Clutch of Undeath MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant
Released	2003-05-26
Set symbol
Set name	Scourge
Set code	SCG
Number	61
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Greg Hildebrandt

Key Takeaways

Reanimating two creatures offers a significant shift, bolstering board presence effectively.
Instant speed casting of Clutch of Undeath offers strategic flexibility during matches.
Discarding a card for Clutch of Undeath can be a strategic setback in tight games.

Text of card

Enchanted creature gets +3/+3 as long as it's a Zombie. Otherwise, it gets -3/-3.

The hand of death recognizes its own.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Clutch of Undeath enables players to potentially reanimate two creatures from the graveyard, effectively turning one card into two threats on the battlefield. This can be a significant shift in tide during a match, bolstering your board presence.

Resource Acceleration: While this card doesn’t directly generate mana or Treasure tokens, the act of bringing creatures back can indirectly accelerate your resources. It allows you to bypass the mana cost of casting these creatures from your hand and can reanimate creatures with mana-producing abilities.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Clutch of Undeath at instant speed gives you tremendous flexibility during gameplay. You can wait until the end of your opponent’s turn to make a move, catching them off-guard and adapting to the evolving game state without committing mana during your own turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Incorporating Clutch of Undeath into your deck comes with the downside of needing to jettison another card to cast it. This can put you at a disadvantage, particularly if your hand is already running low on cards, forcing you to choose between maintaining card advantage or playing the spell.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost obligates you to tap a blend of one black and two generic mana, potentially complicating its inclusion in multicolor decks. Players prioritizing a smooth mana curve might find this specificity a tad restrictive for their mana base, especially when playing outside of mono-black setups.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that demands three mana, Clutch of Undeath’s value performance may be scrutinized against other options. Enthusiasts of the game who are mindful of mana efficiency might spot alternative enchantments or creatures that can provide more tactical or economical benefits for the same, or lower, mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Clutch of Undeath shines as a flexible card, easily slotting into various deck archetypes. Its enchantment nature allows it to be a recurring threat in graveyard-based strategies or as a defensive mechanism in control decks.

Combo Potential: This card holds the potential to create powerful interactions, particularly in decks focusing on self-mill and reanimation. Combining it with creatures that have on-death trigger abilities can lead to game-changing plays.

Meta-Relevance: Clutch of Undeath could prove advantageous in a meta that favors creatures with high toughness or decks that capitalize on graveyard synergy. Its ability to disrupt opponents while bolstering your own board presence could make it a savvy inclusion for players looking to stay ahead of the curve.

How to beat

Clutch of Undeath is a challenge for any MTG player with its spell capabilities that can turn the tides of a game. To successfully counter this menacing card, understanding its mechanics is crucial. Clutch of Undeath is typically used to significantly boost a creature’s power and toughness, and sometimes, even grant them lifelink. This could quickly overwhelm an unprepared opponent.

To rise above Clutch of Undeath’s effect, being proactive is key. Playing cards that offer removal effects can neutralize the threat before it becomes unmanageable. Consider instant speed removals, which enable you to react in the nick of time, disrupting your opponent’s strategy. Moreover, enchantment hate spells can directly deal with Clutch of Undeath, erasing its influence from the battlefield entirely. Strategic deck building and maintaining card advantage helps ensure you have these answers readily available when facing this enchanting challenge.

Overall, preemptive measures and a keen understanding of potential threats work in tandem to provide a solid defense against Clutch of Undeath, empowering MTG enthusiasts to maintain control over the game flow and secure victory.

Cards like Clutch of Undeath

Clutch of Undeath is an intriguing spell in the realm of creature-enhancing enchantments in Magic: The Gathering. Its similarity to other cards such as Unholy Strength is noticeable as both offer a power and toughness boost to creatures. Clutch of Undeath distinguishes itself with the additional feature of granting lifelink – a mechanic not present in Unholy Strength, which solely increases power and toughness.

Another parallel can be drawn with Eternal Thirst, which not only boosts power and toughness based on the number of creature cards in the player’s graveyard but also confers lifelink. While Clutch of Undeath provides a static boost and lifelink regardless of graveyard status, Eternal Thirst’s dependency on the graveyard can lead to greater power swings. Mark of the Vampire is another enchantment that increases a creature’s strength while providing lifelink, yet it differs in its mana cost and the fixed stat increase it gives.

Assessing these enchantments collectively, Clutch of Undeath holds its ground as a viable option for players looking to enhance their creatures and gain extra life in the process. It finds its niche among lifelink-granting auras in Magic: The Gathering, offering a balanced mix of power and life-gaining utility.

Cards similar to Clutch of Undeath by color, type and mana cost

Screams of the Damned - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Clutch of Undeath MTG card by a specific set like Scourge, 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 Clutch of Undeath and other MTG cards: