Do Undying Creatures Go to Graveyard?
When a creature with Undying dies, it will return to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it if it had no +1/+1 counters on it, but yes, the creature does initially go to the graveyard before the Undying ability triggers to return it. The key point to understand here is that the creature’s journey to the graveyard is a crucial step in the process, even though it doesn’t stay there if it meets the Undying criteria.
Understanding Undying and Related Mechanics
To grasp the concept of Undying and its interaction with the graveyard, it’s essential to delve into how this mechanic works and how it compares to other similar abilities like Persist and Grave Betrayal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about Undying and related mechanics:
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What is Undying in MTG? Undying is a creature-based recursion mechanic that returns a creature to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter if it dies without any +1/+1 counters on it.
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How does Undying work in MTG? When a creature with Undying dies, if it had no +1/+1 counters, it returns to the battlefield under its owner’s control with a +1/+1 counter.
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Does Undying work on tokens? Undying can trigger on tokens, but since tokens can’t return to the battlefield, they cease to exist as a state-based action before the Undying ability resolves.
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What is the difference between Undying and Persist? Undying and Persist are mirror mechanics; Undying returns a creature with a +1/+1 counter if it had none, while Persist returns a creature with a -1/-1 counter if it had none.
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Does Undying work with sacrifice? Yes, sacrificing a creature with Undying triggers its ability, allowing it to return to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter.
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How do you counter Undying? To counter Undying, strategies often involve preventing the creature from dying in a way that would trigger Undying, or using effects that remove +1/+1 counters.
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What mission does Graves betray you in? Graves’ betrayal occurs in the context of specific narratives or missions, often surprising players with his actions.
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How does Grave Betrayal work? Grave Betrayal returns a creature that died to the battlefield under your control with an additional +1/+1 counter at the beginning of the next end step, making it a black Zombie.
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Does Grave Betrayal work on commanders? Grave Betrayal can trigger on a commander’s death, but the commander’s owner can choose to move it to the command zone instead of it returning to the battlefield.
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What happens if a creature has both Persist and Undying? A creature with both Persist and Undying will essentially cancel these effects out, as Persist adds a -1/-1 counter and Undying adds a +1/+1 counter, which then removes the -1/-1 counter.
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Does Gift of Immortality go to the graveyard? Gift of Immortality itself goes to the graveyard when its enchanted creature dies, but it allows the creature to return to the battlefield.
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Do creatures returned from the graveyard have summoning sickness? Yes, creatures that return to the battlefield from the graveyard, whether through Undying, Grave Betrayal, or other means, have summoning sickness.
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Who is good with Undying? Heroes or creatures with Undying are often paired with characters that can benefit from their return, such as Broodmother, Crystal Maiden, or Morphling.
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What does Undying Tombstone do? Undying Tombstone can rip health from nearby units to heal an ally or damage an enemy and summons zombies to attack enemies.
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Does Undying go on the stack? Yes, Undying triggers go on the stack, allowing for interactions with other abilities that may be triggered by the creature’s death or return.
Conclusion
Understanding Undying and its interactions with the graveyard and other mechanics like Persist and Grave Betrayal is crucial for mastering the game. By grasping these concepts, players can leverage Undying creatures effectively in their strategies, taking advantage of their ability to return to the battlefield stronger. Whether in MTG or other contexts, Undying offers a powerful mechanic that can turn the tide of battle in one’s favor.