Grimoire of the Dead MTG Card


Grimoire of the Dead provides card advantage by reanimating creatures, altering the game’s momentum. Its ability to revive numerous threats can accelerate your resources significantly late in the game. Though slow to activate, the sudden shift in board presence can be unpredictably game-changing.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Artifact

Text of card

, , Discard a card: Put a study counter on Grimoire of the Dead. , Remove three study counters from Grimoire of the Dead and sacrifice it: Put all creature cards from all graveyards onto the battlefield under your control. They're black Zombies in addition to their other colors and types.


Cards like Grimoire of the Dead

Grimoire of the Dead stands out in MTG as a unique legendary artifact that resonates with the thematic undercurrents of reanimation. It invites comparison to the notable card, Rise of the Dark Realms, which also has a powerful mass reanimation effect. Grimoire of the Dead requires a buildup, with three successive turns of discarding a card to fully capitalize on its potential, culminating in a board-swinging shift in power by bringing all creatures from all graveyards to your control. Rise of the Dark Realms, strikingly, bypasses setup time, albeit with a heftier mana cost.

Another analogous piece is Living Death, often a game-changer in a single turn. While it lacks the artifact’s persistent board presence and requires careful graveyard setup, its immediate impact can dominate gameplay. Grimoire of the Dead’s incremental setup contrasts with Living Death’s explosive playstyle.

Examining these comparisons, Grimoire of the Dead indeed carves its niche within the arsenal of MTG’s reanimation spells. Its strategic depth allows players to orchestrate the pace and moment of revival, offering a distinctive approach to overwhelming your opponent with an undead legion.

Rise of the Dark Realms - MTG Card versions
Living Death - MTG Card versions
Rise of the Dark Realms - MTG Card versions
Living Death - MTG Card versions

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

Jayemdae Tome - MTG Card versions
Juggernaut - MTG Card versions
Jade Monolith - MTG Card versions
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Gnarled Effigy - MTG Card versions
Scrapbasket - MTG Card versions
Magnetic Mine - MTG Card versions
Icy Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Eye of Doom - MTG Card versions
Well of Lost Dreams - MTG Card versions
Tower of Fortunes - MTG Card versions
Jayemdae Tome - MTG Card versions
Juggernaut - MTG Card versions
Jade Monolith - MTG Card versions
Dancing Scimitar - MTG Card versions
Grinning Totem - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Processor - MTG Card versions
Patagia Golem - MTG Card versions
Lodestone Myr - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions
Ur-Golem's Eye - MTG Card versions
Jester's Cap - MTG Card versions
Bottled Cloister - MTG Card versions
Rod of Ruin - MTG Card versions
Gnarled Effigy - MTG Card versions
Scrapbasket - MTG Card versions
Magnetic Mine - MTG Card versions
Icy Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Eye of Doom - MTG Card versions
Well of Lost Dreams - MTG Card versions
Tower of Fortunes - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Grimoire of the Dead excels in providing card advantage by offering a powerful ultimatum to resurrect creatures from all graveyards. This can turn the tide of the game by saturating your board with a formidable army from a single artifact.

Resource Acceleration: While it doesn’t directly generate mana, this artifact’s ultimate ability to reanimate numerous creatures can be a form of resource acceleration. Deploying multiple threats without paying their mana costs can drastically leapfrog your position in the late game.

Instant Speed: Although the Grimoire itself doesn’t function at instant speed, the decisive nature of its activated ability can catch opponents off guard. Building up counters at a steady pace and choosing the optimal moment to crack the Grimoire can be as pivotal as any instant speed interaction, setting up a surprise board state that can clinch the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Demanding steep investment, Grimoire of the Dead insists on discarding a card each turn to build its power. This trade-off can backfire, leaving you resource-strapped and vulnerable if your hand thins out too quickly.

Specific Mana Cost: The nonnegotiable three black mana symbols in its cost gatekeep it to decks heavily skewed towards black or those with reliable mana-fixing capabilities, really narrowing the field of decks where Grimoire of the Dead finds a comfortable home.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Tallying in at a total of four mana for an artifact that doesn’t immediately impact the board can be a serious tempo setback. With numerous other options on the table for reanimation or graveyard manipulation, the upfront investment in Grimoire of the Dead sometimes doesn’t justify the delayed gratification it offers.


Reasons to Include Grimoire of the Dead in Your Collection

Versatility: Grimoire of the Dead is a unique artifact that offers a wide range of strategic plays, fitting seamlessly into decks that revolve around graveyard strategies or those that aim to control the board state until its powerful conditions can be met.

Combo Potential: This card holds immense combo potential, particularly in pairing with cards that fill your graveyard quickly. Once its ultimate ability is activated, the ability to resurrect multiple creatures from all graveyards can swing the game massively in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In an ever-evolving game environment, Grimoire of the Dead can be a game-changer in matches where attrition strategies dominate. Its ability to turn the tide late in the game by offering a massive comeback mechanic keeps it relevant across various metagames.


How to Beat

Grimoire of the Dead is a unique legendary artifact in Magic: The Gathering that presents a challenge with its potential to turn the tide of the game. When successfully completing its cycle of discarding and accumulating counters, it can reanimate an entire graveyard, which can be devastating to face. To counteract this, focus on artifact removal or direct discard disruption. Cards like Abrupt Decay or Nature’s Claim can deal with the Grimoire before it fully charges. Alternatively, strategies that involve proactive discard, like Duress or Thoughtseize, can pry the Grimoire from your opponent’s grip before it becomes a threat.

Keep an eye on the pacing of the game as well. Grimoire of the Dead requires several turns to set up, so applying pressure with a swift offensive can force opponents to react defensively instead of progressing with their strategy. Remember, disrupting the setup or progression of the artifact’s counters is key to ensuring the Grimoire of the Dead doesn’t reach its full, game-ending potential.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG involves strategic decisions and sometimes, the allure of resurrecting an entire battlefield of creatures is too potent to ignore. Grimoire of the Dead is a legendary artifact that sets the stage for a game-changing moment, worthy of inclusion in your collection. However, it requires patience and shrewd play. To mitigate its cons, we recommend integrating discard-friendly mechanics or using it in a deck that thrives on graveyard synergy. If you want to edge out your opponents with a wave of undead forces, understanding and mastering Grimoire of the Dead is vital. Learn more about maximizing its power on the battlefield and transforming your deck into an unstoppable force.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Grimoire of the Dead MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Commander 2019, 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 Grimoire of the Dead and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Grimoire of the Dead Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2019-08-23. Illustrated by Steven Belledin.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-09-30InnistradISD 2262003NormalBlackSteven Belledin
22019-08-23Commander 2019C19 2132015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
32020-09-26The ListPLST ISD-2262003NormalBlackSteven Belledin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Grimoire of the Dead has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Grimoire of the Dead 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 “Creature cards” includes each card with the type creature, even if it has additional types, such as artifact.