Eaten by Spiders MTG Card


Eaten by Spiders - Avacyn Restored
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Released2012-05-04
Set symbol
Set nameAvacyn Restored
Set codeAVR
Number177
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred bySlawomir Maniak

Key Takeaways

  1. Provides targeted removal for flying threats, with the bonus of creating Spider tokens.
  2. Demands a green mana focus, potentially limiting deck diversity.
  3. A higher mana cost than some alternatives, yet offers unique board presence.

Text of card

Destroy target creature with flying and all Equipment attached to that creature.

After sampling many victims, the spider developed a preference for the undead and their accoutrements.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: “Eaten by Spiders” can drastically shift the dynamics of a game by potentially removing multiple threats at once. This could strip an opponent’s board of critical flying creatures, ultimately diminishing their offensive capabilities and bolstering your defensive position.

Resource Acceleration: In addition to dealing with airborne threats, this card translates defeated creatures into an army of Spider tokens. These tokens not only serve as blockers but can also support strategies centered around creature count or sacrifice mechanics, essentially transforming your opponent’s resources into your own.

Instant Speed: The versatility of “Eaten by Spiders” is further enhanced by its instant speed, enabling players to respond to threats or actions at a moment’s notice. This allows for greater tactical decision-making, keeping the opponent guessing and potentially baiting them into unfavorable attacks or plays.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The utility of Eaten by Spiders can be somewhat hampered in gameplay situations that require tight hand management. Having to part with another card in your hand can be a notable drawback, especially when facing a strategy that already puts your resources to the test.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting Eaten by Spiders demands a commitment to green mana within your deck construction. This can potentially restrict deck versatility and necessitate a more color-focused mana base, which might not synergize well with multicolor strategies or decks that require a flexible mana arrangement.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In the current game meta, Eaten by Spiders comes with a mana cost that is considered high for its effect. There are alternatives in the MTG card pool that could deal with threats at a lower cost or offer an immediate board impact, providing players with more tempo-efficient solutions.


Reasons to Include Eaten by Spiders in Your Collection

Versatility: Eaten by Spiders provides a unique form of removal that is well-suited for metas heavy on flying creatures. It’s a handy card to have in green decks that often struggle with removing problematic fliers efficiently.

Combo Potential: This instant not only removes an offending creature with flying but can often leave behind several spider tokens. These tokens can then synergize with decks focusing on token generation or those that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: With many decks featuring potent fliers, Eaten by Spiders can be a disruptive sideboard choice. It can swing games in creature-heavy matchups, making it a strategic inclusion against certain popular decks.


How to beat

Eaten by Spiders is a unique instant spell that Magic the Gathering players may find challenging to fend off, particularly when it targets creatures with a high number of equipped artifacts or enchantments. Its power lies in its ability to destroy the target creature and then create a number of 1/2 green Spider creature tokens with reach equal to the number of those auras and equipment attached to the destroyed creature. This spell can turn your own enhancements against you, leaving you facing an army of arachnids while losing a crucial creature.

To strategize effectively against Eaten by Spiders, it’s essential to manage your enchantments and artifacts judiciously. Refrain from overloading a single creature, which could become a tempting target for this card. A diverse battlefield presence minimizes the impact of losing any singularly equipped creature. Additionally, keeping counter spells ready or employing indestructible creatures can prevent the untimely demise of your valued creature. Employing these tactics, players can mitigate the threat posed by Eaten by Spiders, ensuring their creatures survive to spin a victorious web of their own.


Cards like Eaten by Spiders

Exploring the realm of removal options in MTG presents us with Eaten by Spiders, a niche card specifically targeting creatures with Flying. When comparing it to something like Plummet, which is another kill spell for creatures with Flying, Eaten by Spiders takes an interesting twist by potentially providing a variable number of Spider tokens based on the power of the destroyed creature. This added layer can offer a defensive benefit beyond the immediate removal of a threat.

Arachnogenesis is another card that captures the same arachnid theme and provides defensive tokens. Unlike Eaten by Spiders, it doesn’t destroy a creature but, instead, it creates a Spider token for each creature that attacks you this turn. It also prevents all combat damage that would be dealt this turn, offering a surprise element during combat. While Eaten by Spiders focuses on targeted removal, Arachnogenesis leans more towards comprehensive board protection.

Considering these elements, Eaten by Spiders presents a unique choice for players seeking targeted creature removal with a side of token generation. Its ability to turn a disadvantage into an opportunity for board presence makes it a spell that can swing the momentum in a player’s favor. While its use-case may be narrower than some of its counterparts, its potential for creating multiple blockers can be a game-changer in the right situation.

Plummet - MTG Card versions
Arachnogenesis - MTG Card versions
Plummet - Archenemy (ARC)
Arachnogenesis - Commander 2015 (C15)

Cards similar to Eaten by Spiders by color, type and mana cost

Foxfire - MTG Card versions
Verdigris - MTG Card versions
Team Spirit - MTG Card versions
Refresh - MTG Card versions
Vivify - MTG Card versions
Primal Boost - MTG Card versions
Sprouting Vines - MTG Card versions
Natural Affinity - MTG Card versions
Ferocious Charge - MTG Card versions
Graphic Violence - MTG Card versions
Remodel - MTG Card versions
Roar of Jukai - MTG Card versions
Rending Vines - MTG Card versions
Early Harvest - MTG Card versions
Hail Storm - MTG Card versions
Wildsize - MTG Card versions
Invigorate - MTG Card versions
Harrow - MTG Card versions
Pistus Strike - MTG Card versions
Hunter's Insight - MTG Card versions
Foxfire - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Verdigris - Tempest Remastered (TPR)
Team Spirit - Unglued (UGL)
Refresh - Odyssey (ODY)
Vivify - Odyssey (ODY)
Primal Boost - Onslaught (ONS)
Sprouting Vines - Scourge (SCG)
Natural Affinity - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Ferocious Charge - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Graphic Violence - Unhinged (UNH)
Remodel - Unhinged (UNH)
Roar of Jukai - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Rending Vines - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Early Harvest - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Hail Storm - Time Spiral Timeshifted (TSB)
Wildsize - Commander Legends (CMR)
Invigorate - Game Night: Free-for-All (GN3)
Harrow - Warhammer 40,000 Commander (40K)
Pistus Strike - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)
Hunter's Insight - Commander Masters (CMM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Eaten by Spiders MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored, 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 Eaten by Spiders and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Eaten by Spiders has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

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