Zombie Apocalypse MTG Card
2012-01-28 - Number 80
2012-02-03 - Number 80
2021-09-24 - Number 131
2002-06-24 - Number 43515
2019-12-02 - Number 1354
2020-09-26 - Number MIC-131
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Return all Zombie creature cards from your graveyard to the battlefield tapped, then destroy all Humans.
Cards like Zombie Apocalypse
Zombie Apocalypse is a notorious member of the black-aligned card spectrum in Magic: The Gathering, particularly within the tribal zombie category. It parallels other powerful reanimation spells like Living Death, which also brings creatures back from the graveyard to the battlefield. Zombie Apocalypse focuses specifically on retrieving Zombie creatures, creating a significant advantage for a dedicated Zombie tribal deck.
Gravecrawler and other recursive Zombie creatures that can return from the graveyard to the battlefield on their own provide a stark contrast. While they offer individual recursion, Zombie Apocalypse acts en masse, potentially turning the tide in a single, dramatic play. Comparatively, Patriarch’s Bidding is an alternative that can select Zombies as a creature type to resurrect but extends the benefit to all players and all creatures of the chosen type.
Analyzing each card’s utility and strategic impact, Zombie Apocalypse holds a unique seat at the table. It’s specially tailored to support zombie tribal strategies in Magic: The Gathering, making it a card that can define the outcome of a game when wielded by a savvy player with a graveyard brimming with undead horrors.
Cards similar to Zombie Apocalypse by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Zombie Apocalypse provides a significant advantage by returning all Zombie creatures from your graveyard to the battlefield, refilling your board and overwhelming your opponent with a resurrected army.
Resource Acceleration: By reviving multiple Zombies with a single spell, you effectively bypass the need to invest mana and turns casting them individually, giving you an accelerated edge in deploying threats.
Instant Speed: Although Zombie Apocalypse is a sorcery, its impact is akin to that of an instant, fundamentally altering the state of play in your favor when played at the right moment after a board wipe or during a key point in the duel.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Zombie Apocalypse demands specific preparation since casting it entails a discard action, often diluting your hand and potentially disrupting strategic plays. This can be particularly challenging if you’re short on cards, as it forces difficult decisions about which resources to sacrifice.
Specific Mana Cost: The card’s niche lies in its black mana alignment, requiring a substantial commitment to this color within your deck. Limited or multifaceted mana bases might strain to accommodate Zombie Apocalypse, ultimately reducing its versatility in a broader range of strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a heavier mana demand than some counterparts, playing Zombie Apocalypse can be a significant investment. The cost is high, and should your plan falter or face interruption, the setback may be more severe than deploying lower-cost alternatives that provide incremental advantages.
Reasons to Include Zombie Apocalypse in Your Collection
Versatility: Zombie Apocalypse is not just a thematic win for zombie lovers but a flexible addition that fits naturally into zombie tribal decks. Its ability to bring creatures back from the graveyard makes it a valuable tool for any deck focusing on creature recovery strategies.
Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with other zombie-centric cards or graveyard manipulation effects. It can quickly turn the tide by reviving an entire undead army, especially when timed after a board clear.
Meta-Relevance: In metas heavy with creature-based decks, Zombie Apocalypse can be a game-changer. On top of reanimating your fallen zombies, it destroys all non-zombie creatures, swinging the balance in your favor and disrupting your opponents’ boards.
How to beat
Zombie Apocalypse is a formidable force in the arena, bringing back a legion of undead to the battlefield. Encountering this card can be daunting, given its capacity to turn the tide by reviving an entire graveyard of Zombie creatures. The key to overcoming this dark spell lies in strategic graveyard disruption. Tools like Tormod’s Crypt or Relic of Progenitus can exile targeted player’s graveyards, nullifying the advantage Zombie Apocalypse grants. Cards like Rest in Peace go even further, ensuring that no creature cards find their way to the graveyard to reanimate later.
Preventing creatures from hitting the graveyard in the first place is also a solid strategy. Leyline of the Void makes this possible by removing creatures from the game entirely the moment they are put into a graveyard from anywhere. You might also consider countermeasures such as Counterspell or Negate to prevent Zombie Apocalypse from being cast at all, preserving your chance of maintaining control over the game state. In this manner, the dread of the undead can be reduced to mere whispers, as you effectively nullify what could have been an overwhelming resurgence.
Ultimately, mastering the delicate balance of preparation and reaction can ensure that the Zombie Apocalypse remains but a cautionary tale, rather than an endgame you’re forced to face. Addressing this dreaded card head-on with the right counters is essential to victory in the realm of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Zombie Apocalypse MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Dark Ascension Promos, 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 Zombie Apocalypse 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 Zombie Apocalypse Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2012-01-28 and 2021-09-24. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 43515 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa | ||
| 2 | 2012-01-28 | Dark Ascension Promos | PDKA | 80 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa | |
| 3 | 2012-02-03 | Dark Ascension | DKA | 80 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Peter Mohrbacher | |
| 4 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 1354 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Warren Mahy | ||
| 5 | The List | PLST | MIC-131 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa | ||
| 6 | 2021-09-24 | Midnight Hunt Commander | MIC | 131 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Zombie Apocalypse has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Zombie Apocalypse card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-01-22 | All Humans are destroyed, not just ones you control. |
| 2011-01-22 | If a creature card in your graveyard is both a Zombie and a Human, it will be returned to the battlefield tapped, then be destroyed. |