Dead Reveler MTG Card

Return to Ravnica (RTR)
2012-10-05 - Number 62

Iconic Masters (IMA)
2017-11-17 - Number 86

Mystery Booster (MB1)
2019-11-07 - Number 617

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number IMA-86

Card sets	Released in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Zombie
Abilities	Unleash
Power	2
Toughness	3

Key Takeaways

Unleash enables Dead Reveler to be a potent force, scaling its power to challenge opponents effectively.
Despite its benefits, the card’s discard requirement for unleash may limit hand resource management.
A well-rounded card, Dead Reveler’s combo potential and metagame relevance make it a versatile inclusion.

Text of card

Unleash (You may have this creature enter the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it. It can't block as long as it has a +1/+1 counter on it.)

He's the unlife of the party.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dead Reveler provides strategic versatility in your hand by enabling you to scale your board presence. Although it does not directly draw cards, its Unleash mechanic can be seen as a form of advantage since it allows Dead Reveler to potentially hit harder, pressuring your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: While Dead Reveler doesn’t directly contribute to mana acceleration, it offers cost-efficient stats. With a potential 3/4 body for three mana, you’re getting above-curve creature size, which can be critical for maintaining momentum in the game.

Instant Speed: Dead Reveler isn’t an instant itself, but its manageable casting cost fits well into a strategy that includes holding mana open for instant-speed interactions. Deploying it after keeping mana up for counterspells or removal ensures you manage your resources effectively, maximizing the impact of each turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of the Dead Reveler is that it requires a discard to unleash, potentially depleting your hand when you might need those cards for future plays.

Specific Mana Cost: Dead Reveler demands a rigid mana base with both black and red, which could pose a deck-building constraint, limiting its integration into a wide array of decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a three-mana creature, its baseline stats are underwhelming without the unleash mechanic, and even with it, there are other creatures at similar cost points that offer additional abilities or higher stats, giving them an edge over Dead Reveler in terms of value.

Reasons to Include Dead Reveler in Your Collection

Versatility: Dead Reveler is a card that can seamlessly slot into various graveyard-themed decks, as well as those harnessing the power of +1/+1 counters. With its Unleash ability allowing it to serve as a potentially more aggressive creature, it offers flexibility depending on your game plan.

Combo Potential: As a creature that can self-enhance, Dead Reveler works well with mechanics that capitalize on counters, such as proliferate, or sacrifice outlets that may benefit from a stronger creature leaving the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that is heavy with creature-based strategies, having a scalable threat like Dead Reveler can help you better align your board presence to match or overpower your opponent’s creatures, making it a smart inclusion that adapts to various competitive environments.

How to beat

When facing off against Dead Reveler in a game, smart strategy becomes key. This card, popular in decks that thrive on aggressive tactics, can be a nuisance with its Unleash ability allowing it to come out as a stronger creature if the counter is placed on it. However, creature control spells can efficiently keep Dead Reveler at bay. Removal spells such as Doom Blade or Go for the Throat can target and destroy Dead Reveler before its power boost becomes a real issue.

Board clearances like Supreme Verdict or Wrath of God also prove to be effective, sweeping Dead Reveler away regardless of its power boost. Another angle is to deploy creatures with deathtouch, turning any combat situation to your favor, or using spells that force a sacrifice, circumventing Dead Reveler’s power set. It’s also worth noting that if the Unleash ability is used, Dead Reveler won’t be able to block, opening up opportunities for tactical swings in the game balance.

By keeping these tactics in mind, players can restrain Dead Reveler’s impact on the board and maintain control over the direction of the match, showcasing the importance of thoughtful gameplay and control within MTG.

Cards like Dead Reveler

Dead Reveler is an intriguing creature card in MTG that offers a spin on the typical creature dynamics with its unleash ability. It stands along other cards like Gore-House Chainwalker, which also allows players to opt for giving it a +1/+1 counter at the expense of blocking. While Dead Reveler has the flexibility to become a 3/4 creature, the Chainwalker is limited to a 3/2.

Comparing to Rakdos Cackler, yet another one-drop creature with unleash, Dead Reveler requires more mana but compensates with higher potential power and toughness. The Cackler is quick on the board but doesn’t scale up like the Reveler can. Furthermore, Splatter Thug presents itself as a comparable alternative with its innate first strike capability when unleashed, providing an offensive edge that the Dead Reveler lacks. This can be strategic in combat, offering a different kind of value based on battle conditions.

In evaluating Dead Reveler against similar MTG cards, it is evident that the card balances a modest mana cost with a solid upgrade potential, making it a versatile choice for players looking to bolster their ranks with an adaptable threat.

Gore-House Chainwalker - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Dead Reveler by color, type and mana cost

Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dead Reveler MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica and Iconic Masters, 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 Dead Reveler and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Dead Reveler Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2012-10-05 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by David Palumbo.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2012-10-05	Return to Ravnica	RTR	62	2003	Normal	Black	David Palumbo
2	2017-11-17	Iconic Masters	IMA	86	2015	Normal	Black	David Palumbo
3	2019-11-07	Mystery Booster	MB1	617	2015	Normal	Black	David Palumbo
4	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST	IMA-86	2015	Normal	Black	David Palumbo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dead Reveler has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2013-04-15	A creature with unleash can’t block if it has any +1/+1 counter on it, not just one put on it by the unleash ability.
2013-04-15	Putting a +1/+1 counter on a creature with unleash that’s already blocking won’t remove it from combat. It will continue to block.
2013-04-15	The unleash ability applies no matter where the creature is entering the battlefield from.
2013-04-15	You make the choice to have the creature with unleash enter the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter or not as it’s entering the battlefield. At that point, it’s too late for a player to respond to the creature spell by trying to counter it, for example.