Necromantic Selection MTG Card


Leads to a card advantage by sweeping boards with more creatures, resetting the gameplay stage. Has the potential to accelerate victory by returning a high-value creature from the graveyard. Strategic casting post-combat can replicate the impact of an instant, decimating opponent’s forces.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Destroy all creatures, then return a creature card put into a graveyard this way to the battlefield under your control. It's a black Zombie in addition to its other colors and types. Exile Necromantic Selection.

It shambled from the cloud of ash and bone dust, undeterred by its own extinction.


Cards like Necromantic Selection

Necromantic Selection is a spell that embodies the essence of powerful board wipes in Magic: The Gathering. Like the infamous Damnation, it can clear the battlefield of all creatures. However, Necromantic Selection adds a twist by allowing you to reanimate a creature cleared this way, giving it an edge in terms of potential card advantage. The distinction here is the aftermath of the sweep; Damnation ends the threat entirely, whereas Necromantic Selection potentially steals the show with a single, potent creature comeback.

We can also align it with In Garruk’s Wake, another wrath card that decimates creatures and planeswalkers but only on the opponent’s side and spares your own. Necromantic Selection doesn’t discriminate, affecting everyone’s creatures, which requires more strategic play to maximize its benefits, but it resets the board to a potentially advantageous state for the caster.

Comparatively, Necromantic Selection’s seven-mana cost sits in the higher range, similar to In Garruk’s Wake, and could impact the timing of its play. Yet, the card offers a unique combination of chaos and control, standing out in its category and providing players with a dramatic swing in the game’s momentum.

Damnation - MTG Card versions
In Garruk's Wake - MTG Card versions
Damnation - MTG Card versions
In Garruk's Wake - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Necromantic Selection by color, type and mana cost

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Vampiric Feast - MTG Card versions
Return of the Nightstalkers - MTG Card versions
Morality Shift - MTG Card versions
Peer into the Abyss - MTG Card versions
Necrotic Hex - MTG Card versions
Reaper of Night // Harvest Fear - MTG Card versions
Cabal Conditioning - MTG Card versions
Wit's End - MTG Card versions
Phthisis - MTG Card versions
Plague of Vermin - MTG Card versions
Absorb Vis - MTG Card versions
Repay in Kind - MTG Card versions
Ichor Explosion - MTG Card versions
Sorin's Vengeance - MTG Card versions
Covenant of Blood - MTG Card versions
Ghastly Conscription - MTG Card versions
Behold the Beyond - MTG Card versions
Cruel Entertainment - MTG Card versions
Kindred Dominance - MTG Card versions
Never // Return - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Necromantic Selection allows for a sweep of the battlefield, effectively resetting the board. This can lead to significant card advantage if your opponent controlled more creatures than you, especially if they were relying on a wide board presence to maintain their game plan.

Resource Acceleration: While Necromantic Selection itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it can be a critical step in getting back a high-value creature from your graveyard. This action can catapult your board state into a favorable position, essentially accelerating your path to victory by giving you access to a powerful creature that can turn the tides.

Instant Speed: Although Necromantic Selection is a sorcery, its impact on the game can be as pivotal as an instant speed spell. By carefully timing when to cast this card, you can maximize its effectiveness, especially post-combat when your opponent may have committed to an all-out attack, leaving themselves open to a disastrous board wipe.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Necromantic Selection demands a heavy toll from your hand. Unlike some spells that provide significant value without additional costs, this card forces you to sacrifice another card from your hand. This can leave you at a strategic disadvantage, especially if your options are already limited.

Specific Mana Cost: Crafting the dark magic of Necromantic Selection requires a precise combination of mana. The spell’s black mana-intensive cost can hinder its inclusion in multi-colored decks. Players must carefully weigh its benefits against the deck’s mana base flexibility and the potential for color-lock scenarios.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a requirement of seven mana, this spell sits at a higher echelon on the mana curve. In the fast-paced landscape of the game, dedicating such a substantial portion of your resources to a single spell may impede the development of your board presence, giving opponents a window to seize control.


Reasons to Include Necromantic Selection in Your Collection

Versatility: Necromantic Selection shines in commander decks that thrive on board wipes and graveyard recursion. Being able to reset the board and return a creature to the battlefield under your control can be a game-changer in various deck builds.

Combo Potential: This card has great synergy with strategies that benefit from sacrificing creatures or graveyard interactions. Pairing it with cards that offer bonuses upon creature death can set up powerful plays that can tip the scales in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In a landscape where creature-heavy strategies are common, the ability to clear the field while reclaiming a key creature can significantly disrupt opponents. Its relevance becomes even more pronounced if the meta shifts towards more creature-dependent decks, making it a smart inclusion in your MTG arsenal.


How to beat

Necromantic Selection is a powerful board sweep that resets the playing field in Magic: The Gathering. It’s known for its ability to destroy all creatures and then return one of those creatures to the battlefield under your control. This dramatic swing can shift the momentum of a game, but there are ways to fortify your strategy against it.

Counterspells are your first line of defense, negating Necromantic Selection before it can unravel your plans. Holding back a counterspell like Cancel or Negate when you suspect your opponent has the mana for Necromantic Selection is key. One should also consider the resilience of their creatures. Indestructible creatures are untouched by the destruction that Necromantic Selection brings. Moreover, utilizing creature cards with graveyard-to-play abilities, such as Reassembling Skeleton, can outmaneuver the temporary loss caused by a board wipe. Lastly, leveraging cards that benefit from creature deaths, such as Zulaport Cutthroat, can turn the tide to your favor, punishing your opponent for wiping the board.

In essence, while Necromantic Selection can be daunting, it’s not invincible. Proper timing, spell counters, strategic creature choice, and leveraging death triggers can help you successfully navigate and conquer this potent MTG card.


BurnMana Recommendations

While Necromantic Selection presents itself as a game-changing spell in MTG, mastering its use requires strategy and foresight. With its potential for huge board swings, it’s essential to integrate this card into decks that fully exploit its capabilities. Optimizing mana bases, crafting a synergy with graveyard interactions, and being cognizant of meta shifts can turn this spell into a cornerstone of your strategy. We encourage MTG enthusiasts to delve deeper into the nuances of this powerful card. Discover effective play patterns, match it with complementary cards, and refine your techniques by learning through our dedicated content. Step up your game with us and make Necromantic Selection a memorable part of your winning formula.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Necromantic Selection MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2014 and Commander 2017, 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 Necromantic Selection and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Necromantic Selection Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2014-11-07 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by Dave Kendall.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-11-07Commander 2014C14 262015NormalBlackDave Kendall
22017-08-25Commander 2017C17 1172015NormalBlackDave Kendall
32020-09-25Zendikar Rising CommanderZNC 482015NormalBlackDave Kendall
42021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 1032015NormalBlackDave Kendall

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Necromantic Selection has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2014-11-07 If the creature is normally colorless, it will simply become black. It can't be both black and colorless.
2014-11-07 Necromantic Selection doesn't overwrite any of the creature's colors or types. Rather, it adds another color and another creature type.