Reanimation: Difference between revisions

From MTG Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
VisualWikitext
>BEDECK
>AnarchyStarfish
(Black no longer gets artifact reanimation)
 
(14 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
Named after the card <c>Reanimate</c> from ''[[Tempest]]'', '''reanimation''' effects return [[card]]s from a [[graveyard]] directly unto the [[battlefield]].<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/few-more-words-rd-2016-11-07|A Few More Words from R&D|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 7, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Color Pie 2017">{{DailyRef|making-magic/mechanical-color-pie-2017-2017-06-05|Mechanical Color Pie 2017|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 5, 2017}}</ref>
'''Reanimation''' effects return [[card]]s from a [[graveyard]] ''directly'' unto the [[battlefield]].<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/few-more-words-rd-2016-11-07|A Few More Words from R&D|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 7, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Color Pie 2017">{{DailyRef|making-magic/mechanical-color-pie-2017-2017-06-05|Mechanical Color Pie 2017|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 5, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Alpha]]'' Edition was the first to print a reanimation effect with <c>Animate Dead</c>, but the mechanic is named after the card <c>Reanimate</c> from ''[[Tempest]].''


==Description==
==Overview==
[[Black]] and, secondarily, [[White]] are  the [[primary]] "reanimation" colors.<ref name="Pie Changes">{{DailyRef|making-magic/mechanical-color-pie-2021-changes-2021-10-18|Mechanical Color Pie 2021 Changes|[[Mark Rosewater]]|October 18, 2021}}</ref>
Reanimation is both popular and strong.


Despite some cards having some limitations (<c>Claim/Fame</c>, <c>Unearth</c>, <c>Persist</c>), Black has no real restrictions on what creatures it can bring back.<ref name="Color Pie 2017" />
It is considered a flexible play style. The card pool variety makes it suitable for both competitive and casual play:


[[White]] tended to reanimate [[weenie|smaller creatures]], usually with a [[converted mana cost]] of 2 or less, but [[R&D]]  has started letting white bring back larger creatures on occasion.<ref name="Pie Changes" /> It also will occasionally reanimate a creature type that is mostly white (things like [[Angel]]s or [[Human]]s).
*<c>Reanimate</c> is considered a more competitive card
*<c>Zombify</c> is considered a more casual card


Red has [[Phoenix]]es, as well as efficient Artifact Reanimation cards with the example of <c>Trash for Treasure</c>, <c>Goblin Welder</c>, <c>Goblin Engineer</c>, <c>Daretti, Scrap Savant</c>.
In competitive play it has shown amazing performance in the tournaments of formats like Legacy and Modern. In casual play it has shown to be popular among the casual players of Commander.


Green has creatures that can bring themselves back from the graveyard.
Typically it is associated with bringing creatures into play from the Graveyard such as the [[Reanimator]] decks do. However, that is not the only type of Reanimation that can be done.


Both Black and White will sometimes reanimate a swath of creatures all at once.
[[Mark Rosewater]] distinguishes between “Reanimate” (Return a [[permanent]] card from a graveyard to the battlefield.) and “Reanimation” (Return a [[creature]] card from a graveyard to the battlefield.).<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/681358459556462592|title=Curious what you perceive to be white's unique abilities/identity?|April 12, 2022}}</ref>


Blue used to have reanimation as a [[tertiary]] mechanic. On rare occasion, it could make a [[copy]] of a creature out of the graveyard, but this mechanic isn't used anymore.<ref name="Pie Changes" />
==Setting up for the Reanimation==
These are the ways a player sets up for a reanimation:


===Reanimate permanent===
* Natural discard to hand size
Black can Reanimate creatures as well as planeswalkers.
* Discard effects
* Self-milling
* Graveyard Tutors


Red can Reanimate artifacts efficiently.
The discard spells mentioned above are effects like Faithless Looting, Faithful Mending, Putrid Imp, Collective Brutality, etc. These are cards that allow a player to discard and, sometimes, even benefit from it.


Green has the mass Reanimation of lands with <c>Splendid Reclamation</c>.
Self-milling can be a risky strategy in case the opponent is already playing mill themselves or in cases which the opponent has a deck with Crop Rotation + Bojuka Bog. The best example of this strategy is the deck [https://www.mtgtop8.com/event?e=34566&d=462086&f=LE Dredge]. It is a good way to grow the Graveyard in strategies which its size matters or strategies that can use it as a "second hand".


White is the one color that can reanimate any permanent type, so it gets to reanimate "target permanent." It can also reanimate "target artifact," "target enchantment," or "target planeswalker." It doesn't specifically get "target land," but can do so when it's "target permanent".<ref name="Pie Changes" />
Graveyard Tutors are the most efficient way to place a specific card in the graveyard. It is the best way to guarantee the most needed card is available. Popular Graveyard Tutors are: <c>Buried Alive</c>, <c>Entomb</c>, <c>Unmarked Grave</c>, <c>Gifts Ungiven</c>, <c>Goblin Engineer</c>.


===Reanimator===
==Types of Reanimation==
[[Reanimator]] is an archetype of deck that make use of reanimation effects to put (usually) expensive creatures into play by relatively small amounts of mana.
The most traditional form of Reanimation is, indeed, the one that focus on creatures. However, it is not uncommon to find other more 'unusual' forms of reanimation.


==List of reanimation instants and sorceries==
Below there is a list of Reanimation effects of a certain nature and its presence in each color. '''The list takes into account only mono-color cards''' because multi-color cards "break" the color pie and may not represent how well a single color handles the matter. Also, a color with more than 3 effects will be described as '''"Examples in..."''' so that it is clear there are other cards with such effects.
===Instants===
*<c>Betrayal of Flesh</c> {{-}} {{5}}{{B}} bi-[[modal]] spell
*<c>Cauldron Dance</c> {{-}} {{4}}{{B}}{{R}} cast only during combat, removes
*<c>Corpse Dance</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{B}} top creature card, removes - [[Buyback]] {{2}}
*<c>Faith's Reward</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{W}} all permanent cards you own that were put there from the battlefield this turn
*<c>Fated Return</c> {{-}} {{4}}{{B}}{{B}}{{B}} target creature from a graveyard, indestructible
*<c>Goryo's Vengeance</c> {{-}} {{1}}{{B}} target legendary creature, removes - [[Splice]] onto [[Arcane]] {{2}}{{B}}
*<c>Makeshift Mannequin</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{B}}  with a mannequin [[counter]] on it, "When this creature becomes the target of a spell or ability, sacrifice it."
*<c>Miraculous Recovery</c> {{-}} {{4}}{{W}} with a +1/+1 counter
*<c>Second Sunrise</c> {{-}} {{1}}{{W}}{{W}} all permanent cards that were put there from the battlefield this turn
*<c>Shallow Grave</c> {{-}} {{1}}{{B}} top creature card, removes
*<c>Wake the Dead</c> - {{X}}{{B}}{{B}} During combat on opponent's turn, X target creatures, sacrifice at the end.


=== Sorceries===
===Creature-based===
*<c>All Hallow's Eve</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{B}}{{B}} each player, all creatures
The traditional one. This is the most efficient one and the one that appears the most in competitive play.
*<c>Ashen Powder</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{B}}{{B}} from an opponent's graveyard under your control
*<c>Beacon of Unrest</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{B}}{{B}} target artifact or creature
*<c>Breath of Life</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{W}}
*<c>Crime</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{W}}{{B}} target creature or enchantment card from an opponent's graveyard under your control
*<c>Death</c> {{-}} {{1}}{{B}} lose life equal to its converted mana cost
*<c>Death or Glory</c> {{-}} {{4}}{{W}} [[Divvy]] - all creatures
*<c>Defy Death</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{W}}{{W}} if it's an [[Angel]], put two +1/+1 counters on it
*<c>Dread Return</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{B}}{{B}} [[Flashback]] — Sacrifice three creatures
*<c>Edgar's Awakening</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{B}}{{B}}
*<c>Ever After</c> {{-}} {{4}}{{B}}{{B}} two target creatures from your graveyard, shuffle <c>Ever After</c> back into your library
*<c>Exhume</c> {{-}} {{1}}{{B}} each player, a creature card
*<c>False Defeat</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{W}}
*<c>Footsteps of the Goryo</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{B}} removes
*<c>Gruesome Encore</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{B}} from an opponent's graveyard under your control, removes
*<c>Hymn of Rebirth</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{W}}{{G}}
*<c>Late to Dinner</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{W}} also creates a [[Food]] token
*<c>Living Death</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{B}}{{B}} each player exiles all creature cards from his or her graveyard, then sacrifices all creatures he or she controls, then puts all cards he or she exiled this way onto the battlefield
*<c>Living End</c> {{-}} [[Suspend]] 3 — {{2}}{{B}}{{B}} each player exiles all creature cards from his or her graveyard, then sacrifices all creatures he or she controls, then puts all cards he or she exiled this way onto the battlefield
*<c>Patriarch's Bidding</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{B}}{{B}} each player chooses a [[creature type]], all creature cards of a type chosen
*<c>Pyrrhic Revival</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{W/B}}{{W/B}}{{W/B}} each player, each creature with an additional -1/-1 counter
*<c>Postmortem Lunge</c> {{-}} {{X}}{{B/P}} with converted mana cost X, removes
*<c>Proclamation of Rebirth</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{W}} up to three creatures with converted mana cost 1 or less - [[Forecast]]
*<c>Profane Command</c> {{-}} {{X}}{{B}}{{B}} with converted mana cost X or less, bi-modal spell
*<c>Reanimate</c> {{-}} {{B}} lose life equal to its converted mana cost
*<c>Resurrection</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{W}}{{W}}
*<c>Return of the Nightstalkers</c> {{-}} {{5}}{{B}}{{B}} all Nightstalker permanent cards, then destroy all [[Swamp]]s you control
*<c>Rise from the Grave</c> {{-}} {{4}}{{B}} that creature is a black [[Zombie]] in addition to its other colors and types
*<c>Search for Survivors</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{R}} reorder your graveyard at random, then an opponent chooses a card at random in your graveyard. If it's a creature card, put it onto the battlefield. Otherwise, exile it.
*<c>Soul Exchange</c> {{-}} {{B}}{{B}} as an additional cost to cast this, exile a creature you control. Put a +2/+2 counter on "reanimated" creature if the exiled creature was a [[Thrull]]
*<c>Stir the Grave</c> {{-}} {{X}}{{B}} with converted mana cost X or less
*<c>Stitch Together</c> {{-}} {{B}}{{B}} [[Threshold]] — otherwise return to your hand
*<c>Torrent of Souls</c> {{-}} {{4}}{{B/R}} if {{B}} was spent to cast this
*<c>Twilight's Call</c> {{-}} {{4}}{{B}}{{B}} each player, all creatures
*<c>Unburial Rites</c> {{-}} {{4}}{{B}} - [[Flashback]] {{3}}{{W}}
*<c>Unearth</c> {{-}} {{B}} with converted mana cost 3 or less - [[Cycling]] {{2}}
*<c>Victimize</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{B}} two creatures, if sacrifice a creature already in play
*<c>Vigor Mortis</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{B}}{{B}}  if {{G}} was spent to cast this, target creature enters with an additional +1/+1 counter on it
*<c>Zombie Apocalypse</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{B}}{{B}}{{B}} all Zombie, then destroy all [[Human]]s
*<c>Zombify</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{B}}
*<c>Call of the Death-Dweller</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{B}} Return up to two creatures with combined mana cost 3 or less and distribute a deathtouch counter and a menace counter between them.


