Unseal the Necropolis MTG Card


Unseal the Necropolis offers a unique way to leverage graveyard contents into powerful late-game advantage. This card’s instant speed allows for unexpected plays, but it requires a sacrifice of one’s own resources. Despite mana constraints, it’s a game-changer for decks that focus on manipulating the graveyard.
Unseal the Necropolis - March of the Machine
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Mill
Released2023-04-21
Set symbol
Set nameMarch of the Machine
Set codeMOM
Number128
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byIsis

Text of card

Each player mills three cards. Then you return up to two creature cards from your graveyard to your hand. (To mill three cards, a player puts the top three cards of their library into their graveyard.)

On Amonkhet, Phyrexia found a ready-made army of horrors waiting for a new master.


Cards like Unseal the Necropolis

Unseal the Necropolis carves its niche in the realm of graveyard interaction within Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives in strategic function include Endless Ranks of the Dead, which also thrives on an increasing number of creatures from your graveyard. Unseal the Necropolis outshines with its one-time mass revival effect, rather than a gradual creature growth offered by Endless Ranks of the Dead.

Cards like Rise from the Grave and Zombify also echo the theme of reanimation, each bringing back a singular target from the graveyard to the battlefield. Unseal the Necropolis distinguishes itself by the potential volume of creatures it can restore at once, giving players a more formidable board presence in a single turn. Command the Dreadhorde is another powerful comparison, offering the ability to select any combination of creatures or planeswalkers from any graveyard, but at the steep price of life equal to their mana value. Unseal the Necropolis avoids this life cost, providing an efficient, albeit less selective, mass reanimation.

While these similar cards have their own merits, Unseal the Necropolis stands out for its explosive impact on the game, capable of turning the tide in a moment by filling the field with a daunting undead army.

Endless Ranks of the Dead - MTG Card versions
Rise from the Grave - MTG Card versions
Zombify - MTG Card versions
Command the Dreadhorde - MTG Card versions
Endless Ranks of the Dead - MTG Card versions
Rise from the Grave - MTG Card versions
Zombify - MTG Card versions
Command the Dreadhorde - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Unseal the Necropolis by color, type and mana cost

Spoils of Evil - MTG Card versions
Dark Banishing - MTG Card versions
Stench of Decay - MTG Card versions
Carrion - MTG Card versions
Corpse Dance - MTG Card versions
Sick and Tired - MTG Card versions
Bone Harvest - MTG Card versions
Slay - MTG Card versions
Hapato's Might - MTG Card versions
Afflict - MTG Card versions
Dismember - MTG Card versions
Body Count - MTG Card versions
Reaping the Graves - MTG Card versions
Execute - MTG Card versions
Kill! Destroy! - MTG Card versions
Sudden Death - MTG Card versions
Footbottom Feast - MTG Card versions
Fevered Strength - MTG Card versions
Hideous End - MTG Card versions
Corpse Lunge - MTG Card versions
Spoils of Evil - MTG Card versions
Dark Banishing - MTG Card versions
Stench of Decay - MTG Card versions
Carrion - MTG Card versions
Corpse Dance - MTG Card versions
Sick and Tired - MTG Card versions
Bone Harvest - MTG Card versions
Slay - MTG Card versions
Hapato's Might - MTG Card versions
Afflict - MTG Card versions
Dismember - MTG Card versions
Body Count - MTG Card versions
Reaping the Graves - MTG Card versions
Execute - MTG Card versions
Kill! Destroy! - MTG Card versions
Sudden Death - MTG Card versions
Footbottom Feast - MTG Card versions
Fevered Strength - MTG Card versions
Hideous End - MTG Card versions
Corpse Lunge - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free form88#CS
Sultai Insidious RootsSultai Insidious Roots StandardSultai Insidious RootsGAME ON Store Championship
Golgari MillGolgari Mill StandardSultai Insidious RootsBLACK - FRI - 11AM - Chicago 75K Standard Open
Mirco MarchesiniMirco Marchesini PauperDimir ControlLega Pauper Vicenza, Road to Milano - 1' Tappa
Dimir ControlDimir Control PauperDimir ControlPAUPER - BIG MAGIC WEEKEND 2023 (04.11.23)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Unseal the Necropolis is valued for its ability to potentially turn graveyard resources into a new hand of cards, offering players a post-wipe resurgence or late-game oiwer. This can significantly alter the course of play, especially in formats where graveyard manipulation is prevalent.

