, providing flexibility to respond to graveyard interactions during any player’s turn. This can catch opponents off guard and tilt combat scenarios in your favor with sudden aerial blockers or attackers out of nowhere.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Desecrated Tomb necessitates that a creature card leave your graveyard to produce a bat token. While this triggers from various actions like reanimation or exile, it presupposes that your strategy inherently involves discarding creatures or have methods to continually recycle them, which is not always feasible or efficient within some decks.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes a single black mana, Desecrated Tomb may not seamlessly fit into multi-colored decks that are less focused on the black part of the color pie. The necessity for black mana can present an obstacle in mana bases that aren’t dedicated to or heavily inclusive of black mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three total mana to cast, Desecrated Tomb can be deemed somewhat costly for an artifact that doesn’t immediately impact the board state. Considering there are other artifacts or enchantments with lower mana costs that can generate tokens or offer graveyard synergy, Desecrated Tomb might not be the most mana-efficient choice for every strategy.


Reasons to Include Desecrated Tomb in Your Collection

Versatility: Desecrated Tomb offers a unique ability that can complement a variety of MTG strategies. It shines in decks that actively utilize the graveyard, turning each creature’s return from the graveyard to your hand or battlefield into an additional Bat token, which can be used for offense, defense, or as fodder for other card effects.

Combo Potential: This card has excellent synergy with cards that involve self-mill, sacrifice, or reanimation strategies. The generated Bat tokens can be paired with sacrifice outlets or other cards that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield, opening up numerous combo possibilities within a game.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta-game where graveyard-based strategies are prevalent, Desecrated Tomb can become an unexpected asset. It thrives in environments where players are likely to cycle through their graveyards repeatedly, allowing you to generate a steady stream of token creatures to bolster your position on the board.


How to beat

Desecrated Tomb presents a unique challenge when faced across the battlefield. The card’s ability to create a 1/1 black Bat creature token with flying whenever one or more creature cards leave your graveyard can offer persistent value and a growing threat as the game progresses. To counter this, consider using graveyard hate cards such as Tormod’s Crypt or Bojuka Bog, which can exile graveyards and prevent Desecrated Tomb’s ability from triggering. Additionally, incorporating cards that can handle tokens directly, like Electrickery or Engineered Explosives, can stem the tide of bats swarming the skies.

Control strategies that limit the number of creature cards entering and leaving the graveyard can also be effective. Cards that counter creature spells, such as Counterspell or Essence Scatter, and removal spells like Path to Exile, can prevent creatures from reaching the graveyard in the first place. Moreover, instant-speed removal for Desecrated Tomb itself, such as Nature’s Claim or Disenchant, can halt the generation of bat tokens entirely, shutting down the engine and leaving your opponent’s strategy in ruins.

Stay one step ahead by maintaining graveyard surveillance and being ready to react to ensure Desecrated Tomb doesn’t turn into an insurmountable problem on your road to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Desecrated Tomb’s ability to turn graveyard actions into flying tokens offers a tactical edge in MTG. Whether bolstering your defenses or adding pressure, it can be the linchpin in a carefully crafted graveyard strategy. While considerations regarding its mana cost and deck synergy are necessary, the potential for card advantage and instant speed interaction make it a worthwhile inclusion in your arsenal. Dive deeper into its uses and learn how to seamlessly integrate Desecrated Tomb into your deck. Elevate your game by mastering the art of resource acceleration and versatile gameplay with this unique artifact.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Desecrated Tomb MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Core Set 2019 Promos, 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 Desecrated Tomb and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Desecrated Tomb Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2018-07-13 and 2018-07-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 692442003NormalBlackMark Poole
22018-07-13Core Set 2019 PromosPM19 2302015NormalBlackMark Poole
32018-07-13Core Set 2019M19 2302015NormalBlackDimitar Marinski
42018-07-13Core Set 2019 PromosPM19 230s2015NormalBlackDimitar Marinski

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Desecrated Tomb has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-07-13 You create one Bat token each time Desecrated Tomb’s ability triggers, no matter how many cards left your graveyard.