Curse of the Restless Dead MTG Card


Generates consistent value by creating zombie tokens during each upkeep, enhancing board presence. Requires strategic hand management due to the discard condition, affecting overall resource balance. Utilizes land-based triggers, making it a versatile tool in zombie-centric and graveyard-focused decks.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment — Aura Curse
Abilities Enchant

Text of card

Enchant player Whenever a land enters the battlefield under enchanted player's control, you create a 2/2 black Zombie creature token with decayed.


Cards like Curse of the Restless Dead

Curse of the Restless Dead stands as an intriguing option for players looking to build around zombie tribal themes or graveyard strategies in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives include Call to the Grave, which also leverages the power of zombies. While Call to the Grave requires a sacrifice of a non-Zombie creature during each upkeep, Curse of the Restless Dead brings versatility with its ability to create zombie tokens when land cards enter the battlefield under your control.

Analogous in function is Endless Ranks of the Dead, another card that multiplies your zombie forces, albeit based on the number already in play. The difference lies in its methodical growth style compared to the reactive nature of Curse of the Restless Dead, which can generate a burst of zombie tokens in a single turn with landfall triggers. Meanwhile, Army of the Damned stands out as a higher-cost alternative that can flood the board with a swarm of undead soldiers in a single, albeit costly, move.

As we explore the unique capabilities and synergies these cards present, it’s clear that Curse of the Restless Dead carves its niche effectively within zombie-themed decks, particularly when combined with a lands-matter strategy.

Call to the Grave - MTG Card versions
Endless Ranks of the Dead - MTG Card versions
Army of the Damned - MTG Card versions
Call to the Grave - MTG Card versions
Endless Ranks of the Dead - MTG Card versions
Army of the Damned - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Curse of the Restless Dead by color, type and mana cost

Gloom - MTG Card versions
Season of the Witch - MTG Card versions
Tourach's Gate - MTG Card versions
Withering Wisps - MTG Card versions
Funeral March - MTG Card versions
Casting of Bones - MTG Card versions
Blanket of Night - MTG Card versions
Necropotence - MTG Card versions
Hecatomb - MTG Card versions
Megrim - MTG Card versions
Recurring Nightmare - MTG Card versions
Contamination - MTG Card versions
Maggot Therapy - MTG Card versions
Murderous Betrayal - MTG Card versions
Noxious Field - MTG Card versions
Tainted Well - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Arena - MTG Card versions
Gravestorm - MTG Card versions
Mortiphobia - MTG Card versions
Demonic Embrace - MTG Card versions
Gloom - MTG Card versions
Season of the Witch - MTG Card versions
Tourach's Gate - MTG Card versions
Withering Wisps - MTG Card versions
Funeral March - MTG Card versions
Casting of Bones - MTG Card versions
Blanket of Night - MTG Card versions
Necropotence - MTG Card versions
Hecatomb - MTG Card versions
Megrim - MTG Card versions
Recurring Nightmare - MTG Card versions
Contamination - MTG Card versions
Maggot Therapy - MTG Card versions
Murderous Betrayal - MTG Card versions
Noxious Field - MTG Card versions
Tainted Well - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Arena - MTG Card versions
Gravestorm - MTG Card versions
Mortiphobia - MTG Card versions
Demonic Embrace - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Curse of the Restless Dead offers a unique form of card advantage as it can repeatedly create Zombie tokens. This means each turn potentially yields more resources that you can use to pressure your opponents or defend yourself.

Resource Acceleration: This card can directly impact the board by putting creatures into play, indirectly accelerating your resource development. More creatures mean more power on the board and potentially more mana if combined with cards that tap creatures for mana.

Instant Speed: While Curse of the Restless Dead itself isn’t an instant, it operates at the speed of the game’s natural progression—every upkeep. This helps you to continuously develop your board without having to spend mana on your turn, thereby keeping your options open for other instant-speed interactions during each round of play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When deploying Curse of the Restless Dead, players need to be aware of its discard requirement, which prompts you to toss another card from your hand into the graveyard. This could potentially deplete valuable hand assets, particularly when your hand is already running on empty.

