Xathrid Necromancer MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Wizard
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Xathrid Necromancer excels in decks with humans, transforming creature losses into zombie tokens for ongoing threats.
  2. A restrictive mana cost limits its broad use, necessitating a heavier black mana base for optimal play.
  3. Its unique ability offers resilience against board wipes, making it a key addition for specific MTG strategies.

Text of card

Whenever Xathrid Necromancer or another Human creature you control dies, create a tapped 2/2 black Zombie creature token.

"My commands shall echo forever in their dusty skulls."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Xathrid Necromancer offers a unique card advantage by creating 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens every time another Human you control dies. This not only populates your board with additional threats but also ensures you maintain a strong presence on the battlefield even after losing creatures.

Resource Acceleration: Although Xathrid Necromancer does not directly provide mana or treasure tokens, the resource acceleration comes from the army of Zombie tokens it helps create. These tokens can be incredibly versatile, aiding in both offensive strategies and as sacrifices for various abilities that require a creature.

Instant Speed: Xathrid Necromancer itself does not have an instant speed ability. However, it capitalizes on instant speed interaction by triggering from Humans dying on either player’s turn. This can create surprising shifts in board state during an opponent’s turn, making it a persistent threat that needs to be managed with caution.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Xathrid Necromancer requires you to have a human on the field to capitalize on its ability. This could limit its effectiveness if your deck is low on human creatures or if you’re facing removal-heavy opponents who frequently clear your board.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes both black mana symbols, Xathrid Necromancer demands a dedicated commitment to black mana in your deck’s color scheme. This could restrict its inclusion to mono-black or black-centric decks, potentially excluding it from a wider range of multicolor strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana to cast with a 2/2 body, this card is sometimes considered a bit costly for the stats it offers. While the ability can be powerful, there are times when you might prefer a more efficient creature or another three-mana spell that has an immediate impact on the game.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Xathrid Necromancer offers flexibility in deck building, seamlessly integrating into Human-centric or sacrifice-strategy decks where its ability can be maximized for continuous value.

Combo Potential: Its ability to create 2/2 Zombie creature tokens whenever a Human you control dies unlocks various synergies, acting as a linchpin in intricate combo setups that can swarm the board or fuel graveyard-based strategies.

Meta-Relevance: Given its unique effect, Xathrid Necromancer can gain traction in environments where creature-based decks prevail, providing an insurance against board wipes and turning every creature loss into a strategic advantage.


How to beat

Xathrid Necromancer is a potent card in Magic: The Gathering, cementing its place in decks that favor a sacrifice or creature death strategy. When faced with this Human Wizard, your primary focus should be on minimizing its impact. Creatures with exile abilities can play a significant role in countering the advantageous zombie tokens it creates. Consider using cards like Path to Exile or Dire Tactics to remove creatures without triggering Xathrid Necromancer’s ability – denying your opponent the zombie army they’re banking on.

Artifact removal spells can also be key – a card such as Disenchant effectively handles enchantments or artifacts designed to enhance the Necromancer’s output. Board wipes like Shatter the Sky or Doomskar can reset the playing field, although it’s essential to plan these carefully to prevent an overwhelming number of tokens from flooding the board post-wipe.

Lastly, maintaining pressure and reducing the number of human creatures on the battlefield is crucial. Taking a proactive stance and not letting Xathrid Necromancer build momentum can often lead to a pace your opponent can’t keep up with. Each strategy requires precise timing and resource management but can effectively turn the tide against this formidable threat.


BurnMana Recommendations

In the vast and competitive world of MTG, understanding the subtle art of synergy and counterplay is key. Xathrid Necromancer is a testament to the nuanced strategies that Human-centric and sacrificial decks can offer. Crafting a robust collection means recognizing the potential of such cards and their unique abilities to transform the battlefield. By building around Xathrid Necromancer, you gain access to an arsenal of token generation that can overwhelm opponents or fortify your defenses. Curious about optimizing your deck with Xathrid Necromancer or similar cards? Dive deeper into our resources for insights on deck-building strategies and rising stars in the MTG scene.


Cards like Xathrid Necromancer

Xathrid Necromancer stands out in the realm of creature utility in Magic: The Gathering. At its core, it can be compared to other cards that generate tokens upon the death of creatures, such as Pawn of Ulamog. Both can provide a significant advantage by creating creature tokens, maximizing value from creature deaths. Nevertheless, Xathrid Necromancer specifically targets Human creatures, offering a more focused approach for decks capitalizing on this creature type.

Another card with a similar impact on gameplay is Rotlung Reanimator. Like Xathrid Necromancer, Rotlung Reanimator generates creature tokens when specific creatures die, but in this case, Clerics. While this supports a narrower archetype, it’s notable that the tokens themselves are also Clerics, potentially synergizing with other cleric-based strategies.

Considering the strategy of deepening the board’s resilience and expanding creature presence, Xathrid Necromancer’s ability to turn each Human creature’s demise into an asset shows its strength when evaluated against similar MTG cards, enhancing tribal decks particularly rooted in the Human subtype.

Pawn of Ulamog - MTG Card versions
Rotlung Reanimator - MTG Card versions
Pawn of Ulamog - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)
Rotlung Reanimator - Onslaught (ONS)

Cards similar to Xathrid Necromancer by color, type and mana cost

Nettling Imp - MTG Card versions
Royal Assassin - MTG Card versions
El-Hajjâj - MTG Card versions
Plague Rats - MTG Card versions
Frozen Shade - MTG Card versions
Scathe Zombies - MTG Card versions
Sorceress Queen - MTG Card versions
Wall of Bone - MTG Card versions
Lost Soul - MTG Card versions
Mindstab Thrull - MTG Card versions
Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions
Strongarm Thug - MTG Card versions
Razortooth Rats - MTG Card versions
Ghastly Remains - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Undead - MTG Card versions
Deepwood Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Dross Prowler - MTG Card versions
Nim Lasher - MTG Card versions
Nim Abomination - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Husk - MTG Card versions
Nettling Imp - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Royal Assassin - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
El-Hajjâj - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Plague Rats - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Frozen Shade - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Scathe Zombies - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Sorceress Queen - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Wall of Bone - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Lost Soul - Introductory Two-Player Set (ITP)
Mindstab Thrull - Masters Edition (ME1)
Mischievous Poltergeist - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Strongarm Thug - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Razortooth Rats - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Ghastly Remains - Legions (LGN)
Lord of the Undead - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Deepwood Ghoul - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Dross Prowler - Mirrodin (MRD)
Nim Lasher - Mirrodin (MRD)
Nim Abomination - Darksteel (DST)
Nantuko Husk - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Xathrid Necromancer MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Resale Promos, 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 Xathrid Necromancer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Xathrid Necromancer Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2007-01-01 and 2020-04-17. Illustrated by Maciej Kuciara.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 523122003normalblackMaciej Kuciara
22007-01-01Resale PromosPRES A122003normalblackMaciej Kuciara
32013-07-19Magic 2014M14 1232003normalblackMaciej Kuciara
42020-04-17Commander 2020C20 1412015normalblackMaciej Kuciara

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Xathrid Necromancer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Xathrid Necromancer card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2013-07-01 If Xathrid Necromancer dies at the same time as another Human creature you control, its ability will trigger twice.

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