Zombie MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 83 setsSee all
TypeToken Creature — Zombie
Power 2
Toughness 2
TokenTokens act as indicators during gameplay and are not included into building a deck.
Un-set :-)This card is part of an Un-set

Key Takeaways

  1. Zombie cards enable card advantage through drawing and creature reanimation, growing your army steadily.
  2. Instant speed zombie spells offer tactical control to react and disrupt your opponent’s strategy effectively.
  3. They require careful mana management due to specific color needs and potentially high casting costs.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Zombie cards often come with abilities that let you draw or reanimate creatures from the graveyard, bolstering your hand and battlefield presence simultaneously. This can lead to a sustained advantage as you continue to apply pressure with an ever-growing undead army.

Resource Acceleration: Zombies are known for their synergy and ability to manipulate graveyards for benefit. Some zombie cards enable you to rapidly increase your mana available by returning lands from the graveyard to the battlefield or by converting other resources into mana, giving you the means to cast more powerful spells sooner.

Instant Speed: The threat of instant speed zombie spells can be a game-changer, allowing you to react swiftly to your opponent’s moves. Whether it’s ambushing an attacker with an unexpected creature or casting a spell that disrupts their strategy, instant speed gives you the tactical edge to control the pace of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Zombie cards often come with the stipulation that you must discard another card to play them or trigger an ability. For example, to reanimate a creature from the graveyard, you might need to discard a card from your hand, which can set you back in terms of card advantage if done recklessly.

Specific Mana Cost: Zombies typically demand a specific color combination, primarily black. This can create a restrictive mana base, making them less versatile for players not running a dedicated zombie deck or without access to the required mana-fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In comparison to other creature types, zombies can have a high mana cost for their abilities or for simply casting them. This can slow your game tempo, especially in fast-paced matches where efficient mana spending is crucial for maintaining board presence and momentum.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Zombie cards in MTG are known for their ability to adapt to various deck themes, whether you’re focusing on graveyard mechanics, token generation, or control strategies. Their undead nature makes them a persistent threat on the board, rising again and again to overwhelm opponents.

Combo Potential: These cards often feature synergies that can lead to explosive plays, such as sacrificing zombies for benefits or using them to empower other undead creatures. Pairing zombies with cards that capitalize on death triggers or resurrection can turn the tide of play in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: Zombies have had a significant presence in varied MTG metas over the years. Their ability to quickly populate the board makes them a competitive choice in games, holding their own against other popular deck types. Keeping a solid base of zombie cards can prepare players for shifts in the competitive landscape.


How to beat

Zombie cards in Magic: The Gathering embody resilience and the undying nature of the undead. Facing a deck teeming with Zombies often means dealing with creatures that come back from the graveyard and overpower the battlefield with sheer numbers. One effective strategy to combat these relentless hordes is to utilize cards with exile effects. Rather than sending Zombies to the graveyard where they could be reanimated, exiling them ensures they won’t make a return.

Board clear spells are another potent countermeasure. Sweeping the board clean with a well-timed Wrath of God or Damnation can neutralize the Zombie threat and give you a moment of respite. However, be mindful of cards like Mikaeus, the Unhallowed, which can make Zombies even harder to kill for good. In such cases, prioritize the removal of key undead enablers before they create an overwhelming board presence.

Lastly, adjust your playstyle to be more reactive. Zombies typically build momentum over time, so early aggression and disruption, such as Thoughtseize or Counterbalance, can help prevent your opponent from establishing control. By keeping the Zombie population in check and remaining vigilant, you can fend off the undead army and secure your victory.


Cards like Zombie

Exploring the undead realm within Magic: The Gathering brings us to the staple Zombie tribal card type known for its synergy and resurrection abilities. The allure of these cards, like the iconic Gravecrawler, lies in their capability to return from the graveyard, offering a persistent threat. Gravecrawler itself is a standout for its low-cost, high-impact gameplay, allowing casting from the graveyard as long as you control another Zombie.

