ReanimateHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Reanimate targets a creature card in any graveyard and puts it directly onto the battlefield under your control. The spell then calculates the mana value of that card while it is in the graveyard and causes you to lose that much life. Notably, it can target cards in your own graveyard or your opponents' graveyards, making it a versatile tool for both combo decks and disruptive strategies.

How It Resolves Step by Step

When Reanimate resolves, the first thing that happens is the targeted creature card moves from the graveyard to the battlefield. Because the creature is already on the battlefield when the life loss occurs, any continuous effects or static abilities of that creature are active. For example, if the creature prevents life loss, you won't lose any life. After the creature is placed, you lose life equal to the card's mana value. Finally, any enter-the-battlefield (ETB) triggers are put onto the stack. If the life loss causes you to reach zero life, you will lose the game before those ETB triggers can resolve.

Common Mistakes

A common point of confusion involves cards with 'X' in their mana cost. According to official rulings, if a card in a graveyard has {X} in its cost, X is considered 0. Another mistake involves the source of life loss; the life you lose is based on the mana value of the card as it existed in the graveyard, not the characteristics of the permanent once it is on the battlefield. Finally, remember that in multiplayer games, if the owner of the creature leaves the game, their card leaves with them, potentially leaving your board empty.

When to Play It

Reanimate is best played when you have a high-impact creature in a graveyard early in the game. It is frequently paired with 'entomb' effects or discard outlets to place specific targets into the graveyard. Because the mana cost is so low, it allows you to hold up mana for protection or additional spells on the same turn you bring back your win condition.

Interaction examples

Finding Your Target

Demonic Tutor

First, you cast Demonic Tutor to search your library for a specific high-mana creature or a way to discard one, ensuring you have the right piece in hand or graveyard. Once your target is in the graveyard, you cast Reanimate for {B}. The creature enters the battlefield, you lose life equal to its mana value, and you have successfully cheated a high-cost threat into play for very little mana investment.

Managing Life Totals

Feed the Swarm

In a game where your life total is pressured, you must be careful. If you use Feed the Swarm to destroy an opponent's creature, you lose life equal to its mana value. If you then cast Reanimate on that same creature, you will lose life again equal to its mana value. Since Reanimate's life loss happens after the creature enters, make sure your total life is greater than the mana value of the creature, or you will lose the game before you get a chance to use your new permanent.