Moan of the Unhallowed MTG Card
2011-09-30 - Number 109
2016-02-26 - Number 62
2018-12-07 - Number 107
2022-10-14 - Number 57
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Abilities | Flashback |
Text of card
Put two 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens onto the battlefield. Flashback (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)
For a ghoul, every village is a buffet and every disaster is a reunion.
Cards like Moan of the Unhallowed
Moan of the Unhallowed finds its place within the echelons of token generating cards in the world of MTG. The card is quite comparable to other undead-themed spells such as From Under the Floorboards. Both revel in the art of raising an army of Zombie tokens, but Moan of the Unhallowed allows you to spawn two 2/2 Zombies without the additional mana investment that From Under the Floorboards necessitates for its madness ability.
Moving to another similar card, Raise the Draugr stands out with its ability to bring back creatures from the graveyard to your hand, which can be powerful in a Zombie-centric deck. While it doesn’t populate the board immediately like Moan of the Unhallowed, the strategic retrieval of a fallen creature can be invaluable. Then there’s Army of the Damned, an explosive alternative that floods the battlefield with thirteen 2/2 Zombie tokens, but its steep mana cost makes Moan of the Unhallowed preferable for earlier and more frequent plays.
Overall, Moan of the Unhallowed holds its own within the niche of creature production, balancing cost-effectiveness with the potential for double the grim harvest thanks to flashback, thereby reinforcing its staple position in decks that yearn for an unrelenting horde of the undead.
Cards similar to Moan of the Unhallowed by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Moan of the Unhallowed not only brings one but two 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens onto the battlefield. This effect essentially grants a player two cards worth of board presence with a single cast, solidifying your position and outnumbering opponents in the creature count.
Resource Acceleration: The card’s flashback ability is a standout feature, providing a unique form of resource acceleration. By utilizing Moan of the Unhallowed from the graveyard, a player gets a second wave of creatures for strategic timing, effectively making use of resources that are otherwise inactive and giving them the speed akin to two spells for the mana investment of one over time.
Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, the fact that players can strategically plan the use of Moan of the Unhallowed during their main phases allows for potential instant-speed interactions on subsequent turns. Knowing when to best deploy the zombies can be as crucial as the ability to surprise an opponent, making it a versatile staple in decks that thrive on timing and calculated plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In deck construction, keeping hand resources balanced is critical. Cards like Moan of the Unhallowed might press the player to use other cards to populate the graveyard first, making it less effective if you’re not set for a graveyard strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Moan of the Unhallowed demands a specific blend of mana colors, including two black symbols, which could potentially limit deck versatility. If you’re running a multicolor deck and find yourself without the necessary swamp mana sources, it may stay stuck in your hand longer than preferred.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing in at four mana, two of which are color-specific, it’s pivotal to evaluate the timing of this spell in your game plan. There are alternative options in MTG that may summon creatures or provide other advantages at a lesser mana commitment, thus offering a potentially better mana efficiency.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Moan of the Unhallowed offers flexibility in deck construction, particularly in strategies focused on creature tokens and graveyard play. It can serve as a robust enabler in black and other color combinations that seek to populate the board with undead minions quickly.
Combo Potential: With the ability to generate multiple tokens, this card pairs well with mechanics that capitalize on creature deaths or sacrifices, potentially unlocking powerful synergies in the right deck. It’s a natural fit for engines that thrive on the quantity of creatures controlled.
Meta-Relevance: As metagames ebb and flow, a card like Moan of the Unhallowed can gain significance in environments where creature presence is crucial. It can be particularly potent against control decks by replenishing the board after a sweep, keeping the pressure on opponents and forcing them to have an answer.
How to beat
Moan of the Unhallowed finds its niche among graveyard synergy cards in the vast world of MTG. Releasing a pair of 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens onto the battlefield, the card gets a second wind with its flashback ability, which can be played from the graveyard. This characteristic offers players twice the opportunity to bolster their undead ranks during a game, a potential turning point during late-game stalemates.
However, when up against cards like Moan of the Unhallowed, one effective strategy involves graveyard disruption. Cards that can exile cards from the graveyard, like Bojuka Bog or Scavenging Ooze, can nullify the strength of flashback and leave an opponent’s plan in tatters. Moreover, employing board wipes like Wrath of God can reset the battlefield, effectively handling the zombie tokens generated before they can cause a significant impact.
Ultimately, facing off against Moan of the Unhallowed requires strategic planning and a well-timed response. Devising a deck with tools to manage both creatures and graveyards can ensure that the moans from the unhallowed are but a fleeting whisper in the fierce competition of MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Moan of the Unhallowed MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed, 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 Moan of the Unhallowed 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 Moan of the Unhallowed Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2022-10-14. Illustrated by Nils Hamm.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2011-09-30 | Innistrad | ISD | 109 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 2 | 2016-02-26 | Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed | DDQ | 62 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 3 | 2018-12-07 | Ultimate Masters | UMA | 107 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 4 | 2022-10-14 | Game Night: Free-for-All | GN3 | 57 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Moan of the Unhallowed has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |