Ghoultree MTG Card


Ghoultree turns creature cards in graveyards into hefty cost reductions for powerful gameplay. Supporting instant-speed graveyard filler strategies, Ghoultree can surprise opponents. Despite a specific and initially high mana cost, Ghoultree excels in graveyard-centric decks.
Ghoultree - Dark Ascension
Mana cost
Converted mana cost8
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Zombie Treefolk
Released2012-02-03
Set symbol
Set nameDark Ascension
Set codeDKA
Power 10
Toughness 10
Number115
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byVolkan Baǵa

Text of card

Ghoultree costs less to cast for each creature card in your graveyard.

It uproots entire fengrafs to add to its twisted frame.


Cards like Ghoultree

Exploring the vast landscape of creature cards in MTG often leads us to fascinating comparisons. Ghoultree is a creature that players can summon for a potentially low mana cost, given its unique ability to cost one less mana for each creature card in your graveyard. Its cost reduction mechanism is shared by cards like Nemesis of Mortals, which also becomes more accessible as your graveyard fills up.

Another similar behemoth is Autumnal Gloom, which can transform into the mighty Ancient of the Equinox. Though it doesn’t share the cost reduction trait of Ghoultree, it has the advantage of gaining hexproof, making it resistant to your opponent’s spells. Additionally, Golgari Grave-Troll is part of this unique family of creatures that flourish from graveyard interactions. While it doesn’t have the raw power of Ghoultree, its dredge ability provides a robust engine for filling your graveyard rapidly, synergizing with the theme of using the graveyard as a resource.

Each of these cards have their own merits, but Ghoultree stands out for players seeking a heavy hitter that can become quite affordable to cast with the right setup. It exemplifies MTG’s creative deck-building strategies where your graveyard’s contents strongly influence your capacity to deploy formidable creatures.

Nemesis of Mortals - MTG Card versions
Golgari Grave-Troll - MTG Card versions
Nemesis of Mortals - MTG Card versions
Golgari Grave-Troll - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ghoultree by color, type and mana cost

Scaled Wurm - MTG Card versions
Crash of Rhinos - MTG Card versions
Verdant Force - MTG Card versions
Deathcoil Wurm - MTG Card versions
Avatar of Might - MTG Card versions
Kamahl, Heart of Krosa - MTG Card versions
Skarrg Goliath - MTG Card versions
Myojin of Towering Might - MTG Card versions
Living Hive - MTG Card versions
Thousand-legged Kami - MTG Card versions
Uktabi Kong - MTG Card versions
Patron of the Orochi - MTG Card versions
End-Raze Forerunners - MTG Card versions
Terastodon - MTG Card versions
Walker of the Grove - MTG Card versions
Woodfall Primus - MTG Card versions
Wolf Pack - MTG Card versions
Gigantomancer - MTG Card versions
Khalni Hydra - MTG Card versions
Liege of the Tangle - MTG Card versions
Scaled Wurm - MTG Card versions
Crash of Rhinos - MTG Card versions
Verdant Force - MTG Card versions
Deathcoil Wurm - MTG Card versions
Avatar of Might - MTG Card versions
Kamahl, Heart of Krosa - MTG Card versions
Skarrg Goliath - MTG Card versions
Myojin of Towering Might - MTG Card versions
Living Hive - MTG Card versions
Thousand-legged Kami - MTG Card versions
Uktabi Kong - MTG Card versions
Patron of the Orochi - MTG Card versions
End-Raze Forerunners - MTG Card versions
Terastodon - MTG Card versions
Walker of the Grove - MTG Card versions
Woodfall Primus - MTG Card versions
Wolf Pack - MTG Card versions
Gigantomancer - MTG Card versions
Khalni Hydra - MTG Card versions
Liege of the Tangle - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Ghoultree card can harness the graveyard potential to essentially reduce its casting cost. Turning creature cards from graveyards into cost-efficient assets, it builds a card advantage, especially in decks revolving around self-mill or creature sacrifice strategies.

