Gravecrawler MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 10 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 1 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Creature — Zombie |
Power | 2 |
Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Gravecrawler can't block. You may cast Gravecrawler from your graveyard as long as you control a Zombie.
"Innistrad's ghoulcallers are talented enough, but let me show you what someone with real power can create." —Liliana Vess
Cards like Gravecrawler
Exploring the graveyard-focused cards in Magic: The Gathering, Gravecrawler stands among the top choices. Among its counterparts, Reassembling Skeleton offers a resemblance. Both can return from the graveyard, but the Skeleton requires two mana of any kind, differing from Gravecrawler that requires a Zombie on the field.
The Relentless Dead, another Zombie card, also holds potential for comparison. This card can return diverse Zombies to hand or field, providing a broader spectrum of choice than Gravecrawler. However, Relentless Dead is double the cost, thereby, making Gravecrawler a more cost-effective option.
We also encounter Dread Wanderer, which is often compared to Gravecrawler given their similar abilities. Dread Wanderer can come back from the graveyard just as Gravecrawler, but it must meet additional requirements, such as having one or fewer cards in hand.
When comparing these cards, Gravecrawler exhibits a valuable presence in the deck. Its power to return from the graveyard with just a Zombie presence makes it a potent and efficient choice among similar cards in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Gravecrawler by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Gravecrawler. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Crab Vine | Modern | Crab Vine | Modern League 2024-03-02 | |
Dimir Zombies | Modern | Dimir Zombies | Modern Preliminary 2024-04-17 | |
Crabvine | Modern | Crab Vine | 2024 Hunter Burton Memorial Open | |
Golgari Loam | Legacy | 3 Etapa - 3 Liga Legacy Jundia | ||
Mono-Black Zombies | Modern | Zombies | Pachanga Trial ACUP Domingo | |
Decklist | Free form | Canadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed | ||
BRG | Modern | Modern Preliminary 2024-02-27 (1) | ||
Rakdos Zombies | Modern | Rakdos Zombies | 2024 Hunter Burton Memorial Open | |
UBG | Modern | Modern Challenge 64 2024-03-16 (1) | ||
4-color Loam | Legacy | 2 Etapa - 3 Liga Legacy Jundia |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Gravecrawler MTG grants a robust card advantage. Having the ability to consistently bring it back from the graveyard to the battlefield without mana cost can increase your field presence. This effectively boosts your hand size as it’s like always having an additional creature card in your hand.
Resource Acceleration: Gravecrawler can be a perfect card for resource acceleration. Its constant resurrection ability can potentially speed up various effects in a Zombie-type deck, allowing you to keep pressure on opponents. Since it requires only one black mana to cast, it further streamlines your deck’s overall mana curve.
Instant Speed: While Gravecrawler isn’t at an instant speed, its resurrection ability can happen at a surprising pace. If it’s sent to the graveyard during your opponent’s turn, it can be back on the battlefield by your next upkeep. This gives you a level of flexibility and unpredictability that can turn games in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Gravecrawler card does not possess a discard requirement, which could have provided additional benefits or synergistic effects with other graveyard-based decks. This might be a notable disadvantage, especially for players banking on graveyard interactions.
Specific Mana Cost: Gravecrawler demands a specific black mana for its casting, tightening its applicability in just black or multicolored decks that incorporate black mana. This requirement confines the adaptability to other deck types and may necessitate strategic considerations for creating an optimal deck.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Gravecrawler only costs a single black mana to cast, it’s an investment, considering it only brings a 2/1 creature to the battlefield. The reanimation ability, while it can be powerful, also needs a zombie on the field, making it potentially cost prohibitive, especially for decks looking for efficient uses of their mana supply.
Reasons to Include Gravecrawler in Your Collection
Versatility: Gravecrawler has the unique ability to be cast from the graveyard if you control a Zombie, allowing it to fit into a wide range of decks, particularly those employing undead or recursion-based strategies.
Combo Potential: With the right synergies on your board, Gravecrawler can facilitate powerful combos, easily amassing an army of undead soldiers or triggering abilities whenever a creature enters the battlefield. Just imagine it working with Diregraf Captain or Phyrexian Altar.
Meta-Relevance: Gravecrawler holds a spot in the meta for its potential to disrupt control and mid-range strategies. Given that MTG’s current meta-game consistently veers towards creature-heavy decks, this undead warrior could indeed be a worthy addition to your collection.
How to beat
The challenge of beating Gravecrawler MTG lies in its powerful ability to return from the graveyard to the battlefield. It’s a notoriously persistent card to deal with. However, there are strategies and card choices that can help keep this undying zombie at bay.
One way of countering Gravecrawler MTG is through exile effect cards. These can remove Gravecrawler completely, denying its ability to resurrect. Cards like Path to Exile or Scavenging Ooze are prime choices for this strategy.
Another approach is to control the number of zombies on your opponent’s battlefield. Since Gravecrawler can only return to the battlefield if a zombie is present, cards that can wipe out multiple creatures or cards that can change the creature type can be effective. Wrath of God and Engineered Plague are examples of such cards.
In essence, the key to beating Gravecrawler MTG lies in disrupting your opponent’s strategy by disabling Gravecrawler’s reanimation or controlling the presence of other zombie creatures on the battlefield. These tactics coupled with skillful play would give you the edge against this relentless zombie card.
Conclusion
In conclusion, diving into the depths of Magic the Gathering is as much about strategy as it is about discovery. Any player, from the casual enthusiast to the competitive pro, knows that each card like Gravecrawler can turn the tide of a duel. As you continue to refine your deck and gameplay strategies, consider the synergies and combos that can be enhanced with carefully chosen cards. Remember, the path to victory is layering knowledge and experience with each match. We invite you to continue learning, exploring, and acquiring key components to craft your ultimate deck. Embark on your next enthralling journey through MTG with us, and let’s conquer the playfield together.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gravecrawler MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Dark Ascension 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 Gravecrawler 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 Gravecrawler Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 2012-01-28 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 43517 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Kendall | ||
2 | 2012-01-28 | Dark Ascension Promos | PDKA | 64★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Kendall | |
3 | 2012-02-03 | Dark Ascension | DKA | 64 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin | |
4 | 2016-02-26 | Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed | DDQ | 59 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin | |
5 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 673 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin | |
6 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 231 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Fay Dalton | ||
7 | The List | PLST | DDQ-59 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin | ||
8 | 2022-07-08 | Double Masters 2022 | 2X2 | 78 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin | |
9 | 2022-07-08 | Double Masters 2022 | 2X2 | 438 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin | |
10 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 423 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gravecrawler has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gravecrawler 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 | Gravecrawler’s ability doesn’t change when you could cast it. |
2011-01-22 | Once you’ve cast Gravecrawler and it’s on the stack, it doesn’t matter if you lose control of the other Zombie. |