==Enchantments that cause reanimation==
The best reanimation spells are in Black and, secondarily, in White. But there is also a dedicated Red creature type with an inclination to reanimating themselves.
*<c>Dawn of the Dead</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{B}}{{B}}{{B}} at the beginning of your upkeep, lose 1 life, removes
*<c>Debtors' Knell</c> {{-}} {{4}}{{W/B}}{{W/B}}{{W/B}} at the beginning of your upkeep
*<c>Diabolic Servitude</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{B}} when this enters the battlefield, target creature
*<c>Dreams of the Dead</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{U}} - {{1}}{{U}}: target white or black creature and gains "[[Cumulative upkeep]] {{2}}."
*<c>Marshal's Anthem</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{W}}{{W}} - [[Multikicker]] {{1}}{{W}} when this enters the battlefield, X creature(s), where X is the number of times Marshal's Anthem was kicked.
*<c>Necromancy</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{B}} when this  enters the battlefield, becomes an [[Aura]] with "enchant creature put onto the battlefield with Necromancy." and [[attach]] to target creature
*<c>Recurring Nightmare</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{B}} - Sacrifice a creature, Return this to its owner's hand: target creature
*<c>Strands of Night</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{B}}{{B}} - {{B}}{{B}}, Pay 2 life, Sacrifice a Swamp: target creature


===Aura===
*Examples in Black: <c>Reanimate</c>, <c>Animate Dead</c>, <c>Exhume</c>
*<c>Animate Dead</c> {{-}} {{1}}{{B}}
*Examples in White: <c>Cleric Class</c>, <c>Rally the Ancestors</c>, <c>Return to the Ranks</c>
*<c>Dance of the Dead</c> {{-}} {{1}}{{B}}
*Examples in Blue: <c>Dreams of the Dead</c>
*Examples in Green: <c>Moldgraf Monstrosity</c>
*Examples in Red: <c>Thunderkin Awakener</c>, <c>Lukka, Wayward Bonder</c>, [[Phoenix]] creatures


==Planeswalkers that cause reanimation ==
===Artifact-based===
*<c>Liliana Vess</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{B}}{{B}} - -8 loyalty counters, all creatures from all graveyards under your control
After creatures, artifacts are the most frequently reanimated card type. Artifact reanimation mainly appears in sets with other artifact synergies, such as Kaladesh and Mirrodin, where it helps to make Limited play more smoothly. Traditionally flavored as rebuilding or restoration, every color but the artifice-opposed Green has had access to this effect, though Mark Rosewater has stated that Black will no longer receive it on new cards going forward.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/719032946775965696/are-creatures-the-only-thing-black-can|title=Is Beacon of Unrest reanimating artifacts a big bend or a break?|June 2, 2023}}</ref>
*<c>Liliana, Death's Majesty</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{B}}{{B}} - -3 loyalty counters, target creature in your graveyard, is a Black Zombie.
*<c>Liliana, Death Wielder</c> — {{5}}{{B}}{{B}} - -10 loyalty, return all creature cards from your graveyard to the battlefield.


