Vengeful Dead MTG Card


Vengeful Dead - Scourge
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Zombie
Released2003-05-26
Set symbol
Set nameScourge
Set codeSCG
Power 3
Toughness 2
Number80
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byAlex Horley-Orlandelli

Key Takeaways

  1. Vengeful Dead turns zombie deaths into direct damage, enhancing your graveyard-based deck’s threat level.
  2. Though not universally adaptable due to mana requirements, it excels in mono-black or zombie-centric decks.
  3. Its retaliatory damage potential against board wipes makes it a valuable asset in any zombie tribal strategy.

Text of card

Whenever Vengeful Dead or another Zombie is put into a graveyard from play, each opponent loses 1 life.

Those who don't learn from their deaths are destined to repeat them.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Vengeful Dead shines when it comes to card advantage, especially in zombie tribals or graveyard-centric decks. Its ability to inflict damage upon death of any zombie you control can lead to a sequence of beneficial plays, turning each creature’s demise into potential direct damage against opponents.

Resource Acceleration: This card may not directly provide mana acceleration, but its presence on the battlefield accelerates your resources in the form of pressure and threat. Opponents must consider the cost of removing your zombies, potentially slowing down their gameplay and giving you a strategic edge.

Instant Speed: While Vengeful Dead itself does not operate at instant speed, its ability triggers instantly whenever a zombie is put into your graveyard from play. This allows for unexpected turns of events during the game, as your adversaries must factor in the potential damage they will take during their own actions, adding a layer of depth to the match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Vengeful Dead demands that you have a zombie-go strategy, as its ability only activates when other Zombies are put into the graveyard from play. This requires a player to have a deeper zombie pool, or else its potential remains untapped.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes both black mana and generic mana, Vengeful Dead may not fit in all deck types. It’s particularly less efficient outside of mono-black or black-focused decks, as it requires a strong black mana base to be played consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Carrying a converted mana cost of four, Vengeful Dead is on the higher end for creatures that serve a synergistic role. In a game where tempo is critical, its cost may outweigh its benefits, especially when squared against other lower-cost creatures that can perform a similar function or provide immediate impact on the board.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Vengeful Dead is a card that slots nicely into zombie tribal decks, a beloved archetype among MTG players. Its ability to deal damage to opponents whenever a zombie dies makes it an excellent deterrent against board wipes and removals.

Combo Potential: This card has innate synergy with zombie-based strategies and sacrifice mechanics. Utilizing graveyard recycling and sacrificing creatures can significantly amplify its impact, causing a potential landslide in your favor with each zombie’s demise.

Meta-Relevance: As graveyard mechanics and creature sacrifice strategies periodically cycle into the meta, Vengeful Dead’s effect becomes increasingly relevant, punishing opponents for removing your threats and turning creature death into an advantage.


How to beat

The Vengeful Dead is an impactful card in the MTG realm known for its retaliatory ability whenever it or another Zombie dies. Facing this card can be daunting, but understanding its strengths and weaknesses is the key to overcoming it. Strategic play involves limiting your opponent’s capacity to amass a Zombie army or targeting the Vengeful Dead with removal before it can become a substantial threat.

One effective approach is to employ graveyard hate tactics such as Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void, which prevent died creatures to give benefit for your adversary. Alternatively, using spot removal like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can effectively dispose of the Vengeful Dead without triggering its ability in an unfavorable way. Additionally, countering key Zombie-creating spells with options like Counterspell or Thoughtseize to preemptively disrupt your opponent’s strategy is crucial.

Ultimately, the challenge posed by Vengeful Dead in a match requires a careful balance of aggression and control. Understanding its synergies with other Zombie cards and employing the right combination of disruption and direct answers will help negate its impact and secure you the upper hand in your game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Vengeful Dead is a classic card that offers intriguing depth to any MTG collection. Its penchant for turning zombie losses into opponent life losses makes it an essential player in graveyard leveraged decks. For strategists looking to incorporate this resilient spirit into their rotations, it’s vital to consider the broader archetype of your playing style and the meta trends. If you’re eager to wield the power of the undead and concoct sinister strategies that involve graveyard manipulation and sacrifice, diving deeper into synergies with Vengeful Dead can be highly rewarding. Peruse our extensive resources to optimize your deck’s potency and outmaneuver opponents with the grave’s offerings. Let the dead serve you well in your next match!


Cards like Vengeful Dead

Exploring the dark corridors of zombie-themed strategies in Magic: The Gathering, Vengeful Dead stands out as an impactful creature. It finds kinship with other undead heavyweights like Shepherd of Rot, which similarly leverages the density of zombie creatures to affect opponents’ life totals. While Shepherd of Rot can deplete life quickly but at the cost of affecting all players, Vengeful Dead discourages board wipes by punishing opponents for destroying your zombies.

Another card that echoes Vengeful Dead’s mass graveyard exodus is Diregraf Captain. Though the Captain augments individual zombie strength and also deals damage upon their demise, it requires colored mana and doesn’t impact multiple creatures in the same way. Poised between utilitarian board presence and deterrent, Vengeful Dead is like a darker cousin to the captain, deterring mass removal rather than just enhancing power.

Paired next to these cards, Vengeful Dead contributes a unique angle to the tribal zombie theme in MTG. The inevitability provided by its damaging ability upon the death of fellow zombies can turn the tide of battle, creating strategic depth in games that go beyond mere creature statistics.

Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Diregraf Captain - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Diregraf Captain - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Vengeful Dead by color, type and mana cost

Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Cabal Surgeon - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Dirge Bat - MTG Card versions
Gixian Puppeteer - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Cabal Surgeon - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Dirge Bat - MTG Card versions
Gixian Puppeteer - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vengeful Dead MTG card by a specific set like Scourge, 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 Vengeful Dead and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vengeful Dead has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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