Living Death MTG Card


Facilitates a substantial card advantage by reviving multiple creatures from the graveyard simultaneously. Acts as an indirect resource accelerator, enhancing enter-the-battlefield effects for comeback potential. Imitates instant speed board wipes, allowing for surprise shifts in game state during play.
Card setsReleased in 15 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Set aside all creature cards in all graveyards. Then, put each creature that is in play into its owner's graveyard. Then, put each creature card set aside in this way into play under its owner's control.


Cards like Living Death

Living Death is an iconic spell deeply ingrained in the fabric of Magic: The Gathering’s history. It acts as both a mass removal and reanimation tool, a unique blend that echoes the effects of cards like Twilight’s Call. Twilight’s Call can also resurrect creatures from graveyards but allows players to execute this at instant speed, potentially changing the tide during an opponent’s turn.

Zombify is another spell that resonates with Living Death’s theme of bringing creatures back from the graveyard. While Zombify targets a single creature, Living Death’s scope is far more sweeping, impacting all creatures in all graveyards. Patriarch’s Bidding follows suit but narrows the scope to a chosen creature type, allowing for selective strategic advantages in tribal decks.

Comparing these options, Living Death stands out for its symmetry and potential to completely alter game states. Its ability to function as a game-changer in graveyard-centric decks gives it a distinguished place among MTG’s pantheon of powerhouse resurrection spells. The strategic depth it provides in choosing the right moment for its symmetrical effect makes it a treasured card for many players.

Twilight's Call - MTG Card versions
Zombify - MTG Card versions
Patriarch's Bidding - MTG Card versions
Twilight's Call - MTG Card versions
Zombify - MTG Card versions
Patriarch's Bidding - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Living Death by color, type and mana cost

Reign of Terror - MTG Card versions
Soul Shred - MTG Card versions
Beacon of Unrest - MTG Card versions
Final Punishment - MTG Card versions
Soul Feast - MTG Card versions
Patriarch's Bidding - MTG Card versions
Aether Snap - MTG Card versions
Dance of Shadows - MTG Card versions
Brainspoil - MTG Card versions
Sever Soul - MTG Card versions
Head Games - MTG Card versions
Promise of Power - MTG Card versions
Rise from the Grave - MTG Card versions
Incremental Blight - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Plague - MTG Card versions
Spread the Sickness - MTG Card versions
Monomania - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Revelation - MTG Card versions
Crux of Fate - MTG Card versions
Fugue - MTG Card versions
Reign of Terror - MTG Card versions
Soul Shred - MTG Card versions
Beacon of Unrest - MTG Card versions
Final Punishment - MTG Card versions
Soul Feast - MTG Card versions
Patriarch's Bidding - MTG Card versions
Aether Snap - MTG Card versions
Dance of Shadows - MTG Card versions
Brainspoil - MTG Card versions
Sever Soul - MTG Card versions
Head Games - MTG Card versions
Promise of Power - MTG Card versions
Rise from the Grave - MTG Card versions
Incremental Blight - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Plague - MTG Card versions
Spread the Sickness - MTG Card versions
Monomania - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Revelation - MTG Card versions
Crux of Fate - MTG Card versions
Fugue - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Jund ComboJund Combo LegacyNic Fit98 / The 98th Legacy at Home
BRBR LegacyLegacy League 2024-01-28

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Living Death excels at overturning the state of the board by mass exchanging creatures in the graveyard for those in play. This strategic shift often results in significant card advantage as you can potentially resurrect multiple creatures from the graveyard at once.

Resource Acceleration: By bringing back creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects that can ramp, Living Death indirectly acts as a resource accelerator. It maximizes the value of your graveyard turning it into an additional resource, which can lead to an explosive comeback or a game-winning state.

Instant Speed: Although Living Death is a sorcery, its effect is akin to the impact of instant speed board wipes in terms of the surprise element and the major shift in board state. The ability to prepare your graveyard with valuable targets ahead of time, and cast it when opponents least expect it, can lead to a game-changing play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Living Death doesn’t demand you to discard cards, its requirement to sacrifice all creatures you control can leave you vulnerable. In the absence of a strategic setup beforehand, this can be a significant drawback when your board position is stronger than your opponent’s.

