Gravewaker MTG Card


Gravewaker excels in recurving creatures, presenting an enduring battlefield presence and advantage to its wielder. The card plays strategically at instant speed, yet it requires careful resource management due to its discard cost. Though it carries a higher mana cost, Gravewaker’s resilience and combo potential can significantly impact gameplay.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Bird Spirit
Abilities Flying
Power 5
Toughness 5

Text of card

Flying : Return target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield tapped.

Once every seven years it flies on spectral wings over the moors of ancient battlefields.


Cards like Gravewaker

Gravewaker is a unique inclusion in the realm of creature cards with reanimation capabilities in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to cards like Zombify, which also allows players to return a creature card from the graveyard to the battlefield. Gravewaker, however, distinguishes itself with its repeated use ability, albeit at a higher mana cost and activation only possible at sorcery speed. Zombify lacks this reusable aspect, offering a single-use opportunity.

Another card akin to Gravewaker is the well-known Reanimate. Although Reanimate has a significantly lower mana cost for its one-off effect, Gravewaker offers the strategic advantage of multiple activations over the course of a game, providing ongoing value. Reanimate’s one-shot nature can’t match this repeat performance. Then we consider Beacon of Unrest, which shares Gravewaker’s ability to resurrect from the graveyard. While Beacon of Unrest can target both creatures and artifacts and shuffles back into the library, it’s a single-use spell and does not allow for the same level of repeatable creature recovery that Gravewaker provides.

Overall, Gravewaker demands a hefty mana investment but presents a repeated gameplay dynamic that can be leveraged turn after turn. Despite the initial cost, its persistent presence can be a deciding factor in longer, drawn-out games where sustained value is paramount.

Zombify - MTG Card versions
Reanimate - MTG Card versions
Beacon of Unrest - MTG Card versions
Zombify - MTG Card versions
Reanimate - MTG Card versions
Beacon of Unrest - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Gravewaker by color, type and mana cost

Nightmare - MTG Card versions
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Necrosavant - MTG Card versions
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Twisted Abomination - MTG Card versions
Iname, Death Aspect - MTG Card versions
Yawgmoth Demon - MTG Card versions
Ascendant Evincar - MTG Card versions
Bog Hoodlums - MTG Card versions
Helldozer - MTG Card versions
Geth, Lord of the Vault - MTG Card versions
Toxic Nim - MTG Card versions
Dark Hatchling - MTG Card versions
Nightmare - MTG Card versions
Ihsan's Shade - MTG Card versions
Necrosavant - MTG Card versions
Face of Fear - MTG Card versions
Wire Surgeons - MTG Card versions
Grave Titan - MTG Card versions
Chittering Harvester - MTG Card versions
Crossway Troublemakers - MTG Card versions
Anurid Murkdiver - MTG Card versions
Gempalm Polluter - MTG Card versions
Nefashu - MTG Card versions
Twisted Abomination - MTG Card versions
Iname, Death Aspect - MTG Card versions
Yawgmoth Demon - MTG Card versions
Ascendant Evincar - MTG Card versions
Bog Hoodlums - MTG Card versions
Helldozer - MTG Card versions
Geth, Lord of the Vault - MTG Card versions
Toxic Nim - MTG Card versions
Dark Hatchling - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gravewaker is an exceptional card when it comes to reclaiming valuable creatures from the graveyard. It significantly tips the scales in your favor over the course of a game, as it continuously recycles potent creatures back into play, ensuring a persistent threat your opponents must reckon with.

Resource Acceleration: Although Gravewaker itself isn’t a direct source of mana acceleration, its ability to return creatures from the graveyard to the battlefield can indirectly lead to resource advantage, especially if the revived creatures have abilities that generate additional mana or untap lands.

Instant Speed: The flying behemoth can activate its formidable ability at instant speed, presenting a tactical advantage that keeps opponents guessing. You can end your turn without committing to a play, then resurrect a creature in response to your opponent’s actions, or during their end step to maximize your mana efficiency and strategic options.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Gravewaker demands a card to be discarded to trigger its ability. This cost might strain your hand, particularly if you’re already managing your resources tightly or in need of maintaining a sizeable hand for defensive purposes.

Specific Mana Cost: It requires a precise combination of mana to cast, featuring both generic and black mana. This can potentially restrict its inclusion exclusively to black-aligned or multicolor decks geared towards mana diversity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is on the upper end of the mana curve, Gravewaker can be a slower play in fast-paced games. When speed is of the essence, its six-mana cost can be a significant hindrance, especially considering alternatives that could mobilize your graveyard with more immediacy and possibly at a lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Gravewaker boasts a unique flexibility, finding a comfortable spot in decks focused on graveyard manipulation and creature recursion. Its ability to resurrect creatures from the graveyard directly to the battlefield makes it a formidable inclusion in various decks across different formats.

Combo Potential: With its resurrection ability, Gravewaker acts as a linchpin in numerous combos, particularly in conjuncture with sacrificial and enter-the-battlefield mechanics. It excels in strategies where creatures dying and re-entering the fray are pivotal to the deck’s success.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where creature-based strategies prevail, Gravewaker shines by consistently bringing back key pieces that opponents may have already dealt with, thereby ensuring a sustained board presence and pressure on the opponent.


How to beat Gravewaker

Gravewaker is an ominous creature card with a powerful ability to return creatures from the graveyard to the battlefield. This reanimation effect poses a strategic threat, as it provides continuous value over time, making it vital to have a plan to counteract Gravewaker’s influence. To combat this card, graveyard disruption is key. Tools such as Tormod’s Crypt can exile a graveyard entirely, nullifying Gravewaker’s potential. Additionally, Rest in Peace can stop creatures from hitting the graveyard in the first place, providing a preventative measure.

Direct removal, like Murder or Doom Blade, can effectively deal with Gravewaker itself, while counterspells such as Negate or Essence Scatter can prevent it from hitting the board. However, be mindful of timing your removal, as Gravewaker’s six-mana activation cost provides a window where your opponent might be vulnerable to disruption. Managing resources wisely and keeping pressure on the opponent’s life total can limit their opportunities to fully leverage Gravewaker’s abilities. Even if Gravewaker takes flight on the battlefield, a well-timed piece of removal or graveyard hate can swiftly clip its wings and secure your upper hand.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gravewaker MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019 and Core Set 2020, 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 Gravewaker and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Gravewaker Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2018-07-13 and 2022-10-14. Illustrated by Daniel Ljunggren.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-07-13Core Set 2019M19 2932015NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren
22019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 3232015NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren
32020-07-17JumpstartJMP 2412015NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren
42022-10-14Game Night: Free-for-AllGN3 532015NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gravewaker has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-07-12 Gravewaker’s ability can be activated only while it’s on the battlefield. It can’t return itself from your graveyard.