Andradite Leech MTG Card

Provides dynamic synergy, especially with mana-intensive abilities, enhancing deck strategies and plays. Offers indirect resource acceleration by boosting spell power, potentially tipping the scales early. Demands careful play, as its drawbacks include specific mana needs and a higher cost.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Leech
Released	2000-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Invasion
Set code	INV
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	93
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Wayne England

Text of card

Black spells you play cost o B more to play. oo B Andradite Leech gets +1/+1 until end of turn.

"Older specimens are completely encrusted with gems, which serve as both armor and weapons." —Tolarian research notes

Cards like Andradite Leech

Andradite Leech brings an intriguing dynamic to the field of creature buffs within Magic: The Gathering. With its ability to boost black creature spells, it resembles cards like Zombie Master, which also offers enhanced power for a specific type of creature. Yet, Andradite Leech requests a sacrifice of life points to activate its abilities, a trait not shared by the Zombie Master who benefits zombies unconditionally with regeneration and swampwalk.

Exploring further, Bad Moon is another key player in the black creature enhancement arena. Bad Moon provides a persistent boost to black creatures’ power and toughness, a benefit that matches up with Andradite Leech’s support to your black spells. However, Bad Moon shines in its static effect requiring no additional cost to maintain, unlike the Andradite Leech that demands continuous life points payment for its power up.

In weighing the strategic advantages of Andradite Leech against its counterparts, this card offers a unique approach to gameplay. Its trade-off between life points and increased black spell potency offers a calculated risk poised to tip the scales in favor of adept players who can manage their resources effectively.

Cards similar to Andradite Leech by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Andradite Leech offers a potent dynamic in the form of deck synergy, especially when paired with abilities that activate when you pay more mana. This optimization can potentially transform routine plays into advantageous moves, securing you a stronger foothold in the game.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or resources, Andradite Leech’s unique ability to boost the power of your other spells can speed up your strategy. This indirect acceleration might just give you the edge you need to overpower an opponent before they can stabilize.

Instant Speed: This card influences the battlefield as soon as it lands, maximizing your mana each turn. Played correctly, Andradite Leech can quickly tilt the scales in your favor by optimizing your resource allocation and catching opponents off guard.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Andradite Leech comes with the constraint of discarding another card, often putting you at a disadvantage in terms of card advantage, which is crucial during gameplay.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a precise combination of black and green mana, Andradite Leech can be a challenging play for decks that don’t heavily feature these colors, potentially reducing its versatility across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that can be on the higher side for its particular effects, players might find that other cards provide similar or better abilities for a lower cost, thus questioning its efficiency in a tightly curated deck.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Andradite Leech boasts adaptability in its utility. Its power-boosting ability can shift the tides of battle in favor of a variety of Black decks, notably those striving for a strong board presence.

Combo Potential: This card shines by synergizing with effects that benefit from powered-up creatures. Whether it’s enabling sacrifice mechanics or enhancing damage output, Andradite Leech melds seamlessly into potent combinations.

Meta-Relevance: With shifting metas, a card like Andradite Leech can become a formidable inclusion. Its ability to strengthen your creatures can disrupt your opponent’s combat calculations, making it a relevant choice against decks relying on battlefield dominance.

How to beat

The Andradite Leech presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, but seasoned players know that the key to triumphing over this card lies in its own limitations. While the leech buffs black creatures at the cost of life, it can also be a liability if not used wisely. To successfully navigate against this card, consider using removal spells to eliminate it before its effect can accumulate.

Control decks excel in managing threats such as the Andradite Leech, utilizing a combination of counter spells, board wipes, and targeted removal. Employing these tools promptly will prevent your opponent from exploiting the leech’s benefits. In addition, because the Andradite Leech’s ability directly impacts the player’s life total, strategies that capitalize on life gain or damage prevention can also mitigate the peril it poses.

Ultimately, overcoming the threat of Andradite Leech rests on recognizing when to disrupt your opponent’s synergy. By doing so, you maintain control of the game pace while limiting their ability to capitalize on the Leech’s power-up for black creatures. Effective timing and strategy are your best assets in this endeavor.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Andradite Leech MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Andradite Leech and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Andradite Leech has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal