Gravelighter MTG Card


Gravelighter offers card advantage by re-triggering enter-the-battlefield effects and strategic flexibility. It accelerates resources by ramping lands, but its specific mana cost can limit deck compatibility. Versatile and meta-relevant, Gravelighter can be a game-changer or a high-cost gamble in play.
Gravelighter - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Spirit
Abilities Flying
Released2022-02-18
Set symbol
Set nameKamigawa: Neon Dynasty
Set codeNEO
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number98
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byMiranda Meeks

Text of card

Flying When Gravelighter enters the battlefield, draw a card if a creature died this turn. Otherwise, each player sacrifices a creature.

It appears only to those whose lives are ending, welcoming them to their fate.


Cards like Gravelighter

Gravelighter stands out in the vast array of utility creatures available in Magic: The Gathering. It shares traits with cards like Skirsdag Supplicant, which also presents an ability to manipulate card advantage. Skirsdag Supplicant allows for card draw through its ability, but at the expense of discarding a card and losing life, which Gravelighter avoids. Additionally, Gravelighter can target and exile cards from graveyards, an interaction not afforded by the Supplicant, giving it an edge in managing opponent resources.

Comparatively, another creature that parallels Gravelighter’s graveyard interaction is Scrabbling Claws. While not a creature, Scrabbling Claws provides a consistent method of exiling cards from graveyards and can also be sacrificed for card draw. However, Gravelighter’s creature type awards it with the ability to actively participate in combat, a significant benefit over artifact-based solutions like Scrabbling Claws.

Evaluating these options, Gravelighter is a favorable choice for players who prioritize graveyard manipulation without compromising their board presence, making it a competitive option among its peers in Magic: The Gathering’s complex strategic ecosystem.

Skirsdag Supplicant - MTG Card versions
Scrabbling Claws - MTG Card versions
Skirsdag Supplicant - MTG Card versions
Scrabbling Claws - MTG Card versions

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Nettling Imp - MTG Card versions
Royal Assassin - MTG Card versions
El-Hajjâj - MTG Card versions
Frozen Shade - MTG Card versions
Scathe Zombies - MTG Card versions
Sorceress Queen - MTG Card versions
Lost Soul - MTG Card versions
Mindstab Thrull - MTG Card versions
Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions
Strongarm Thug - MTG Card versions
Razortooth Rats - MTG Card versions
Ghastly Remains - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Undead - MTG Card versions
Deepwood Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Dross Prowler - MTG Card versions
Nim Abomination - MTG Card versions
Vesper Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Specter - MTG Card versions
Dusk Imp - MTG Card versions
Severed Legion - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Gravelighter. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
UBUB StandardStandard Challenge 32 2024-04-13 (1)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gravelighter excels at tipping the balance in your favor by letting you flicker a creature. This not only protects your key piece from removal but can often result in re-triggering valuable enter-the-battlefield effects. The versatility in targeting your own or your opponent’s creature adds a layer of strategic depth to the game.

Resource Acceleration: With every cast, Gravelighter has the potential to unearth lands from your library, placing them directly onto the battlefield tapped. This ramp effect ensures that even if you’re using it to manipulate the board state, you’re also subtly building up your resources for future turns.

Instant Speed: Being castable at instant speed makes Gravelighter a formidable tool. You can adapt to the evolving board by using it reactively, saving creatures from harmful spells or ambush blocking. It offers the flexibility to wait until the most advantageous moment to act, keeping opponents on their toes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Gravelighter demands that you discard a card to harness its ability. This cost can deplete your hand, leaving you at a disadvantage, particularly if your resources are already dwindling and you’re in need of keeping all your options open.

Specific Mana Cost: Gravelighter’s activation requires a specific combination of mana, including both generic and colored mana. This requirement may restrict its integration to decks that can reliably produce the exact mana needed, potentially excluding it from a wider variety of deck builds that thrive on a more flexible mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that could be considered steep for its effect, Gravelighter may not be as economical compared to other options available in the game. Savvy players might seek alternatives that provide similar benefits without such a sizable investment, ultimately impacting Gravelighter’s viability in competitive play.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Gravelighter is a card that can seamlessly integrate into multiple deck archetypes, boasting flexibility as it can be utilized for both offensive strategies and as a defensive tool in responding to various threats on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: This card’s distinctive ability to exile cards from graveyards offers savvy players combo opportunities, particularly in formats that interact frequently with the graveyard, allowing for creative plays and unanticipated synergies able-bodied to swing the game’s momentum.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the current competitive landscape often includes graveyard-based strategies, Gravelighter serves as both a countermeasure to opponents’ tactics and as a way to leverage its unique effect for your advantage, potentially disrupting vital plays and providing you with a substantial edge.


How to Beat Gravelighter

Gravelighter emerges as a versatile card, allowing players to exile an opponent’s card from their graveyard while also offering the option to draw cards. Its dual functionality makes it an asset in disrupting strategies that hinge on graveyard interactions. Despite these advantages, players can employ several strategies to mitigate Gravelighter’s impact.

One approach is to prioritize instant-speed graveyard interaction, which can outpace Gravelighter’s sorcery speed. Cards like Tormod’s Crypt provide a zero-cost option to disrupt graveyard strategies at any time. Additionally, running fewer key cards in the graveyard reduces Gravelighter’s target options, diminishing its utility. Other strategies include using hexproof or indestructible to protect valuable cards from being targeted or utilizing cards that benefit from graveyard exile, turning Gravelighter’s ability into an unexpected boon for your game plan.

It’s essential to adapt your gameplay and deck to anticipate Gravelighter’s influence. By adopting these tactics, players can preserve their deck’s integrity and diminish the value Gravelighter brings to the table, ensuring a strong position in the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

Gravelighter has sparked interest due to its unique blend of card advantage, ramp capabilities, and flexible instant-speed interaction. While it has limitations, such as a high mana cost and a discard prerequisite, its utility in reshaping the battlefield and graveyard dynamics cannot be overlooked. Whether you’re seeking to bolster your offensive line or protect vital creatures, this MTG card offers intriguing strategic options. If you’re keen on exploring the depths of your deck’s potential and shaking up the meta with unconventional plays, Gravelighter could be an exciting addition. Curious about integrating Gravelighter into your arsenal? Dive deeper with us for a comprehensive guide to mastering its power in your MTG battles.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gravelighter MTG card by a specific set like Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, 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 Gravelighter and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gravelighter has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-02-18 The word “otherwise” in Gravelighter's triggered ability refers to whether or not a creature died this turn, not whether or not a card was drawn.