Undead Gladiator MTG Card
2002-10-07 - Number 178
2003-08-07 - Number pk178
2018-03-16 - Number 112
2023-01-13 - Number 105
2023-01-13 - Number 313
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Zombie Barbarian |
| Abilities | Cycling |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
o1o B, Discard a card from your hand: Return Undead Gladiator from your graveyard to your hand. Play this ability only during your upkeep. Cycling o1o B (o1o B, Discard this card from your hand: Draw a card.)
Cards like Undead Gladiator
Undead Gladiator enjoys a secure place among Magic: The Gathering’s roster of graveyard-manipulating creatures. It’s often compared to venerable cards such as Bloodghast—both have abilities that offer repeat play value from the graveyard. While Bloodghast automatically returns to the battlefield when you play a land, Undead Gladiator requires an investment of mana and an additional card to be discarded, offering a different strategic tack for deck builders.
Another comparable creature in the zombie category is Gravecrawler, which can be cast from the graveyard provided you control another zombie. This presents a lower recurrence cost compared to Undead Gladiator, but without the latter’s cycling ability that aids in card draw. Yet, it’s the Gladiator’s dual functionality as both a recurring threat and a cycling mechanism to sift through your deck that distinguishes its utility within graveyard-centric strategies.
In the realm of recursive creatures, the Undead Gladiator provides a balanced mix of aggression and deck manipulation, making it a unique and versatile choice for players crafting decks that thrive on the interplay between hand, battlefield, and graveyard.
Cards similar to Undead Gladiator by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The ability of Undead Gladiator to bring itself back from the graveyard to your hand offers a repeatable card advantage. This capability ensures that you’re never out of threats and can continually apply pressure on your opponent during the later stages of the match.
Resource Acceleration: Although Undead Gladiator doesn’t directly generate mana or boost your mana pool, it effectively accelerates your resources by cycling unwanted cards from your hand, ensuring you draw into more impactful cards more consistently.
Instant Speed: One of the key benefits of this creature’s ability is that it can be activated at instant speed. This grants you the flexibility to wait until the end of your opponent’s turn to make a move, leaving your mana open to react to threats or to bluff having a response in hand.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One notable drawback of the Undead Gladiator is its activation condition in the graveyard, requiring the player to discard a card in order to utilize its ability. This particular cost can be restrictive, making the card less advantageous for a player already facing a dwindling hand.
Specific Mana Cost: The Undead Gladiator demands a specific combination of one black mana and two generic mana, making it less versatile for decks that are not heavily invested in black mana resources or that aim for a more flexible mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of three for an initial casting cost and an additional cost for its ability from the graveyard, the overall investment can be high. Players may find other creatures or spells that provide a better return on investment, taking into consideration the card’s comparative efficiency in terms of board presence and utility.
Reasons to Include Undead Gladiator in Your Collection
Versatility: Undead Gladiator offers a flexible approach for decks that thrive on graveyard mechanics. Its ability to cycle from the hand straight into the graveyard means it can consistently activate graveyard-related strategies across multiple turns.
Combo Potential: This card is a linchpin in discarding strategies, allowing you to discard other essential cards with its cycling ability while setting up potential reanimation tactics. Combining the Gladiator with cards that capitalize on creatures entering or leaving the graveyard can lead to powerful plays.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where control decks are common, the Undead Gladiator’s ability to return to your hand from the graveyard can help maintain hand advantage. By recurring threats and maintaining card flow, it can significantly challenge decks that rely on one-for-one removal.
How to beat
Dealing with Undead Gladiator from the battlefield requires a strategic approach. As a recurring threat, this card can be a nuisance due to its ability to return from the graveyard to your opponent’s hand. One effective tactic is to use graveyard removal spells, like Scavenging Ooze or Bojuka Bog. These cards not only inhibit the Gladiator’s return but also provide additional benefits for your board position.
Moreover, countering Undead Gladiator’s cycling ability might be the key. Cards like Ashiok, Dream Render prevent players from searching their libraries, thus nullifying the Gladiator’s cycling advantage. Alternatively, employing Leyline of the Void can ensure that the Gladiator, once defeated, remains out of play, denying any chance of its revival. This kind of permanent solution helps maintain control of the game and prevents your opponent from gaining repeated value from a single card.
To summarize, when confronting the Undead Gladiator, the focus should be on limiting graveyard interactions and applying pressure with these relevant countermeasures. Doing so will help navigate around the persistent challenges posed by this formidable adversary.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Undead Gladiator MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught and World Championship Decks 2003, 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 Undead Gladiator and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Undead Gladiator Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002-10-07 | Onslaught | ONS | 178 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Jeff Easley | |
| 2 | 2003-08-07 | World Championship Decks 2003 | WC03 | pk178 | 2003 | Normal | Gold | Jeff Easley | |
| 3 | 2018-03-16 | Masters 25 | A25 | 112 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Slawomir Maniak | |
| 4 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 105 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Slawomir Maniak | |
| 5 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 313 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Slawomir Maniak |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Undead Gladiator has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Undead Gladiator card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | The ability to return to your hand can only be activated while this card is in your graveyard. |