Out of the Tombs — ruling 1

If an effect instructs a player to draw multiple cards, each of those cards are drawn independently, and Out of the Tombs's second ability will apply to each one if appropriate.

Out of the Tombs : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Out of the Tombs is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.

Official card text

At the beginning of your upkeep, put two eon counters on this enchantment, then mill cards equal to the number of eon counters on it. If you would draw a card while your library has no cards in it, instead return a creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield. If you can't, you lose the game.

Complete guide

Out of the Tombs is a powerful black enchantment that turns the threat of running out of cards into a relentless engine of resurrection. By milling your own library, you set the stage for a Necron-style comeback where death is only a temporary state. This card ensures that even when your library is empty, the game is far from over for you.

Stocking the Graveyard

The first ability of Out of the Tombs triggers at the beginning of your upkeep. You must place two eon counters on the enchantment and then mill cards equal to the total number of eon counters currently on it. Because this happens every turn, the amount of cards you mill increases rapidly, quickly filling your graveyard with potential targets for reanimation.

Cheating Death

The second ability is a replacement effect that changes what happens if you would draw a card from an empty library. Instead of losing the game, you return a creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield. If your library is empty and your graveyard contains no creature cards when you are forced to draw, only then does the replacement effect fail to save you, resulting in a loss.

Drawing Multiple Cards

It is important to remember that effects instructing you to draw multiple cards actually consist of several individual draws. If you have no cards in your library and an effect tells you to draw three cards, Out of the Tombs will trigger three separate times, allowing you to return up to three creatures from your graveyard to the battlefield in succession.

Strategic Timing

You should play Out of the Tombs when your deck is built to benefit from a full graveyard or when you have ways to draw cards consistently once your library is depleted. It provides a unique safety net against 'decking' yourself while simultaneously generating massive board presence from your discard pile.

Interaction examples

Sustained Resurrection

Phyrexian Arena

With Phyrexian Arena and Out of the Tombs on the battlefield, and an empty library, the Arena's upkeep trigger will cause you to draw a card. Out of the Tombs replaces this draw, letting you return a creature from your graveyard to the battlefield instead of losing the game. You still lose 1 life from the Arena's effect.

Trading Life for Life

Black Market Connections

During your precombat main phase, if you choose the 'Buy Information' mode while your library is empty, the draw is replaced by Out of the Tombs. You return a creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield and lose 2 life. This allows you to intentionally bypass the draw to get a specific creature back.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.

How it works : Out of the Tombs

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1October 7, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
If an effect instructs a player to draw multiple cards, each of those cards are drawn independently, and Out of the Tombs's second ability will apply to each one if appropriate.
No other card is named in this ruling.