==Creatures that cause reanimation==
*Black: <c>Beacon of Unrest</c>, <c>Okiba Salvage</c>
*<c>Agadeem Occultist</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{B}} 0/2 -  {{T}}: from an opponent's graveyard onto the under your control if its converted mana cost is less than or equal to the number of [[Allies]] you control
*Examples in White: <c>Second Sunrise</c>, <c>Refurbish</c>, <c>Ironsoul Enforcer</c>
*<c>Angel of Glory's Rise</c> {{-}} {{5}}{{W}}{{W}} 4/6 - when this enters the battlefield, exile all Zombies, "reanimate" all Human creature cards
*Blue: <c>Argivian Restoration</c>
*<c>Apprentice Necromancer</c> {{-}} {{1}}{{B}} 1/1 - {{B}}, {{T}}, Sacrifice this: target creature, removes
*Green: ---
*<c>Artisan of Kozilek</c> {{-}} {{9}} 10/9 - when you cast this, target creature - [[Annihilator]] 2
*Examples in Red: <c>Goblin Welder</c>, <c>Goblin Engineer</c>, <c>Trash for Treasure</c>
*<c>Balthor the Defiled</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{B}}{{B}} 2/2 - {{B}}{{B}}{{B}}, Exile thisled: each player, all black and all red creatures
*<c>Bladewing the Risen</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{B}}{{B}}{{R}}{{R}} 4/4 - when this enters the battlefield, target Dragon permanent card
*<c>Body Snatcher</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{B}}{{B}} 2/2 - when this dies, exile this, target creature
*<c>Bone Dancer</c> {{-}} {{1}}{{B}}{{B}} 2/2 whenever this er attacks and isn't blocked, top creature card of defending player's graveyard under your control
*<c>Celestial Gatekeeper</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{W}}{{W}} 2/2 - when this dies, exile it, two target [[Bird]] and/or [[Cleric]] permanent cards
*<c>Chainer, Dementia Master</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{B}}{{B}} 3/3 - {{B}}{{B}}{{B}}, Pay 3 life: target creature, that creature is black and is a [[Nightmare]] in addition to its other creature types
*<c>Coffin Queen</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{B}} 1/1 - {{2}}{{B}}, {{T}}: target creature
*<c>Crypt Champion</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{B}} 2/2 - when thisn enters the battlefield, each player, creature card with converted mana cost 3 or less - [[Double strike]]
*<c>Doomed Necromancer</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{B}} 2/2 - {{B}}, {{T}}, Sacrifice this: target creature
*<c>Driver of the Dead</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{B}} 3/2 - when this dies, target creature with converted mana cost 2 or less
*<c>Geth, Lord of the Vault</c> {{-}} {{4}}{{B}}{{B}} 5/5 - {{X}}{{B}}: target artifact or creature with converted mana cost X from an opponent's graveyard under your control tapped, then that player [[mill]]s X cards - [[Intimidate]]
*<c>Gravespawn Sovereign</c> {{-}} {{4}}{{B}}{{B}} 3/3 - Tap five untapped Zombies you control: target creature
*<c>Hell's Caretaker</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{B}} 1/1 - {{T}}, Sacrifice a creature: target creature
*<c>Nighteyes the Desecrator</c> {{1}}{{B}} 2/1 - {{4}}{{B}}: target creature
*<c>Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni</c> {{-}} {{4}}{{B}}{{B}} 5/4 - whenever this deals combat damage to a player, target creature from that player's graveyard under your control - [[Ninjutsu]] {{3}}{{B}}{{B}}
*<c>Karmic Guide</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{W}}{{W}} 2/2 - when this enters the battlefield, target creature - [[Echo]] {{3}}{{W}}{{W}}
*<c>Loyal Retainers</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{W}} 1/1 - Sacrifice this: target legendary creature
*<c>Mistmoon Griffin</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{W}} 2/2 - when this dies, exile this, top creature card
*<c>Moldgraf Monstrosity</c> {{-}} {{4}}{{G}}{{G}}{{G}} 8/8 - when this dies, exile it, two creature cards at random
*<c>Phyrexian Delver</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{B}}{{B}} 3/2 - when this enters the battlefield, target creature, lose life equal to that card's converted mana cost
*<c>Puppeteer Clique</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{B}}{{B}} 3/2 - when this enters the battlefield, target creature card from an opponent's graveyard under your control, removes - [[Persist]]
*<c>Pulsemage Advocate</c> {{-}} {{2}}{{W}} 1/3 - {{T}}: target creature, also return three target cards from an opponent's graveyard to his or her hand
*<c>Ramosian Revivalist</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{W}} 2/2 - {{6}}, {{T}}: target [[Rebel]] permanent card with converted mana cost 5 or less
*<c>Reya Dawnbringer</c> {{-}} {{6}}{{W}}{{W}}{{W}} 4/6 - at the beginning of your upkeep, target creature
*<c>Scion of Darkness</c> {{-}} {{5}}{{B}}{{B}}{{B}} 6/6 - whenever this deals combat damage to a player, target creature card from that player's graveyard under your control - [[Cycling]] {{3}}
*<c>Sheoldred, Whispering One</c> {{-}} {{5}}{{B}}{{B}} 6/6 - at the beginning of your upkeep, target creature - [[Swampwalk]]
*<c>Sun Titan</c> {{-}} {{4}}{{W}}{{W}} 6/6 - whenever this enters the battlefield or attacks, target permanent card with converted mana cost 3 or less - [[Vigilance]]
*<c>Tariel, Reckoner of Souls</c> {{-}} {{4}}{{W}}{{B}}{{R}} 4/7 - {{T}}: a creature card at random from target opponent's graveyard under your control
*<c>Teneb, the Harvester</c> {{-}} {{3}}{{W}}{{B}}{{G}} 6/6 - whenever this deals combat damage to a player, you may pay {{2}}{{B}}. If you do, target creature
*<c>Yore-Tiller Nephilim</c> {{-}} {{W}}{{U}}{{B}}{{R}} 2/2 - whenever this attacks, target creature tapped and attacking


== Artifacts that cause reanimation==
===Enchantment-based===
*<c>Triassic Egg</c> {{-}} {{4}} - Sacrifice this: target creature, bi-modal spell
*Black: ---
*<c>Grimoire of the Dead</c> {{-}} {{4}} - {{T}}, Remove three study counters from this and sacrifice it: all creature cards from all graveyards under your control, they're black Zombies in addition to their other colors and types
*Examples in White: <c>Resurgent Belief</c>, <c>Replenish</c>, <c>Starfield of Nyx</c>
*Blue: <c>Hakim, Loreweaver</c>
*Green: <c>Go-Shintai of Life's Origin</c> (5-Colors to activate)
*Red: <c>Storm Herald</c>


==Lands that cause reanimation==
===Planeswalker-based===
*<c>Emeria, the Sky Ruin</c> - at the beginning of your upkeep, if you control seven or more [[Plains]], target creature
*Black: <c>Confront the Past</c>, <c>Blood on the Snow</c>
*White: <c>Elspeth Conquers Death</c>, <c>Triumphant Reckoning</c>
*Blue: ---
*Green: ---
* Red: ---


== See also ==
===Land-based===
*Black: ---
*Examples in White: <c>Planar Birth</c>, <c>Sacred Ground</c>, <c>Fall of the Thran</c>
*Blue: ---
*Examples in Green: <c>Shigeki, Jukai Visionary</c>, <c>Splendid Reclamation</c>, <c>World Shaper</c>
*Red: ---


* [[Reanimator]]
===Generic-permanent-based===
* [[Legacy Reanimator deck]]
*Black: <c>"Rumors of My Death..."</c> (un-set card)
* [[Legacy]]
*Examples in White: <c>Sevinne's Reclamation</c>, <c>Brought Back</c>, <c>Faith's Reward</c>
* [[Modern]]
*Blue: ---
* [[Vintage]]
*Green: ---
* [[Historic]]
*Red: ---
* [[Pioneer]]


==Notes and references==
===Spell Reanimation===
*In the above list; "removes" means the reanimated creature(s) may gain haste, then are [[exile]]d/[[bounce]]d/[[sacrifice]]d at the beginning of the next end step.
In terms of permanent-type cards being reanimated, the list ends here. Nonetheless, the players have started referring to certain effects as "spell reanimation".
 
Spell Reanimation would be the possibility of casting an Instant or Sorcery card from the Graveyard without paying its mana cost.
 
It arguably makes sense, since a spell would not be a permanent to be properly Reanimated. Then, the closest someone could get to "reanimating" it would be benefitting from it without paying its mana cost - making that, in some sense, Reanimation.
 
Therefore this is how that is handled in each color:
 
*Black: <c>Sins of the Past</c>
*White: ---
*Examples in Blue: <c>Spelltwine</c>, <c>Spellweaver Volute</c>, <c>Torrential Gearhulk</c>
*Green: ---
*Examples in Red: <c>Dreadhorde Arcanist</c>, <c>Mizzix's Mastery</c>, <c>Wildfire Devils</c>
 
==See also==
*[[Reanimator]]
*[[Legacy Reanimator deck]]
*[[Legacy]]
*[[Modern]]
*[[Vintage]]
*[[Historic]]
*[[Pioneer]]
*[[Revitalization of Legacy]]
 
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Cards]]
 
[[Category:Miscellaneous mechanics]]
[[Category:Miscellaneous mechanics]]

Latest revision as of 00:29, 3 June 2023

Reanimation effects return cards from a graveyard directly unto the battlefield.[1][2] Alpha Edition was the first to print a reanimation effect with Animate Dead, but the mechanic is named after the card Reanimate from Tempest.

Overview

Reanimation is both popular and strong.

It is considered a flexible play style. The card pool variety makes it suitable for both competitive and casual play:

  • Reanimate is considered a more competitive card
  • Zombify is considered a more casual card

In competitive play it has shown amazing performance in the tournaments of formats like Legacy and Modern. In casual play it has shown to be popular among the casual players of Commander.

Typically it is associated with bringing creatures into play from the Graveyard such as the Reanimator decks do. However, that is not the only type of Reanimation that can be done.

Mark Rosewater distinguishes between “Reanimate” (Return a permanent card from a graveyard to the battlefield.) and “Reanimation” (Return a creature card from a graveyard to the battlefield.).[3]

Setting up for the Reanimation

These are the ways a player sets up for a reanimation:

  • Natural discard to hand size
  • Discard effects
  • Self-milling
  • Graveyard Tutors

The discard spells mentioned above are effects like Faithless Looting, Faithful Mending, Putrid Imp, Collective Brutality, etc. These are cards that allow a player to discard and, sometimes, even benefit from it.

Self-milling can be a risky strategy in case the opponent is already playing mill themselves or in cases which the opponent has a deck with Crop Rotation + Bojuka Bog. The best example of this strategy is the deck Dredge. It is a good way to grow the Graveyard in strategies which its size matters or strategies that can use it as a "second hand".

Graveyard Tutors are the most efficient way to place a specific card in the graveyard. It is the best way to guarantee the most needed card is available. Popular Graveyard Tutors are: Buried Alive, Entomb, Unmarked Grave, Gifts Ungiven, Goblin Engineer.

Types of Reanimation

The most traditional form of Reanimation is, indeed, the one that focus on creatures. However, it is not uncommon to find other more 'unusual' forms of reanimation.

Below there is a list of Reanimation effects of a certain nature and its presence in each color. The list takes into account only mono-color cards because multi-color cards "break" the color pie and may not represent how well a single color handles the matter. Also, a color with more than 3 effects will be described as "Examples in..." so that it is clear there are other cards with such effects.

Creature-based

The traditional one. This is the most efficient one and the one that appears the most in competitive play.

The best reanimation spells are in Black and, secondarily, in White. But there is also a dedicated Red creature type with an inclination to reanimating themselves.

Artifact-based

After creatures, artifacts are the most frequently reanimated card type. Artifact reanimation mainly appears in sets with other artifact synergies, such as Kaladesh and Mirrodin, where it helps to make Limited play more smoothly. Traditionally flavored as rebuilding or restoration, every color but the artifice-opposed Green has had access to this effect, though Mark Rosewater has stated that Black will no longer receive it on new cards going forward.[4]

Enchantment-based

Planeswalker-based

Land-based

Generic-permanent-based

Spell Reanimation

In terms of permanent-type cards being reanimated, the list ends here. Nonetheless, the players have started referring to certain effects as "spell reanimation".

Spell Reanimation would be the possibility of casting an Instant or Sorcery card from the Graveyard without paying its mana cost.

It arguably makes sense, since a spell would not be a permanent to be properly Reanimated. Then, the closest someone could get to "reanimating" it would be benefitting from it without paying its mana cost - making that, in some sense, Reanimation.

Therefore this is how that is handled in each color:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 7, 2016). "A Few More Words from R&D". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 5, 2017). "Mechanical Color Pie 2017". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. ↑ Mark Rosewater (April 12, 2022). "Curious what you perceive to be white's unique abilities/identity?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  4. ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 2, 2023). "Is Beacon of Unrest reanimating artifacts a big bend or a break?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
Retrieved from "https://mtg.wiki/index.php?title=Reanimation&oldid=205682"