Orcus, Prince of Undeath MTG Card


Orcus provides significant card advantage by reanimating creatures from the graveyard to the battlefield. Its abilities demand specific mana types, posing a deck-building challenge to players. Savvy opponents can counter Orcus by minimizing graveyard contents or using instant-speed removal.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Demon
Abilities Flying,Trample
Power 5
Toughness 3

Text of card

Flying, trample When Orcus, Prince of Undeath enters the battlefield, choose one — • Each other creature gets -X/-X until end of turn. You lose X life. • Return up to X target creature cards with total mana value X or less from your graveyard to the battlefield. They gain haste until end of turn.


Cards like Orcus, Prince of Undeath

Orcus, Prince of Undeath, stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a powerful legendary demon. With similar might to cards like Rakdos the Defiler, both share the theme of destruction and demon tribal synergies. Orcus takes it a step further with its ability to dictate the battlefield through resurrection or mass removal, dependent on mana spent. Unlike Rakdos, which deals with sacrificing half of your non-demon permanents, Orcus provides flexibility and control.

Another card worth mentioning is Sheoldred, Whispering One. While Sheoldred brings consistent reanimation prowess and forces opponents to sacrifice creatures each turn, Orcus shines with one-time, yet potentially game-swinging, versatility. This potent effect sets Orcus apart in its class and allows players to tailor their strategies reactively instead of relying on recurring, albeit reliable, abilities.

Evaluating other competitors, such as Chainer, Dementia Master, reveals that Orcus’ immediate impact can surpass Chainer’s repetitive reanimation that requires a mana pool investment over time. Thus, Orcus, in many scenarios, can offer a formidable burst of value, positioning it uniquely among MTG’s reanimators and demons.

Rakdos the Defiler - MTG Card versions
Sheoldred, Whispering One - MTG Card versions
Chainer, Dementia Master - MTG Card versions
Rakdos the Defiler - MTG Card versions
Sheoldred, Whispering One - MTG Card versions
Chainer, Dementia Master - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Orcus, Prince of Undeath by color, type and mana cost

Lim-Dûl's Paladin - MTG Card versions
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Blazing Hellhound - MTG Card versions
Lim-Dûl's Paladin - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Dead - MTG Card versions
Discordant Spirit - MTG Card versions
Volcano Imp - MTG Card versions
Possessed Barbarian - MTG Card versions
Prosper, Tome-Bound - MTG Card versions
Blim, Comedic Genius - MTG Card versions
Rakdos Firewheeler - MTG Card versions
Rakdos, Lord of Riots - MTG Card versions
Immersturm Predator - MTG Card versions
Murderous Redcap - MTG Card versions
Hellhole Rats - MTG Card versions
Wort, Boggart Auntie - MTG Card versions
Sootwalkers - MTG Card versions
Viashino Skeleton - MTG Card versions
Singe-Mind Ogre - MTG Card versions
Olivia Voldaren - MTG Card versions
Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch - MTG Card versions
Blazing Specter - MTG Card versions
Blazing Hellhound - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Orcus, Prince of Undeath can be a powerhouse in terms of card advantage. When utilizing its ability to return creature cards with total mana value X from your graveyard to the battlefield, this can potentially refill your board with powerful minions that were previously lost, tipping the scales in your favor during a match.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly a resource acceleration mechanism, the ability to bring back multiple creatures with one spell effectively conserves the resources you would have expended to replay those creatures individually. This “reanimation” can be seen as a form of indirect acceleration by saving turns and mana, allowing for more efficient play.

Instant Speed: Though Orcus itself is not an instant, it has an ability that interacts with the game at instant speed. You can cast spells or activate abilities before you declare attackers, bringing back creatures with haste, which can then immediately enter combat. This flexible timing allows players to maximize strategic opportunities mid-combat or during the end step before their turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Orcus, Prince of Undeath brings a steep discard requirement to the table, compelling you to part with a precious card to harness its full potential. In the high-stakes world of deck management, this can leave you at a disadvantage during critical moments of play if your hand is running low.

Specific Mana Cost: Wielding the power of Orcus demands a specific mix of mana, including both black and red. This can place constraints on deck building, often requiring a dedicated dual-color strategy to ensure that Orcus makes its grand entrance without causing a mana bottleneck.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The reanimation power of Orcus, Prince of Undeath does not come cheap. Sporting a mana cost that may be deemed higher than average, especially considering the additional kick of mana used to optimize its resurrection ability, it questions whether the return on investment matches up against more mana-efficient alternatives waiting in the underworld of your deck.


Reasons to Include Orcus Prince of Undeath in Your Collection

Versatility: Orcus, Prince of Undeath, is a dynamic card, capable of fitting into a multitude of decks. Its ability to either reanimate numerous creatures or deal damage to a swarm of opponents’ creatures makes it adaptable to changing gameplay situations.

Combo Potential: The reanimation ability gives this card significant synergy potential, especially in decks that focus on graveyard strategies. The capacity to bring back a slew of creatures with just one spell can turn the tide of a game spectacularly.

Meta-Relevance: With a format that prizes graveyard interaction and powerful late-game plays, Orcus can play a crucial role in edging out victories in such environments. Its impact in games often aligns with the strategies that dominate current competitive play.


How to beat

Orcus, Prince of Undeath is a formidable adversary in the realm of MTG, boasting abilities that can sway the tide of the game by retrieving creatures from the graveyard and dealing damage to other creatures and planeswalkers. To overcome this card, understanding its strengths and weaknesses is crucial. One effective strategy is to limit the number of creature cards in graveyards, thus reducing Orcus’s reanimation potential. Graveyard hate cards such as Rest in Peace or Scavenging Ooze can be invaluable here. Utilizing instant-speed removals like Swords to Plowshares can efficiently address Orcus before its abilities trigger.

Counterspelling is another avenue; by preventing Orcus from entering the battlefield in the first place, you negate its impact altogether. Cards like Counterspell or Mana Leak can ensure Orcus never gets the chance to command the undead. Moreover, since casting Orcus for its full power requires significant mana, disrupting your opponent’s mana base with cards like Field of Ruin can delay or even prevent a game-changing play. By prioritizing these tactics, you can fortify your defenses against the undead onslaught that Orcus, Prince of Undeath could otherwise unleash.


BurnMana Recommendations

MTG enthusiasts understand the weight a single card like Orcus, Prince of Undeath can have on the battlefield. Whether you’re capitalizing on card advantage, seeking versatile threats, or aiming to include meta-relevant cards in your arsenal, Orcus offers substantial benefits. Its unique abilities enable dynamic strategies, inviting players to explore avenues of resource acceleration and instant-speed play. On the flip side, managing its cons, such as the specific mana cost and discard requirements, is part of mastering the game. Ready to deepen your knowledge and enhance your deck with powerful strategies? Delve further with us as we unlock the full potential of Orcus and other compelling cards in your MTG collection.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Orcus, Prince of Undeath MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Adventures in the Forgotten Realms 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 Orcus, Prince of Undeath and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Orcus, Prince of Undeath Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by Andrew Mar.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 928162015NormalBlackAndrew Mar
22021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten Realms PromosPAFR 229s2015NormalBlackAndrew Mar
32021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten Realms PromosPAFR 229p2015NormalBlackAndrew Mar
42021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 2292015NormalBlackAndrew Mar
52021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 3882015NormalBlackAndrew Mar
62021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten Realms PromosPAFR 229a2015NormalBlackAndrew Mar

Legalities

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

Date Text
2021-07-23 You may cast Orcus, Prince of Undeath with X equal to 0. If you do, the triggered ability will do nothing as it resolves.