Morkrut Necropod MTG Card
2016-04-08 - Number 125
2023-03-21 - Number 125
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Slug Horror |
| Abilities | Menace |
| Power | 7 |
| Toughness | 7 |
Text of card
Menace (This creature can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.) Whenever Morkrut Necropod attacks or blocks, sacrifice another creature or land.
"There's not enough salt in all of Nephalia to wither that thing." —Ghoulcaller Enslow
Cards like Morkrut Necropod
Morkrut Necropod stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a significant force among high-cost creatures. It’s comparable to similar high-cost black cards such as Dread Presence, which also provides a strong board presence. Morkrut Necropod shines with its massive power and the ability to clear a path by compelling an opponent to sacrifice a creature whenever it attacks. In contrast, Dread Presence requires a specific land type to trigger its effects and yet doesn’t apply the same direct pressure in the combat phase.
Another creature worth comparing is Ghoultree, which seems to be a mirror in terms of requiring a significant creature investment. Ghoultree can potentially be cast for a single green mana; however, it doesn’t offer the same immediate impact as Morkrut Necropod when it comes to altering the state of the opponent’s board. While Morkrut Necropod demands a sacrifice through its attack trigger, Ghoultree lacks this interaction, placing it in a different strategic niche.
Assessing these monstrous creatures together, Morkrut Necropod earns its reputation as a devastating late-game play. It brings a unique and menacing mechanic to the table, which casts a strong influence on the dynamics of the battlefield and often forces opponents to make difficult decisions.
Cards similar to Morkrut Necropod by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Morkrut Necropod doesn’t directly provide card draw, it enables a consistent flow of playable creatures from your graveyard due to its Menace ability, which often requires multiple blockers, potentially clearing the way for future turns.
Resource Acceleration: Morkrut Necropod can immediately affect the board thanks to its notable 7/7 stats, providing a substantial presence that accelerates your pressure on the opponent, making it a formidable threat that demands an answer.
Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, the sheer size and impact of Morkrut Necropod often mean that it operates at a pseudo-instant speed level due to forcing immediate reactions or responses upon landing on the battlefield.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Morkrut Necropod comes with a steep asking price in terms of card economy. Every time you want to swing with this creature, you need to pitch another card from your hand, which can severely deplete your resources, especially in a tight match where every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Locked behind a specific mana combination, the Morkrut Necropod demands a heavy investment of black mana. This can be restrictive for multicolor decks that might struggle with generating the necessary mana consistently, limiting the card’s versatility outside mono-black builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that sits on the higher end of the spectrum, Morkrut Necropod may arrive too late in the game. During earlier turns, players could deploy multiple threats or set up defenses instead of saving up mana for a single large creature, making this card less optimal when speed is of the essence.
Reasons to Include Morkrut Necropod in Your Collection
Versatility: Morkrut Necropod can serve as a formidable threat due to its menacing ability, making it difficult for opponents to block effectively. Its ability to slide into black-based control or midrange decks adds significant value to any collection.
Combo Potential: Its unique sacrifice mechanic allows you to strategically maneuver around graveyard-based synergies or triggers, which can be crucial in setting up powerful plays and interactions within certain deck archetypes.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where attrition battles are common, Morkrut Necropod shines by offering a sturdy presence on the board that can withstand removal and pressure opponents each turn.
How to beat
Morkrut Necropod, a behemoth in Magic The Gathering, demands strategic prowess to conquer. This card acts as a formidable menace due to its staggering power and the “Menace” ability, compelling opponents to block with two or more creatures. In terms of resilience, the sacrifice a land clause when it attacks is significant, yet this can be turned to your advantage. An effective method to beat this creature is through efficient removal spells that don’t require a creature to block.
White removal spells like Path to Exile offer an excellent solution, bypassing the need to double block entirely. Similarly, countering it before it hits the battlefield is also a viable strategy. Counterspells, negate the Necropod’s threat before it becomes active. Alternatively, employing creatures with deathtouch can deter an attack or ensure a cost-effective trade. Edict effects forcing the Necropod’s controller to sacrifice a creature, can also effectively deal with it without entering the combat phase.
Understand that while Morkrut Necropod can dominate the battlefield, its weaknesses are evident with the right line-up. Playing around it includes maintaining removal resources, executing timely counters, or setting up a board that disincentivizes its attack. With the correct deck configuration and tactical play, overcoming the might of Morkrut Necropod is an achievable task.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Morkrut Necropod MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Shadows over Innistrad Remastered, 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 Morkrut Necropod and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Morkrut Necropod Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Alejandro Mirabal.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad | SOI | 125 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alejandro Mirabal | |
| 2 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 125 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alejandro Mirabal |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Morkrut Necropod has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Morkrut Necropod card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-04-08 | In the unusual situation that you control no other creatures or lands, the last ability won’t do anything. Morkrut Necropod can attack or block with no penalty. |
| 2016-04-08 | When Morkrut Necropod attacks, its trigger doesn’t resolve until after all attackers have been chosen. The same is true for when it blocks. This means that another creature, such as one enchanted with Invocation of Saint Traft, can also attack or block and then be sacrificed. Sacrificing a blocking creature this way doesn’t cause the creature it blocked to become unblocked. |