Restless Dead MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Skeleton
Released	1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set name	Mirage
Set code	MIR
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	138
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ian Miller

Key Takeaways

Restless Dead facilitates card advantage and pressure by reclaiming zombies from the graveyard.
Its instant speed activation allows for surprise defenses or counterplays in tight situations.
While versatile in zombie decks, its mana and card discard requirements may limit its use.

Text of card

oo B Regenerate

The rich's heirs often thank them after death . . . but preferably not in person. —Suq'Ata epigram

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Restless Dead shines by offering potential card advantage through recurring your zombies from the graveyard. By leveraging its ability, you keep your hand replenished as you return zombie creatures to it, ensuring that you maintain pressure and options throughout the game.

Resource Acceleration: This card provides a form of resource acceleration by enabling the reuse of zombie creatures that might otherwise be a one-time resource. This not only stretches the value of each zombie card you play but also allows you to maximize your available resources over time.

Instant Speed: The ability to use Restless Dead’s effect at instant speed gives players tactical flexibility during the game. It can be activated in response to removal spells or unfavorable combat situations, making it a surprise element that can turn the tides when opponents least expect it.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Restless Dead necessitates the disposal of another card from your hand to leverage its ability. This can be especially taxing when your hand is already running low on cards, diminishing your ability to maintain strategic flexibility and react to your opponent’s moves.

Specific Mana Cost: Its activation cost demands both generic and black mana, which can be cumbersome for decks that are not heavily skewed towards black mana production. This restriction can make Restless Dead less versatile and harder to incorporate into multicolored deck strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is on the higher end for what it offers, Restless Dead may not be as cost-effective compared to other cards in its class. Players might find alternative creatures or spells that provide more bang for the buck without eating into as much of their mana pool.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Restless Dead can be a flexible addition to decks that thrive on creature recursion. Its ability to regenerate from the graveyard makes it an asset in long game strategies, particularly in black-based control or zombie tribal decks.

Combo Potential: This card stands out for its synergy with sacrifice and death-triggered abilities. Pairing it with cards that benefit from or activate upon creature death can create powerful interactions, enhancing the overall effectiveness of your strategy.

Meta-Relevance: Given that graveyard manipulation is a common theme in many competitive environments, Restless Dead has relevance in formats where resurrection mechanics are prevalent. Its persistent presence on the battlefield can provide a consistent advantage against decks that lack graveyard interaction.

How to beat

Restless Dead is a tricky card in the world of Magic: The Gathering, posing a unique challenge to opponents. Its ability to return from the graveyard to the battlefield makes it a resilient threat. To effectively counter Restless Dead, players need to adopt a strategy that minimizes graveyard interactions. Graveyard hate cards, such as Scavenging Ooze or Relic of Progenitus, are excellent tools to remove Restless Dead from the game permanently.

Additionally, exile effects provide a sound solution; cards like Path to Exile or Bojuka Bog ensure that once Restless Dead is dealt with, it stays gone. When facing Restless Dead, swift action is crucial. Allowing it to accumulate in the graveyard will only make it more problematic as the game advances. Dealing with it early and decisively can prevent it from becoming an unstoppable force later in the match.

While Restless Dead may not be the most powerful threat in MTG, underestimating its potential for recurring board presence can lead to an inexorable disadvantage. A well-timed removal or a consistent strategy for nullifying graveyard-based abilities is key to claiming victory against this persistent menace.

Cards like Restless Dead

In the realm of graveyard interaction within Magic: The Gathering, Restless Dead proves to be an intriguing creature with its ability to bolster your army even from the beyond. Recalling shades of Dutiful Attendant, which also allows the return of a creature to your hand upon death, Restless Dead offers a similar yet broader effect by potentially reclaiming multiple zombies when it dies.

The comparison naturally extends to Gravecrawler, a noteworthy zombie that can be repeatedly played from the graveyard as long as you control another zombie. While Gravecrawler offers relentless board presence, Restless Dead shines in its capacity to recover an entire cohort from the graveyard, significantly impacting the late game. We also draw parallels with Reassembling Skeleton, valued for its tenacity through its self-reanimation ability. Restless Dead, though, is distinguished by its ability to affect multiple zombies all at once, pivoting from self-regeneration to swarm support.

Assessing these alternatives highlights Restless Dead’s unique utility in zombie decks, balancing between self-sacrifice and mass reanimation. This singular blend positions Restless Dead as a card that can lead to overwhelming swarms, thereby solidifying its role within MTG’s intricate tapestry of undead strategists.

Reassembling Skeleton - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Restless Dead by color, type and mana cost

Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions

Nezumi Graverobber // Nighteyes the Desecrator - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Restless Dead MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Restless Dead and other MTG cards: