Gruesome Menagerie MTG Card
2018-10-05 - Number 71
2018-10-05 - Number 71s
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Choose a creature card with converted mana cost 1 in your graveyard, then do the same for creature cards with converted mana costs 2 and 3. Return those cards to the battlefield.
"Variety is also the spice of death." —Cevraya, Golgari shaman
Cards like Gruesome Menagerie
Gruesome Menagerie, a distinctive spell in MTG, invites comparisons with several other cards that revolve around creature recovery from the graveyard. A close relative in terms of effect is Rise from the Grave, which also enables you to bring back a creature to the battlefield. However, Rise from the Grave targets only a single creature, whereas Gruesome Menagerie reanimates a total of three creatures, each with different converted mana costs, adding a strategic layer in selecting what to retrieve.
Another comparable spell is Zombify, bringing back a singular creature from the graveyard to the battlefield. Gruesome Menagerie provides more value by resurrecting additional creatures, yet it’s locked into specific mana costs, a restriction Zombify doesn’t have. Lastly, Bond of Revival also comes into play, boasting a more potent effect as it gives the retrieved creature haste. While it only targets one creature, the immediate impact can be game-changing. Each spell has its role, but for those seeking quantity and a more sophisticated game plan, Gruesome Menagerie might just be the top choice.
Through this lens, Gruesome Menagerie stands out in the cluster of reanimation spells in MTG, particularly for allowing multiple creatures to return in a single cast, offering considerable control over the board state and enhancing graveyard-centric strategies.
Cards similar to Gruesome Menagerie by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gruesome Menagerie shines when it comes to reclaiming valuable assets from the graveyard. It targets three different creatures with varying casting costs and conveniently brings them back to the battlefield, potentially swinging the game in your favor by amassing a sudden surge of board presence.
Resource Acceleration: Unlike spells that simply return a single creature, Gruesome Menagerie efficiently recovers multiple threats with one card. This synergy not only recovers lost creatures but accelerates your resource efficiency, skipping multiple draw steps to reestablish a formidable presence that opponents must address.
Instant Speed: While Gruesome Menagerie operates at sorcery speed, its strategic implications are felt instantly on your turn. Planning your graveyard with the correct assortment of creatures can ensure a significant impact, unraveling complex chains of plays that lead to a rapid shift in board state and momentum.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Gruesome Menagerie forces you to carefully choose which creatures to bring back from the graveyard. This selection process can be a hindrance if your graveyard doesn’t hold the right mix of creatures essential for your game strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: This spell demands a stringent combination of one black and four generic mana, which can be challenging in multi-colored decks that rely on a diverse mana base. Consequently, optimizing mana to cast it could strain your resources or delay the play.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The five mana needed to cast Gruesome Menagerie is considered somewhat elevated for its effect. Given that many competitive decks strive for efficiency, the mana investment can be significant, especially if cheaper alternative reanimation spells are available.
Reasons to Include Gruesome Menagerie in Your Collection
Versatility: Gruesome Menagerie offers a unique advantage in that it allows players to return creatures of varied mana costs from their graveyard to the battlefield all at once. This makes it a flexible card that can be utilized in a range of deck builds focused on graveyard mechanics or creature-heavy strategies.
Combo Potential: The card encourages creative combinations, as it can resurrect a suite of creatures with potent enter-the-battlefield effects or abilities that synergize with each other. This can set up game-changing plays or reinforce the board presence in a single turn.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where games tend to drag into the late stages, generating value through recurring resources becomes invaluable. Gruesome Menagerie fits well into such an environment, making it a strategic choice for matches likely to benefit from its recursive power.
How to beat Gruesome Menagerie
Gruesome Menagerie presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield, enabling players to return creatures from their graveyard to play. In the vein of reanimator spells, it specifically targets a combination of one-, two-, and three-cost creatures, making it a strategic card in any graveyard-centric deck. Tackling this card requires timely intervention. Graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace or Scavenging Ooze are useful tools, as they can exile the creatures before they are resurrected or remove the card from the game entirely.
Another effective strategy is countering Gruesome Menagerie with instant-speed removals such as Negate or Damping Sphere, which can disrupt the mana curve needed for its casting cost. It’s also beneficial to apply pressure on your opponent, forcing them to use their resources in defense, leaving them unable to capitalize on the card’s potential. Board wipes are also an option to reset the game, but be cautious as they can indirectly benefit the Gruesome Menagerie strategy.
Understanding your opponent’s graveyard is key. A careful assessment of the threats and potential combinations that Gruesome Menagerie could exploit puts you at a significant advantage allowing you to plan and execute your beat strategy effectively.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gruesome Menagerie MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica and Guilds of Ravnica 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 Gruesome Menagerie 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 Gruesome Menagerie Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-10-05 and 2018-10-05. Illustrated by Yeong-Hao Han.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-10-05 | Guilds of Ravnica | GRN | 71 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yeong-Hao Han | |
| 2 | 2018-10-05 | Guilds of Ravnica Promos | PGRN | 71s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yeong-Hao Han |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gruesome Menagerie has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gruesome Menagerie card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-10-05 | All of the returned cards enter the battlefield at the same time. |
| 2018-10-05 | Gruesome Menagerie doesn’t target the cards to return. You choose them while it’s resolving. No players may take actions between the time you make each choice and the time you return them to the battlefield. |
| 2018-10-05 | If a card in your graveyard has in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0. |
| 2018-10-05 | If you don’t have a creature card in your graveyard with one converted mana cost, you just continue on to the next. |