Lhurgoyf MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 252
1997-03-24 - Number 309
1997-08-13 - Number sg309
1999-11-12 - Number 36
2001-12-01 - Number 29
2003-07-28 - Number 259★
2003-07-28 - Number 259
2011-06-17 - Number 165
2018-06-08 - Number 141
2024-06-14 - Number 235
| Card sets | Released in 10 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Lhurgoyf |
| Power | * |
| Toughness | 1+* |
Text of card
Lhurgoyf has power equal to the total number of creatures in all graveyards and toughness equal to 1 plus the total number of creatures in all graveyards.
"Ach! Hans, run! It's the Lhurgoyf!" —Saffi Eriksdotter, last words
Cards like Lhurgoyf
Exploring the world of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, the Lhurgoyf has a unique place in the pantheon of creatures that grow in power with graveyard synergy. Tarmogoyf, for instance, shares this legacy. It also flourishes from graveyard content but spans a broader range of card types which influences both its power and toughness. Mortivore, another analogous card, dynamically adjusts its strength based on creature cards specifically in all graveyards, potentially making it a formidable force on the board.
Moving down a similar path, Lord of Extinction’s might and toughness directly correlate to the total number of cards in all graveyards, presenting a potentially overwhelming threat depending on the game state. These creatures stand as benchmarks in understanding how graveyard-dependent creatures like Lhurgoyf operate in various game scenarios. While each has their nuanced distinctions, they collectively underscore the strategic depth introduced by such mechanics within the game.
Assessing Lhurgoyf and its kin reveals a fascinating tapestry interwoven within MTG’s creature base, emphasizing strategic deck construction to maximize the benefits from what is both a bountiful and often overlooked resource—the graveyard.
Cards similar to Lhurgoyf by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Lhurgoyf card becomes more potent as the game progresses, leveraging the growing graveyard as a resource for power and toughness. This means in prolonged games it can often turn into a massive threat that can swing in for significant damage, potentially turning the game in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or treasure tokens, the Lhurgoyf can be a form of resource acceleration in decks tailored to fill the graveyard quickly. Its power increases with a packed graveyard, effectively converting those resources into combat power on the board at a rate that can outpace traditional mana-based growth.
Instant Speed: Although Lhurgoyf itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its power can fluctuate within instant speed interactions. This is especially relevant as opponents’ creatures die during combat or spells are cast that send cards to the graveyard, thereby enhancing Lhurgoyf’s statistics on the fly and potentially serving as a nasty surprise for an uninformed adversary.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Lhurgoyf’s power often hinges on graveyard volume, necessitating strategic discarding. This can lead to precarious situations if your hand is already depleted or if you’re forced to throw away a valuable piece of your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Lhurgoyf comes with a green mana cost, which could potentially limit its integration in multicolor decks or those focusing on a different mana base. This dependency requires the player to have access to green mana sources, which can be restricting in some game scenarios.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its potential for a significant attack power, Lhurgoyf’s mana cost may be considered high when compared to other creatures available in the MTG universe. Players might find that when casting Lhurgoyf, they’re not using their mana as efficiently as possible, especially in the early to mid-games where speed can be crucial.
Reasons to Include Lhurgoyf in Your Collection
Versatility: Lhurgoyf’s power is directly tied to the number of creature cards in all graveyards, making it a card that grows in strength as the game progresses. Its flexibility enables it to become a threat in various formats and situations, quickly turning the tide of battle in your favor.
Combo Potential: This card has immense synergy with strategies that mill or involve a high turnover of creatures. When combined with cards that fill your own graveyard, Lhurgoyf can become a colossal creature that opponents will find difficult to deal with.
Meta-Relevance: Given its unique size-adjusting mechanic, Lhurgoyf maintains relevance in metagames that favor graveyard strategies. It thrives in environments where creatures are frequently entering and leaving play, becoming a powerhouse capable of delivering lethal damage.
How to beat
The Lhurgoyf card in Magic: The Gathering is well-known for its power that grows with the number of creature cards in all graveyards. This characteristic makes it a formidable force in the late game where graveyards tend to be packed with creatures. To overcome this threat, it is crucial to adopt a strategy that reduces this accumulation. Graveyard removal spells such as Rest in Peace or Relic of Progenitus can effectively neutralize Lhurgoyf’s power boost by exiling creatures before they can bulk up Lhurgoyf’s strength.
Another tactic is to implement instant removal or exile spells that can target Lhurgoyf directly, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares. Playing these spells before the Lhurgoyf has a chance to grow or when your opponent is low on mana to counteract can tilt the game in your favor. Additionally, controlling the battlefield and resisting the urge to recklessly cast creatures that might end up in the graveyard will also limit the Lhurgoyf’s power.
In summary, managing graveyard populations, utilizing targeted removals, and maintaining strategic creature play are key to keeping a Lhurgoyf in check. Being proactive with these methods will help you maintain control of the game even when facing off against this ever-growing creature.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lhurgoyf MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Fifth Edition, 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 Lhurgoyf and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Lhurgoyf Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2024-06-14. Illustrated by Pete Venters.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 252 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 2 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 309 | 1997 | Normal | White | Pete Venters | |
| 3 | 1997-08-13 | World Championship Decks 1997 | WC97 | sg309 | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Pete Venters | |
| 4 | 1999-11-12 | Battle Royale Box Set | BRB | 36 | 1997 | Normal | White | Pete Venters | |
| 5 | 2001-12-01 | Deckmasters | DKM | 29 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 6 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 259★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 7 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 259 | 2003 | Normal | White | Pete Venters | |
| 8 | 2011-06-17 | Commander 2011 | CMD | 165 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 9 | 2018-06-08 | Commander Anthology Volume II | CM2 | 141 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 10 | 2024-06-14 | Modern Horizons 3 Commander | M3C | 235 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lhurgoyf has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |