Gravedigger MTG Card


Gravedigger secures a two-for-one advantage by returning creatures to hand, increasing battlefield resilience. It couples well with instant-speed tricks, allowing for surprise plays and flexible tactics. Despite its mana cost, its ability to recover creatures makes it a valuable asset in many decks.
Card setsReleased in 33 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Zombie
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

When Gravedigger comes into play from your hand, you may choose to return a summon creature from your discard pile to your hand.


Cards like Gravedigger

The Gravedigger card offers a unique proposition in the realm of cards that enable creature recovery in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest counterparts could be considered cards like Animate Dead and Reanimate, both of which are known for pulling creatures directly back onto the battlefield from the graveyard. Gravedigger, distinctively, adds the targeted creature back to your hand instead, providing an extra layer of strategic planning.

Unearth stands as another similar mechanic, providing the ability to return a creature from the graveyard to the battlefield at a low cost but with the caveat of exile at the end of turn. Gravedigger’s method allows for more permanence and flexibility going forward in the game. Cadaver Imp is another creature with an ability akin to Gravedigger’s, but with a lower power and toughness, it doesn’t hold the battlefield presence that Gravedigger does.

Assessing these options, Gravedigger may not offer the immediacy of cheating a creature onto the battlefield, but it holds its own with its ability to consistently recover creatures. It’s a tactical choice in MTG for those looking to reuse creature abilities or simply wanting a reliable way to reclaim fallen allies for future turns.

Animate Dead - MTG Card versions
Reanimate - MTG Card versions
Unearth - MTG Card versions
Cadaver Imp - MTG Card versions
Animate Dead - MTG Card versions
Reanimate - MTG Card versions
Unearth - MTG Card versions
Cadaver Imp - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Gravedigger 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
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Deathgazer - MTG Card versions
Dirty Wererat - MTG Card versions
Faceless Butcher - MTG Card versions
Magus of the Abyss - MTG Card versions
Crowd of Cinders - MTG Card versions
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
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Deathgazer - MTG Card versions
Dirty Wererat - MTG Card versions
Faceless Butcher - MTG Card versions
Magus of the Abyss - MTG Card versions
Crowd of Cinders - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gravedigger provides a critical two-for-one effect by returning a creature from your graveyard to your hand, effectively replenishing your resources and resilience on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly accelerating mana like ramp spells, Gravedigger ensures that you effectively make use of your mana each turn by guaranteeing creature play even after suffering losses, ensuring that your tempo is maintained.

Instant Speed: While Gravedigger itself is not an instant, its enter-the-battlefield ability can be leveraged with instant-speed flicker or reanimation spells, allowing you to retrieve creatures during any phase of the turn and catch your opponent off-guard.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In the case of Gravedigger, there isn’t an explicit discard requirement, but it’s important for players to evaluate the utility of bringing creatures back to their hands. If your hand is full, you might be forced to discard if you exceed your maximum hand size.

Specific Mana Cost: Gravedigger demands a specific mana arrangement—one black and three of any other color—to play. This can be a hurdle for non-monocolor or multicolor decks that may struggle with mana-fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total casting cost of four mana for a 2/2 creature, Gravedigger might be seen as a costly investment considering its moderate impact on the board. Players often deliberate over more cost-efficient creatures with similar or better effects in a competitive environment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Gravedigger serves as an efficient way to return creatures from your graveyard to your hand, making it a valuable addition to any deck that relies on creature synergies and recurring resources.

Combo Potential: This card can be a pivotal component in combo decks, acting as a crucial link to reassemble combo pieces that may have found their way to the graveyard, enabling you to execute your strategy more consistently.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where removal spells are prevalent, Gravedigger gains significance by helping you maintain board presence. Its ability to recover key creatures can sustain your deck’s performance even through disruptive plays by opponents.


