Havengul Runebinder MTG Card


Generates and empowers zombies, transforming the graveyard into a strategic resource. Excels in decks centered on graveyard tactics, boosting synergy and adaptability. Limited by its need for blue mana and the cost of discarding creatures.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Wizard
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

, , Exile a creature card from your graveyard: Put a 2/2 black Zombie creature token onto the battlefield, then put a +1/+1 counter on each Zombie creature you control.

"So many corpses, so little time."


Cards like Havengul Runebinder

Havengul Runebinder emerges as an enigmatic card, particularly when we explore the realm of zombie tribal strategies in Magic: The Gathering. It shares the trope of undead manipulation, much like the renowned Diregraf Colossus, which not only spawns zombie tokens but also grows in power with each zombie in your graveyard. Where the Runebinder requires a mana investment and a card from your hand to create and empower a token, the Colossus rewards you simply for playing the zombie theme to the hilt.

Moving on, Liliana’s Mastery is another card that can be held up for comparison. This enchantment not only gives you an immediate reward of two zombie tokens upon casting but continuously buffs your entire army of the undead. While Havengul Runebinder’s individual token-boosting ability has its merits, the Mastery provides a passive, board-wide advantage that can be game-ending.

Every card weaves its own narrative thread in Magic: The Gathering, and in this case, while Havengul Runebinder offers incremental value and repeatable utility, other cards in this thematic space might offer a more aggressive tempo or a grander, albeit one-off, effect which can be more aligned with a player’s deck-building strategy.

Diregraf Colossus - MTG Card versions
Liliana's Mastery - MTG Card versions
Diregraf Colossus - MTG Card versions
Liliana's Mastery - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Havengul Runebinder by color, type and mana cost

Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
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Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions
Fatestitcher - MTG Card versions
Argent Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Lumengrid Drake - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions
Fatestitcher - MTG Card versions
Argent Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Lumengrid Drake - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Havengul Runebinder card offers a unique benefit in creating a zombie creature token out of a simple creature card from your graveyard. Each activation not only populates your board but also recycles your resources, maintaining a steady flow of creatures and enhancing your position in the game.

Resource Acceleration: By strengthening your zombie tokens each time you use its ability, the Havengul Runebinder directly contributes to resource acceleration. It ensures that the creatures under your control become more formidable with each turn, potentially overwhelming your opponent with increasingly powerful undead minions.

Instant Speed: While Havengul Runebinder itself does not operate at instant speed, the zombies it helps empower can be leveraged at any time, providing strategic flexibility. This can be particularly beneficial when combined with other cards in your deck that can interact or take advantage of the tokens at instant speed, weaving a sense of unpredictability and adaptability into your game plan.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Havengul Runebinder necessitates sacrificing a creature to activate its ability. This can be a major drawback during gameplay, particularly if your battlefield lacks expendable creatures or if you’re aiming to maintain a strong board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: The ability of this card requires one blue mana. This means it fits primarily in blue-focused or multicolored decks, potentially limiting its versatility in decks that don’t consistently generate blue mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three colorless and one blue mana, Havengul Runebinder is a somewhat expensive creature to get onto the field. Other cards with a lower mana cost may offer similar or better utility, making the Runebinder a less attractive option in some decks.


Reasons to Include Havengul Runebinder in Your Collection

Versatility: The Havengul Runebinder is a flexible addition, fitting seamlessly into any deck that leverages graveyard dynamics and creature manipulation. Its ability to enhance your creatures while utilizing spent resources from the graveyard makes it adaptable to various game situations.

Combo Potential: This card shines in decks built around untap mechanics or self-mill strategies. By combining with other cards that fill your graveyard, you can create an ever-growing army of zombies, each one stronger than the last.

Meta-Relevance: As the meta shifts to accommodate graveyard-based strategies, Havengul Runebinder becomes increasingly potent. It’s an under-the-radar pick that can catch unprepared opponents off guard, tipping the scales in your favor with its synergistic creature-boosting abilities.


How to beat

Havengul Runebinder offers an interesting dynamic within Magic: The Gathering, providing players with the ability to strengthen their board presence by using the graveyard resources. However, despite its potential to be a pivotal card in decks that focus on graveyard interaction, it’s not unbeatable. To suppress the Havengul Runebinder’s influence, it’s paramount to limit the resources it can exploit. This can be achieved by incorporating graveyard removal spells into your strategy such as “Tormod’s Crypt” or “Bojuka Bog.” This disrupts the synergy and leaves the Runebinder without the necessary fuel to execute its ability to the fullest.

Another approach is to deal with the Runebinder directly. This can be done through removal spells such as “Doom Blade” or “Path to Exile”. By promptly addressing the threat it poses, you prevent the development of an insurmountable undead army. Remember, permitting the Runebinder to remain unchecked can quickly turn the tides against you as your opponent gains value from each creature in their graveyard that the Runebinder targets. In essence, keeping the Runebinder in check is essential to ensure a successful defense against the onslaught of zombies it’s known to generate.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Havengul Runebinder MTG card by a specific set like Dark Ascension and Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed, 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 Havengul Runebinder and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Havengul Runebinder Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2012-02-03 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Bud Cook.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-02-03Dark AscensionDKA 392003NormalBlackBud Cook
22016-02-26Duel Decks: Blessed vs. CursedDDQ 442015NormalBlackBud Cook
32021-09-24Midnight Hunt CommanderMIC 1012015NormalBlackBud Cook
42023-03-21Shadows of the PastSIS 162015NormalBlackBud Cook

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Havengul Runebinder has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2011-01-22 Although players may respond to the activated ability, they can't respond to the paying of its costs. The creature card will already be exiled by the time any player could respond.
2011-01-22 The Zombie creature token you put onto the battlefield will also get a +1/+1 counter.