Quest for the Gravelord MTG Card
2009-10-02 - Number 108
2016-09-02 - Number 58
2018-06-08 - Number 156
2019-11-07 - Number 741
2020-09-26 - Number BBD-156
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
Whenever a creature is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, you may put a quest counter on Quest for the Gravelord. Remove three quest counters from Quest for the Gravelord and sacrifice it: Put a 5/5 black Zombie Giant creature token onto the battlefield.
Cards like Quest for the Gravelord
Quest for the Gravelord finds its niche within the vast array of black enchantments in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often compared to Bloodchief Ascension, another enchantment that thrives on the demise of creatures, rewarding players with a boost in life points and a hit to their opponent’s life total. Unlike Bloodchief Ascension, Quest for the Gravelord’s payoff is a single-use power spike, summoning a massive Zombie Giant creature, which can be a game-changer in creature-heavy matchups.
Morbid curiosity leads players to consider Open the Graves as well. This enchantment continuously provides value by creating Zombie tokens whenever a non-token creature you control dies. While Quest for the Gravelord accumulates quest counters, Open the Graves has an immediate impact, albeit offering a less potent board presence with smaller tokens. Then there’s From Under the Floorboards, which can offer a horde of Zombies and life gain, though at a higher mana cost and with the need for madness to efficiently harness its power.
Every strategy hinges on the balance between resource investment and tactical advantage. Quest for the Gravelord stands out with its low cost and potential to drastically alter the battlefield dynamic with a single colossal creature.
Cards similar to Quest for the Gravelord by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Quest for the Gravelord becomes a powerhouse when creatures start hitting the graveyard, letting you amass a vast army with a single token that’s extremely difficult to block. This creates a significant advantage not just by generating a creature, but by potentially turning the tides with a massive 5/5 black Zombie Giant token.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana acceleration, Quest for the Gravelord’s low casting cost means you can play it early and capitalize on its benefits quickly. It’s an investment that pays off by saving resources later in the match, allowing you to cast larger threats while your opponents deal with your imposing Zombie Giant.
Instant Speed: The sheer threat of completing the quest at instant speed nudges your opponents into tough decisions during combat, knowing that at any turn, their creature’s demise could spawn your towering token. You can strategically use this during the opponent’s turn to create a surprise blocker or an unexpected new threat on the board.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Quest for the Gravelord demands a particular setup to unlock its potential. Players need to amass three quest counters, which means three creature cards must hit the graveyard from anywhere. This could lead to situations where you’re pressuring yourself to block or trade off creatures to achieve the card’s benefit, potentially putting you at a resource disadvantage.
Specific Mana Cost: The card’s casting cost is specifically one black mana. While not steep, this does commit you to a black mana base, making it less flexible for decks running multiple colors or having a more stringent mana curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though only costing one black mana, the true cost of Quest for the Gravelord extends beyond mana. It requires creatures dying, which might not happen according to your game plan. Furthermore, in faster formats or games, the opportunity cost of playing this card versus others that have an immediate impact may not be favorable, especially when the board state doesn’t play into its mechanism efficiently.
Reasons to Include Quest for the Gravelord in Your Collection
Versatility: Quest for the Gravelord is a dynamic card that provides value in numerous deck archetypes. Its ability to create a massive creature at a low cost makes it a standout in any deck looking to capitalize on creature deaths, from aggressive strategies to more controlling setups.
Combo Potential: This card thrives in combo-oriented decks, particularly those that frequently sacrifice creatures or have mechanics that involve the graveyard. Pairing it with sac outlets and recursive creatures can quickly fulfill the quest and deploy a significant threat.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creatures frequently clash and hit the graveyard, Quest for the Gravelord becomes increasingly advantageous. Its relevance grows in metas heavy with creature-based strategies, making it a savvy inclusion that can catch opponents off-guard with a sudden burst of power on the battlefield.
How to Beat Quest for the Gravelord
Quest for the Gravelord is an intriguing MTG card that places players in a race against time as it accumulates quest counters with every creature that hits the graveyard. Once three counters are amassed, it brings forth a formidable 5/5 black Zombie Giant creature token, a potential game-changer. Overcoming this card involves strategic manipulation of the battlefield and timing your creature removal wisely.
Effective strategies include using graveyard hate cards such as Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void to prevent creatures from hitting the graveyard altogether. Another approach is to utilize instant-speed removal or exile effects when creatures die during your opponent’s turn to ensure Quest for the Gravelord doesn’t get its third counter. Sweepers like Wrath of God can also be useful to control the board before the quest is fulfilled. It is crucial to avoid unnecessary trades and creature combat that would inadvertently place more creatures in the graveyard, speeding up your opponent’s quest completion.
Ultimately, being vigilant and responsive is key. Tackling Quest for the Gravelord head-on with a blend of graveyard control and strategic removal will help ensure that the looming Zombie Giant never sees the battlefield, keeping you one step ahead in the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Quest for the Gravelord MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Duel Decks: Nissa vs. Ob Nixilis, 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 Quest for the Gravelord 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
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Printings
The Quest for the Gravelord Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Chris Rahn.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar | ZEN | 108 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | |
| 2 | 2016-09-02 | Duel Decks: Nissa vs. Ob Nixilis | DDR | 58 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | |
| 3 | 2018-06-08 | Battlebond | BBD | 156 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 741 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | BBD-156 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Quest for the Gravelord has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Quest for the Gravelord card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-10-01 | Quest for the Gravelord’s first ability triggers regardless of who controlled the creature and whose graveyard it was put into. |