Other cards in this vein include Diregraf Ghoul, another one-drop Zombie with a power play coming in tapped, yet it offers a solid body for aggressive strategies. Comparatively, Relentless Dead boasts not only the ability to resurrect itself but another Zombie too, albeit at a higher mana investment. It exemplifies the theme of loyalty beyond death, a core characteristic of Zombie cards.

In evaluating Zombie tribal options, cards such as Death Baron elevate the whole horde with deathtouch, enhancing their combative edge. While individual Zombies like Gravecrawler can be powerful, it’s the cohesive threat amped by cards like Death Baron that truly captures the essence of a Zombie deck’s relentless advance in Magic: The Gathering battles.

Gravecrawler - MTG Card versions
Diregraf Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Relentless Dead - MTG Card versions
Death Baron - MTG Card versions
Gravecrawler - Dark Ascension Promos (PDKA)
Diregraf Ghoul - Innistrad Promos (PISD)
Relentless Dead - Shadows over Innistrad (SOI)
Death Baron - Shards of Alara (ALA)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Zombie MTG card by a specific set like Unglued and Magic Player Rewards 2002, 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 Zombie and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Zombie Magic the Gathering card was released in 72 different sets between 1998-08-11 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by 35 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-08-11UngluedUGL 31997tokensilverChristopher Rush
22002-01-01Magic Player Rewards 2002PR2 41997tokenblackDana Knutson
32007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 22003tokenblackCarl Critchlow
42008-10-03Shards of AlaraALA 52003tokenblackDave Kendall
52009-07-17Magic 2010M10 32003tokenblackBud Cook
62010-07-16Magic 2011M11 32003tokenblackBud Cook
72011-02-04Mirrodin BesiegedMBS 22003tokenblackDave Kendall
82011-07-15Magic 2012M12 32003tokenblackCarl Critchlow
92011-09-30InnistradISD 82003tokenblackChristopher Moeller
102011-09-30InnistradISD 92003tokenblackCynthia Sheppard
112011-09-30InnistradISD 72003tokenblackLucas Graciano
122012-05-04Avacyn RestoredAVR 62003tokenblackLucas Graciano
132012-07-13Magic 2013M13 52003tokenblackLucas Graciano
142013-06-07Modern MastersMMA 82003tokenblackBud Cook
152013-07-19Magic 2014M14 52003tokenblackLucas Graciano
162014-02-07Born of the GodsBNG 62003tokenblackWinona Nelson
172014-05-02Journey into NyxJOU 22003tokenblackZack Stella
182014-06-06ConspiracyCNS 32003tokenblackLucas Graciano
192014-07-18Magic 2015M15 62015tokenblackLucas Graciano
202014-09-26Khans of TarkirKTK 62015tokenblackWayne Reynolds
212014-11-07Commander 2014C14 162015tokenblackLucas Graciano
222014-11-07Commander 2014C14 112015tokenblackDave Kendall
232015-03-27Dragons of TarkirDTK 32015tokenblackVincent Proce
242015-07-17Magic OriginsORI 52015tokenblackLucas Graciano
252015-11-13Commander 2015C15 82015tokenblackLucas Graciano
262016-01-22Oath of the GatewatchOGW 82015tokenblackKev Walker
272016-02-26Duel Decks: Blessed vs. CursedDDQ 802015tokenblackLucas Graciano
282016-04-08Shadows over InnistradSOI 52015tokenblackCraig J Spearing
292016-06-10Eternal MastersEMA 62015tokenblackLucas Graciano
302016-07-22Eldritch MoonEMN 42015tokenblackSeb McKinnon
312016-07-22Eldritch MoonEMN 62015tokenblackDaarken
322016-07-22Eldritch MoonEMN 52015tokenblackAnna Steinbauer
332016-07-22Eldritch Moon PromosPEMN 1Z2015double_faced_tokenblackAnna Steinbauer
342016-07-22Eldritch MoonEMN 32015tokenblackTomasz Jedruszek
352016-08-26Conspiracy: Take the CrownCN2 62015tokenblackSeb McKinnon
