Necropolis MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Wall |
| Abilities | Defender |
| Released | 1994-08-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | The Dark |
| Set code | DRK |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 105 |
| Frame | 1993 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | NéNé Thomas |
Text of card
Counts as a wall. : Take a creature in your graveyard and remove it from the game. Put X +0/+1 counters on Necropolis, where X is the removed creature's casting cost.
Cards like Necropolis
When exploring the realm of powerful artifact cards in Magic the Gathering, Necropolis stands as an intriguing point of comparison. It’s similar to cards like Phyrexian Processor, as both allow players to pay life and tap into the creation of creature tokens. Necropolis differs in that it creates 2/2 black and red Necropolis creature tokens, and the life payment is not optional nor is it a one-time cost; it’s a necessity at the end of each turn for each untapped creature you control that didn’t attack.
Drudge Spell is another counterpart, sharing the theme of creating creature tokens from your graveyard. While Necropolis generates tokens based on untapped creatures, Drudge Spell requires you to exile two creature cards from your graveyard to create a Zombie. This distinction is crucial because Necropolis can steadily supply an army without depleting your graveyard resources. Conversely, Mortuary provides a benefit from creatures dying by placing them on top of your library, offering recurring potential for card advantage instead of immediate token generation.
Each artifact offers its own strategic approach. The relentless token production of Necropolis provides consistent battlefield presence that can be leveraged in various decks, making it a unique option for those looking to exploit untapped creatures.
Cards similar to Necropolis by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Necropolis provides a strategic edge by offering a steady stream of card advantage. As it gradually converts graveyard resources into card draws, it enhances your game position with each creature that’s funneled through its ability.
Resource Acceleration: This enchantment taps into resource acceleration by allowing you to exploit your graveyard as an asset. By processing your creatures after they’ve served their purpose, Necropolis accelerates your resource utilization, setting you ahead in the resource race.
Instant Speed: Despite not being an instant itself, Necropolis complements instant speed strategies. It enables you to use your creatures and other instant-speed interactions in innovative ways. It does this by giving value to creatures even after they might be used defensively or sacrificed at instant speed, further leveraging every card played.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Necropolis card mechanism compels players to discard a card to activate its ability. This can hinder your game if your hand is already depleting and you’re unable to spare valuable resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Necropolis requires a dedicated mana setup to cast, demanding black mana that may not seamlessly fit into multicolored deck strategies, thereby reducing its versatility across different deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While offering a potentially beneficial effect, the mana investment to get Necropolis on the field is significant. Considering most strategies, there are alternatives with lower mana costs and comparable or even superior capabilities.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Necropolis card can serve multiple roles in your deck. It’s not just a creature; it’s also a graveyard manipulator that can make use of your own cards that end up in the graveyard, providing sustained value throughout the game.
Combo Potential: This card has inherent synergies that can be exploited in decks that focus on creature sacrifice or death-triggered abilities, making it a prime candidate for combo-centric strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where graveyard-based strategies are prevalent, Necropolis can be a game-changer. It can adapt to the current meta and can act as both an offensive and defensive asset, depending on how the match unfolds.
How to Beat Necropolis
Overcoming Necropolis in Magic: The Gathering involves tactical planning and a keen understanding of this artifact creature’s strengths and weaknesses. Primarily, Necropolis thrives in a game where graveyard manipulation is prominent, reassembling itself from the deceased creatures’ remains. One efficient strategy to dismantle its advantage is through graveyard hate cards. Cards like Tormod’s Crypt, which exiles a player’s graveyard, make it so Necropolis can’t leverage dead creatures to grow in power or to reanimate itself.
Additionally, leveraging exile effects can permanently handle the troublesome artifact creature. With spells like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, you can remove Necropolis without the worry of it returning from the graveyard. Direct destruction is less effective, as it plays into Necropolis’s recursive nature.
Also, counterspells are invaluable. By denying Necropolis’s initial cast, you preserve your graveyard’s integrity and keep the playing field clear of this undying threat. Ultimately, the game plan against Necropolis demands foresight and the right card choices to prevent it from becoming an unyielding force on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Necropolis MTG card by a specific set like The Dark, 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 Necropolis and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Necropolis has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |