Animate Dead

This uncommon enchantment aura is a versatile reanimation tool that returns a creature from the graveyard to play, attached with itself. Its primary use case is in commander decks where it can bring back powerful creatures like Phyrexian Altar or Evolving Wilds. When Animate Dead enters the battlefield, it gains the ability to return any creature put onto the battlefield with it, making it a great combo enabler.

Power level: 6/10

Main use cases:

• Commander decks seeking to reanimate powerful creatures
• Combo decks relying on multiple creatures being brought back from the graveyard
• Token generation strategies where Animate Dead can be used to return multiple tokens at once

Most popular formats: * Commander (Commander EDH, Modern Commander) * Casual and draft play due to its ability to bring back creatures for a low cost

Animate Dead

This enchantment is a versatile tool for controlling the graveyard and disrupting opponents' plans. Its keyword abilities, rules interactions, and effects on the stack and battlefield are explored below.

Keyword Abilities:

• None listed; however, its Oracle Text contains two relevant clauses:
  • "Enchant creature card in a graveyard"
  • "Enchant creature put onto the battlefield with this Aura"

These phrases imply that Animate Dead's primary function is to enchant creatures, either those already in the graveyard or newly created by attaching it to them.

Oracle Text and Rules:

When Animate Dead enters the battlefield, it follows these steps:

1. Initial Enchantment: The card gains "enchant creature put onto the battlefield with this Aura." However, if it was on the battlefield prior to entering (e.g., due to a Commander's starting conditions), it loses this ability and gains the original enchantment clause.
2. Graveyard Return: If Animate Dead was not already on the battlefield when it entered, or in cases where its initial enchantment was lost, it will return an enchanted creature card from the graveyard under the controller's control and attach itself to that creature.

When Animate Dead leaves the battlefield, the following occurs:

1. Sacrifice: The enchanted creature is sacrificed by its controller.
2. Enchantment Removal: Animate Dead loses all attachments, including any enchantments it may have granted to creatures on the battlefield.

The card's Oracle Text also specifies that enchanted creatures gain -1/-0. This effect applies as long as the enchantment remains attached and does not interfere with other power or toughness modifications.

Edge Cases:

• If an opponent controls a creature with Animate Dead attached, attempting to sacrifice it will trigger the Aura's leave-the-battlefield ability, causing the controller to lose control of the creature.
• In Commander, if multiple copies of Animate Dead are attached to a single creature, each copy will create separate -1/-0 effects. However, if one is destroyed or removed, only that instance's effect ceases.

Unusual Interactions:

• Commander: Since Animate Dead's initial enchantment clause is lost when it's already on the battlefield, combining it with a Commander like Omnath, Locus of the Nexus can lead to confusing interactions. The Aura will initially return an enchanted creature from the graveyard but then immediately lose its ability to enchant that specific card.
• Graveyard Manipulation: Cards like Vraska's Contempt or Doom Blade can interact with Animate Dead by destroying the attached enchantment, removing the creature's -1/-0 effect and potentially enabling other game-changing effects.

Commander-Specific Quirks:

• When a Commander has Animate Dead attached to one of its creatures, if that creature is later destroyed or removed, the Aura will remain on the battlefield but lose attachment. If the creature is then returned from the graveyard by a different effect (e.g., An Offer You Can't Refuse), the Aura can reattach and regain its -1/-0 effect.

Overall, Animate Dead's complex interactions with the graveyard, enchantments, and creatures on the battlefield make it an intriguing tool for players seeking to control the flow of game-changing effects.

Animate Dead is a versatile and powerful tool for reanimating creatures from the graveyard. Its ability to return an enchanted creature card to the battlefield under your control, while also attaching itself to it, makes it an attractive addition to various Commander strategies.

One of the primary benefits of Animate Dead is its ability to create zombie tokens. When attached to a creature that has died, it turns into a 1/1 zombie with a -1/-0 stat. This creates a steady stream of low-toughness creatures that can be used as cannon fodder or to distract opponents.

The card's flexibility also makes it a popular choice for Necromancy-themed decks. Paired with cards like Soul Wistman, Grave Titan, and Golgari Findbroker, Animate Dead enables players to maintain a steady supply of creatures from the graveyard, creating a "zombie army" that can swarm opponents.

Animate Dead's effects are particularly effective when combined with reanimation spells like Anafenza, the Foremost or Liliana, Death's Majesty. These cards allow for easy reanimation of creatures from the graveyard, making Animate Dead an excellent addition to black-white and other midrange Commander decks.

In competitive Magic, Animate Dead is often used in conjunction with removal spells like Path to Exile or Abrupt Decay to remove opposing threats while also generating value. Its ability to create low-toughness creatures also makes it a popular choice for combo decks that aim to create "zombie clouds" to distract opponents.

In casual Magic, Animate Dead is often used in "token swarm" strategies where players aim to create an overwhelming number of small creatures to attack their opponents with. Paired with cards like Stomping Ground or Llanowar Elves, Animate Dead enables players to create a steady stream of low-toughness creatures that can be used to overwhelm opponents.

Overall, Animate Dead is a versatile and powerful tool for reanimating creatures from the graveyard, making it an attractive addition to various Commander strategies, Necromancy-themed decks, midrange Commander decks, competitive Magic combos, and casual token swarm strategies.

Animate Dead is a versatile and potent enchantment that can have a significant impact on the game when used in conjunction with other cards. Its unique ability to return an enchanted creature card to the battlefield under your control, while also attaching itself to the returned creature, makes it an attractive option for players looking to manipulate their graveyard.

One of the most notable applications of Animate Dead is in combination with Liliana's Caress or Eternity Ring. These cards allow you to return creatures from the graveyard to the battlefield, and Animate Dead can be used to put a powerful creature back into play while also attaching itself to it. This can lead to a significant advantage on the battlefield, as the returned creature will retain its original power and toughness.

Another interesting synergy involves using Animate Dead with Solemn Simulacrum or Eldrazi Conscription. These cards can create multiple bodies for Animate Dead to attach itself to, allowing you to return multiple creatures from the graveyard at once. This can lead to a swarm of tokens on the battlefield, making it difficult for opponents to defend against.

When used in a more aggressive deck, Animate Dead can be paired with Liliana's Vessel or Griselbrand. These cards allow you to sacrifice creatures in order to gain life or draw cards, and Animate Dead can be used to put these creatures back into play while also providing a temporary buff.

In a more controlling deck, Animate Dead can be paired with Lingering Souls or Spectral Procession. These cards create tokens that retain their original power and toughness, making them ideal targets for Animate Dead. By using Animate Dead to return these creatures to the battlefield, you can maintain a strong board presence while also controlling the flow of the game.

Finally, it's worth noting that Animate Dead has a unique interaction with Condemn or Doom Blade. These cards allow you to sacrifice an enchantment in order to deal damage to a creature or player. When paired with Animate Dead, these cards can be used to destroy the enchanted creature while also returning it to the battlefield under your control.

In general, Animate Dead is a versatile card that can fit into many different deck archetypes. Its ability to return creatures from the graveyard and attach itself to them makes it an attractive option for players looking to manipulate their graveyard and control the flow of the game.

Common Mistakes with Animate Dead

Animate Dead is a powerful and versatile card that has been a staple in many Commander decks. However, there are several common mistakes players make when playing this card, especially in Commander.

• Misunderstanding the Timing: Many players miss the timing of Animate Dead's ability to return a creature from the graveyard to the battlefield. They often cast it on top of an already-dead creature, thinking that the aura will immediately bring back the creature. However, the aura must first be attached to the dead creature in the graveyard.
• Poor Synergies: Some players use Animate Dead in combination with cards like Necromancy or Reanimate, which allow them to return creatures from the graveyard to the battlefield. While this seems synergistic at first glance, it can actually create problems later on. When an opponent's creature is brought back by Necromancy, it can immediately attack and potentially kill your player.
• Lack of Control: Players often neglect to attach Animate Dead to a specific creature in the graveyard, instead attaching it to a random one. This can lead to unexpected and unwanted outcomes, such as bringing back an opponent's creature that you didn't want on the battlefield.

Fixing these Mistakes

To avoid these mistakes, players should pay close attention to the timing of Animate Dead's ability and ensure they are attaching the aura to the correct creature in the graveyard. Additionally, when combining Animate Dead with other cards like Necromancy or Reanimate, it's essential to carefully consider the potential consequences and plan accordingly.

In terms of synergies, players should focus on using Animate Dead with cards that benefit from its ability to return creatures to the battlefield under their control. For example, pairing it with a lifegain spell or a card that allows you to gain life when a creature dies can create a powerful and beneficial combination.

By being mindful of these common mistakes and taking steps to correct them, players can get the most out of Animate Dead in their Commander decks and achieve more successful outcomes.

Animate Dead is a staple in many graveyard-based decks, offering an incredible value for its low mana cost of 1B. However, it's essential to consider its high price point and rarity as an uncommon card.

Key Considerations

• Mana Cost: Animate Dead has a relatively low mana cost of 1B, making it easily accessible in most decks.
• Effect: The enchantment allows you to reanimate a creature from your graveyard, which can be incredibly powerful in the right situations.
• Rarity and Price: Despite its value, Animate Dead is an uncommon card with a high price point, making it less accessible for budget-conscious players.

Alternatives

If you're looking for similar effects without breaking the bank, consider these alternatives:

• Grafdigger's Cage: A common artifact that can be used to exile creatures from graveyards and prevent them from being reanimated.
• Baleful Eidolon: An uncommon enchantment that allows you to sacrifice a creature to draw two cards.
• Soul Wist: A rare instant that returns the top three cards from each graveyard to their owner's hand.

Budget-Friendly Deck Considerations

When building a budget deck, prioritize affordability and accessibility. Cards like Animate Dead may seem appealing due to their powerful effects, but they can quickly blow your budget.

Instead, focus on including more affordable alternatives that offer similar benefits. This will allow you to maintain a competitive edge while staying within your financial means.

In conclusion, Animate Dead is an incredibly valuable card in the right situations. However, its high price point and rarity make it less accessible for budget-conscious players. Consider these alternatives to find a solution that suits your needs and budget.

Animate Dead is a versatile and potent card that can be built around in various ways. Here are some key considerations:

Color Identity: Animate Dead's color identity of Black allows it to fit into a wide range of Commander decks, particularly those focused on reanimation and sacrifice.

Commanders:

• Griselbrand: A popular choice for Black devotion decks, Griselbrand can benefit from Animate Dead by creating an army of sacrificed creatures that eventually return to the battlefield.
• Kiora, Master of the Depths: This Commander thrives on reanimating and recycling creatures, making Animate Dead a valuable addition to the deck.

Engines:

• Leyline Pact: This card provides an alternative way to sacrifice creatures, generating life gain and fueling Animate Dead's recursion.
• Carrion Feeder: A graveyard-focused engine that can help create a large pool of creatures for Animate Dead to reanimate.

Synergy Cards:

• Grave Pact: Allows players to sac creatures in their graveyard, potentially creating more opportunities for Animate Dead to reanimate creatures.
• Skeletal Militia: Can be sacrificed by Animate Dead's triggered ability, allowing the player to draw cards and maintain a strong board presence.

Combo Notes:

• Animate Dead + Carrion Feeder: Combine these two cards to create an explosive combo where the Carrion Feeder is used to sacrifice creatures in the graveyard, which are then reanimated by Animate Dead.
• Animate Dead + Grave Pact: Use Grave Pact to sac creatures in the graveyard and generate life gain, making it easier for Animate Dead to reanimate creatures.

Themes:

• Reanimation: Animate Dead is a natural fit for decks focused on reanimating creatures from the graveyard.
• Sacrifice: The card's ability to sacrifice enchanted creatures can be used in conjunction with other cards that benefit from sacrifice, such as Leyline Pacts.

Animate Dead is a powerful and versatile enchantment that sees play in various formats, including Commander. Its ability to revive creatures from the graveyard and attach itself to them makes it an attractive option for players looking to manipulate their board state.

Commander:

In Commander, Animate Dead is considered a high-impact card due to its potential to revive powerful creatures and attach itself to them. It's often played in combo decks that focus on disrupting opponents' plans and creating a board presence. When paired with cards like Anafenza, the Foremost, it can create a formidable board state.

However, Animate Dead's effectiveness is heavily dependent on the availability of graveyard recursion and the quality of creatures being revived. In some cases, its impact may be mitigated if opponents have access to removal spells or other graveyard disruption.

Banned:

Animate Dead has been banned in several Commander variants due to its potential for broken combinations and unfair gameplay. Its ability to revive powerful creatures and attach itself to them creates an uneven playing field, making it difficult for opponents to recover from a well-played Animate Dead combo.

Competitive:

In competitive formats like Modern or Legacy, Animate Dead is often overlooked due to the abundance of more efficient removal spells and graveyard disruption. While its ability to revive creatures is still valuable, the card's impact is not as significant in these formats.

Casual:

Animate Dead remains a popular choice among casual players due to its straightforward gameplay and potential for explosive combos. Its low mana cost and versatile design make it an attractive option for players looking to try new strategies or experiment with different deck archetypes.

In summary, Animate Dead is a powerful and complex card that sees play in various formats, from Commander to casual games. While its impact can be significant, its effectiveness depends heavily on the quality of creatures being revived and the availability of graveyard recursion.

Animate Dead: Key Scenarios & Matchups

In a multiplayer game of Commander, Animate Dead can have a significant impact when used correctly. Here are some key scenarios and matchups where this card excels or fails.

Excels in:

• Combo-heavy decks: When paired with cards like Eternal Witness or Carnage Altar, Animate Dead can create an unstoppable combo engine.
• Control-oriented games: As a flexible removal spell, Animate Dead can help control opponents' creatures while also generating card advantage for its controller.
• Board presence: With multiple creatures on the board, Animate Dead can be used to return creatures from the graveyard and reuse them, creating a self-sustaining cycle.

Fails in:

• Aggro decks: When facing aggressive decks that prioritize dealing direct damage, Animate Dead's effects may not have time to take hold.
• Competitive creature racing: In matchups where both players have an abundance of creatures, Animate Dead's value may decrease due to the sheer number of creatures on the board.
• Opponent has strong graveyard removal: If the opponent has access to cards like Sylvan Caryatid or Grafd Draal, they can easily remove Animate Dead from the game.

Key considerations:

• Timing is crucial: When using Animate Dead, it's essential to time its effects correctly. Returning creatures to the board too early may not provide sufficient advantage, while delaying the return of a key creature can be disastrous.
• Card advantage trading: In some matchups, players will need to carefully trade card advantage with their opponents. Using Animate Dead effectively requires understanding when to take calculated risks and when to play more cautiously.

Notable interactions:

• Phantasmal Force: When combined with Phantasmal Force, Animate Dead can create an incredibly powerful combo engine.
• Sands of Delirium: In games where Sands of Delirium is present, using Animate Dead can accelerate the deck's draw step and provide a massive advantage.

In conclusion, mastering the use of Animate Dead requires an understanding of its interactions with other cards and how to time its effects correctly. By being aware of these key scenarios and matchups, players can optimize their deck's performance and gain a significant edge in multiplayer games.

Animate Dead, an uncommon Enchantment-Aura from the SUM set, has been a staple in many graveyard-based decks.

When it first entered the game, Animate Dead's ability to return creatures to the battlefield while also reducing their power made it a valuable addition to any deck with access to black mana.

Since its initial release, Animate Dead has seen printings in several sets, including SUM, GRN, and M19. Its low mana cost of 1B makes it an attractive option for decks that rely on graveyard manipulation.

In terms of tournament presence, Animate Dead has been a popular choice in formats such as Commander, where its ability to return creatures to the battlefield can be particularly potent.

On EDHREC, a popular deck-building platform, Animate Dead has an EDHREC Rank of 211, indicating that it is moderately popular among Commander players. Its versatility and low mana cost have made it a staple in many Commander decks, often paired with cards like Eternal Witness and Cabal Therapy to create powerful graveyard-based strategies.

Some notable decks that feature Animate Dead include the "Reanimator" archetype, which utilizes graveyard recursion to bring back powerful creatures. This deck typically includes cards like Faithless Looting and Sylvan Library to fuel its engine.

The dark and foreboding necropolis of the Undercity, a place where death is not an end, but a new beginning. It is here that the unholy ritual of reanimation takes place, and Animate Dead stands at its center.

As an aura infused with the essence of the underworld, Animate Dead seeks out creature cards in the graveyard, binding them to itself through dark magic. When it enters the battlefield, this enchantment undergoes a transformation, gaining new abilities that speak to its true purpose: bringing back the dead to serve its master.

The most notable example of Animate Dead's power can be seen in the legend of Kethril, a powerful necromancer who wielded this card with mastery. Kethril's armies were known for their unyielding ferocity and unwavering loyalty, forged through the dark magic of Animate Dead. With this enchantment, Kethril was able to revive even the most formidable foes, turning them into instruments of his own destruction.

As a testament to its versatility, Animate Dead can be paired with other necromancy spells, such as Soul Wrought, to create an unrelenting army of undead warriors. The -1/-0 penalty inflicted upon the enchanted creature may seem insignificant at first, but in reality, it serves to weaken even the most powerful creatures, rendering them more susceptible to Kethril's dark magic.

In the midst of a battle-scarred landscape, Animate Dead stands as a grim reminder that death is not an end, but a new beginning. Its presence is a harbinger of doom for any opponent foolish enough to underestimate its power.