Sightless Ghoul MTG Card

Its undying ability becomes a feature, repeatedly bringing back the Ghoul to the battlefield under right conditions. Despite its discard cost for reanimation, its persistence compensates by pressuring opponents and aiding board control. Restrictive mana and higher cost balance its power, ensuring it suits specific decks rather than all strategies.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Zombie Soldier
Abilities	Undying
Released	2012-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Dark Ascension
Set code	DKA
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	73
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Svetlin Velinov

Text of card

Sightless Ghoul can't block. Undying (When this creature dies, if it had no +1/+1 counters on it, return it to the battlefield under its owner's control with a +1/+1 counter on it.)

It blindly marches on Thraben's gates, guided by its master's direful will.

Cards like Sightless Ghoul

Sightless Ghoul is an interesting creature card in MTG, often compared to other undying creatures such as Geralf’s Messenger. While both cards share the undead theme and undying ability, allowing them to return to the battlefield after being destroyed, Geralf’s Messenger also inflicts direct damage to the opponent upon entering the battlefield, which Sightless Ghoul does not. This additional impact makes Geralf’s Messenger a highly valued card for aggressive strategies.

Another card to consider in relation to Sightless Ghoul is Young Wolf. This card’s lower casting cost makes it a more accessible option early game and can be a quicker undying threat, especially in green-centric creature decks. However, Sightless Ghoul has the potential for a more substantial presence later in the game thanks to its higher power.

Comparatively, Sightless Ghoul figures well among creatures with this persistent mechanic. It provides resilience on the battlefield and can be especially effective in decks that aim to make use of the graveyard or sacrifice synergies. Each card carrying the undying ability brings unique advantages to the table, but Sightless Ghoul stands out due to its ability to persist and potentially outlast its counterparts.

Cards similar to Sightless Ghoul by color, type and mana cost

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sightless Ghoul may not directly allow you to draw cards, but its tenacity on the battlefield can inadvertently lead to card advantage. Once it’s on the field, it provides a persistent threat that must be dealt with, often consuming more than one of your opponent’s cards in the process.

Resource Acceleration: While Sightless Ghoul doesn’t generate traditional resources like mana or tokens, it does accelerate your board presence in the later game. It’s an undead creature that can return from your graveyard to the battlefield when a specific condition, such as a morbid trigger, is met, saving you mana and potentially giving you an edge in creature count.

Instant Speed: Although Sightless Ghoul itself is not an instant-speed card, it complements instant-speed strategies. The undying ability allows you to willingly engage in combat trades during your turn, knowing that your Ghoul will come back stronger if it dies, priming your board for post-turn surprises and maintaining pressure on your opponent.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing the Sightless Ghoul from your graveyard mandates discarding a card, which can be taxing if your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: This undead creature has a casting cost that requires specifically black mana, potentially restricting it to mono-black or black-centric decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Needing four mana to summon, Sightless Ghoul’s stats may not quite justify the investment when other zombies provide more impact for a lower resource commitment.

Reasons to Include Sightless Ghoul in Your Collection

Versatility: Sightless Ghoul is a solid inclusion in decks that thrive on leveraging the undead. Its ability to be cast from a graveyard gives it a persistence that can be beneficial in a variety of game situations, adding a layer of resilience against board wipes.

Combo Potential: Within the right setup, this creature’s undying ability can be exploited. Pairing Sightless Ghoul with sacrifice outlets or +1/+1 counter synergies unlocks repeatable combo opportunities, making it a sneaky player in combo-centric decks.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where games tend to drag on and creature removal is prevalent, Sightless Ghoul thrives. Its innate capability to return from the graveyard makes it a recurring threat that demands an answer, providing strategic value against control-oriented opponents.

How to beat

Sightless Ghoul is an interesting card that can pose challenges if underestimated in an MTG matchup. Unlike typical creatures, it can’t block and requires a more unorthodox approach to conquer. Key to overcoming this persistent undead is recognizing its undying ability, which allows it to return to the battlefield after being destroyed. Therefore, removing it permanently requires strategies involving exile effects or utilizing cards that can stipulate conditions where undying doesn’t trigger, such as with ‘Rest in Peace’.

Prioritizing flexible removal options like ‘Path to Exile’ or ‘Swords to Plowshares’ ensures that Sightless Ghoul won’t be a perpetual thorn in your side. Moreover, applying graveyard hate by playing cards like ‘Grafdigger’s Cage’ can be incredibly effective, not just against the Ghoul but against a range of strategies focusing on graveyard synergy. Although it seems daunting at first, an understanding of your deck’s capacities to manage persistent creatures will swiftly turn the tide of battle in your favor.

Sound tactics and well-chosen cards can efficiently seal victory against Sightless Ghoul, emphasizing the significance of a dynamic and prepared deck building in MTG. By inhibiting its return or sidestepping the combat phase, you ensure Sightless Ghoul’s limitations outshine its strengths.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sightless Ghoul MTG card by a specific set like Dark Ascension, 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 Sightless Ghoul and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sightless Ghoul has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Penny	Legal