Grave Robbers MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Rogue |
| Released | 1994-08-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | The Dark |
| Set code | DRK |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 46 |
| Frame | 1993 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Quinton Hoover |
Text of card
o B, oc T: Take one artifact from any graveyard and remove it from the game. Gain 2 life.
"If you don't have your health, you don't have anything." —Proverb
Cards like Grave Robbers
Grave Robbers from Magic: The Gathering presents a peculiar set of abilities that directly interact with graveyards. This characteristic is reflected in several cards such as Nighthowler, which also leverages graveyard contents but focuses on providing a power and toughness boost depending on the number of creature cards in all graveyards.
Delving deeper into graveyard mechanics, we encounter Coffin Purge. While not offering the repeatable utility that Grave Robbers does, it disrupts opponents by exiling a card from a graveyard instantly, a different take on interrupting graveyard strategies. Scrabbling Claws serves a similar purpose to Grave Robbers, providing both periodic graveyard exiling and the potential to draw a card, albeit without the thematic creature-grave interaction.
Assessing the value of Grave Robbers in gameplay, it becomes clear that its niche appeal in decks centered around manipulating both players’ graveyards gives it an edge. Its capabilities for repeated use and direct graveyard interaction allow players to strategically hamstring opponents while potentially gaining card advantage, setting it distinctly apart from its counterparts.
Cards similar to Grave Robbers by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Grave Robbers provides an edge by allowing you to reclaim creatures from any graveyard, continually refilling your hand with potential threats or solutions.
Resource Acceleration: Utilizing the resources within graveyards, Grave Robbers can effectively speed up your gameplay by providing access to more assets without expending additional cards from your hand.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Grave Robbers at instant speed gives you the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s strategy while keeping your options open, making it a versatile addition to your deck.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Grave Robbers requires you to exile a creature card from your graveyard as part of its activation cost. This can deplete valuable graveyard resources which can otherwise be utilized for reanimation strategies or other graveyard synergies.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands two black mana, which restricts its playability to black or multi-colored decks. Players who don’t run black mana may find it challenging to incorporate Grave Robbers into their strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a three mana investment to cast and another three to activate its ability, Grave Robbers can be a costly investment. There are alternative cards that may offer more immediate or cost-effective graveyard interaction or creature revival options.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Grave Robbers can seamlessly integrate into decks utilizing graveyard strategies or those focused on disruption. Its ability to remove key cards from opponent’s graveyards allows for a tactical edge in both casual and competitive play.
Combo Potential: This card’s potential to convert graveyard removal into your advantage allows for synergy with reanimation tactics or artifact-centric decks. Grave Robbers can become a recurring threat by providing a steady stream of artifacts to exploit.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where graveyard-based decks are prevalent, including this card offers a strategic response. Its utility in removing threats or valuable combo pieces from graveyards can hinder your opponent’s game plan significantly.
How to Beat Grave Robbers
In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, the Grave Robbers card presents a unique challenge. This black creature not only poses a threat as a physical attacker but also can potentially dismantle your graveyard strategy by slowly exiling cards. Its activation cost allows a careful player to sift through an opponent’s graveyard, selectively exiling creature cards and putting pressure on decks that rely on graveyard recursion.
To effectively counteract Grave Robbers, consider increasing your deck’s speed to outpace its activation. Aggressive starts can pressure the Grave Robbers’ controller before they accumulate enough mana to use its ability. Alternatively, decks that emphasize graveyard hate themselves, like those containing Tormod’s Crypt or Leyline of the Void, can render Grave Robbers’ effect redundant. For a more direct approach, removal spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can dispatch the Robbers before they have the opportunity to impact the flow of the game.
Adjusting to your opponent’s strategies is crucial in Magic: The Gathering. Whether it’s through rapidly building board presence, incorporating graveyard hate, or utilizing precise removal, countering Grave Robbers requires a blend of anticipation and tactical responses during gameplay.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Grave Robbers MTG card by a specific set like The Dark, 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 Robbers 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Grave Robbers has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Grave Robbers 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 | If the target is not there on resolution, you do not gain the life. |
| 2004-10-04 | This exiles the artifact on resolution, but you choose it as a target when activating the ability. |