Grave Pact MTG Card
1998-03-02 - Number 60
2003-07-28 - Number 137
2003-07-28 - Number 137★
2005-07-29 - Number 135
2005-07-29 - Number 135★
2007-07-13 - Number 144
2009-09-04 - Number 28
2011-06-17 - Number 85
2018-06-08 - Number 65
2023-08-04 - Number 513
2023-08-04 - Number 165
2023-08-04 - Number 639
2023-09-08 - Number 73
2023-09-08 - Number 93
2023-09-08 - Number 29
2023-08-04 - Number 38
2023-08-04 - Number 19
| Card sets | Released in 17 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
Whenever any creature you control is put into any graveyard, each other player sacrifices a creature.
"The bonds of loyalty can tie one to the grave." —Crovax
Cards like Grave Pact
In the strategic landscape of Magic: The Gathering, Grave Pact stands as a vital touchstone for decks that leverage creature sacrifice. Not unlike its analogue Dictate of Erebos, both cards share the potent ability to force opponents to sacrifice creatures whenever you lose one of your own. However, Grave Pact’s absence of flash differs from Dictate’s more flexible play timing.
Another peer in this realm is Butcher of Malakir, a creature card which embodies a similar effect. Although it provides an on-board presence that can deter opponents’ actions, the seven mana cost is steep compared to Grave Pact’s four. Moreover, cards like Martyr’s Bond extend the sacrifice trigger to noncreature permanents as well, broadening the asymmetrical punishment, yet this comes with an increased mana investment and a white color identity requirement.
Navigating MTG’s extensive library, Grave Pact exhibits a harmonious balance of cost and powerful control capabilities, making it a quintessential piece in decks that thrive on sacrificial synergy. Its distinct ability to disrupt opposing strategies without the convenience of flash or lower casting costs cements its role within the pantheon of creature attrition strategies.
Cards similar to Grave Pact by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Grave Pact. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Black Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 15 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Grave Pact provides a persistent threat on the battlefield, as it forces your opponent to sacrifice a creature whenever one of your creatures dies. This can quickly snowball into a significant advantage as you trade one of your expendable creatures for a key piece of your opponent’s board, effectively whittling down their resources while you maintain or grow your own.
Resource Acceleration: In decks designed around creature tokens or low-cost creatures, Grave Pact acts as a form of indirect resource acceleration. By effectively removing opponent creatures, you spend fewer resources handling threats and can allocate more towards advancing your board state.
Instant Speed: While Grave Pact itself does not operate at instant speed, it influences plays made at instant speed in your game. Your opponents must consider the Grave Pact effect with every removal, trade, or end-of-turn action they take, often putting them at a psychological disadvantage as they attempt to navigate around your strategic setup.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Grave Pact requires a precise combination of three black mana for casting, which may limit its versatility across varied deck builds that don’t heavily invest in black mana or have inconsistent mana bases.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of one generic and three black mana, Grave Pact can be a significant investment of resources. This cost can affect your tempo, especially in the early to mid-game phases where mana can be better spent on developing the board or disrupting opponents.
Discard Requirement: While Grave Pact itself does not have a discard requirement, its effectiveness relies on a strategy of sacrificing creatures. This can inadvertently lead to a decrease in your own card advantage as you consistently need to field creatures that you are willing to sacrifice, which can be demanding on your hand and resources.
Reasons to Include Grave Pact in Your Collection
Versatility: Grave Pact has a unique ability to influence the board, working exceptionally well in decks built around creature sacrifice. Its flexibility allows it to integrate seamlessly into various strategies, from policing opponents’ creatures to enabling your own game-changing plays.
Combo Potential: Players can elevate their gameplay by combining Grave Pact with creature generators or recurring creatures from the graveyard. This creates a loop that constantly keeps opponents’ creatures at bay while advancing your board state.
Meta-Relevance: With constantly shifting metagames, having a card like Grave Pact can create significant advantages. In environments heavy on creature-based tactics, Grave Pact ensures you maintain control, often deterring opponents from executing their strategies effectively.
How to beat
Grave Pact is a powerful enchantment card that can control the battlefield in MTG. Its authority stems from the rule that it imposes, compelling opponents to sacrifice a creature whenever you lose one. Players often find themselves in a bind because of this “tit-for-tat” scenario. But, how does one navigate this tricky card and maintain an advantage?
To outmaneuver Grave Pact, consider employing cards that can bypass its forced sacrifice. This can be achieved through effects that exile or bounce Grave Pact directly, thus neutralizing its influence. Enchantment removal cards like Disenchant are fundamental in these situations. Another strategy involves utilizing creature tokens or creatures with indestructible to satisfy the sacrifice requirement without depleting your critical resources. You may also opt for strategies that avoid creature-centric playstyles altogether, focusing on spell-based or combo decks that can fly under Grave Pact’s radar.
Ultimately, it demands careful planning and a diversified deck to effectively dismantle the tactical stronghold established by Grave Pact. Having an array of solutions at the ready will ensure that you stay in command of the game, without being constrained by your opponent’s strategic plays.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Grave Pact MTG card by a specific set like Stronghold and Eighth Edition, 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 Grave Pact 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Grave Pact Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 1998-03-02 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by 7 different artists.
Show/hide all sets| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-03-02 | Stronghold | STH | 60 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Scott Kirschner | |
| 2 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 137 | 2003 | Normal | White | Tony Szczudlo | |
| 3 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 137★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Tony Szczudlo | |
| 4 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 135 | 2003 | Normal | White | Puddnhead | |
| 5 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 135★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Puddnhead | |
| 6 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 144 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Puddnhead | |
| 7 | 2009-09-04 | Planechase | HOP | 28 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Puddnhead | |
| 8 | 2011-06-17 | Commander 2011 | CMD | 85 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Puddnhead | |
| 9 | 2018-06-08 | Commander Anthology Volume II | CM2 | 65 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Puddnhead | |
| 10 | Commander Masters Art Series | ACMM | 38 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | |||
| 11 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 513 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Billy Christian | |
| 12 | Commander Masters Art Series | ACMM | 19 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | |||
| 13 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 165 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Billy Christian | |
| 14 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 639 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Kev Walker | |
| 15 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine: Enchanting Tales | WOT | 73 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | BODAX | |
| 16 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine: Enchanting Tales | WOT | 93 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | BODAX | |
| 17 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine: Enchanting Tales | WOT | 29 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Zach Alexander |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Grave Pact has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Grave Pact card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Each other player sacrifices a creature for each creature you control that goes to a graveyard. |