362016-11-11Commander 2016C16 112015tokenblackLucas Graciano
372016-11-25Planechase AnthologyPCA 92015tokenblackDave Kendall
382017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 62015tokenblackLucas Graciano
392017-04-28AmonkhetAKH 202015tokenblackIgor Kieryluk
402017-06-09Commander AnthologyCMA 52015tokenblackLucas Graciano
412017-08-25Commander 2017C17 52015tokenblackCraig J Spearing
422017-12-08UnstableUST 92015double_faced_tokenblackCraig J Spearing
432018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 72015tokenblackBud Cook
442018-06-08BattlebondBBD 32015tokenblackIgor Kieryluk
452018-07-13Core Set 2019M19 82015tokenblackPaul Scott Canavan
462018-08-09Commander 2018C18 92015tokenblackAnna Steinbauer
472018-10-05Mythic EditionMED G22015tokenblackAnna Steinbauer
482018-12-07Ultimate MastersUMA 82015tokenblackAnna Steinbauer
492019-01-25Ravnica AllegianceRNA 32015tokenblackJason A. Engle
502019-05-03War of the SparkWAR 72015tokenblackSimon Dominic
512019-06-14Modern HorizonsMH1 72015tokenblackAnna Steinbauer
522019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 62015tokenblackAnna Steinbauer
532019-08-23Commander 2019C19 102015tokenblackAnna Steinbauer
542019-08-23Commander 2019C19 112015tokenblackCraig J Spearing
552019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 13572015tokenborderlessFay Dalton
562020-01-24Theros Beyond DeathTHB 72015tokenblackEmrah Elmasli
572020-04-17Commander 2020C20 92015tokenblackAnna Steinbauer
582020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 72015tokenblackAnna Steinbauer
592020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 62015tokenblackPaul Scott Canavan
602021-04-23Commander 2021C21 92015tokenblackAnna Steinbauer
612021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 62015tokenblackPaul Scott Canavan
622021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 92015tokenblackArtur Treffner
632021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight HuntMID 152015tokenborderlessRavenna Tran
642021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight HuntMID 52015tokenborderlessSam White
652021-09-24Midnight Hunt CommanderMIC 52015tokenblackAnna Steinbauer
662021-09-24Midnight Hunt CommanderMIC 42015tokenblackDave Kendall
672021-11-19Innistrad: Crimson VowVOW 52015tokenblackDave Kendall
682021-11-19Innistrad: Crimson VowVOW 82015tokenblackChris Cold
692022-01-28Commander Collection: BlackCC2 92015double_faced_tokenblackXavier Ribeiro
702022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 162015tokenblackPaul Scott Canavan
712022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 122015tokenblackAnna Steinbauer
722022-09-09Dominaria UnitedDMU 92015tokenblackAntonio José Manzanedo
732022-09-09Dominaria United Southeast Asia TokensPTDMU 32015tokenblackChong Fei Giap
742022-09-09Dominaria United Japanese Promo TokensWDMU 32015tokenblackSansyu
752022-10-14Game Night: Free-for-AllGN3 72015tokenblackAnna Steinbauer
762022-11-18The Brothers' WarBRO 112015tokenblackKieran Yanner
772023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 52015tokenblackAntonio José Manzanedo
782023-04-21March of the Machine Japanese Promo TokensWMOM 42015tokenborderlessakio
792023-04-21March of the MachineMOM 52015tokenblackDomenico Cava
802023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 192015tokenblackPaul Scott Canavan
812023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 132015tokenblackDave Kendall
822024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 62015tokenblackSimon Dominic
832024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 112015tokenblackJason A. Engle

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