Endless Ranks of the Dead MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Key Takeaways

  1. Amplifies card advantage in Zombie-centric decks by creating tokens every upkeep.
  2. Can be limiting with specific mana cost and may slow down game tempo.
  3. Its resilience against board wipes makes it a strong addition in zombie tribal decks.

Text of card

At the beginning of your upkeep, put X 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens onto the battlefield, where X is half the number of Zombies you control, rounded down.

With Thraben's army recalled to its city walls, outlying villages were left to fend for themselves.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Endless Ranks of the Dead is a potent engine for card advantage, particularly in a deck centered around Zombie creatures. Each upkeep, it can potentially add more Zombie tokens to your field, effectively drawing you into more creatures without needing to draw a card.

Resource Acceleration: With this enchantment on the battlefield, the number of Zombies can increase exponentially, providing a form of resource acceleration. This creates a self-sustaining loop of tokens that, in the right circumstances, can outpace your adversary’s ability to manage your expanding army.

Instant Speed: Although Endless Ranks of the Dead itself does not operate at instant speed, the growing horde it generates can synergize with cards that do. These instant-speed interactions can be used defensively or offensively, taking full advantage of the surprise aspect instant spells bring to a game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In a deck that cannot consistently fill its graveyard with creature cards, Endless Ranks of the Dead may become a dead draw. If your strategy doesn’t align with graveyard mechanics or zombie tribal themes, its presence can actually hinder your efficiency and momentum during gameplay.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting requirement of two black mana and two generic mana, this card is firmly set in the black color pie. This can restrict its integration into multi-colored decks, particularly those that are not centered around black mana or zombie synergy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With four mana to bring into play, Endless Ranks of the Dead commands a significant portion of your mana resources at a stage in the game where tempo is crucial. Considering the card itself doesn’t have an immediate impact on the board state when cast, other cards at the same mana cost could potentially offer more immediate and flexible benefits.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Endless Ranks of the Dead can be a game-changing card in zombie tribal decks or those that capitalize on creature tokens. It consistently amasses an army, ensuring you’re never without board presence.

Combo Potential: When paired with cards that generate or benefit from a large number of creature tokens, Endless Ranks of the Dead can become the cornerstone of a powerful, self-sustaining combo. Cards that feed off death triggers or sacrifice mechanics become increasingly potent.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where resilience to board wipes is crucial, Endless Ranks of the Dead offers a persistent threat that can quickly repopulate the board, making it a sturdy choice against control decks.


How to Beat Endless Ranks of the Dead

Endless Ranks of the Dead is a unique enchantment in the world of Magic: The Gathering that excels in zombie-themed decks. This card can create an overwhelming army by minting new Zombie tokens during each of your upkeep phases, but only if you’ve already established a solid zombie presence on the battlefield. Its strength lies in the cumulative effect, where the number of Zombies can snowball out of control if not addressed quickly.

To successfully counteract the potential horde, focus on removal spells that can sweep the board and disrupt the multiplier effect of the card. Managing the game early by using cards like Wrath of God, Damnation, or Blasphemous Act, will keep zombie numbers in check. Moreover, graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void prevent zombies from coming back, directly undermining the card’s capabilities. Enchantment removal, such as Disenchant or Nature’s Claim, targets the root cause by removing Endless Ranks of the Dead from the game altogether.

While it may seem daunting when facing down an undead legion, remember that halting the exponential growth early or removing the enchantment itself can quickly turn the tide. Keep your board clear and dismantle their ranks before their numbers become endless.


BurnMana Recommendations

Harnessing the power of Endless Ranks of the Dead in MTG requires insight into synergy and timing. In a well-crafted Zombie tribal deck, this card can propel you into an unstoppable force, turning each upkeep into an opportunity to expand your undead horde. It’s a strategic choice for decks focusing on creature tokens and graveyard mechanics, proving to be an unwavering threat in the right meta. Delve into our comprehensive guide to master deck-building techniques that complement this card’s unique potential. Unearth the strategies that convert this endless legion into ultimate victory and ensure your deck is a cut above the rest.


Cards like Endless Ranks of the Dead

Endless Ranks of the Dead is a powerful engine for zombie-themed decks in Magic: The Gathering. It mirrors the appeal of cards like Lich Lord of Unx, which also perpetuates an undead army by creating more zombie tokens. However, Endless Ranks of the Dead’s mechanic relies on having an already established number of zombies to build upon its legion, different from the Lich Lord’s active token generation ability.

Another card that feeds into the undying horde is Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet. Though Kalitas doesn’t expand the ranks based on existing zombies, it instead creates zombies whenever an opponent’s creature dies, offering both removal synergy and board presence. In contrast, Endless Ranks provides a steady stream of zombie tokens during your upkeep, independent of opponents’ actions.

Lastly, patrons of the undead might recognize Zombie Infestation as a familiar card that contributes to the swarm. While it discards cards to summon zombie tokens directly, it lacks the exponential growth potential inherent to Endless Ranks of the Dead. This unique growth potential firmly establishes Endless Ranks as a key piece in decks designed to overwhelm opponents with an ever-growing number of shambling creatures.

Lich Lord of Unx - MTG Card versions
Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet - MTG Card versions
Zombie Infestation - MTG Card versions
Lich Lord of Unx - MTG Card versions
Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet - MTG Card versions
Zombie Infestation - MTG Card versions

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Feast of the Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Koskun Falls - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Servitude - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Embrace - MTG Card versions
Vile Requiem - MTG Card versions
Brink of Madness - MTG Card versions
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Patriarch's Desire - MTG Card versions
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Last Laugh - MTG Card versions
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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Endless Ranks of the Dead MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Midnight Hunt Commander, 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 Endless Ranks of the Dead and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Endless Ranks of the Dead Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Ryan Yee.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-09-30InnistradISD 992003NormalBlackRyan Yee
22021-09-24Midnight Hunt CommanderMIC 1162015NormalBlackRyan Yee
32022-01-28Innistrad: Double FeatureDBL 5352015NormalBlackRyan Yee
42022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 4102015NormalBlackRyan Yee

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Endless Ranks of the Dead has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Endless Ranks of the Dead card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2011-09-22 If you control fewer than two Zombies, you won't get any tokens.
2011-09-22 The number of Zombies you control is counted when the ability resolves. If you control multiple Endless Ranks of the Dead, the tokens you get when the first ability resolves will count for the subsequent abilities (if the tokens are still under your control at that time).

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