How to beat

Gravedigger, a classic creature card in Magic: The Gathering, presents a unique challenge with its ability to return a creature from your graveyard to your hand upon entering the battlefield. This value-generating zombie can be a thorn in opponents’ sides, fueling recursive strategies and keeping key creatures in play.

To counter the Gravedigger’s advantage, the most effective strategies involve exiling cards from the graveyard or employing cards that restrict creature abilities. Relic of Progenitus and Bojuka Bog are notable examples that can remove cards from graveyards, disrupting the Gravedigger’s effectiveness. Silence the Believers is another potent removal that not only exiles the targeted creature but also has the capability to deal with multiple threats simultaneously if additional mana is expended.

Another tactic is to utilize counterspells to prevent Gravedigger from hitting the field in the first place. By keeping mana open for spells like Cancel or Dovin’s Veto, you can preempt the cycle of creature recovery. Stifling graveyard-based strategies impairs the overall mechanics of decks that rely on Gravedigger, tipping the scales in your favor and providing an effective way to dampen your opponent’s game plan.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding and utilizing cards like Gravedigger can significantly enhance your MTG gameplay. This card’s capability to reclaim creatures from your graveyard ensures that your deck’s resilience and adaptability are maintained. Ideal for decks capitalizing on creature synergies, Gravedigger offers strategic depth and recovery methods essential in navigating through removal-heavy metas. Whether you are optimizing current decks or considering new builds, include Gravedigger as a resourceful option. To ensure your strategy remains unshaken and potent in the face of disruption, learn more about incorporating Gravedigger effectively into your deck with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gravedigger MTG card by a specific set like Portal and Tempest, 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 Gravedigger and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Gravedigger Magic the Gathering card was released in 28 different sets between 1997-05-01 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by 5 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-05-01PortalPOR 951997NormalBlackScott M. Fischer
21997-10-14TempestTMP 1371997NormalBlackDermot Power
31999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 1341997NormalWhiteDermot Power
41999-07-01Starter 1999S99 781997NormalWhiteDermot Power
52000-10-01Beatdown Box SetBTD 271997NormalWhiteDermot Power
62001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 139★1997NormalBlackJames Bernardin
72001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 1391997NormalWhiteJames Bernardin
82001-10-01OdysseyODY 1401997NormalBlackTony Szczudlo
92003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 1382003NormalWhiteDermot Power
102003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 138★2003NormalBlackDermot Power
112005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 136★2003NormalBlackDermot Power
122005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 1362003NormalWhiteDermot Power
132005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL F552003NormalWhiteDermot Power
142005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL F72003NormalWhiteDermot Power
152005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL F432003NormalWhiteDermot Power
162006-01-02DCI PromosPDCI 162003NormalBlackTony Szczudlo
172007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 1462003NormalBlackDermot Power
182009-07-17Magic 2010M10 972003NormalBlackDermot Power
192009-09-04PlanechaseHOP 292003NormalBlackDermot Power
202010-07-16Magic 2011M11 982003NormalBlackDermot Power
212011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 862003NormalBlackDermot Power
222011-07-15Magic 2012M12 992003NormalBlackDermot Power
232014-07-18Magic 2015M15 992015NormalBlackDermot Power
242015-05-06Tempest RemasteredTPR 1062015NormalBlackDermot Power
252016-06-10Eternal MastersEMA 892015NormalBlackDermot Power
262017-04-28AmonkhetAKH 932015NormalBlackTony Foti
272018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 662015NormalBlackDermot Power
282018-07-13Core Set 2019M19 982015NormalBlackDermot Power
292019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 1032015NormalBlackTony Foti
302019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 6742015NormalBlackDermot Power
312020-08-13Amonkhet RemasteredAKR 1072015NormalBlackTony Foti
322020-09-26The ListPLST CM2-662015NormalBlackDermot Power
332022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 4242015NormalBlackDermot Power

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gravedigger has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2009-10-01 A “creature card” is any card with the type creature, even if it has other types such as artifact, enchantment, or land. Older cards of type summon are also creature cards.