Undead Warchief MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Zombie
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Undead Warchief makes zombie spells cheaper and creates powerful armies for dominant board presence.
  2. Its lack of card draw and specific mana requirements can limit its adaptability in varied decks.
  3. Despite being a strong force, the Warchief is vulnerable to targeted removal and graveyard disruption.

Text of card

Zombie spells you play cost less to play. Zombies you control get +2/+1.

It has the strength of seven men. In fact, it used to be seven men.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: As leaders on the battlefield, Undead Warchief not only synergize with your existing zombie army but also enhance your deck’s efficiency. By cutting down on mana costs for zombie spells, it allows players to deploy more threats, turning them into a persistent and scary presence that can continually grow in power and number.

Resource Acceleration: This fearsome zombie commander speeds up your game by reducing the mana cost of zombie spells. This efficiency means you can swarm the battlefield faster than your opponent can handle. Deploying multiple threats in one turn becomes easier, letting you take full advantage of a vast undead legion.

Instant Speed: Although Undead Warchief itself does not operate at instant speed, its ability to reduce mana costs for your zombies can free up mana resources. This allows for strategic flexibility, keeping mana available for instant speed responses, removals, or combat tricks that can surprise an opponent during their turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Undead Warchief, while bolstering your zombie army, doesn’t come with any forgiving mechanics if you’re low on cards. If the game drags on and your hand thins, it lacks an inherent way to refill your resources, which may force you into difficult decisions about what to keep and what to discard.

Specific Mana Cost: This zombie tribal lord demands a specific blend of mana, with two being black. This can pigeonhole the card into mono-black or heavy black decks, reducing its flexibility across the broader spectrum of deck-building options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three colorless and one black mana, Undead Warchief can be a weighty investment in the early game. In a format where mana efficiency is key, especially in aggressive or tempo-driven strategies, there might be leaner options to consider which could provide more immediate board impact or value.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Undead Warchief isn’t just another zombie card; it’s a game-changer in decks that revolve around undead creatures. Its ability to reduce zombie casting costs and boost their power gives it a rightful place in various zombie-themed decks, whether you’re aiming for speed, defense, or overwhelming your opponent with an undead legion.

Combo Potential: Pairing Undead Warchief with other zombie-supporting cards can unlock explosive combinations. It’s like a skeletal key for zombie decks, turning an average undead swarm into an unstoppable force. Combine it with cards that bring zombies back from the graveyard, and you’ve got a recipe for a relentless horde that keeps coming back stronger.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame where tribal decks can dominate, having Undead Warchief can tip the balance in your favor. It enhances the resilience and power of your zombie units, making them formidable against the most common deck types. Its presence can shift the tide of battle and keep you ahead of the curve in competitive play.


How to Beat

Undead Warchief is a powerhouse in zombie tribal decks across various MTG formats. This card significantly reduces the mana cost of zombie spells while boosting their power, turning an army of the undead into a threatening force. However, despite its strengths, there are ways to undermine its dominance on the battlefield. Targeted removal spells, such as Path to Exile or Assassin’s Trophy, can efficiently dispatch the Warchief before it starts to impact the game. Board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation are also effective, clearing out the zombie horde irrespective of the buffs they receive.

Enchantment-based removal like Detention Sphere can neutralize the Warchief and any copies of it without triggering any potential death effects. Additionally, players should be wary of the timing when trying to remove it; doing so during the opponent’s upkeep can prevent them from benefiting from the cost reduction on their turn. Finally, graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace can prevent the resurgence of zombies and undercut the long-term strategy of such decks, making sure the Undead Warchief doesn’t make a triumphant return from the grave.


BurnMana Recommendations

Considering the strengths and weaknesses of the Undead Warchief, MTG players looking to command a zombie horde can appreciate its potential to craft a formidable deck. Its synergy with other undead minions and ability to escalate your battlefield presence should not be overlooked. Whether tweaking your current zombie deck or seeking new strategic additions, the Undead Warchief is a valuable asset. Interested in harnessing the power of this undead tribal lord to outmaneuver competitors across the MTG landscape? Dive deeper into our insights and strategies to optimize your deck and empower your zombie legion to triumph over the competition.


Cards like Undead Warchief

Undead Warchief not only strengthens your zombie army but also eases the casting burden of your undead allies. It’s akin to the Death Baron, which also provides a boost with deathtouch to your zombies. Despite Death Baron’s potent defensive capability, Undead Warchief secures an edge by reducing zombie spell costs and enhancing their attack power significantly.

Diving deeper into the zombie synergy, we have Cemetery Reaper. While it lacks the cost-reduction perk of the Undead Warchief, it compensates with a different angle: exiling cards from opponents’ graveyards to create new zombies, an invaluable tactic against graveyard-based strategies. Lord of the Accursed is another peer, offering menace to your legion of the undead, which can be critical in forcing through damage.

The unique combination of aggressive cost efficiency and power augmentation positions Undead Warchief as a premier choice in zombie tribal builds. With its army-boosting prowess and economic advantage, it stands out in the pantheon of zombie lords within Magic: The Gathering for players keen on leading a relentless undead onslaught.

Death Baron - MTG Card versions
Cemetery Reaper - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Accursed - MTG Card versions
Death Baron - Shards of Alara (ALA)
Cemetery Reaper - Magic 2010 (M10)
Lord of the Accursed - Amonkhet (AKH)

Cards similar to Undead Warchief by color, type and mana cost

Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Cabal Surgeon - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Dirge Bat - MTG Card versions
Gixian Puppeteer - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Hell's Caretaker - Chronicles (CHR)
Rag Man - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Phyrexian Debaser - Urza's Legacy (ULG)
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Slinking Skirge - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Gravedigger - The List (PLST)
Scandalmonger - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Urborg Shambler - Invasion (INV)
Whispering Shade - Odyssey (ODY)
Cabal Surgeon - Torment (TOR)
Filth - Judgment (JUD)
Demon of Catastrophes - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Bold Plagiarist - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Dirge Bat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Gixian Puppeteer - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Toxin Sliver - Legions (LGN)
Vampiric Spirit - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Nim Shambler - Mirrodin (MRD)
Bad Ass - Unhinged (UNH)
Scourge of Numai - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Undead Warchief MTG card by a specific set like Scourge and Time Spiral Timeshifted, 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 Undead Warchief and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Undead Warchief Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2003-05-26 and 2020-03-08. Illustrated by Greg Hildebrandt.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12003-05-26ScourgeSCG 781997normalblackGreg Hildebrandt
22006-10-06Time Spiral TimeshiftedTSB 521997normalblackGreg Hildebrandt
32009-09-04PlanechaseHOP 442003normalblackGreg Hildebrandt
42020-03-08Mystery Booster Retail Edition FoilsFMB1 441997normalblackGreg Hildebrandt
52020-09-26The ListPLST TSB-521997normalblackGreg Hildebrandt

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Undead Warchief has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks