Reanimator
A strategy that puts expensive, powerful creatures into the graveyard early — then brings them back to the battlefield for a fraction of their mana cost. Why pay 8 mana for a creature when you can pay 2?
How Reanimator Works
Step 1: Get a huge creature into your graveyard (discard, mill, or dredge).
Step 2: Cast a reanimation spell to put it directly onto the battlefield.
Step 3: Win with a creature that shouldn’t be in play this early.
Key Reanimation Spells
- Reanimate — 1 mana, pay life equal to CMC
- Animate Dead — 2 mana enchantment
- Unburial Rites — 5 mana with flashback
- Living Death — mass reanimation (Commander staple)
Best Reanimation Targets
The ideal target is expensive, impactful, and ideally has an enters-the-battlefield trigger: Griselbrand (banned in Commander), Sheoldred, Whispering One, Craterhoof Behemoth.
Reanimator vs. Graveyard Hate
The weakness is graveyard hate — cards like Rest in Peace or Bojuka Bog shut down the entire strategy. Always include backup plans.
See Also
- Graveyard — The discard pile where destroyed creatures, used spells, and discarded cards end up. Unlike exile, the graveyard is a resource — many strategies revolve around reanimating creatures or casting spells from the graveyard. Related DecksGoryo's VengeanceModernThe Worst Reanimator Deck EverPremodernBrowse All Decks → Merch · from $16.99 "I'll Allow It" Ceramic mug. Dishwasher + microwave […]