Haunted Dead MTG Card
2016-07-22 - Number 92
2021-08-26 - Number 336
2023-03-21 - Number 117
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Zombie |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
When Haunted Dead enters the battlefield, put a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying onto the battlefield. , Discard two cards: Return Haunted Dead from your graveyard to the battlefield tapped.
Cards like Haunted Dead
Haunted Dead presents a unique dynamic for players seeking to leverage their graveyard in Magic: The Gathering. It offers a parallel to cards like Stitchwing Skaab, which also allows players to return a creature from the graveyard to the battlefield by discarding cards. However, Haunted Dead comes with the added bonus of a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying, enriching the board presence upon its revival.
Comparative analysis also brings us to look at Prized Amalgam, another card that interacts with the graveyard. Prized Amalgam doesn’t require an active discard to return to the battlefield as it triggers whenever another creature comes back from the graveyard, thus synergizing well with Haunted Dead. While Prized Amalgam automatically returns at the next end step, Haunted Dead requires strategic timing and resource allocation.
When it comes to utility and flexibility in gameplay, Haunted Dead stands out amongst its counterparts, offering not just the reanimation of a creature but also additional battlefield assets through token generation. This nuanced difference underscores Haunted Dead’s multifaceted role in graveyard-centric decks within the Magic: The Gathering universe.
Cards similar to Haunted Dead by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Haunted Dead. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Dredgeless Dredge | Pioneer | Dredgeless Dredge | Pioneer League 2024-03-29 |
 | Sultai Tempo | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 08 2024 | |
 | Mono-Black Aggro | Legacy | 96 / The 96th Legacy at Home |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Haunted Dead enters the battlefield or is brought back from the graveyard, it offers the benefit of an additional Spirit creature token. This effectively provides two creatures for the cost of one card, bolstering your field presence and potentially giving you an edge in creature count.
Resource Acceleration: By harnessing its ability to return from the graveyard to the battlefield, Haunted Dead enables a form of resource acceleration in strategies centered around graveyard mechanics, allowing you to repeatedly utilize the same card without expending new resources from your hand.
Instant Speed: Haunted Dead can be returned to the battlefield at instant speed, providing strategic flexibility. This allows a player to wait until the end of an opponent’s turn to decide the best moment for its revival, potentially disrupting the opponent’s strategy or optimizing the timing for your own plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Engaging in the strategy that Haunted Dead brings to the table also means facing the drawback inherent to its activation cost. To return Haunted Dead from the graveyard to the battlefield, you’re obliged to discard two other cards. This can be quite taxing, particularly in game states where your hand is running low, or when the discarded cards could impact your subsequent plays and resource management negatively.
Specific Mana Cost: The resurrection of Haunted Dead isn’t just about the cards you toss to the graveyard. It also demands an exacting payment of mana – one black and one generic. This specificity places a constraint on deck building, largely confining Haunted Dead to a home within decks that can reliably produce black mana, potentially narrowing its versatility across the diverse landscape of MTG archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With myriad options available in the world of MTG, the cost efficiency of Haunted Dead is brought into question. Needing a total of four mana – two for its casting cost and an additional two for its ability to return to the battlefield – positions Haunted Dead against other choices that could either bring a more significant immediate impact for the same investment or ask for less to begin with. In the context of competitive play, this cost-benefit comparison often weighs unfavorably for Haunted Dead.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Haunted Dead offers a flexible role in decks that thrive on graveyard mechanics. Its ability to return from the graveyard to the battlefield provides a recurring threat or blocker when you need it most.
Combo Potential: This card pairs well with strategies that capitalize on discarding cards or sacrificing creatures. The synergy between Haunted Dead and these mechanics can form powerful interactions that may catch opponents off-guard.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where graveyard-play is ever-present, Haunted Dead maintains relevance. The shifting dynamics often favor cards that can operate effectively from unconventional zones. Haunted Dead’s capacity to impact the game post-mortem can be a key component in various match-ups.
How to beat
The Haunted Dead card in Magic: The Gathering offers a unique challenge to players with its ability to return from the graveyard to the battlefield. When facing this persistent creature, efficient graveyard control becomes crucial. Cards that exile creatures like Scavenging Ooze or Tormod’s Crypt can prevent Haunted Dead from making its ominous return. Board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation are less effective against it, as they do not tackle the core issue of recurrence from the graveyard.
Strategic planning is another way to handle Haunted Dead. Since it returns to the battlefield only at sorcery speed, instant removal spells can disrupt your opponent’s plans. Applying pressure and reducing their hand size can also limit the effectiveness of Haunted Dead’s discard ability. Always remember, while Haunted Dead may seem daunting with its ability to come back, with the right strategy and a few key cards, it can be managed and overcome. Plan your plays carefully, keep control of the graveyard, and you’ll find Haunted Dead less haunting than you might expect.
In essence, it’s not just about having the right cards, but also using them at the perfect time to dismantle your opponent’s strategy and gain the upper hand in the duel. Haunted Dead requires a tactical approach, but with these tips, you can ensure it stays buried in the graveyard.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Haunted Dead MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon and Jumpstart: Historic Horizons, 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 Dead 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 Haunted Dead Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Lake Hurwitz.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-07-22 | Eldritch Moon | EMN | 92 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lake Hurwitz | |
| 2 | 2021-08-26 | Jumpstart: Historic Horizons | J21 | 336 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lake Hurwitz | |
| 3 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 117 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lake Hurwitz |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Haunted Dead has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Haunted Dead card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-07-13 | Haunted Dead’s last ability can only be activated while it’s in your graveyard. |