Tombstalker MTG Card

Tombstalker excels as a heavy hitter with flying, utilizing graveyard cards to gain a battlefield edge. Although powerful, its specific black mana cost and graveyard reliance can constrain deck building. Its combination of size and evasion makes it a resilient threat in many MTG metas.

Future Sight (FUT)
2007-05-04 - Number 91

Modern Masters (MMA)
2013-06-07 - Number 102

Tombstalker - Time Spiral Remastered (TSR)

Time Spiral Remastered (TSR)
2021-03-19 - Number 146

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number FUT-91

Card sets	Released in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	8
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Demon
Abilities	Delve,Flying
Power	5
Toughness	5

Text of card

Flying Delve (You may remove any number of cards in your graveyard from the game as you play this spell. It costs less to play for each card removed this way.)

Cards like Tombstalker

Tombstalker finds its niche in the array of creature cards with evasive abilities in Magic the Gathering. Its flying trait ensures a degree of protection from ground-based creatures, reminiscent of the Vampire Nighthawk. However, Tombstalker diverges with its formidable power and toughness, setting it above in terms of raw strength. The Nighthawk, while less powerful, brings lifelink and deathtouch to the table, offering both durability and lethality.

Observing a parallel, we see similarities with Desecration Demon. Both creatures command a significant board presence, but the Demon’s ability to grow stronger each turn contrasts with Tombstalker’s fixed stats. Additionally, the Demon can potentially be held at bay by an opponent’s sacrifices, an issue Tombstalker deftly avoids with its evasion.

Moreover, Gurmag Angler is another kindred spirit in the delve creature category. Favorable for its low converted mana cost due to delve, it, however, lacks Tombstalker’s evasive capability, making it more susceptible to creature-based defenses. Reflecting on each creature’s unique attributes and utilities, Tombstalker decidedly holds a well-earned place within the delve category and across evasive-friendly builds in Magic the Gathering.

Cards similar to Tombstalker by color, type and mana cost

Shambling Attendants - MTG Card versions

Distended Mindbender - MTG Card versions

Razaketh, the Foulblooded - MTG Card versions

Torgaar, Famine Incarnate - MTG Card versions

Archfiend of Despair - MTG Card versions

Vilis, Broker of Blood - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Tombstalker. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

Name	Format	Archetype	Event
WBR	Modern		Modern Preliminary 2024-04-15
Mardu Shadow	Modern	Death's Shadow	Grand Open Qualifier Prague 2024
Grixis Control	Modern	Grixis Control	Modern Preliminary 2024-02-13 (1)
Grixis Blitz	Modern	Grixis Control	DEN24 Sat 9:00 - U.S. Regional Championship - presented by Laughing Dragon
Abzan Control	Legacy	Sultai Control	Circuito Legacy RS 2024 - Etapa 1
Mardu Control	Legacy	Mardu Stoneblade	8 LPL OPEN - SEASON IV - LIGA PAULISTA LEGACY

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tombstalker stands out as a powerful finisher due to its Flying ability, making it a formidable threat that can evade many common blockers. In addition, the Delve mechanic allows you to play Tombstalker by exiling cards from your graveyard, effectively converting unused resources into a potent advantage on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: The aforementioned Delve mechanic serves as a resource accelerator by potentially reducing Tombstalker’s casting cost. This enables players to use their graveyard as a resource, effectively casting this high-powered creature for much less mana than its base cost would suggest, which can lead to a significant tempo swing in your favor.

Instant Speed: Although Tombstalker itself does not have an instant speed ability, its ability to be cast for a reduced cost thanks to Delve means you can effectively leave mana untapped during your opponent’s turn. This strategic flexibility allows you to react to your opponent’s moves with instant speed spells and still deploy a major threat like Tombstalker when the moment is right.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The delve ability of Tombstalker often involves discarding numerous cards from your graveyard. While it can help you deploy this formidable flier for less mana, it can also deplete valuable resources and synergies your deck relies on, potentially leaving you at a disadvantage later in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Tombstalker demands not just generic mana but also two black mana to cast. This mana specificity limits its inclusion to decks heavy in black mana sources, potentially restricting deck building and reducing flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Even with the delve ability reducing its cost, Tombstalker’s initial eight mana requirement is steep. Among creatures with similar power and toughness, some options come with additional abilities or lower mana requirements, which might provide a more cost-effective alternative.

Reasons to Include Tombstalker in Your Collection

Versatility: Tombstalker finds its place in decks that capitalize on graveyard mechanics. Its ability to utilize unused cards as a resource to diminish its casting cost makes it adaptable to various strategies, fitting well in aggro and midrange builds alike.

Combo Potential: With its delve ability, this formidable creature can be a key piece in powerful combos, synergizing with cards that replenish the graveyard, thereby allowing you to cast it for a much lower cost while fueling other graveyard-dependent abilities.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where slower, more controlling decks are prevalent, Tombstalker’s evasion and substantial power/toughness ratio enable it to be a game-ending threat, slipping through defenses and applying pressure when conventional attacks might be thwarted.

How to beat

Tombstalker can be quite intimidating when it hits the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Its flying ability ensures it soars above most blockers, and with a substantial power and toughness, it’s a card that demands an answer. One effective way to handle Tombstalker is through exile spells. Cards that exile, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, can permanently remove Tombstalker without triggering any graveyard-related abilities it might have.

Another strategy is to use sacrifice effects. Since Tombstalker dodges traditional destruction spells thanks to its size, forcing your opponent to sacrifice a creature gets around this issue. Edict effects like Diabolic Edict or Liliana of the Veil can be your go-to when facing this daunting demon.

Lastly, countering Tombstalker before it ever touches the board is always a clean solution. Denial spells like Mana Leak or Dovin’s Veto can ensure that you never have to deal with the threat of Tombstalker at all. Though a part of the game is adapting to on-board challenges, prevention is often the best cure when it comes to powerful creatures.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tombstalker MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight and Modern Masters, 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 Tombstalker and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tombstalker Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2007-05-04 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by Aleksi Briclot.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2007-05-04	Future Sight	FUT	91	future	Normal	Black	Aleksi Briclot
2	2013-06-07	Modern Masters	MMA	102	2003	Normal	Black	Aleksi Briclot
3	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST	FUT-91	future	Normal	Black	Aleksi Briclot
4	2021-03-19	Time Spiral Remastered	TSR	146	2015	Normal	Black	Aleksi Briclot

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tombstalker 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 Tombstalker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2021-03-19	Because delve isn’t an alternative cost, it can be used in conjunction with alternative costs, such as flashback. It can also be used to pay for additional costs that include generic mana.
2021-03-19	Delve doesn’t change a spell’s mana cost or mana value. For example, Treasure Cruise’s mana value is 8 even if you exiled three cards to cast it.
2021-03-19	You can exile cards to pay only for generic mana, and you can’t exile more cards than the generic mana requirement of a spell with delve. For example, you can’t exile more than seven cards from your graveyard to cast Treasure Cruise unless an effect has increased its cost.