Raving Dead MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Zombie
Abilities	Deathtouch
Released	2014-11-07
Set symbol
Set name	Commander 2014
Set code	C14
Power	2
Toughness	6
Number	29
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Daarken

Key Takeaways

Raving Dead revitalizes your board with creatures from any graveyard after dealing combat damage.
It pressures opponents’ resources while staying aggressive with its mandatory attack each turn.
Responding to Raving Dead’s threat involves tactical removal, blocking strategies, and life gain.

Text of card

Deathtouch At the beginning of combat on your turn, choose an opponent at random. Raving Dead attacks that player this combat if able. Whenever Raving Dead deals combat damage to a player, that player loses half his or her life, rounded down.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Raving Dead allows for potential card advantage through its unique combat damage ability. When it deals damage to a player, it can reanimate creatures from any graveyard, giving you more tools on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct source of mana, the Raving Dead’s forced attack each turn can accelerate the depletion of your opponent’s resources, effectively advancing your board position while they are left scrambling to defend.

Instant Speed: While the Raving Dead itself does not operate at instant speed, its triggered ability from dealing combat damage can be utilized during the combat phase, potentially at a time your opponent least expects it, disrupting their strategy and planning.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Carrying a downside that can impede momentum, Raving Dead necessitates a sacrifice from your hand to unleash its potential. This can put players at a disadvantage, especially when playing with a tight grip or when every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Tailored for a zombie-centric build or a deck adept in black mana, Raving Dead demands explicit mana investment. This can be restrictive and often requires a deck to be built around such specific needs or include mana-fixing solutions to accommodate its casting cost.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With the investment of five mana to bring Raving Dead into play, it’s critical to weigh its benefits against other creatures or spells in the same mana range. It’s possible that in certain situations, a more proactive or versatile card could serve your strategy better without the steep summoning cost.

Reasons to Include Raving Dead in Your Collection

Versatility: Raving Dead adds a unique angle to any deck, particularly in Commander where its effect can exploit the multiplayer format. Commanding a presence on the board, this creature can serve both as a deterrent and a strategic asset, fitting seamlessly into zombie tribal themes or as a standalone disruption piece.

Combo Potential: The card thrives in combinations with effects that manipulate combat, such as those that dictate which player is attacked or how blockers are assigned. Its ability to halve an opponent’s life total can be a game-changer and synergizes with strategies involving life totals as a win condition.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the fluctuating nature of the meta, Raving Dead remains a relevant choice when dealing with life-based strategies or as a threat to control decks. Its impact in games can shift the balance, making it a noteworthy card to wield in an ever-evolving playing field.

How to Beat Raving Dead

Raving Dead is a unique creature card that can pose a formidable threat in Magic: The Gathering matches. At first glance, its ability to halve an opponent’s life total upon dealing combat damage seems daunting. However, strategizing against this undead assailant can turn the tides in your favor. Key to overcoming the Raving Dead includes a blend of creature removal, strategic chump blocking, and life gain.

Consider including efficient removal spells in your deck such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade to handle the Raving Dead before it can land a deadly strike. Employ blockers with reach or flying to intercept this menacing zombie before it wreaks havoc. Additionally, decks with access to consistent life gain can help offset the significant life loss, diminishing the impact of its attack. Incorporate cards like Kitchen Finks or the ever-popular Lightning Helix to maintain a stable life total. Understanding your deck’s strengths and adapting your strategy can secure victory against the scare of Raving Dead’s potent ability.

Keeping a cool head and proper planning during deck construction are critical. While the Raving Dead can be an unnerving card to face, remember that every card has its counters, and with a tactical approach, even the mightiest of threats can be subdued within the world of MTG.

Cards like Raving Dead

Raving Dead is a unique creature card that brings an unexpected twist to combat with its ability to halve a player’s life total. Comparable to cards such as Scythe Specter, which delivers punishment based on discarded cards, Raving Dead’s life-total halving effect after dealing combat damage presents a high-risk but high-reward strategy. Scythe Specter requires opponents to discard and lose life equal to the discarded card’s mana value, but it doesn’t come close to the potential life swing provided by Raving Dead.

Another similar card in terms of potential damage output is Heartless Hidetsugu. This card has the ability to halve every player’s life total with its tap ability, which can instantly turn the tides of a game. Although it is not selective like Raving Dead and can affect the user’s life total as well, it’s notable for the consistency of its effects. On the battlefield, Raving Dead requires a successful combat hit to trigger its effect, while Heartless Hidetsugu delivers a guaranteed and symmetric impact.

In essence, Raving Dead stands out among MTG cards with its life-total focus, offering a single-target, high-stakes offensive that appeals to players looking for dramatic plays and potential game-enders. Its uniqueness makes it an interesting choice compared to other damage-dealing options.

Cards similar to Raving Dead by color, type and mana cost

Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions

Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Raving Dead MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2014, 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 Raving Dead and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Raving Dead has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2014-11-07	If Raving Dead can’t attack the chosen player for one of the above reasons but it can still attack elsewhere, you may choose to have it attack another player, attack a planeswalker, or not attack at all.
2014-11-07	If your turn has multiple combat phases, Raving Dead’s ability triggers at the beginning of each of them. Ignore any choices made during previous combat phases that turn.
2014-11-07	If, as attackers are declared, Raving Dead is tapped, is affected by a spell or ability that says it can’t attack, or hasn’t been under your control continuously since your turn began (and doesn’t have haste), then it doesn’t attack. If there’s a cost associated with having Raving Dead attack the chosen player, you aren’t forced to pay that cost, so it doesn’t have to attack that player in that case either.
2014-11-07	Raving Dead must attack the chosen player if able, not a planeswalker controlled by that player.
2014-11-07	The last ability triggers and resolves after combat damage has been dealt. For example, if an opponent has 17 life and Raving Dead deals 2 combat damage to them, they will end up at 8 life.