Resource Acceleration: The process of filling your graveyard throughout the game can be leveraged to activate Unseal the Necropolis’s effect, which serves as an inherent resource acceleration tool. The more cards in your graveyard, the greater the benefit, giving you an edge as you convert past plays into current advantages.

Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of this card offers tactical flexibility, allowing you to respond to your opponent’s actions or end of turn scenarios. It fits seamlessly into the pace of gameplay, providing strategic depth when deciding the optimal moment to access your graveyard’s potential.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unseal the Necropolis requires a player to discard a card, which adds a challenging layer of strategy. Should you find yourself in a late-game scenario with your hand depleting, this additional cost could turn from a minor inconvenience into a barrier that hampers your gameplay and sequencing of moves.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes black mana, Unseal the Necropolis has a specific color requirement which restricts it to black-inclusive decks. Players not running black or those with a deck lacking sufficient mana support for black spells may see this card as less versatile and harder to justify including in their lineup.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Unseal the Necropolis stands out with a notably high mana cost for its effect on the battlefield. When evaluating the efficiency of your deck, consider whether this higher investment for its resurrection ability could be better served by other lower-cost cards with similar or more immediate effects on the game state.


Reasons to Include Unseal the Necropolis in Your Collection

Versatility: Unseal the Necropolis is a powerful spell that can seamlessly slot into multiple archetypes, particularly those utilizing graveyard synergies or looking for impactful late-game plays.

Combo Potential: This card naturally sets up graveyard-based combos, dovetailing with strategies that capitalize on casting spells from the graveyard or bringing creatures back to the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where long matches and strategic graveyard play are dominant, Unseal the Necropolis shines by providing a significant edge in endurance and resource advantage.


How to beat

Unseal the Necropolis is a unique card that can significantly alter the state of a game in Magic: The Gathering. Facing this card can be daunting due to its potential to turn the tide by mass resurrecting creatures from the graveyard. Nevertheless, there are strategic ways to mitigate its overwhelming effect when it hits the battlefield.

One effective approach is to limit the card’s impact by controlling your opponent’s graveyard. Cards like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void can exile creatures before Unseal the Necropolis has a chance to bring them back. Moreover, instant-speed graveyard removal such as Tormod’s Crypt can be used in response to the card’s activation, nullifying its effect completely. Counterspells are also a reliable defense, preventing the spell from resolving in the first place. This preemptive measure relies on keen anticipation and timing to ensure Unseal the Necropolis doesn’t reach its full potential.

Overall, handling Unseal the Necropolis comes down to a proactive game plan that targets the graveyard as a resource. With appropriate countermeasures, players can confidently confront this formidable card and maintain control over the course of the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

The insightful analysis of Unseal the Necropolis highlights its place in MTG as a game-changer for graveyard focused strategies. Whether you’re a seasoned player seeking to revitalize your deck or a newcomer ready to delve into the strategic depths of the game, this card offers an arsenal of possibilities. Its ability to alter gameplay dynamics makes it a worthy addition to your collection. The key to leveraging its full potential lies in your deck’s design and how you manage your graveyard as a resource. Embrace the challenge and discover how Unseal the Necropolis can unbury victories thought long lost. Explore further with us and unlock the secrets to mastering this compelling card.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Unseal the Necropolis MTG card by a specific set like March of the Machine, 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 Unseal the Necropolis and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Unseal the Necropolis has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal