Call to the Grave MTG Card


Call to the Grave provides ongoing board control by forcing opponents to sacrifice non-Zombie creatures. It requires a strategic deck build focused on zombies to maximize its destructive potential. Despite its power, it can be costly, requiring precise timing and mana investment to be effective.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

At the beginning of each player's upkeep, that player sacrifices a non-Zombie creature. At end of turn, if no creatures are in play, sacrifice Call to the Grave.


Cards like Call to the Grave

Call to the Grave exhibits a strategic edge within the range of MTG zombie-themep enchantments. It embodies an archetype-specific power-level reminiscent of powerful control cards such as Grave Pact, which also demands sacrifices from your opponents. While Grave Pact triggers whenever any creature you control dies, Call to the Grave is more specialized, requiring only non-Zombie creatures to be sacrificed and operates on a predictable upkeep cycle.

Looking at Endless Ranks of the Dead, we notice a synergy with Call to the Grave as it fortifies the zombie legion. Unlike Call to the Grave’s sacrifice condition, Endless Ranks leans on exponential growth in creature count, fundamentally differing by adding to your board rather than detracting from your opponent’s. Conversely, Dictate of Erebos mirrors Grave Pact with its sacrifice trigger, and though it shares the flash ability for surprise plays, it doesn’t share the zombie-centric approach of Call to the Grave.

To stitch it all together, Call to the Grave stands out by amalgamating consistent control with a tribal twist, making it a formidable piece in any zombie deck. The proactive strategy to hinder non-zombie creature strategies places it in a notable position among its peers in MTG.

Grave Pact - MTG Card versions
Endless Ranks of the Dead - MTG Card versions
Dictate of Erebos - MTG Card versions
Grave Pact - MTG Card versions
Endless Ranks of the Dead - MTG Card versions
Dictate of Erebos - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Call to the Grave by color, type and mana cost

Horror of Horrors - MTG Card versions
Worms of the Earth - MTG Card versions
Forbidden Crypt - MTG Card versions
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Subversion - MTG Card versions
Larceny - MTG Card versions
Conspiracy - MTG Card versions
Putrefaction - MTG Card versions
Unnatural Hunger - MTG Card versions
Intimidation - MTG Card versions
Spreading Plague - MTG Card versions
Yawgmoth's Agenda - MTG Card versions
Traveling Plague - MTG Card versions
Screams of the Damned - MTG Card versions
Dawn of the Dead - MTG Card versions
Gravebreaker Lamia - MTG Card versions
Doomwake Giant - MTG Card versions
Painful Quandary - MTG Card versions
Horror of Horrors - MTG Card versions
Worms of the Earth - MTG Card versions
Forbidden Crypt - MTG Card versions
Death Pits of Rath - MTG Card versions
Handcuffs - MTG Card versions
Discordant Dirge - MTG Card versions
Subversion - MTG Card versions
Larceny - MTG Card versions
Conspiracy - MTG Card versions
Putrefaction - MTG Card versions
Unnatural Hunger - MTG Card versions
Intimidation - MTG Card versions
Spreading Plague - MTG Card versions
Yawgmoth's Agenda - MTG Card versions
Traveling Plague - MTG Card versions
Screams of the Damned - MTG Card versions
Dawn of the Dead - MTG Card versions
Gravebreaker Lamia - MTG Card versions
Doomwake Giant - MTG Card versions
Painful Quandary - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Just by hitting the battlefield, Call to the Grave starts impacting the game by putting substantial pressure on your opponents every turn. At the beginning of each player’s upkeep, they must sacrifice a non-Zombie creature. This can quickly decimate an opponent’s board and tilt the card advantage in your favor, especially in formats where Zombies are a popular tribe.

Resource Acceleration: While not generating mana directly, Call to the Grave accelerates your resources in a unique way. By consistently clearing the board of non-Zombie creatures, it helps ensure that your undead horde can attack unimpeded. This can speed up your game plan drastically, effectively accelerating your path to victory as opponents struggle to find answers.

Instant Speed: Although Call to the Grave is an enchantment that operates on upkeep triggers rather than instant speed, the fact that the effect recurs every upkeep acts like a deterrent in instant speed. Opponents must consider the implications of the enchantment at all times, which can alter their play patterns and strategy, almost as if it has the reach into their turns akin to instant speed interactions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Call to the Grave creates an ongoing threat to your opponents by potentially clearing their board of non-Zombie creatures, it also necessitates that you maintain a Zombie on the battlefield, or risk losing the enchantment itself. This can be particularly taxing if your deck isn’t reliably producing Zombies, potentially leading to a scenario where you’re forced to sacrifice the card without reaping its full benefits.

Specific Mana Cost: Call to the Grave requires a specific set of mana to cast, including two black mana. This can be restrictive, as it necessitates a mana base that strongly supports black, reducing the flexibility for the card to be included in multi-color decks not heavily focused on black mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, Call to the Grave may be considered expensive for the effect it delivers, particularly when compared to other removal options available. This can sometimes make it a less attractive option in faster, more aggressive decks that prioritize lower-costing cards to maintain momentum against their opponents.


Reasons to Include Call to the Grave in Your Collection

Versatility: Call to the Grave is a dynamic enchantment that can seamlessly integrate into a variety of black-centric or zombie-themed decks. Its ability to consistently pressure opponents by demanding creature sacrifices each turn makes it a formidable piece in control and attrition strategies.

Combo Potential: This card shines in synergies that revolve around zombie tribal themes. The consistent removal coupled with the potential to capitalize on death triggers can turn Call to the Grave into a key component of powerful combo engines that can dominate the board.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies are prevalent, this enchantment proves its worth by serving as a repeating removal tool. Its relevance grows as it disrupts opponents’ boards and maintains a clean state for you to execute your game plan effectively, making it a useful card to have given the ever-shifting MTG meta.


How to Beat Call to the Grave

Dealing with Call to the Grave can be quite challenging, as this enchantment has the potential to control the board by forcing players to sacrifice non-Zombie creatures. It embodies a relentless mechanism that occurs every upkeep, which can decimate creature-based strategies. To overcome this card, it’s essential to employ removal spells or abilities that can directly target enchantments. Naturalize or Disenchant are prime examples, offering an efficient and immediate answer to Call to the Grave.

In addition to direct removal, one can also adopt strategies that don’t rely heavily on creatures, thus negating the card’s effect. Another effective tactic is to utilize counterspells like Cancel or Mana Leak to prevent Call to the Grave from hitting the battlefield in the first place. Similarly, transformative sideboard strategies that decrease your creature count post-board can be employed to reduce Call to the Grave’s impact in longer games, like in a match scenario.

Ultimately, maintaining flexibility in your deck’s construction and keeping answers for problematic enchantments is crucial. This ensures that Call to the Grave doesn’t lock you out of the game, preserving your path to victory against undead-themed strategies.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the dynamics of MTG, Call to the Grave presents itself as a formidable enchantment for anyone looking to harness the relentless power of the undead. From its board-controlling abilities to its potential in zombie-themed strategies, this card is more than just an addition to your collection—it’s a strategic tool crafted to sway the tides of battle into your favor. If you’ve felt the thrill of outmaneuvering your opponents, or if the art of deck building fuels your passion for MTG, exploring the depths of Call to the Grave is your next move. Visit us to unlock the full potential of your deck and claim victory over any adversary that dares to challenge your might.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Call to the Grave MTG card by a specific set like Scourge and Magic 2012, 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 Call to the Grave and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Call to the Grave Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2003-05-26 and 2011-07-15. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12003-05-26ScourgeSCG 581997NormalBlackDaren Bader
22011-07-15Magic 2012M12 852003NormalBlackDaarken

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Call to the Grave has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2011-09-22 If a player controls no creatures, or each creature they control is a Zombie, that player does nothing when the first ability resolves.
2011-09-22 If there is at least one creature on the battlefield at the beginning of the end step, the last ability won’t trigger. If it does trigger, but a creature enters the battlefield before it resolves, the ability won’t do anything when it resolves. Call to the Grave’s controller won’t sacrifice it.
2011-09-22 In a Two-Headed Giant game, Call to the Grave will trigger twice during each team’s upkeep, once for each player. Each of the two players will sacrifice a non-Zombie creature when the ability referring to that player resolves.