Necrogen Rotpriest MTG Card


Necrogen Rotpriest fuels your hand by turning life-gain into card draw, enhancing strategic flexibility in duels. It accelerates gameplay, especially in life-centric decks, hastening the path to victory through resource boost. Its instant speed utility creates surprise advantages, disrupting opponents with tactical creature interactions.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Phyrexian Zombie Cleric
Abilities Toxic
Power 1
Toughness 5

Text of card

Toxic 2 (Players dealt combat damage by this creature also get two poison counters.) Whenever a creature you control with toxic deals combat damage to a player, that player gets an additional poison counter. : Target creature you control with toxic gains deathtouch until end of turn.


Cards like Necrogen Rotpriest

Necrogen Scudder and Rotpriest are two creatures in MTG that players might compare when evaluating potential additions to their deck. While both cards come from the dark, swamp-infused world of black mana, they offer different benefits to a strategist. Necrogen Scudder, a relative of the Rotpriest, has a straightforward cost to the player’s life points when it comes into play, offering a beefy creature for a reasonable mana investment.

However, the new necrotic clergy member brings a unique mechanic to the table. The Necrogen Rotpriest’s ability to impose a poison counter upon the dying breath of other creatures it witnesses adds an angle of strategy not seen in the self-inflicting Scudder. Whereas Scudder focuses on sheer power, the Rotpriest tends to benefit from complex and synergistic plays. Another comparably sinister card would be the Dross Harvester, also life-centric but with a more transient boon, gaining life rather than inflicting poison.

Assessing the value positioned in one’s MTG deck strategy, Necrogen Rotpriest undoubtedly fills a niche spot with its potential to advance a poison counter strategy, introducing a subtle yet potent condition for opponents to contend with.

Necrogen Scudder - MTG Card versions
Dross Harvester - MTG Card versions
Necrogen Scudder - MTG Card versions
Dross Harvester - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Necrogen Rotpriest by color, type and mana cost

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Valentin, Dean of the Vein // Lisette, Dean of the Root - MTG Card versions
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Woodwraith Strangler - MTG Card versions
Savra, Queen of the Golgari - MTG Card versions
Mortipede - MTG Card versions
Vhati il-Dal - MTG Card versions
Lathril, Blade of the Elves - MTG Card versions
Creakwood Liege - MTG Card versions
Noxious Hatchling - MTG Card versions
Desecrator Hag - MTG Card versions
Corpsejack Menace - MTG Card versions
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord - MTG Card versions
Rot Farm Skeleton - MTG Card versions
Reaper of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Graverobber Spider - MTG Card versions
Meren of Clan Nel Toth - MTG Card versions
Poison-Tip Archer - MTG Card versions
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Decks using this card

MTG decks using Necrogen Rotpriest. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Golgari PoisonGolgari Poison StandardGolgari PoisonTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 8, 2024
Selesnya AggroSelesnya Aggro HistoricOtherHoliday Night Magic
Abzan AggroAbzan Aggro PioneerAbzan PoisonReCQ - Pioneer - SCG CON Pittsburgh - Saturday - 1:00 pm (Bronze)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Necrogen Rotpriest enhances player dynamics by potentially drawing additional cards when you gain life. Such advantage bolsters your hand, ensuring a steady flow of options throughout the duel, making each card play more impactful and expanding strategic horizons.

Resource Acceleration: This card synergizes with decks focusing on life gain, allowing for an acceleration in resources. When paired with life-giving mechanics, Necrogen Rotpriest can speed up the attainment of critical game pieces, ultimately paving the way for a swifter victory.

Instant Speed: As a creature that benefits from instant speed spells, it can unexpectedly alter the board state in your favor, especially since many life gain spells are instants. This timing flexibility adds to your tactical arsenal, catching opponents off guard and capitalizing on the surprise factor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Necrogen Rotpriest requires the player to discard another card to activate its key abilities. This has the potential to deplete your hand quickly, especially in a game where maintaining card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Sporting a mana cost that includes both black and generic mana, the Necrogen Rotpriest may not seamlessly fit into multi-colored decks, thereby limiting its versatility across different strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that some might consider steep for its effect, players may opt for alternatives that provide similar benefits without such a substantial investment, thus potentially sidelining the card in favor of more mana-efficient options.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Necrogen Rotpriest offers adaptability in deck building, seamlessly integrating into black-centric or multicolored decks where its creature type and abilities can be synergistically leveraged.

Combo Potential: This card can be an essential piece in life-drain strategies or combo with cards that proliferate -1/-1 counters, increasing the impact of its poison counter distribution.

Meta-Relevance: Given the nature of competitive play where creature-based tactics are prevalent, Necrogen Rotpriest provides a tactical advantage by disrupting opponent’s board presence while progressively threatening their health total with poison counters.


How to beat

Necrogen Rotpriest adds a sinister twist to life management strategies in MTG. With its potent ability to deplete an opponent’s life whenever a Cleric or Wizard you control dies, it plays a significant role in attrition-based strategies. To effectively counteract the Rotpriest’s influence, it is critical to limit board wipes and avoid unnecessary sacrifices that would trigger its ability. Instead, focus on removal spells that can deal with the Rotpriest directly, such as Rapid Hybridization or Path to Exile, which can bypass its life-draining effect without triggering any life loss.

Moreover, stabilizing your board presence by using cards with indestructible or hexproof can create a reliable barrier against the Rotpriest’s damage. Lifegain effects are also incredibly beneficial in outpacing the gradual life reduction caused by Necrogen Rotpriest, enabling you to maintain a healthier life total throughout the duel. Targeted creature control and maintaining a robust board state are key strategies in nullifying the menacing threat posed by Necrogen Rotpriest in the complex battlefield of MTG.


BurnMana Recommendations

In light of the unique abilities and potential drawbacks of Necrogen Rotpriest, we encourage players to thoughtfully incorporate this card into their MTG decks. Its synergy with life gain and instant-speed spells can be a game-changer in the right scenarios. Whether boosting your own resources or disrupting the opponent’s plans with devious poison counters, this card requires strategic finesse. If you’re intrigued by the tactical depth Necrogen Rotpriest brings to the table, delve further with us. Together, we’ll explore strategies to maximize your MTG sessions, transforming every match into a clever battle of wits and skill.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Necrogen Rotpriest MTG card by a specific set like Phyrexia: All Will Be One and Phyrexia: All Will Be One, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Necrogen Rotpriest and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Necrogen Rotpriest Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-02-03 and 2023-02-03. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be OneONE 4732015NormalBlackDominik Mayer
22023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be OneONE 2122015NormalBlackIgor Krstic
32023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be OneONE 2962015NormalBlackDominik Mayer

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Necrogen Rotpriest has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Necrogen Rotpriest card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-02-04 A player with ten or more poison counters loses the game. This is a state-based action and doesn't use the stack. In other words, it happens immediately and players can't respond to it, just like a player losing the game due to having 0 or less life.
2023-02-04 Any other effects of that damage, such as life gain from lifelink, still apply.
2023-02-04 Conversely, replacement effects that apply to the number of counters put on a player can modify the counters placed this way. For example, Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider's last two abilities can apply to counters placed this way.
2023-02-04 Damage dealt by a creature with toxic grants the same number of counters regardless of how much damage is dealt. Notably, if a replacement effect modifies the damage in some way (such as that of Gratuitous Violence), the number of counters given remains unchanged.
2023-02-04 If a creature with toxic deals combat damage to a creature or planeswalker, or if it deals noncombat damage, toxic has no effect and no player gets poison counters.
2023-02-04 Multiple instances of toxic are cumulative. For example, if a creature has toxic 2 and gains toxic 1 due to another effect, combat damage that creature deals to a player will cause that player to get 3 poison counters.
2023-02-04 Toxic doesn't change the amount of combat damage a creature deals. For example, if a 2/2 creature with toxic 1 deals combat damage to a player, that creature will deal 2 damage. The results of that damage are the player loses 2 life and gets a poison counter.