Embalmer's ToolsHow it works & interactions with other cards

What it Does

Embalmer's Tools has two distinct functions. First, it provides a passive discount of {1} to the activated abilities of creature cards while they are in your graveyard. This includes keyword abilities like Embalm, Eternalize, or Unearth. Second, it provides an activated ability that lets you tap any untapped Zombie you control to make a target player mill a card. This milling ability does not use the tap symbol {T}, meaning you can use it even if your Zombie has summoning sickness.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When using the mill ability, you first choose a target player. Then, as a cost, you tap an untapped Zombie you control. The ability goes on the stack and, when it resolves, the target player puts the top card of their library into their graveyard. For the cost reduction, it applies automatically whenever you announce the activation of an ability from a creature card in your graveyard. You calculate the total cost by taking the original cost, applying any increases, and then applying the {1} reduction from the Tools.

Common Mistakes

A common point of confusion is what counts as an 'activated ability.' Remember that these always contain a colon, usually formatted as '[Cost]: [Effect].' Embalmer's Tools does not reduce the cost of spells you cast from your graveyard (like those with Escape or Flashback) because those are spells, not activated abilities. Additionally, note that the cost reduction only applies to creature cards; noncreature cards with graveyard abilities, like land or artifact cards, do not receive the discount.

When to Play It

This card shines in decks with high Zombie density or those relying on abilities that trigger from the graveyard. It is best deployed early to maximize the mana savings over the course of the game. If you have a way to generate many Zombie tokens, you can use Embalmer's Tools defensively to mill an opponent out or proactively to fill your own graveyard with targets for reanimation.

Interaction examples

Standard Mana Utility

Sol RingArcane Signet

While Embalmer's Tools reduces the costs of your graveyard abilities, you still need mana to pay the remaining costs. If you have Sol Ring and Arcane Signet on the battlefield, you can use them to generate the specific colored or colorless mana required after the Tools have applied the {1} discount to your graveyard actions.

Bypassing Summoning Sickness

If you cast a Zombie creature spell and it enters the battlefield this turn, it normally cannot attack or use abilities with the tap symbol {T}. However, because the cost for Embalmer's Tools is 'Tap an untapped Zombie you control' and does not use the tap symbol, you can tap that new Zombie immediately to mill a player.