Mass of Ghouls MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Zombie Warrior
Power 5
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Mass of Ghouls deters attacks, preserving your field and synergizes with creature-count based card draw.
  2. Can accelerate resources in creature-heavy strategies, getting the most value requires timing skills.
  3. Demands five mana for casting, providing solid battlefield presence without special abilities.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although the Mass of Ghouls card itself does not directly allow you to draw additional cards, its presence on the battlefield can deter opponents from attacking, potentially preserving the cards and resources you have on the field. When considering deck synergy, playing the card in decks focused on creature numbers can amplify effects that provide card draw based on the number of creatures you control.

Resource Acceleration: The Mass of Ghouls card could fit into strategies that capitalize on the number of creatures present, such as those that leverage death triggers for mana production or benefit from creatures entering the battlefield. This can lead to indirect resource acceleration in the right deck context.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Mass of Ghouls can be part of a strategy involving cards that cheat creatures onto the battlefield at instant speed or resurrect creatures from the graveyard when least expected. Knowing when to play your creatures to get the most value in response to your opponent’s actions is key, making timing an essential skill in game strategy.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mass of Ghouls does not have an inherent discard mechanic, but when considering synergy with cards that do require discards, this could potentially thin out your hand when you’re attempting to establish board control.

Specific Mana Cost: Mass of Ghouls comes with a black mana cost that is specific to its color identity. This restricts it to black-centered or multicolored decks that can generate black mana, making it less flexible in mono-color decks without black.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card demands three black mana and two generic mana, summing up to a total of five mana to cast. For the stats it provides, players can find other creatures that offer greater value or more impactful abilities at a similar or lower mana cost.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mass of Ghouls can be a solid addition to various black decks that thrive on creature-heavy strategies. Its five-power toughness balance makes it a respectable force on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: This card has synergy in decks that capitalize on death-trigger effects or those that can exploit its zombie type to enhance tribal strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where creature-based strategies are prevalent, having resilient and efficiently-costed creatures like Mass of Ghouls can be especially beneficial to hold the line and apply pressure.


How to beat

Mass of Ghouls presents itself as a simple creature in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. With no special abilities aside from being a straightforward creature, the card offers consistency rather than complexity in deck building. Some players appreciate its sheer toughness and attack capacity as a decent defender or an offensive five-mana cost creature.

However, when devising strategies to overcome a Mass of Ghouls, consider utilizing removal spells. Cards like Doom Blade or Murder are highly effective, instantly dispatching the creature from the battlefield. Additionally, you might employ creatures with deathtouch to ensure that any combat involving the ghouls results in their downfall. Enchantments that lower the creature’s power or toughness can also turn the tide in your favor, crippling its battlefield presence.

In essence, combating Mass of Ghouls hinges on preparedness with the right mix of spells and abilities. The card’s lack of defense mechanisms allows players with a varied arsenal to handle it seamlessly, maintaining control of the game’s pace and potentially leading to a victorious outcome.


Cards like Mass of Ghouls

Mass of Ghouls is a creature card in Magic: The Gathering that stands its ground as a solid addition to any black-themed deck primarily looking for creature support. It’s akin in function to other black creatures like Dross Crocodile, which shares the same power and toughness. Both bolster the board’s presence with their formidable 5/3 stats. While Dross Crocodile has a straightforward mana cost, Mass of Ghouls can be seen as a more flexible option because of its alternate five generic and one black mana cost.

Another comparable entity in the fray is Rotted Hulk. Though it presents with lesser power of only 2, it compensates with the same 5 toughness. But what Mass of Ghouls loses in initial impact, it potentially gains in survivability in combat due to Rotted Hulk’s steadier toughness. Do not overlook Bog Raiders in this comparison too; a creature with a key ability, being unblockable by walls. This trait occasionally grants it an edge, albeit its comparatively lower power and toughness of 2/2.

In reflection of these comparisons, Mass of Ghouls holds a respectable position within its category. Its balancing of cost, power, and toughness presents an appealing choice, especially in decks that benefit from a robust creature presence.

Dross Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Rotted Hulk - MTG Card versions
Bog Raiders - MTG Card versions
Dross Crocodile - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Rotted Hulk - Journey into Nyx (JOU)
Bog Raiders - Portal (POR)

Cards similar to Mass of Ghouls by color, type and mana cost

Skyshroud Vampire - MTG Card versions
Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions
Fallen Angel - MTG Card versions
Stone Catapult - MTG Card versions
Grotesque Hybrid - MTG Card versions
Earwig Squad - MTG Card versions
Indulgent Tormentor - MTG Card versions
Sootfeather Flock - MTG Card versions
Zombie Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Vermiculos - MTG Card versions
Gluttonous Zombie - MTG Card versions
Woebearer - MTG Card versions
Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Halo Hunter - MTG Card versions
Malakir Bloodwitch - MTG Card versions
Caustic Crawler - MTG Card versions
Shriekmaw - MTG Card versions
Reaper of Sheoldred - MTG Card versions
Dementia Bat - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Plaguelord - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Vampire - Tempest (TMP)
Predatory Nightstalker - Vintage Masters (VMA)
Fallen Angel - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Stone Catapult - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Grotesque Hybrid - Torment (TOR)
Earwig Squad - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Indulgent Tormentor - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Sootfeather Flock - Legions (LGN)
Zombie Cutthroat - Scourge (SCG)
Vermiculos - Mirrodin (MRD)
Gluttonous Zombie - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Woebearer - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Wei Elite Companions - Masters Edition III (ME3)
Halo Hunter - Zendikar (ZEN)
Malakir Bloodwitch - Zendikar (ZEN)
Caustic Crawler - Worldwake (WWK)
Shriekmaw - Magic Online Theme Decks (TD0)
Reaper of Sheoldred - New Phyrexia (NPH)
Dementia Bat - New Phyrexia (NPH)
Phyrexian Plaguelord - Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New Phyrexia (TD2)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mass of Ghouls MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight and Tenth Edition, 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 Mass of Ghouls and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Mass of Ghouls Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2007-05-04 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by Lucio Parrillo.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-05-04Future SightFUT 88futurenormalblackLucio Parrillo
22007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 1562003normalblackLucio Parrillo
32021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 1222015normalblackLucio Parrillo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mass of Ghouls has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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