Diregraf Ghoul vs gravecrawler

General forum

Posted on Dec. 19, 2012, 7:33 p.m. by CallMeCrazy

What makes a better turn 1 play?

2austin5 says... #2

Diregraf Ghoul just for the simple fact that it can block

December 19, 2012 7:46 p.m.

The_Darkhorse says... #3

though Gravecrawler is an excellent follow up

December 19, 2012 7:49 p.m.

DaCeltics says... #4

Depends on the deck. Do you need the recurring effect of Gravecrawler ? For instance, comboing with Grimgrin, Corpse-Born or Lotleth Troll ? Are you playing against a control deck with heavy counter and board-wiping? Both are great 1-drops, but I'd go with the Gravecrawler if you can afford them.

December 19, 2012 7:51 p.m.

CallMeCrazy says... #5

But the ghoul cant block first turn

December 19, 2012 7:54 p.m.

CallMeCrazy says... #6

And im talking about playing a deck with both, and having them both in my opening hand

December 19, 2012 7:55 p.m.

Legendinc says... #7

i would suggest playing Diregraf Ghoul before Gravecrawler but only if your opponent has access to red mana. you want any opponent that has access to Pillar of Flame to waste it on Diregraf Ghoul

however if you're playing against a G/W deck or anything like that, then I would go with Gravecrawler . just keep swinging with him and recur him back from the grave when you get other zombies on the field.

December 19, 2012 8:12 p.m.

2austin5 says... #8

The Gravecrawler can't block any turn

December 19, 2012 8:13 p.m.

Rayenous says... #9

The answer to that really depends on the deck, and what else you have in your hand.

First note: Neither can block first turn, as 1 can't block, and the other comes into play tapped.

I have a BG Zombie deck which usually calls for the Diregraf Ghoul being cast first, but not always. (Deck - LOL trolling)

If you have Lotleth Troll in your hand, you would want to cast Diregraf Ghoul first in order to discard the Gravecrawler ...

If you have no Troll, but you have Rancor , then Gravecrawler is first, as you can attack for 4 on the second turn, and if they chump block, you will still have access to both creature and enchantment.

Generally, if you can combo with a Gravecrawler being discarded, keep it in hand... if you can combo with Gravecrawler being sac'd, play it... If you plan on simply attacking aggressively, either may be good, but I would play the Gravecrawler , as it can come back if it gets killed in the attack... If they are agressive and attacking, you may consider playing Diregraf Ghoul , as it can block once it untaps... (Though Zombie decks should be aggressive, and playing defensively off the hop may be a bad idea.)

December 19, 2012 8:19 p.m.

zandl says... #10

If we're only talking about turn-1, then both are equal. Neither can block.

But the later the game gets, the less relevant Diregraf Ghoul will be. There's a reason one is rare and one is only uncommon.

December 20, 2012 1:30 a.m.

This discussion has been closed