Night Soil MTG Card


Generates creature tokens from the graveyard, creating value from spent resources and enhancing board presence. Instant speed activation gives tactical advantages in both offensive and defensive maneuvers during gameplay. Offers combo potential and disruption in metagames where graveyard strategies are prevalent, increasing strategic depth.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

o1: Remove two creatures in any graveyard from the game to put a Saproling token into play. Treat this token as a 1/1 green creature.

Some said killing the Thallids only encouraged them.


Cards like Night Soil

Night Soil is an intriguing card that serves a distinct purpose in MTG, providing a blend between graveyard management and creature generation. It shares some similarities with cards such as Necrogenesis, which also exiles cards from graveyards to create creature tokens. While Night Soil requires you to sacrifice two creatures from graveyards to create one Saproling, Necrogenesis allows for single creature exile, producing one Saproling for each action.

Another card in its likeness is Morbid Curiosity, which also uses the circle of life and death to players’ advantage; however, this card focuses on sacrificing a creature you control to draw cards proportional to the creature’s power, differing from Night Soil’s token generation. Then, there’s Morbid Bloom—like Night Soil, it can exile creatures from graveyards, but instead creates a multitude of Saproling tokens equal to the number of creatures exiled in that action.

Considering these alternatives, Night Soil offers a sustainable and repeatable source of token generation in gameplay. Despite not having the one-off payoff that some similar cards boast, its consistent ability to affect the board and graveyard contents makes it a valuable inclusion in decks that benefit from token strategies and graveyard interaction.

Necrogenesis - MTG Card versions
Morbid Curiosity - MTG Card versions
Morbid Bloom - MTG Card versions
Necrogenesis - MTG Card versions
Morbid Curiosity - MTG Card versions
Morbid Bloom - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Night Soil by color, type and mana cost

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Quest for the Gemblades - MTG Card versions
Aspect of Wolf - MTG Card versions
Regeneration - MTG Card versions
Lifeforce - MTG Card versions
Gaea's Touch - MTG Card versions
Sylvan Library - MTG Card versions
Primal Rage - MTG Card versions
Survival of the Fittest - MTG Card versions
Crosswinds - MTG Card versions
Fortitude - MTG Card versions
Tranquil Grove - MTG Card versions
Treetop Bracers - MTG Card versions
Root Cage - MTG Card versions
Elfhame Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Compost - MTG Card versions
Thoughtleech - MTG Card versions
Weaver of Harmony - MTG Card versions
Shigeki, Jukai Visionary - MTG Card versions
Fertile Ground - MTG Card versions
Quiet Disrepair - MTG Card versions
Quest for the Gemblades - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Night Soil is a unique card that provides a consistent way to utilize creatures in your graveyard. By converting them into Saproling tokens, you effectively turn what would otherwise be an unusable resource into new creatures that can defend, attack, or be sacrificed for further benefits.

Resource Acceleration: By using this enchantment to generate a population of creatures, you increase your on-board presence at no additional mana cost after the initial cast. This economical use of the graveyard can rapidly accelerate your board state and apply pressure on your opponents.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Night Soil at instant speed gives the card a flexible edge in gameplay. You can decide to create Saproling tokens in response to an opponent’s actions, making it a versatile tool for both offense and defense, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of your mana and your tactical opportunities each turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Night Soil means committing to discard creature cards, limiting strategic options and potentially depleting valuable assets from your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Night Soil’s green color-specific mana cost may not seamlessly fit into decks that aren’t primarily green, potentially affecting deck versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an activation cost that might be seen as steep relative to its effect, Night Soil competes with other cards for precious mana resources, which could be used for broader-impact plays.


Reasons to Include Night Soil in Your Collection

Versatility: Night Soil serves as a useful tool in decks that capitalize on graveyard strategies, allowing you to efficiently utilize creature cards in your graveyard for a productive purpose.

Combo Potential: This card can partner well with cards that generate token creatures, effectively turning each creature into a potential resource for creating Saproling tokens that can be used for both defense and offense.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where graveyard recursion is common, Night Soil can disrupt your opponents’ plans by removing key creatures from graveyards while simultaneously bolstering your board presence with Saproling tokens.


How to beat

Night Soil, a perennial in green decks, presents a unique challenge in MTG. Its graveyard recycling ability provides a sustainable source of creature tokens while simultaneously thwarting opponents’ graveyard strategies. The trick to successfully overcoming Night Soil lies in your capacity to either thwart the token engine it produces or inhibit the utilization of the graveyard as a resource.

Playing cards that exile graveyards, such as Tormod’s Crypt or Leyline of the Void, can prevent Night Soil from ever taking effect. Alternatively, enchantment removal spells like Disenchant or Naturalize allow you to directly target and destroy Night Soil before it becomes a problem. Keep in mind that timing can be crucial. Swiftly dealing with Night Soil before it accumulates too many tokens is essential for maintaining control of the game.

Ultimately, while Night Soil can be a thorny card to handle, with the right answers in your deck, it’s possible to efficiently nullify its advantages. Focus on being proactive and don’t let this particular card dictate the pace of the match, and victory can certainly be within reach.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding every facet of Magic the Gathering is what sets top players apart. Night Soil presents a compelling dynamic for those crafting strategies reliant on graveyard resources and token generation. Its unique ability to turn graveyard contents into an army of Saproling tokens offers great synergy with existing decks inclined towards these mechanics. If your playstyle leans into the transformative power of the graveyard and values subtle yet substantial board presence, the insightful use of Night Soil could catapult your deck’s performance. Unlock its full potential by integrating it with other token-friendly cards and explore more strategies on how to effectively utilize your creature cards, both in play and in the afterlife of the graveyard. Discover comprehensive tactics and advance your MTG prowess further with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Night Soil MTG card by a specific set like Fallen Empires and Fallen Empires, 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 Night Soil and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Night Soil Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1994-11-01 and 2013-11-01. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11994-11-01Fallen EmpiresFEM 71a1993NormalBlackSandra Everingham
21994-11-01Fallen EmpiresFEM 71c1993NormalBlackDrew Tucker
31994-11-01Fallen EmpiresFEM 71b1993NormalBlackHeather Hudson
42008-09-22Masters Edition IIME2 1731997NormalBlackHeather Hudson
52013-11-01Commander 2013C13 1582003NormalBlackRichard Wright

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Night Soil has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2008-10-01 The two creature cards are exiled as a cost. No one can respond to this. If no graveyard has two creature cards in it, the cost can’t be paid.