Haunted Crossroads MTG Card


Recycles key creatures ensuring their availability and consistent battlefield presence. Operates at instant speed, allowing for surprise plays and strategic depth. Restricts to black mana-based decks, slightly limiting versatility.
Haunted Crossroads - Mercadian Masques
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment
Released1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set nameMercadian Masques
Set codeMMQ
Number138
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byCarl Critchlow

Text of card

oo B Put target creature card from your graveyard on top of your library.

It seemed as if no one wanted them to reach the Henge of Ramos—not even the dead.


Cards like Haunted Crossroads

The Haunted Crossroads card adds a unique twist to the realm of creature recovery in Magic: The Gathering. It is somewhat akin to other cards that manipulate graveyard dynamics, such as Unearth, which also brings creatures back into play. However, Haunted Crossroads offers continuous utility, allowing the placement of creature cards on top of the library rather than a single event of direct reanimation, which is Unearth’s one-time benefit.

Another comparison can be drawn to the card Mortuary Mire, which similarly puts a creature card from the graveyard on top of the deck. But Haunted Crossroads provides a repeatable effect at the expense of being an enchantment that requires maintaining board presence, unlike Mortuary Mire’s land status which makes it less susceptible to removal. We also have Phyrexian Reclamation, which grants repeated resurrection of creatures to hand, yet it comes with life cost each activation, where Haunted Crossroads expends mana instead.

While analyzing the available tools for graveyard manipulation, Haunted Crossroads stands out for its distinctive and enduring ability to recycle creatures, ensuring a reliable top-deck strategy for players who favor control over their deck’s composition and a steady flow of creature cards.

Unearth - MTG Card versions
Mortuary Mire - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Reclamation - MTG Card versions
Unearth - MTG Card versions
Mortuary Mire - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Reclamation - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Haunted Crossroads by color, type and mana cost

Gloom - MTG Card versions
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Noxious Field - MTG Card versions
Tainted Well - MTG Card versions
Gloom - MTG Card versions
Season of the Witch - MTG Card versions
Tourach's Gate - MTG Card versions
Tourach's Chant - MTG Card versions
Withering Wisps - MTG Card versions
Necropotence - MTG Card versions
Funeral March - MTG Card versions
Casting of Bones - MTG Card versions
Blanket of Night - MTG Card versions
Hecatomb - MTG Card versions
Krovikan Fetish - MTG Card versions
Megrim - MTG Card versions
Recurring Nightmare - MTG Card versions
Contamination - MTG Card versions
Oppression - MTG Card versions
Lurking Evil - MTG Card versions
Maggot Therapy - MTG Card versions
Murderous Betrayal - MTG Card versions
Noxious Field - MTG Card versions
Tainted Well - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Haunted Crossroads provides a strategic edge by allowing players to place creatures from their graveyard on top of their library. This recycle mechanism ensures key creatures can be drawn and played again, offering a sustained presence on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Though it doesn’t directly produce mana or reduce costs, Haunted Crossroads can be leveraged to maintain a steady flow of creatures. By managing the graveyard and library efficiently, players can reduce the need for additional card draw spells and focus resources on impacting the board state.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of using Haunted Crossroads at instant speed is crucial. Players can wait until the end of an opponent’s turn to decide which creature to return to the library, thereby avoiding telegraphing plans and preserving the element of surprise. This also allows the mana to be held for counterplays or other instant-speed interactions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When playing Haunted Crossroads, you need a creature card in your graveyard to capitalize on its ability. This can be a limiting factor if your deck isn’t configured to fill the graveyard readily or if you’re facing graveyard disruption from your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: Haunted Crossroads’ activation cost requires one black mana. This specificity means the card is predominantly suited for mono-black or black-inclusive decks, potentially restricting its versatility in decks without a black mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the ability to put a creature on top of your library at instant speed is a tangible advantage, spending three mana might be cost-prohibitive in fast-paced games where economy and efficiency of mana usage are key. Lower cost alternatives might be favored in decks where speed is paramount.


Reasons to Include Haunted Crossroads in Your Collection

Versatility: Haunted Crossroads offers a unique and flexible utility for any black-based deck. The ability to put creatures from the graveyard on top of your library ensures strategic rebirth of key creatures, perfect for decks that thrive on recurring threats or need specific combo pieces to secure a win.

Combo Potential: The card opens up numerous combo possibilities, particularly in graveyard-centric decks. Its synergy with sacrifice mechanics allows players to set up a loop, where creatures can be returned and re-used, enabling intricate and potentially game-ending interactions.

Meta-Relevance: Given that graveyard manipulation is often a powerful strategy in various MTG metas, having Haunted Crossroads can be a smart way to outmaneuver graveyard hate cards. Its capacity to bring back creatures at instant speed makes it a resilient tool against control decks that rely on removing creatures from the game.


How to beat

Haunted Crossroads is a unique card in Magic: The Gathering, establishing itself as a formidable tool that allows players to put creatures cards from their graveyard on top of their library. To navigate around this card’s persistent ability, players should think about strategic graveyard removal. Implementing cards that exile cards from the graveyard, like Tormod’s Crypt or Bojuka Bog, can effectively neutralize Haunted Crossroads’ utility.

Another approach is relying on counter spells or ability denial cards to prevent Haunted Crossroads from being used. Countering the spell as it’s cast or using spells such as Disallow to counter the activation of its ability could also work as a means to maintain control over the game. Additionally, enchantment removal spells come in handy, as removing Haunted Crossroads directly from the battlefield ensures it can no longer impact the game.

Overall, it’s about staying one step ahead with the right countermeasures. Keep your strategy flexible and ready to respond to Haunted Crossroads to negate its influence on the battlefield and keep the opposing creatures from making an untimely return.


BurnMana Recommendations

Cracking the secrets of MTG involves more than just playing cards; it’s about building knowledge and using it to outwit your opponents. Haunted Crossroads is an enchantment that exemplifies strategic gameplay, creating opportunities for creature card revival that can turn the tides of a match. Embracing its potential can lead to a distinctive edge. If you’re intrigued by manipulating the battlefield with finesse and reviving pivotal creatures to clinch victory, delve deeper with us into the world of MTG. Discover how Haunted Crossroads can become a cornerstone in your gameplay. For more insights and strategy tips, step into our realm of MTG wisdom.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Haunted Crossroads MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Haunted Crossroads and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Haunted Crossroads has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal