Ludevic, Necrogenius // Olag, Ludevic's Hubris MTG Card


Dual utility from a single card enhances strategic options and elevates the value of Ludevic, Necrogenius in gameplay. Balancing the discard drawback against transformation benefits requires savvy hand management and foresight. Ludevic’s design caters to graveyard-focused decks and can pivot the momentum of a match substantially.
Ludevic, Necrogenius // Olag, Ludevic's Hubris - The List
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Zombie
Abilities Transform
Released2020-09-26
Set symbol
Set nameThe List
Set codePLST
Power 4
Toughness 4
NumberMID-233
Frame2015
LayoutTransform
BorderBlack
Illustred byRyan Pancoast

Text of card

As this creature transforms into Olag, Ludevic's Hubris, it becomes a copy of a creature card exiled with it, except its name is Olag, Ludevic's Hubris, it's 4/4, and it's a legendary blue and black Zombie in addition to its other colors and types. Put a number of +1/+1 counters on Olag equal to the number of creature cards exiled with it.


Cards like Ludevic, Necrogenius // Olag, Ludevic's Hubris

Ludevic, Necrogenius // Olag, Ludevic’s Hubris sits in a unique niche within the realm of transformative creatures in Magic: The Gathering. A relative comparison might bring Experiment Kraj to mind, which likewise can leverage the abilities of other creatures within the game. Both cards foster a strategy that revolves around manipulating the numerous abilities scattered across the playing field. Yet, Ludevic separates itself with its ability to explicitly morph into Olag, presenting a new set of abilities and potentially turning the tide of a match.

Another card worth comparing is Mercurial Pretender. Both Ludevic and the Pretender can clone creatures, but Ludevic’s backside, Olag, introduces a more dynamic element to gameplay with its graveyard recursion. In contrast, the Pretender maintains a consistent cloning ability without the additional layer of transformation that Ludevic provides. Moreover, Ludevic’s forefront as a legendary creature adds strategic value for commander play, greatly appealing in that format which Mercurial Pretender lacks.

Reflecting on the provided comparisons, it becomes clear that while other creature clone or transform cards exist, Ludevic, Necrogenius // Olag, Ludevic’s Hubris presents a versatile and innovative option for players seeking a complex and adaptable gameplay experience.

Experiment Kraj - MTG Card versions
Mercurial Pretender - MTG Card versions
Experiment Kraj - MTG Card versions
Mercurial Pretender - MTG Card versions

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Zombie Outlander - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Hibernation Sliver - MTG Card versions
Drowned - MTG Card versions
Woodlot Crawler - MTG Card versions
Returned Phalanx - MTG Card versions
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Disciple of Deceit - MTG Card versions
Fathom Feeder - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ludevic, Necrogenius offers strategic depth by allowing you to transform it into Olag, Ludevic’s Hubris, essentially giving you access to two cards in one. This can lead to significant card advantage as you gain a new powerful creature without the need for an additional card from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: On its flip side, Olag, Ludevic’s Hubris’s ability to create a token copy of a creature in your graveyard can accelerate your board presence, offering a form of resource acceleration through creature recursion without expending extra mana resources from your hand.

Instant Speed: While Ludevic itself doesn’t function at instant speed, the ability to mill a creature into your graveyard at any time gives you the flexibility to set up your graveyard for Olag’s transformation. This reactive play can make your strategy less predictable and more adaptable to an evolving game state.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ludevic, Necrogenius demands that you discard a card to trigger its ability. During gameplay, having to discard can lead to a significant setback if your hand size is already depleting. Players must weigh the potential loss of vital cards against the benefits of transforming Ludevic.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires both blue and black mana for casting, which can be restrictive. It’s harder to fit into a multicolored deck that doesn’t focus on those colors, potentially limiting the card’s versatility and impacting deck-building decisions.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: To truly harness the potential of Ludevic, Necrogenius or its back side, Olag, Ludevic’s Hubris, a cumulative high mana investment is necessary. Initially transforming Ludevic takes a hefty sum of resources, which might not align with the pace set by other cards in its mana range. This aspect could deter players from including it in faster, more efficient strategies.


Reasons to Include Ludevic, Necrogenius // Olag, Ludevic’s Hubris in Your Collection

Versatility: Ludevic, Necrogenius can easily find a home in varied deck types, especially those revolving around graveyard strategies or creature-based synergies. The ability to transform into Olag, Ludevic’s Hubris further adds to its flexibility in-game.

Combo Potential: This card opens up numerous combo routes with its transformation ability, allowing players to reanimate high-value targets from the graveyard, while also benefitting from a new creature with different abilities to shift game dynamics.

Meta-Relevance: As plays revolving around graveyard manipulation and high-impact creatures continue to be significant in the meta, having Ludevic as part of your deck ensures you remain competitive and can adapt to various situations that arise during gameplay.


How to Beat Ludevic, Necrogenius // Olag, Ludevic’s Hubris

Ludevic, Necrogenius // Olag, Ludevic’s Hubris presents an intriguing dual-faced challenge for players to overcome. With the ability to transform from a blue and black legendary creature into Olag, Ludevic’s Hubris, a powerful legendary Zombie, managing this card requires a clear strategy. When facing Ludevic, it’s crucial to keep graveyard interactions in check. Employ graveyard hate cards such as Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void to disrupt the creature’s ability to utilize creatures from graveyards. Additionally, considering Ludevic’s capability to mill cards, incorporating shuffle effects like those from Eldrazi titans can prevent vital cards from being permanently lost.

Tackling Olag relies on swift and decisive board control. Removal spells that exile, such as Swords to Plowshares, are potent tools to permanently deal with Olag and prevent it from coming back. It’s also essential to manage your own graveyard, as Olag becomes a larger threat with each creature card it contains. By utilizing these tactics, the daunting task of countering the two-fold menace of Ludevic, Necrogenius and Olag can become a manageable aspect of your gameplay strategy.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ludevic, Necrogenius // Olag, Ludevic's Hubris MTG card by a specific set like The List, 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 Ludevic, Necrogenius // Olag, Ludevic's Hubris and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ludevic, Necrogenius // Olag, Ludevic's Hubris has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
StandardbrawlLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ludevic, Necrogenius // Olag, Ludevic's Hubris card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2021-09-24 If Olag becomes a copy of another transforming double-faced card that doesn't have nightbound, such as Delver of Secrets, abilities of it gains or other effects may cause it to transform. If it transforms this way, it does not become Ludevic again. The copy effect continues to apply and its characteristics don't change. If the creature it is a copy of has a triggered ability that occurs when it transforms, that ability will trigger.
2021-09-24 If there are no creature cards exiled with Ludevic as it transforms, perhaps because those cards were removed from exile in response to its activated ability or it transformed another way, Olag won't be a copy of anything. Olag will simply be its 4/4 self with no +1/+1 counters.
2021-09-24 It's possible for Olag to become a copy of a card with the daybound keyword ability as it transforms. If this happens, it doesn't transform as it becomes night.
2021-09-24 Olag remains a copy of the creature card you choose even if that card later leaves exile.
2021-09-24 You choose which exiled creature card Olag is copying as it transforms. It doesn't transform and then become a copy.