Liliana, the Last Hope MTG Card


Leverages graveyard for continual creature recurrence and overcoming opponent strategies over time. Her abilities boost resource efficiency and enable flexible, tactical play during each turn. Ideal for decks capitalizing on creature recovery and board control, a staple in competitive play.
Card setsReleased in 11 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Planeswalker — Liliana
Abilities Mill
Loyalty 3

Text of card

+1: Up to one target creature gets -2/-1 until your next turn. −2: Put the top two cards of your library into your graveyard, then you may return a creature card from your graveyard to your hand. −7: You get an emblem with "At the beginning of your end step, put X 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens onto the battlefield, where X is two plus the number of Zombies you control."


Cards like Liliana, the Last Hope

Liliana the Last Hope is a revered planeswalker in the MTG universe, offering an array of abilities for player advantage. It’s often measured against other planeswalkers like Liliana of the Veil. The latter emphasizes forcing both players to discard cards, reflecting a different strategic avenue. However, Liliana the Last Hope’s unique trait lies in its ability to retrieve creatures from the graveyard, giving players a chance to strategize around previously lost resources.

Comparatively, another card, Jace, Vryn’s Prodigy, shares the revival theme but diverts in its approach by focusing on instants and sorceries. Meanwhile, Liliana the Last Hope tilts towards creature-centric playstyles, reinforcing the battlefield with previously expended creatures. Both have transformative utilities but shine in distinct aspects of play.

Assessing similar cards, Liliana the Last Hope stands out for her versatility in creature management and potential board control. The card’s capacity to diminish opposing creatures’ strength or bring allies back from the grave lends itself to a remarkable staying power in gameplay, marking its unique spot in MTG decks that lean on strategic creature recovery and control.

Liliana of the Veil - MTG Card versions
Liliana of the Veil - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Liliana, the Last Hope by color, type and mana cost

Davriel, Rogue Shadowmage - MTG Card versions
Liliana of the Veil - MTG Card versions
Liliana, Heretical Healer // Liliana, Defiant Necromancer - MTG Card versions
Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord - MTG Card versions
Davriel, Rogue Shadowmage - MTG Card versions
Liliana of the Veil - MTG Card versions
Liliana, Heretical Healer // Liliana, Defiant Necromancer - MTG Card versions
Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Liliana, the Last Hope. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Black MidrangeMono-Black Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 09 2024
Sultai MidrangeSultai Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 14 2024
Sultai ComboSultai Combo GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 15 2024
ZombiesZombies LegacyNic Fit*HALF PRICE FRIDAY* $1K - Legacy - SCG CON Atlanta - Friday - 1:30 pm
Golgari MidrangeGolgari Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 12 2024
Orzhov AngelsOrzhov Angels GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 15 2024
Mono-Black ControlMono-Black Control LegacyLegacy Etapa #02-2024 - Liga Curitibana de Legacy
Abzan PlaneswalkersAbzan Planeswalkers GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 13 2024
Four-color MidrangeFour-color Midrange GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024
Abzan MidrangeAbzan Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 13 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Liliana, the Last Hope specializes in recurring key creatures from the graveyard, giving players continual access to pivotal cards. This aspect of card advantage enables players to outmaneuver opponents over time.

Resource Acceleration: Liliana’s +1 ability to weaken enemy creatures could clear the way for your own attacks, indirectly serving as a form of resource acceleration by maintaining board presence and reducing the need for additional spells to manage the battlefield.

Instant Speed: While Liliana herself doesn’t operate at instant speed, her -2 ability can be a strategic follow-up during your turn after holding up mana for instant-speed interactions on your opponent’s turn. This sequencing allows players to keep options open and make informed decisions based on the state of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Liliana the Last Hope doesn’t have a direct discard requirement, it does play into graveyard mechanics. Players without a strategy for utilizing their graveyard might find her less beneficial.

Specific Mana Cost: Liliana the Last Hope requires one black mana and two of any other color. Decks that are not heavily invested in black mana sources may struggle to cast her on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, she might come into play later than other planeswalker options. In fast-paced games, this can be a significant disadvantage, being less impactful when you need to establish early board presence.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Liliana the Last Hope is a powerhouse in various deck archetypes. Her ability to target creatures in the graveyard makes her an excellent fit for strategies focused on reanimation, while her -2 ability to weaken opposing creatures helps control and midrange decks stabilize the board.

Combo Potential: This planeswalker can be a crucial piece in combination with cards that benefit from creature cards entering or leaving your graveyard. Her ultimate ability also synergizes with zombie tokens, which can be leveraged in numerous zombie-themed decks for a formidable endgame.

Meta-Relevance: As the game’s meta frequently shifts, Liliana the Last Hope remains a relevant choice due to her ability to disrupt opponent strategies while providing ongoing value by returning key creatures from the graveyard, keeping her a constant threat in competitive play.


How to beat

Confronting Liliana, the Last Hope on the battlefield comes with its unique challenges. This potent planeswalker card commands the game by shrinking opponents’ creatures while steadily resurrecting zombies from the graveyard. Her ultimate ability can become an overwhelming tidal wave leading to an opponent’s defeat. However, she’s not invincible.

To tackle Liliana, direct damage spells or abilities which can target planeswalkers, such as Lightning Bolt, provide a straightforward answer. Distraction and misdirection tactics can also be efficient; by forcing your adversary to focus their efforts elsewhere on the board, Liliana’s impact may be significantly diminished. Additionally, employing creatures with hexproof can render Liliana’s minus ability ineffective. Bearing in mind her low starting loyalty, quick aggression can ensure she’s removed from play posthaste, before her ultimate ability turns the tides. In essence, swift and decisive actions, as well as strategic creature selections, are paramount in overcoming the obstacle posed by Liliana, the Last Hope.

It’s a mastery of swift strikes and clever deck construction that lays the groundwork for victory against such a formidable planeswalker. By prioritizing these techniques, Liliana’s last hope may fall to the strategic might of her rivals.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving deep into MTG involves more than just playing cards; it’s about strategy, adaptability, and understanding the nuanced strengths of your deck. Liliana, the Last Hope is a multi-faceted planeswalker that can shift the tides of battle in your favor. With her, you can grind out advantages over multiple turns or spring back from the brink with the right creatures. If you’re looking to expand your control or midrange tactics, or simply want to capitalize on graveyard synergies, this card is a must-have. Visit us to uncover more insights and strategies to seamlessly integrate Liliana into your lineup and outpace the competition on your quest for victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Liliana, the Last Hope MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Eldritch Moon, 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 Liliana, the Last Hope and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Liliana, the Last Hope Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by 5 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 1022552015NormalBlackScott M. Fischer
22016-07-22Eldritch MoonEMN 932015NormalBlackAnna Steinbauer
32016-07-22Eldritch Moon PromosPEMN 93s2015NormalBlackAnna Steinbauer
42016-10-01San Diego Comic-Con 2016PS16 932015NormalBlackEric Deschamps
52018-10-05Mythic EditionMED GR22015NormalBorderlessKieran Yanner
62020-09-26The ListPLST EMN-932015NormalBlackAnna Steinbauer
72022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 5732015NormalBorderlessScott M. Fischer
82022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 812015NormalBlackJaime Jones
92022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 4402015NormalBlackJaime Jones
102022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 3332015NormalBorderlessScott M. Fischer
112023-03-21Shadows over Innistrad RemasteredSIR 1192015NormalBlackAnna Steinbauer

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Liliana, the Last Hope 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 Liliana, the Last Hope card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2016-07-13 Liliana’s second ability doesn’t target the card to return to your hand. After putting the top two cards of your library into your graveyard, you may choose from among any creature cards there.
2016-07-13 While resolving the triggered ability of Liliana’s emblem, if you control zero Zombies, you’ll get two Zombie tokens.
2016-07-13 You can activate Liliana’s first ability without any targets just to add a loyalty counter to her.