Ghoulflesh MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
| Released | 2012-05-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Avacyn Restored |
| Set code | AVR |
| Number | 103 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | normal |
| Border | black |
| Illustred by | Igor Kieryluk |
Key Takeaways
- Ghoulflesh offers indirect card advantage by reducing opponent creature threats without removal.
- The ability to cast Ghoulflesh at instant speed allows for strategic, flexible gameplay.
- Its aura effect can hinder or aid depending on the board state and deck synergy.
Text of card
Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets -1/-1 and is a black Zombie in addition to its other colors and types.
The body dies in stages. First the skin, then the muscle. The brain is last, much to the victim's dismay.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ghoulflesh can be especially effective in the right deck setup. By attaching it to an opponent’s creature, it essentially turns it into a less threatening presence on the board. This can sway the board state in your favor without the need to directly remove the creature, potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategies and gaining you an indirect card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While Ghoulflesh itself doesn’t accelerate resources in terms of mana, it can work towards resource acceleration by lowering the quality of your opponent’s resources. As their creatures become less useful, Ghoulflesh indirectly accelerates your position by comparison, letting you potentially overtake the game with better resources at your disposal.
Instant Speed: Ghoulflesh’s ability to be cast at instant speed provides flexibility in gameplay. By keeping mana open for Ghoulflesh, you can respond to your opponent’s moves during their turn, deciding the best moment to apply the -1/-1 effect. This can surprise opponents attempting to buff or utilize that creature during their turn, interrupting their play patterns and ensuring you maintain initiative.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The requirement to discard a card when playing Ghoulflesh can put players at a disadvantage, especially when they are running low on cards and unable to afford the loss of resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Ghoulflesh has a specific mana cost that includes black mana, which might not be easily accessible in decks that aren’t focused on black mana sources or multicolor decks with a wider mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its effect of giving a creature -1/-1 and the potential to return a zombie card to your hand, Ghoulflesh has a mana cost that’s considered high. This can make it less appealing compared to other low-cost spells that may offer similar or better effects with less mana expenditure.
Reasons to Include Ghoulflesh in Your Collection
Versatility: Ghoulflesh is adaptable and fits into multiple deck types. This enchantment can be a useful tool in both aggressive and control strategies, allowing you to apply pressure on your opponent by turning their creatures into less threatening forms or undermining their defense.
Combo Potential: The card opens up various synergies, especially in decks that capitalize on -1/-1 counter placements. Players can utilize Ghoulflesh to enhance creature removal strategies or combine with other cards that can exploit or remove these counters for benefit.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Ghoulflesh can act as a deterrent or a removal enhancer. As players anticipate matches against numerous creature threats, introducing Ghoulflesh can provide a distinct edge in controlling the pace of the game.
How to beat
Ghoulflesh is an intriguing aura in the vast library of Magic: The Gathering cards. Its primary effect is to give a target creature -1/-1, which, while not overly impressive, can tip the scales in a tightly contested match. But the additional ability to create a 2/2 black Zombie creature token upon the enchanted creature’s death adds another layer of strategy.
Overcoming Ghoulflesh entails mindful play. One method is removing the enchanted creature from the board using exile effects, thus bypassing the token creation. You could also use creature buffs to negate the power and toughness reduction, preserving your creature’s impact on the game. Alternatively, taking control of the opponent’s potential zombies with cards like Act of Treason allows you to turn the tables, using their strategies against them.
Strategic deck building comes into play here. Including flexible removal spells or a suite of creature buffs can offer the necessary tools to counter Ghoulflesh and similar threats. By anticipating this card and preparing accordingly, you ensure that the impact of Ghoulflesh is minimal, keeping the board in your favor.
Cards like Ghoulflesh
Ghoulflesh is an intriguing card with its ability to not only weaken a target creature but also transform it into a creature type that could be unfavorable for your opponent in Magic: The Gathering. In the realm of creature debuff spells, it bears some resemblance to Dead Weight, which gives a creature -2/-2. While Ghoulflesh provides less of a power and toughness reduction, it compensates by potentially interfering with synergies on the board by changing the creature’s type.
Another analogue within the debuff suite is Stab Wound, which not only decreases a creature’s power and toughness by -2/-2 but also inflicts consistent loss of life to the opponent for as long as the creature remains on the battlefield. Unlike Ghoulflesh, which is a one-off effect, Stab Wound serves a dual purpose by chipping away at an opponent’s life total over time, possibly pressuring them to find a way to remove their own creature.
In evaluating the utility and impact of different weakening spells, Ghoulflesh offers unique gameplay dimensions. It favors players who can capitalize on creature type changes, despite its seemingly mild immediate impact when contrasted with other enchantment options available in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Ghoulflesh by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ghoulflesh MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored, 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 Ghoulflesh and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See Magic products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ghoulflesh has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ghoulflesh card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-05-01 | If Ghoulflesh causes a creature to have 0 toughness or have damage marked on it equal to or greater than its toughness, it will be a black Zombie (in addition to its other colors and types) when it dies. |
