Everlasting Lich MTG Card
2019-11-07 - Number 41
2021-08-20 - Number 41
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Zombie |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 0 |
Text of card
CARDNAME can't block. CARDNAME can't die. (This creature has indestructible, can't be sacrificed, and doesn't go to the graveyard for having 0 toughness.)
Cards like Everlasting Lich
Everlasting Lich is a unique creature within MTG that offers a distinctive advantage in sustaining its presence on the battlefield. It shares a kinship with cards such as Phylactery Lich, which boasts indestructibility provided it’s attached to an artifact. Nonetheless, Everlasting Lich elevates this with a self-recurring feature allowing it to return to the battlefield given the right circumstances, effectively thwarting permanent removal tactics.
Exemplifying resilience, Reassembling Skeleton comes to mind as well. Like Everlasting Lich, the Skeleton can reanimate itself from the graveyard. However, the Skeleton requires an explicit activation cost, whereas Everlasting Lich asks that you merely adjust your strategy to ensure its return, notably differing in their reanimation mechanism. Another noteworthy parallel is the case of the Nether Spirit, which offers a recurring presence but limits its return to the absence of other creatures in the graveyard, a restriction Everlasting Lich does not share.
When delving into Everlasting Lich’s role in games of MTG, its formidable ability to dodge demise places it in a category that challenges opponents to find unconventional removal solutions, carving a niche for the Lich in decks designed for long-term battlefield engagement and attrition strategies.
Cards similar to Everlasting Lich by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Everlasting Lich allows for a relentless assault on your opponent’s life total while maintaining board presence. This unique creature’s ability to return to your hand from the graveyard ensures you almost always have a threat to play, effectively making it a card that’s hard for your opponent to permanently deal with.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly contributing to resource acceleration, the mere presence of Everlasting Lich on the battlefield means you can dedicate other resources to developing your board or hand as your opponents grapple with the recurring threat, thereby indirectly speeding up your game plan.
Instant Speed: This card’s ability might not function at instant speed, but its inherent resilience makes it a constant figure in the match, leaving your mana open for other instant-speed disruptions. Your opponents will have to think twice before committing important resources, knowing that the Lich will keep coming back for more.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Becoming an impediment in strategy, Everlasting Lich demands a card to be discarded upon your upkeep. This can become restrictive when your hand is reaching a depleted state, potentially leading to a disadvantageous position if unable to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Tapping into two specific types of mana, black and generic, this creature requires precise mana allocation. Decks not aligned to these mana sources might struggle to cast it consistently, potentially restricting its inclusion to only certain strategies that can accommodate such costs effectively.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana valuation that might be seen as steep by some players, Everlasting Lich demands a solid investment of four mana prior to taking its position on the battlefield. This factor, when pitted against other available options within the mana curve, might lead to it being passed over for creatures or spells that offer a more impactful presence for a similar, if not lower, mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Everlasting Lich offers unique gameplay, as it remains on the battlefield regardless of damage dealt to it, making it a resilient addition to various deck types, especially where indestructibility is key.
Combo Potential: Its ability to stay in play offers numerous combinations with cards that benefit from undying creatures, and it thrives in strategies that capitalize on death triggers and graveyard mechanics.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where board wipes and removal spells are prevalent, Everlasting Lich maintains a presence on the board, providing consistent value and pressure on your opponents. Its synergy with certain decks can make it a formidable force in the right metagame.
How to Beat
Overcoming Everlasting Lich in Magic: The Gathering requires strategic moves and a good understanding of its distinctive qualities. This undead creature is known for its resilience, as it can’t be destroyed by damage which presents a challenge in combat scenarios. Therefore, the key to defeating this lich lies in adopting alternative removal methods.
Players should focus on using exile effects or cards that force a player to sacrifice a creature, bypassing the traditional damage route. Spells like Path to Exile or effects that change the card’s characteristics, such as turning it into a land with Song of the Dryads, can effectively handle the lich. Additionally, diminishing the lich’s impact by controlling the player’s graveyard access, such as with the use of Rest in Peace, could be quite effective. Cards that specify the destruction of creatures without dealing damage, like Wrath of God, also circumvent the lich’s defensive trait.
Altogether, while Everlasting Lich presents an intricate puzzle due to its durable nature, the diversity of MTG’s removal options offers players several means to navigate this challenge. Smart deckbuilding and foresight during gameplay remain crucial as players aim to manage threats like the Everlasting Lich.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Everlasting Lich MTG card by a specific set like Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2019 and Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2021, 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 Everlasting Lich 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 Everlasting Lich Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-11-07 and 2021-08-20. Illustrated by Aaron Forsythe.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2019 | CMB1 | 41 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Aaron Forsythe | |
| 2 | 2021-08-20 | Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2021 | CMB2 | 41 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Aaron Forsythe |