Resource Acceleration: Ghoultree exemplifies resource acceleration by permitting the deployment of a massive 10/10 creature potentially at a fraction of its original cost. This use of the graveyard as a resource allows players to expedite their board state without investing heavy mana resources.

Instant Speed: Although Ghoultree itself is not an instant, its presence in a deck supports strategies that operate at instant speed. It syncs well with instant-speed graveyard fillers, enabling a surprise setup for a low-cost powerhouse creature during the end phase of an opponent’s turn, or right before your turn begins.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ghoultree’s effectiveness is largely dependent on filling your graveyard with creatures, which often necessitates self-discard or other means to satisfy its hefty creature requirement. This can sometimes backfire if your strategy doesn’t synergize with such mechanics or if graveyard disruption is used by the opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: Ghoultree comes with a very specific mana cost demanding eight green mana symbols, making it a significant investment that could be challenging to meet, especially in multi-colored decks that might struggle to generate the necessary green mana consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite being able to cost one green mana with a full graveyard, the initial ten mana casting cost is high. In the early stages of the game, there are other creatures or spells which may provide more immediate board presence or utility before you can fulfill Ghoultree’s reduced cost condition.


Reasons to Include Ghoultree in Your Collection

Versatility: Ghoultree is a massive creature that can be a game-changer in graveyard-focused decks. Its cost reduces for each creature card in your graveyard, making it a potentially low-cost powerhouse in the right setup.

Combo Potential: This card offers excellent synergy with self-milling strategies, dredge mechanics, or any deck that frequently sends creatures to the graveyard. Its potential inclusion could turn any graveyard into a resource, enabling explosive plays and interactions.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta heavy with creature-based strategies, Ghoultree shines by providing a formidable blocker or attacker that capitalizes on the natural flow of the game. Its relevance grows as graveyard manipulation becomes more prevalent in game play.


How to beat

Ghoultree is a formidable creature that can be a real challenge to overcome in the game of Magic: The Gathering. This undead tree is not only massive in size but also comes with a potentially low casting cost, making it a terrifying presence on the battlefield. Players often find themselves facing this card in green-centric decks that quickly fill the graveyard with creature cards, thus reducing the Ghoultree’s casting cost significantly.

Defeating this gargantuan zombie tree demands strategic planning and the right selection of cards. Efficient removal spells that bypass its sizable toughness, such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade, are excellent ways to eliminate it from the field. Utilizing graveyard hate cards like Tormod’s Crypt can prevent the Ghoultree from becoming too cheap to cast. Board wipes like Wrath of God can also reset the playing field, clearing Ghoultree along with other threats. It’s pivotal to control the graveyard and plan your removal wisely to handle this monstrous creature deftly.

Remember, even though Ghoultree can be a daunting card to go up against, with the right strategies and preparations, you can ensure this arboreal giant doesn’t root itself too deeply in the game and take over the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving deeper into MTG’s complex world, Ghoultree stands out as a unique addition to any player’s collection. With its power to leverage graveyard resources, it presents intriguing possibilities for strategic deck-building. Whether you’re accelerating your resource pool or creating a substantial presence on the board, understanding this card’s pros and cons is crucial to optimize your gameplay. From deck techs that maximize its potential to strategies that mitigate its limitations, there’s a wealth of knowledge available for enthusiasts. Are you ready to harness the power of Ghoultree and refine your MTG skills? Join us for in-depth guides, expert insights, and the know-how to bring your A-game every match.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ghoultree MTG card by a specific set like Dark Ascension, 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 Ghoultree and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ghoultree has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2011-01-22 Although players may respond to Ghoultree once it’s been cast, once it’s announced, they can’t respond before the cost is calculated and paid.
2011-01-22 Ghoultree’s ability can’t reduce the total cost to cast the spell below .