Lurching Rotbeast MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Zombie Beast
Abilities	Cycling
Released	2017-07-14
Set symbol
Set name	Hour of Devastation
Set code	HOU
Power	4
Toughness	2
Number	69
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jason A. Engle

Key Takeaways

Cycling Lurching Rotbeast provides card advantage and fuels graveyard-based strategies effectively.
Despite a discard drawback, its instant speed activation offers strategic depth.
Mainly fitting in black mana decks, it has meta relevance and versatility.

Text of card

Cycling (, Discard this card: Draw a card.)

The dead that swept across Naktamun came in all shapes and sizes.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When Lurching Rotbeast is cycled, it offers the benefit of drawing a card, which can be pivotal for sustaining your tempo or pulling ahead in resource availability during a match.

Resource Acceleration: Although Lurching Rotbeast doesn’t directly produce mana or Treasure tokens, its cycling ability can effectively assist in smoothing out mana draws by filtering through your deck to find necessary lands or ramp spells more quickly.

Instant Speed: The cycling mechanic of Lurching Rotbeast can be activated at instant speed, presenting strategic flexibility to react on an opponent’s end step or after they’ve committed to actions, keeping your options open as the game unfolds.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Lurching Rotbeast asks you to part with an additional card when triggering its ability. This can be a notable drawback, particularly in tight game scenarios where each card in hand is vital.

Specific Mana Cost: Sporting both black and colorless mana in its casting cost, the card demands a dedicated color commitment, potentially hampering its inclusion in multicolored decks that may not prioritize black mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Summoning Lurching Rotbeast requires a certain investment—three mana for a 4/2 creature. When aligned with other creatures and spells within the mana range, its value proposition might appear less enticing, as alternative cards could deliver greater impact or versatility on the battlefield.

Reasons to Include Lurching Rotbeast in Your Collection

Versatility: Lurching Rotbeast is a useful addition to decks that capitalize on cycling abilities or graveyard synergy. Its cycling cost allows players to replace it with a new card while also stocking the graveyard for other strategies.

Combo Potential: When cycled, this creature enables combos by triggering effects that activate upon cards being cycled or when creatures enter the graveyard, creating potential unforeseen benefits for the player.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where decks are designed around utilising the graveyard, Lurching Rotbeast serves as an efficient enabler. Its presence can disrupt opponents who are unprepared for such tactics, making it a strategic addition against certain match-ups.

How to beat

Lurching Rotbeast may seem unassuming at first glance in the Magic: The Gathering universe. This creature presents a simple yet effective cycle ability, providing players with the option to discard it in exchange for drawing a card. It’s a tactical move that can be employed whether Lurching Rotbeast is in your hand or on the battlefield, offering you depth in game plan adjustments.

Counteracting Lurching Rotbeast does not require elaborate strategies. Due to its modest power and toughness, direct removal spells or even blocking with a creature of equal or greater strength can easily dispatch it. Utilize removals like Fatal Push or Shock for a quick and efficient answer. Additionally, since it offers card advantage upon cycling, consider employing graveyard-disruption tactics or hand-disruption spells to intervene before the cycle ability is used, limiting your opponent’s options and card flow.

Ultimately, Lurching Rotbeast can be approached with a range of measures. Simple in structure but demanding in strategic response, it can be mastered by those who are prepared to nullify its cycling advantage and can handle its on-board presence with minimal resource investment.

Cards like Lurching Rotbeast

Lurching Rotbeast is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering that belongs to the vast array of zombies. It bears comparison to cards like Shambling Goblin, which, while having a lesser casting cost and providing an immediate impact upon death, offers a different form of utility. While Shambling Goblin acts more as a tactical play, Lurching Rotbeast excels in decks aiming for card advantage through its cycling ability.

Miasmic Mummy presents another comparison, sharing the same converted mana cost as Lurching Rotbeast and also involving a discard mechanic. However, Miasmic Mummy’s discard is mandatory upon entry, making it more of a double-edged sword. In contrast, the optional cycling of Lurching Rotbeast provides flexibility to the player, allowing them to adapt to the current game state.

That being said, when comparing these creatures, we can appreciate Lurching Rotbeast for its card drawing capability. This makes it a valuable inclusion in any deck that wants to draw into more options while advancing their graveyard strategies, delineating itself as a significant player in the realm of zombie-type cards and cycling mechanics.

Cards similar to Lurching Rotbeast by color, type and mana cost

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lurching Rotbeast MTG card by a specific set like Hour of Devastation, 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 Lurching Rotbeast and other MTG cards: