Temp of the Damned MTG Card


Temp of the Damned - Unglued
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Zombie
Released1998-08-11
Set symbol
Set nameUnglued
Set codeUGL
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number38
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Bordersilver
Illustred byAdam Rex
Un-set :-)This card is part of an Un-set

Key Takeaways

  1. Temp of the Damned provides multiple returns from the graveyard, enhancing card advantage and battlefield presence.
  2. It’s instant speed allows for flexible, reactive play, disrupting opponents’ strategies unexpectedly.
  3. Demands careful hand and mana management, potentially restricting its play to specific deck types.

Text of card

When you play Temp of the Damned, roll a six-sided die. Temp of the Damned comes into play with a number of funk counters on it equal to the die roll. During your upkeep, remove a funk counter from Temp of the Damned or sacrifice Temp of the Damned.

"Not the graveyard shift again!"


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The ability of Tempt of the Damned to potentially bring back multiple creatures from the graveyard directly appeals to strategies that thrive on maintaining card presence on the battlefield. This aspect of the card translates well into the concept of card advantage as it essentially allows access to previously spent resources.

Resource Acceleration: With the reanimation effect, Tempt of the Damned fuels resource acceleration by enabling players to bypass conventional mana costs associated with casting creature spells. This makes it an asset in decks that are built to exploit such mechanics for a swift and impactful game state change.

Instant Speed: The fact that Tempt of the Damned operates at instant speed gives a strategic edge, affording players the flexibility to react during the opponent’s turn. This timing benefit can disrupt opponent’s plans unexpectedly, forcing them to adapt to a changing board state that now includes resurrected threats.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Temp of the Damned mandates parting with another card from your hand which can put you at a disadvantage, especially in tight situations where every card counts. Not only does it diminish your hand size, but it can also unintentionally provide your opponent with insight into your strategy based on the card you’re compelled to discard.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s cost is highly specific, requiring both black and colorless mana which means its integration is generally restricted to decks that support a black mana base. For players running multicolored decks without a predominant black theme, it can be challenging to consistently meet the mana requirements to play this card on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The four mana investment needed for Temp of the Damned is significant when considering the abilities it provides when compared to other options in the format. In the current playing field, there are alternative creatures or spells that could bring more immediate impact or longer-term value to the game at a similar or lower mana cost, suggesting that the card might not always be the optimal play when building your deck or when drawn mid-game.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Temp of the Damned offers a unique flexibility in deck construction. As a creature that can easily return from the graveyard, it fits in strategies that capitalize on recursion and self-mill, broadening your deck’s adaptability.

Combo Potential: This card has significant synergy with various mechanics, such as sacrifice effects or those that benefit from death triggers. Its recurring nature can be exploited for continual value, enhancing long-game strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where games often stretch into the late turns, having a reliable board presence like Temp of the Damned can prove indispensable. Its resilience to removal keeps your opponents always on their toes, making it a solid pick for current play environments.


How to beat

Temp of the Damned presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield, offering players temporary access to a strong creature for a fraction of the usual cost. Much like other threatening cards in the world of MTG, it demands immediate attention once played. Overcoming this menace requires a nuanced approach, blending strategy and timing to ensure it doesn’t tip the game in your opponent’s favor.

To effectively counter Temp of the Damned, removal spells that can sweep away the creature without targeting, such as board clear effects, are incredibly valuable. Consider incorporating universal answers, such as Day of Judgment or Wrath of God, which can reset the playing field irrespective of the creatures’ power level or protective abilities. Timing is also key; since the creature is only around for a short period, you could also opt to play defensively, using fog-like effects to neutralize its assault without committing resources unnecessarily. Additionally, exile effects circumvent Temp’s potential to recur, solidifying your position against an opponent relying on graveyard strategies.

Navigating around the perils that Temp of the Damned introduces to the game can be quite rewarding. With careful planning and the right set of counters, players can mitigate its impact and maintain control of the game state, reinforcing the importance of versatility and foresight in deck construction and gameplay.


Cards like Temp of the Damned

Temp of the Damned stands out in the vast array of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It draws a parallel to other zombie creatures, such as the Diregraf Ghoul, which also offers a solid presence on the battlefield from the get-go. However, Temp of the Damned’s unique ability allows it to return to the battlefield after being sacrificed, something Diregraf Ghoul does not share.

Next comes Dreg Mangler, another similar creature with haste that introduces a quick tempo play. While Dreg Mangler has a scavenge ability, allowing more flexibility in its late-game use, it doesn’t match the recurring aspect offered by Temp of the Damned. Additionally, Fleshbag Marauder captures our attention, a zombie creature that forces each player to sacrifice a creature when it enters the battlefield. However, it cannot match the persistent nuisance that Temp of the Damned brings as it keeps coming back for more.

In assessing the options available within the realm of zombie creatures, Temp of the Damned provides a unique blend of aggression and resilience, carving out its niche as a formidable adversary that haunts the opponent relentlessly.

Diregraf Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Dreg Mangler - MTG Card versions
Fleshbag Marauder - MTG Card versions
Diregraf Ghoul - Innistrad Promos (PISD)
Dreg Mangler - Duel Decks: Izzet vs. Golgari (DDJ)
Fleshbag Marauder - Shards of Alara (ALA)

Cards similar to Temp of the Damned by color, type and mana cost

Nettling Imp - MTG Card versions
Royal Assassin - MTG Card versions
El-Hajjâj - MTG Card versions
Frozen Shade - MTG Card versions
Scathe Zombies - MTG Card versions
Sorceress Queen - MTG Card versions
Lost Soul - MTG Card versions
Mindstab Thrull - MTG Card versions
Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions
Strongarm Thug - MTG Card versions
Razortooth Rats - MTG Card versions
Ghastly Remains - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Undead - MTG Card versions
Deepwood Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Dross Prowler - MTG Card versions
Nim Abomination - MTG Card versions
Vesper Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Specter - MTG Card versions
Dusk Imp - MTG Card versions
Severed Legion - MTG Card versions
Nettling Imp - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Royal Assassin - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
El-Hajjâj - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Frozen Shade - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Scathe Zombies - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Sorceress Queen - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Lost Soul - Introductory Two-Player Set (ITP)
Mindstab Thrull - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Mischievous Poltergeist - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Strongarm Thug - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Razortooth Rats - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Ghastly Remains - Legions (LGN)
Lord of the Undead - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Deepwood Ghoul - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Dross Prowler - Mirrodin (MRD)
Nim Abomination - Darksteel (DST)
Vesper Ghoul - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Hypnotic Specter - Magic Player Rewards 2006 (P06)
Dusk Imp - Tenth Edition (10E)
Severed Legion - Tenth Edition (10E)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Temp of the Damned MTG card by a specific set like Unglued, 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 Temp of the Damned and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks