Undying BeastHow it works & interactions with other cards

What it Does

Undying Beast features a single triggered ability that triggers whenever it moves from the battlefield to the graveyard. Instead of staying in the graveyard like a normal creature, it is placed directly on top of its owner's library. This prevents the card from being targeted by graveyard recursion but guarantees you will draw it again during your next draw step or whenever you next draw a card.

How it Resolves Step by Step

First, Undying Beast must be on the battlefield and then be put into the graveyard. When this happens, its 'dies' ability triggers and is put onto the stack. When the ability resolves, the card is moved from the graveyard to the top of its owner's library. If the card is moved out of the graveyard before the ability resolves—for example, by an effect that exiles it—the ability will fail to find the card and nothing will be moved.

Common Mistakes

A common error is forgetting that this is a mandatory trigger; you cannot choose to leave Undying Beast in the graveyard if you would prefer to reanimate it later. Additionally, if Undying Beast is exiled instead of destroyed (for example, by a spell that says 'exile target creature'), it does not 'die,' and therefore its ability will not trigger. It must reach the graveyard for the ability to function.

When to Play it

Undying Beast is best utilized in decks that need a consistent blocker or a repeatable sacrifice outlet. Since it effectively replaces your next draw with itself, it is excellent for stalling the board. However, be cautious when playing against opponents who can force you to shuffle your library, as they can bury the Beast deep in your deck after the trigger resolves.

Interaction examples

Doubling the Undying Legacy

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Beast' chosen as the creature type, Undying Beast's ability will trigger an additional time when it dies. While the first trigger will successfully put Undying Beast on top of your library, the second trigger will resolve and do nothing, as the card is no longer in the graveyard to be moved.

The Recursive Draw Engine

Solemn Simulacrum

If Undying Beast and Solemn Simulacrum die at the same time (perhaps due to a board wipe), you can order the triggers on the stack. If you put the Solemn Simulacrum draw trigger on the stack first, then the Undying Beast trigger, the Beast will move to the top of your library first. Then, the Simulacrum's ability resolves, allowing you to draw the Undying Beast immediately back into your hand.