Specific Mana Cost: Living Death’s casting cost involves both generic and black mana, which necessitates a commitment to a black-centric, or at least black-inclusive, mana base. This makes the card less flexible for decks that aren’t heavily invested in black mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a five mana cost, including three black mana, Living Death is a weighty investment. In faster-paced games or against decks that efficiently utilize mana, the mana cost of Living Death can be a considerable hindrance, potentially allowing opponents to capitalize before you can leverage the full effect of the card.


Reasons to Include Living Death in Your Collection

Versatility: Living Death serves as a powerful sweeper and simultaneous reanimation spell. It’s usable in various strategies, ranging from casual to competitive play, and shines in deck types that self-mill or sacrifice creatures for value.

Combo Potential: This card can be the lynchpin in a combo that turns the tide of the game. By aligning your graveyard with potent creatures while controlling your opponent’s, Living Death can act as both a mass revival and a surprise board control mechanism.

Meta-Relevance: Especially in formats with graveyard-centric decks, Living Death holds relevance. It allows players to bypass traditional casting costs and put high-impact creatures into play, disrupting opponents’ plans and enabling comeback scenarios that can define a match.


How to beat

Living Death is a powerful and game-warping card that can turn the tides of a match in an instant. It is an infamous card that swaps creatures from the battlefield with those in the graveyard, presenting a unique challenge on how to strategically outplay this effect. The key to surpassing the impact of Living Death lies in careful graveyard management and timing. Playing cards that can exile graveyards, like Bojuka Bog or Relic of Progenitus, just before Living Death resolves, ensures that your opponent doesn’t capitalize on resurrecting a full board.

Another effective strategy involves controlling the timing of Living Death by using instant-speed removal or disruption. Playing cards such as Stifle can counter the triggered ability of Living Death, rendering the swap null. Additionally, creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects, like Acidic Slime, can dismantle key pieces of your opponent’s strategy post-Living Death. Lastly, standing ready with a board wipe after Living Death has resolved can clear up whatever creature threats manifest, setting the stage for you to regain control of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Living Death is more than just a card; it’s a game-changing strategy. Its ability to upheave the battlefield can lead to monumental comebacks or even direct paths to victory. But like all great power, it requires finesse and savvy to wield effectively. If you’re captivated by Living Death’s potential or seeking advice on optimizing your MTG playstyle, we are here to guide you. Assessing strengths, mitigating weaknesses, and exploring tactical depth are crucial, and we delve into all that and more. Enhance your understanding and command of this formidable card. Dive deeper with us and tap into the full potential of your deck.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Living Death MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Battle Royale Box Set, 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 Living Death and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Living Death Magic the Gathering card was released in 14 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-10-14TempestTMP 1421997NormalBlackCharles Gillespie
21999-11-12Battle Royale Box SetBRB 381997NormalWhiteCharles Gillespie
32002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 360421997NormalBlackCharles Gillespie
42003-01-01Judge Gift Cards 2003G03 31997NormalBlackCharles Gillespie
52010-03-19Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the CoalitionDDE 312003NormalBlackCharles Gillespie
62011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 882003NormalBlackCharles Gillespie
72014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 1262015NormalBlackMark Winters
82015-05-06Tempest RemasteredTPR 1092015NormalBlackCharles Gillespie
92018-03-16Masters 25A25 962015NormalBlackMark Winters
102018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 682015NormalBlackCharles Gillespie
112019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 7022015NormalBlackMark Winters
122020-09-26The ListPLST A25-962015NormalBlackMark Winters
132022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 2022015NormalBlackL J Koh
142022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 202★2015NormalBlackL J Koh
152023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 2032015NormalBlackPavel Kolomeyets

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Living Death has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-03-16 As Living Death resolves, all players exile their creature cards from graveyards at the same time. Then all players sacrifice all creatures they control at the same time. Then all players put all creatures they exiled onto the battlefield at the same time.
2018-03-16 Only cards exiled by Living Death's first instruction are put onto the battlefield. If a replacement effect (such as that of Leyline of the Void) causes any of the sacrificed creatures to be exiled instead of put into a graveyard, those cards aren't returned to the battlefield.