Grudge Keeper MTG Card


Offers strategic advantage through instant speed interaction and board presence. Demands careful hand management due to its discard requirement. May not fit seamlessly into every deck, considering its specific mana needs.
Grudge Keeper - Conspiracy
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Zombie Wizard
Released2014-06-06
Set symbol
Set nameConspiracy
Set codeCNS
Power 2
Toughness 1
Number28
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byRyan Barger

Text of card

Whenever players finish voting, each opponent who voted for a choice you didn't vote for loses 2 life.

"Your defiance is noted."


Cards like Grudge Keeper

Grudge Keeper offers a unique dimension to the roster of creatures in MTG, sharing some similarities with cards like Tithe Taker. Both deploy a strategy of hindering opponents during their turn by making certain actions more costly. Grudge Keeper, with its ability to increase the cost of spells cast from graveyard strategies during an opponent’s turn, discourages reliance on flashback or other afterlife abilities. Tithe Taker, however, extracts its tax during an opponent’s turn by increasing the cost of spells or abilities an opponent would cast or activate, thereby slowing them down.

Another card worth comparing is Thalia, Guardian of Thraben, which broadly impacts the cost of all noncreature spells rather than targeting specifics from the graveyard. This wider net can affect an opponent’s tempo even outside of graveyard strategies. On a narrower path, you have Kambal, Consul of Allocation, who instead of increasing costs, directly penalizes opponents for casting noncreature spells by causing life loss.

Looking at Grudge Keeper in the broader scope of disruptive creatures in MTG, it’s clear it can hold its own, particularly in metagames where graveyard play is prevalent. Its focus on increasing costs during an opponent’s turn situates it in a specific strategic position unlike the others, which might offer more general forms of taxation or punishment.

Tithe Taker - MTG Card versions
Thalia, Guardian of Thraben - MTG Card versions
Kambal, Consul of Allocation - MTG Card versions
Tithe Taker - MTG Card versions
Thalia, Guardian of Thraben - MTG Card versions
Kambal, Consul of Allocation - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Grudge Keeper by color, type and mana cost

Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Nether Shadow - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cyclopean Mummy - MTG Card versions
Cuombajj Witches - MTG Card versions
Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions
Bog Imp - MTG Card versions
Wall of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Blighted Shaman - MTG Card versions
Rabid Rats - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Bat - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Flesh Reaver - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdler - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Black Knight - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions
Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Nether Shadow - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cyclopean Mummy - MTG Card versions
Cuombajj Witches - MTG Card versions
Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions
Bog Imp - MTG Card versions
Wall of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Blighted Shaman - MTG Card versions
Rabid Rats - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Bat - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Flesh Reaver - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdler - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Black Knight - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Grudge Keeper can provide an edge in maintaining card parity by forcing both players to make strategic decisions about spell casting, potentially causing a card advantage for the savvy player. Its presence may discourage opponents from using spells unnecessarily, which can lead to a more favorable board state.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly affecting resources, Grudge Keeper’s low mana cost allows for a swift play, enabling players to establish a board presence while keeping mana available for other crucial plays and paving the way for a more efficient resource management throughout the game.

Instant Speed: This card’s ability to interact with opponents’ spells at instant speed grants it a spot in a reactive defense strategy. Its capability to be played at instant speed ensures that you can respond to your opponent’s actions with precision, guaranteeing that the punishments dealt come at the most opportune times.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Grudge Keeper obliges the player to discard a card, potentially depleting valuable hand resources and impacting strategic flexibility during the game.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that necessitates both black and white mana, Grudge Keeper can be a challenging fit in multicolored decks where mana consistency is crucial.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment for Grudge Keeper could be steep relative to other creatures of similar power level, potentially affecting its overall utility in faster-paced matches where efficiency is key.


Reasons to Include Grudge Keeper in Your Collection

Versatility: Grudge Keeper’s capability to slot into various decks is not to be underestimated. As a card that can influence both players’ graveyards, it has applications in numerous strategies that revolve around graveyard manipulation.

Combo Potential: With its unique ability to punish opponents for utilizing their graveyard, Grudge Keeper can synergize with cards that force graveyard interaction. This presents potential for exciting and powerful combos within certain deck archetypes.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where graveyard-based strategies are ever-present, Grudge Keeper serves as a tactical choice. It can give you an edge against the prevalent decks that rely heavily on interacting with their graveyard, making it a timely inclusion to your arsenal.


How to beat Grudge Keeper

Grudge Keeper is a unique card in Magic: The Gathering that poses a strategic challenge to many players. This card stands out because of its ability to impact the game significantly, altering the usual pace and flow of deck strategies. When facing Grudge Keeper, it’s essential to understand the importance of monitoring your actions and the stack carefully, as this creature can punish you for each spell countered or copied.

To effectively counteract Grudge Keeper’s influence, it’s advisable to adapt your playstyle, focusing on playing spells that do not provoke its ability, such as uncounterable spells or cards that offer alternative types of advantages without utilizing the stack in a way that invites counterspells. Consider incorporating spells that can remove or neutralize Grudge Keeper before executing crucial plays, or adjust your strategy to operate under the radar of its triggering conditions.

Ultimately, successful play against Grudge Keeper involves a blend of timing, selective spell casting, and a keen sense of when to apply pressure or hold back. By carefully planning your moves and anticipating this creature’s presence on the battlefield, you can diminish its detrimental impact and maintain control over the course of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding Grudge Keeper’s nuances can transform your game, offering distinct advantages on the battlefield. Integrating this card could provide you with leverage by controlling your opponent’s graveyard tactics. However, bear in mind its fitting in specific deck builds, as well as the timing in utilizing its abilities to maximize its potential. Whether you’re crafting a new deck or optimizing an existing one, considering Grudge Keeper might be your strategic edge. Dive deeper into the world of MTG with us, and unearth detailed insights and strategies that will refine your gameplay and give you the upper hand in your next duel.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Grudge Keeper MTG card by a specific set like Conspiracy, 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 Grudge Keeper and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Grudge Keeper has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2014-05-29 Grudge Keeper’s ability considers only the vote that caused it to trigger, not any previous votes, even if they were caused by the same permanent.
2014-05-29 If one of your opponents has additional votes because of Brago’s Representative, and that player votes for more than one choice you didn’t vote for, that player will lose only 2 life.
2014-05-29 If you have additional votes because of Brago’s Representative, and you vote for more than one choice, an opponent will lose 2 life only if they voted for none of those choices.
2014-05-29 The spell or ability that caused you to vote will finish resolving before Grudge Keeper’s ability is put on the stack. The ability will be put on the stack even if the results of the vote cause Grudge Keeper to leave the battlefield.