Necromancer's Covenant MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Key Takeaways

  1. Card advantage by transforming graveyards into zombie tokens, without depleting your hand.
  2. Resource acceleration through zombies that can tap for mana or trigger additional effects.
  3. Immediate and disruptive impact, akin to an instant, when resolving on the battlefield.

Text of card

When Necromancer's Covenant comes into play, remove all creature cards in target player's graveyard from the game, then put a 2/2 black Zombie creature token into play for each card removed this way. Zombies you control have lifelink.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Necromancer’s Covenant is a powerhouse when it comes to generating card advantage. By converting creatures from all graveyards into your own Zombies, you can end up with a significant number of new creatures without depleting cards from your hand. It’s a stellar way to gain a formidable presence on the battlefield that can quickly overwhelm your opponents.

Resource Acceleration: While Necromancer’s Covenant might not directly produce mana or Treasure tokens, the amount of Zombie tokens it creates can play a crucial role in resource acceleration when combined with other cards. Synergize it with cards that tap creatures for mana or sacrifice them for additional effects to turn your army of the undead into a versatile and strategic asset.

Instant Speed: Though Necromancer’s Covenant itself is not an instant, its impact is immediate upon resolution. In contexts where speed matters, such as reanimating a large number of creatures following a board wipe, this effect can rapidly shift the tide of the game much like an instant speed spell would in the right circumstances. Plus, it deploys a layer of defense against graveyard strategies at any point in the game, which can be as crucial as an instant speed interruption.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Necromancer’s Covenant doesn’t directly demand discard, but as a late-game play, it requires a well-stocked graveyard. Amassing a sizable graveyard can sometimes rely on discarding valuable cards earlier, which could impede your game plan if not managed carefully.

Specific Mana Cost: Necromancer’s Covenant necessitates a specific combination of mana colors – one black, one white, and four generic mana. This restricts its inclusion to decks that can support such a color-intensive casting cost, potentially limiting deck-building options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of six mana, deploying Necromancer’s Covenant can be costly considering its effect. Some players may find it challenging to justify its place in a deck when more mana-efficient alternatives for creature reanimation or token generation are available.


Reasons to Include Necromancer’s Covenant in Your Collection

Versatility: Necromancer’s Covenant is a dynamic addition to any deck playing the long game. Its ability to generate zombie tokens from an opponent’s graveyard gives it utility across a plethora of game situations and also acts as incidental graveyard hate, a must in many Commander games.

Combo Potential: This card opens up synergistic opportunities in decks focused on token generation or those utilizing death triggers. Pair it with sacrifice outlets or anthems to maximize the impact of your new zombie army.

Meta-Relevance: With graveyard-based strategies frequently seen across multiple formats, Necromancer’s Covenant has a place in metas where disruption and board presence are key. As it exiles the graveyard, it not only bolsters your forces but can also dismantle your opponent’s ongoing plans.


How to beat

Necromancer’s Covenant is a unique spell that brings a blend of zombie creation and lifegain to a player’s arsenal in Magic: The Gathering. A powerful enchantment card, it poses a specific challenge by exiling an opponent’s graveyard and then providing its caster with a zombie for every card removed this way. Additionally, each zombie in play gains lifelink, bolstering the necromancer’s defenses.

To effectively dismantle this strategy, removal of enchantments is key. Cards like Disenchant or Naturalize become pivotal in eliminating the Covenant before it becomes a graveyard-fueled stronghold. Direct damage and board sweepers can also undermine the zombie legion’s presence, ensuring the lifelink boon becomes irrelevant. Another tactic is graveyard hate; by utilizing cards that exile graveyards or shuffle them into libraries like Bojuka Bog or Tormod’s Crypt, the Necromancer’s Covenant loses its ammunition and, consequently, its impact.

As with any potent card, recognizing the underlying mechanics and having a responsive strategy ready makes all the difference. In this case, having enchantment removal or graveyard manipulation at hand can deftly turn the tide against Necromancer’s Covenant, allowing players to restore balance to the game board and regain control of the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

Assimilating the depth of MTG means strategic gameplay and smart deck building. Necromancer’s Covenant can be a game changer, creating a zombie horde in a flash and altering the state of play to your advantage. Each card in MTG offers a unique path to victory, and understanding how to maximize your cards’ potential is key. Navigate through the game with confidence, armed with knowledge about powerful combinations and strategic counters. Enhance your collection and gameplay—discover strategies, card synergies, and deck ideas that elevate your MTG experience. Dive into our resources for a comprehensive guide to mastering your deck with Necromancer’s Covenant.


Cards like Necromancer's Covenant

Necromancer’s Covenant makes a compelling addition to the array of zombie-themed strategies within Magic: The Gathering. Analogous to cards such as Zombie Apocalypse, Necromancer’s Covenant also aims to reanimate a substantial number of creatures from the graveyard. However, it takes this interaction a step further by turning them into Zombies and simultaneously bolstering your lines with a life-gaining static ability, which Zombie Apocalypse lacks.

In a similar realm, we find Open the Graves. While this enchantment doesn’t reanimate the dead, it shares the synergy with Zombies, creating new Zombie tokens whenever another nontoken creature you control dies. Though it lacks the immediate board impact that Necromancer’s Covenant has. Conversely, Endless Ranks of the Dead also leverages the undead, multiplying your Zombie forces each upkeep, but it doesn’t provide the instant army or life gain that Necromancer’s Covenant does.

In summation, when examining the roles these enchantments play in Magic: The Gathering, Necromancer’s Covenant stands out with its unique combination of resurrection, conversion, and life accumulation, catering to a more tactical approach within Zombie tribal decks.

Zombie Apocalypse - MTG Card versions
Open the Graves - MTG Card versions
Endless Ranks of the Dead - MTG Card versions
Zombie Apocalypse - Dark Ascension Promos (PDKA)
Open the Graves - Core Set 2019 Promos (PM19)
Endless Ranks of the Dead - Innistrad (ISD)

Cards similar to Necromancer's Covenant by color, type and mana cost

Athreos, Shroud-Veiled - MTG Card versions
Ethereal Absolution - MTG Card versions
A Good Thing - MTG Card versions
Athreos, Shroud-Veiled - Theros Beyond Death (THB)
Ethereal Absolution - Ravnica Allegiance (RNA)
A Good Thing - Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2021 (CMB2)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Necromancer's Covenant MTG card by a specific set like Alara Reborn and Commander 2015, 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 Necromancer's Covenant and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Necromancer's Covenant Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2009-04-30 and 2015-11-13. Illustrated by Thomas M. Baxa.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12009-04-30Alara RebornARB 822003normalblackThomas M. Baxa
22015-11-13Commander 2015C15 2292015normalblackThomas M. Baxa

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Necromancer's Covenant has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Necromancer's Covenant card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2009-05-01 Necromancer’s Covenant grants lifelink to all Zombies you control, not just the tokens put onto the battlefield with its first ability.
2009-05-01 The Zombie tokens are put onto the battlefield under your control.

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