"Obzedat's Aid: Empty Graves"

"Obzedat's Aid: Empty Graves"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.

After its official unbanning the card Entomb's price skyrocketed because it was the key card around Loam decks in Legacy as well as other reanimation strategies. EDH Reanimator decks loved having permanents in the graveyard at instant speed. 

However reanimation cards are very specific as to the card type and mana costs that they could return to the battlefield. Usually they would reanimate powerful creatures , in the case of blue or red cards they could also put  back artifacts or creatures. The Sun Titan in white could put back permanents from the grave but these would have to cost 3 mana or less (The reason he is still a favorite in EDH tables all around the world) Ajani  , Caller of the Pride or Jace Beleren were the only 2 planeswalkers that could be returned by the Titan while it was still in standard.Things are about to change though with the coming of the Obzedat's Aid.

At the cost of the Orzhov colors of 1 black and 1 white and 3 generic mana this sorcery can bring back any permanent on the battlefield. Any permanent!

So the types of permanents are:

Lands

Creatures

Artifacts

Enchantments

Planeswalkers

The mana cost maybe a bit slower than what reanimators are used to but it does eliminate the need to choose card types because it can bring back anything that you would need. It does not care about mana costs and it does not care about what type of permanent it brings back. 

We all know the kind of creatures that we want to bring back so let us just focus on the other things that this card can help us with...

...You need to control your opponents turn? bring back a Mindslaver.

...You need to have mass destruction on your side? get back that Oblivion stone you just used 2 turns ago.

...Your opponent killed your favorite planeswalker? Get him or her back with a vengeance!!! Specifically Sorin Markov that makes the game a bit more uncomfortable for that person that killed him the first time.

...About to win but you calculated that you are a few damage points short? Wouldn't you want that Angelic destiny on your creature for the win? Now you can...Or how about Ghostly prison or Norn's Annex or Moat to prevent your opponents from attacking you? you could also have those back.

...Your opponent strip mined your Dark Depths before you were able to unleash your monster? Well you could have it back and bashing him in no time at all...you could also have your Vesuva copying your Inkmoth Nexus to have some infect fun.

Yup the Obzedat's Aid is really tons of help in the EDH setting along with the other Orzhov reanimators like Immortal Servitude and Unburial Rites (This one still feels Orzhov).

In standard expect it to replace Unburial Rites as the go to Reanimator card once it rotates out when Theros comes in. In the mean time though it is going to take the back seat for its more easier to cast cousin.

Blessed are those who could brew and playtest. Always do so. Till next time.