Open the Graves MTG Card


Transforms creature death into an advantage, populating the board with 2/2 black Zombie tokens. Best suited for decks with sacrifice mechanics, these tokens become versatile in-game resources. Targets mono-black or black-centered decks due to its specific mana cost and synergies.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

Whenever a nontoken creature you control dies, create a 2/2 black Zombie creature token.

It was a night like any other. It would soon become a night no one would ever forget.


Cards like Open the Graves

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Open the Graves is a unique enchantment that shares its thematic space with cards focused on creating creatures upon death of your own. Notably, it can be paralleled with Deathreap Ritual, a card that capitalizes on the death of creatures by offering card draw. Deathreap Ritual lacks the direct creature creation, instead providing a valuable resource in the form of card advantage. Conversely, Open the Graves directly replaces your fallen non-token creatures with 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens, maintaining board presence.

Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder, offers a different yet related angle. It is proactive, generating Thrull tokens as you cast creature spells, which can later be sacrificed or die in combat, essentially providing fodder for Open the Graves. While Endrek Sahr is more of a creature-generator, similar to Open the Graves, it can inadvertently lead to self-sacrifice if too many Thrulls are on the field at once, a restriction Open the Graves doesn’t share.

Ultimately, for MTG players focusing on strategies that use death triggers to bolster their position, Open the Graves offers a consistent and powerful effect that augments various playstyles, from token swarm tactics to complex control decks, reinforcing your lineup with an undead army whenever your creatures are sent to the graveyard.

Deathreap Ritual - MTG Card versions
Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder - MTG Card versions
Deathreap Ritual - MTG Card versions
Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Open the Graves by color, type and mana cost

Horror of Horrors - MTG Card versions
Worms of the Earth - MTG Card versions
Forbidden Crypt - MTG Card versions
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Unnatural Hunger - MTG Card versions
Intimidation - MTG Card versions
Spreading Plague - MTG Card versions
Yawgmoth's Agenda - MTG Card versions
Traveling Plague - MTG Card versions
Screams of the Damned - MTG Card versions
Dawn of the Dead - MTG Card versions
Gravebreaker Lamia - MTG Card versions
Doomwake Giant - MTG Card versions
Clutch of Undeath - MTG Card versions
Horror of Horrors - MTG Card versions
Worms of the Earth - MTG Card versions
Forbidden Crypt - MTG Card versions
Death Pits of Rath - MTG Card versions
Handcuffs - MTG Card versions
Discordant Dirge - MTG Card versions
Subversion - MTG Card versions
Larceny - MTG Card versions
Conspiracy - MTG Card versions
Putrefaction - MTG Card versions
Unnatural Hunger - MTG Card versions
Intimidation - MTG Card versions
Spreading Plague - MTG Card versions
Yawgmoth's Agenda - MTG Card versions
Traveling Plague - MTG Card versions
Screams of the Damned - MTG Card versions
Dawn of the Dead - MTG Card versions
Gravebreaker Lamia - MTG Card versions
Doomwake Giant - MTG Card versions
Clutch of Undeath - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Open the Graves, each non-token creature’s death turns into new utility for you. This effect stacks up, allowing the creation of a significant number of 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens over the course of a game, thus maintaining your presence on the battlefield and bolstering your defenses or attack force.

Resource Acceleration: Each Zombie token produced by Open the Graves can essentially be considered a resource. When played in decks with sacrifice outlets, these tokens can be converted into mana, life, draw, or other valuable in-game assets, effectively accelerating your gameplay and giving you an edge.

Instant Speed: While Open the Graves itself is not an instant, it rewards you at instant speed. Every time a creature you control dies on your turn, an opponent’s turn, or during combat, you instantly get a Zombie token. This continuous and immediate token generation can dissuade opponents from removing your creatures, knowing it will result in further reinforcement for your side.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Open the Graves doesn’t require a card to be discarded, it necessitates a creature’s death for its effect to trigger. This can be limiting, as it hinges on either sacrificing your own creatures or having your creatures die in battle, which may not always align with your game strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Open the Graves has a specific mana cost, needing two generic and three black mana to play. This mana requirement makes it less flexible, as it fits primarily into mono-black or heavily black-influenced decks, potentially restricting its utility across varied deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of five, Open the Graves falls into the category of higher-cost cards which may delay deployment, particularly if efficient mana ramp options are not in play. This can be a disadvantage in fast-paced matches where setting up defenses early is key, as there might be other, lower-cost cards that can provide more immediate board presence or effects.


Reasons to Include Open the Graves in Your Collection

Versatility: Open the Graves is a card that can seamlessly integrate into various deck archetypes. Its ability to create 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens upon the death of your creatures adds a layer of resilience against board wipes and removals, making it a useful asset in both aggressive and control strategies.

Combo Potential: This enchantment shines when paired with cards that either sacrifice creatures for value or those that benefit from creatures dying. It enhances strategies around death triggers and can lead to an overwhelming board presence, turning each of your creature’s demise into a new threat on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: As the metagame shifts, Open the Graves can maintain its relevance by generating an army of creatures that can be a nuisance for opponents. Whether it’s stalling aggressive decks or pressuring control opponents, the consistent token generation helps to keep pace with various popular strategies.


How to beat

Confronting the Open the Graves card in MTG creates a unique challenge. This enchantment transforms your opponents’ mortality into power, spawning 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens whenever a nontoken creature they control bites the dust. Disrupting this cycle is key, and one effective strategy is to employ graveyard hate cards such as Relic of Progenitus, which can remove creatures from the graveyard completely, or Tormod’s Crypt, which can do so at no cost.

Enchantment removal spells are another avenue to outplay Open the Graves. Look to cards like Naturalize or Disenchant, which directly destroy target enchantments, cutting off the supply of Zombie tokens at the source. Don’t underestimate the power of a well-timed counter spell either. By preventing Open the Graves from entering the battlefield in the first place, you can maintain control of the game and ensure your opponent’s creatures remain merely mortal.

All things considered, while Open the Graves can seem daunting by leveraging the inevitability of death for advantage, with the right responses and strategies, it is possible to nullify the threat it poses and keep the undead horde at bay.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive into the synergy-rich environment of MTG with Open the Graves as your linchpin. Transform every creature’s end into a tactical advantage, flooding the battlefield with a relentless army of Zombies. Ideal for decks that exploit death triggers and sacrifice mechanics, this enchantment is an investment in enduring board presence. Looking to optimize your gameplay or build around this pivotal card? We offer in-depth insights and strategy tips to leverage Open the Graves to its fullest potential. Uncover synergies, combos, and innovative deck ideas by connecting with fellow enthusiasts ready to elevate your experience to grand summits of strategy.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Open the Graves MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019 Promos and Core Set 2019 Promos, 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 Open the Graves and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Open the Graves Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2018-07-13 and 2021-09-24. Illustrated by Vincent Proce.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-07-13Core Set 2019 PromosPM19 112p2015NormalBlackVincent Proce
22018-07-13Core Set 2019 PromosPM19 112s2015NormalBlackVincent Proce
32018-07-13Core Set 2019M19 1122015NormalBlackVincent Proce
42021-09-24Midnight Hunt CommanderMIC 1262015NormalBlackVincent Proce

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Open the Graves has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-07-13 If another creature you control dies at the same time that Open the Graves leaves the battlefield, you'll get a Zombie token.