Keeper of the Dead MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Wizard
Released	1998-06-15
Set symbol
Set name	Exodus
Set code	EXO
Power	1
Toughness	2
Number	65
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Brom

Key Takeaways

Provides significant card advantage by returning creatures from your graveyard to your hand.
Its instant speed activation allows strategic plays that can disrupt opponents during their turn.
A high mana cost and card discard requirement can be potential downsides to its use.

Text of card

o B, oc T: Destroy target nonblack creature. Play this ability only if that creature's controller has at least two fewer creature cards in his or her graveyard than you have in yours.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Keeper of the Dead could potentially allow you to recur multiple creature cards from your graveyard to your hand. This represents a significant advantage as it replenishes your resources and gives you more options to respond to opponents’ strategies.

Resource Acceleration: This card, if played wisely, offers a form of resource acceleration as it can continually return creature cards to your hand, effectively bypassing mana costs associated with casting those creatures from your hand initially. This efficient use of graveyard resources can put you ahead of your opponents in terms of board presence.

Instant Speed: The ability of Keeper of the Dead to be activated at instant speed makes it an invaluable tool for disruption and surprise during your opponent’s turn. Timing this activation can be pivotal, allowing you to maximize the strategic benefit and keep opponents guessing about your next move.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Keeper of the Dead requires you to discard a card to activate its ability. This can put you at a disadvantage, particularly in the late game where each card in hand is a valuable asset, and reducing your hand size might impede your ability to respond to opponents’ threats or diminish your own offensive strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: As Keeper of the Dead’s abilities depend on black mana, including it in a deck means you are committed to having black mana sources available. This requirement may not align with multicolor decks that are already strained in managing a consistent mana base or those that prefer not to rely heavily on one specific color.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that may be considered on the higher side for its effect, Keeper of the Dead competes with other cards in the same mana range that may provide immediate impact or more versatile abilities. Players might opt for alternatives that better suit the tempo of their deck or the overall strategy they are executing.

Reasons to Include Keeper of the Dead in Your Collection

Versatility: Keeper of the Dead offers a flexible solution for decks that require creature control. Its ability to exile cards from graveyards can be a game-changer in formats where graveyard-based strategies are prevalent.

Combo Potential: This card pairs well with strategies that fill opponent’s graveyards, allowing you to exploit its conditional removal effect. Combining it with cards that mill or force discard can create a powerful synergy.

Meta-Relevance: Given the popularity of decks that rely on graveyard recursion, Keeper of the Dead can serve as a potent sideboard option. Its presence alone can shift the dynamics of a game, making it a valuable asset against certain meta-game decks.

How to beat

Keeper of the Dead is a unique card that can present a solid challenge on the battlefield, with abilities that can disrupt the flow of the game. Facing this card requires strategic planning, as it thrives in an environment filled with graveyard interaction. To overcome this formidable opponent, it’s crucial to control the number of creature cards in graveyards, as its power hinges on the presence of these cards. Utilizing graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace or Scavenging Ooze can effectively neutralize the abilities of Keeper of the Dead, turning it into a less threatening presence on the board.

In addition, since Keeper of the Dead benefits from black creatures in graveyards, it can be wise to adjust your playstyle. Refrain from sending your black creatures into situations where they’re easily destroyed. Another angle is to focus on exiling creatures rather than destroying them, nullifying the Keeper’s influence. Cards such as Path to Exile or Silkwrap serve this purpose well, bypassing the graveyard altogether. This approach can significantly reduce the card’s impact and allow you to regain control of the match.

By being mindful of these strategies and adjusting your deck to include counters, you can confidently face Keeper of the Dead, knowing you have the tools to keep its powers in check and secure victory.

Cards like Keeper of the Dead

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Keeper of the Dead offers a unique proposition within the space of creature control. When examining its functions alongside related cards, it’s evident that Keeper of the Dead provides players with pinpoint graveyard control. A card like Nihil Spellbomb, for instance, offers a one-shot solution to graveyard strategies but lacks the selectivity and ongoing utility that Keeper of the Dead brings to the table.

In comparison, Tormod’s Crypt is another graveyard hate card, but again, it is a one-time use artifact with a broader effect, clearing entire graveyards without discrimination. This lacks the surgical removal and strategy that one can execute with Keeper of the Dead. Furthermore, while Leyline of the Void presents a constant graveyard exile mechanic, it does not provide the strategic creature targeting that Keeper can achieve.

While each card has its strengths and situational advantages, Keeper of the Dead stands out for its recurring ability to target specific creatures in graveyards, making it a versatile and strategic asset in gameplay where control over opponents’ graveyard resources is key.

Cards similar to Keeper of the Dead by color, type and mana cost

Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Keeper of the Dead MTG card by a specific set like Exodus, 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 Keeper of the Dead and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Keeper of the Dead has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2009-10-01	A different opposing player may be targeted each time the ability is activated.
2009-10-01	It is only necessary that the condition be true as you activate the ability. The ability will still resolve normally even if the condition is no longer true at that time.