Specific Mana Cost: The specific mana cost of this card is both a blessing and a curse. Requiring black mana means that it’s naturally slated for a deck with a focus on that color. However, it could be restrictive for decks that are not primarily black or for players who do not have a steady mana base in that particular color.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a somewhat lofty mana requirement to cast, Curse of the Restless Dead may not be the first choice for players looking to optimize their deck’s mana curve. In fast-paced games or against decks that capitalize on early momentum, the cost of casting this card could set you behind if not planned for carefully within your strategy.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Curse of the Restless Dead offers a unique utility as its effect scales with the number of Zombies you control, making it an excellent fit for Zombie tribal decks or strategies that involve a high volume of creature tokens.

Combo Potential: This card has the ability to consistently create Zombie tokens, which can be combined with sacrifice outlets or cards that benefit from creatures entering or leaving the battlefield for powerful synergies.

Meta-Relevance: In game environments where decks are built around flooding the board with creatures, Curse of the Restless Dead can serve as a key piece in those archetypes, potentially impacting the current meta and enhancing the overall strategy of such decks.


How to beat

Curse of the Restless Dead creates a challenging scenario on the battlefield. This enchantment can swiftly overwhelm opponents with a horde of Zombie tokens whenever land cards hit the graveyard from anywhere. To navigate through this persistent threat, key strategies need to be employed.

Graveyard hate cards are your first line of defense. With the ability to exile cards from graveyards, cards like Scavenging Ooze not only disrupt the activation of Curse of the Restless Dead but also provide an opportunity to gain life and increase creature size. Enchantment removal is also crucial. Cards such as Disenchant provide a direct and efficient way to remove troublesome enchantments like this curse from the game, quickly neutralizing the danger. Another tactic is to limit land destruction or discard, curtailing the triggers that Curse of the Restless Dead relies on to generate an army of Zombies.

Whether you’re using green’s natural affinity for graveyard management or incorporating spot removal for enchantments, dismantling the foundations of this curse’s power helps you maintain control of the game. By proactively addressing this potent card, players can prevent the Curse of the Restless Dead from turning the tide in an opponent’s favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG gameplay is an ongoing quest for precision and strategic depth. Curse of the Restless Dead is a card that, despite its cons, offers dynamic opportunities for those looking to enhance their Zombie-centric strategies. By understanding both its advantages and limitations, you can tweak your deck to fully exploit its token-generating potential. For a deep dive into synergies, meta impacts, and ways to mitigate its drawbacks, extend your journey of discovery with us. Learn the nuances of integrating Curse of the Restless Dead into your arsenal and pave your path to victory in the ever-evolving landscape of MTG.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Curse of the Restless Dead MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Midnight Hunt Commander, 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 Curse of the Restless Dead and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Curse of the Restless Dead Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2021-09-24. Illustrated by Brian Valeza.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 939802015NormalBlackBrian Valeza
22021-09-24Midnight Hunt CommanderMIC 562015NormalBlackBrian Valeza
32021-09-24Midnight Hunt CommanderMIC 182015NormalBlackBrian Valeza

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Curse of the Restless Dead has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-09-24 Decayed does not create any attacking requirements. You may choose not to attack with a creature that has decayed.
2021-09-24 Decayed does not grant haste. Creatures with decayed that enter the battlefield during your turn may not attack until your next turn.
2021-09-24 Decayed represents a static ability and a triggered ability. “Decayed” means “This creature can't block” and “When this creature attacks, sacrifice it at end of combat.”
2021-09-24 Once a creature with decayed attacks, it will be sacrificed at end of combat, even if it no longer has decayed at that time.
2021-09-24 The controller of Curse of the Restless Dead gets the Zombie token. This may not be the same player as the enchanted player.