Blighted Agent MTG Card
2011-05-13 - Number 29
2020-03-08 - Number 20
2019-12-02 - Number 1203
2020-09-26 - Number NPH-29
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Phyrexian Human Rogue |
| Abilities | Infect |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Infect (This creature deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters.) Blighted Agent is unblockable.
"Urabrask may suspect our surveillance, but he cannot stop it." —Avaricta, Gitaxian sective
Cards like Blighted Agent
Blighted Agent is a unique player in the landscape of creature-based strategies within Magic: The Gathering, standing out primarily for its ability to end games swiftly through poison counters. Its closest kin are other infect creatures like Glistener Elf, which also offers the infect ability but with the benefit of a lower mana cost. However, Blighted Agent brings the added tactical advantage of being unblockable, ensuring its damage is not easily thwarted by an opponent’s creatures.
Another relative is Plague Stinger, striking a balance in terms of cost-effectiveness and impact on the board with both flying and infect. However, the evasion provided by Blighted Agent’s unblockability usually proves more dependable in navigating past blockers. Then there’s Phyrexian Crusader, which costs more mana but comes equipped with infect, protection from white and red, and a sturdy body. It imposes a greater threat but lacks the low mana efficiency and unblockable nature of Blighted Agent.
In the realm of infect creatures, Blighted Agent is a strong choice for its stealthy damage delivery and the psychological pressure it applies. Its place in MTG is well-earned, with a blend of affordability, evasion, and niche role in depleting an opponent’s life through poison counters.
Cards similar to Blighted Agent by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Blighted Agent. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Infect | Legacy | Infect | Legacy League 2024-03-14 |
 | Bant Infect | Legacy | Infect | $5K - Legacy - SCG CON Philadelphia - Sunday - 9:30 am |
 | Five-color Aggro | Modern | $10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Saturday - 9:00 am (Gold) | |
| Simic Infect | Legacy | Infect | $5K - Legacy - SCG CON Philadelphia - Sunday - 9:30 am |
| Simic Aggro | Legacy | Infect | $5K - Legacy - SCG CON Philadelphia - Sunday - 9:30 am |
 | Sultai Infect | Modern | Infect | $10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Philadelphia - Saturday - 9:00 am |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Blighted Agent is a powerhouse in any deck that focuses on increasing the number of cards that manipulate or interact with poison counters. Its infect ability ensures that damage is dealt in the form of these counters, which can be harder for opponents to remove than regular damage, thereby maintaining pressure and leading to an advantageous board state.
Resource Acceleration: Since Blighted Agent requires only two mana to play, it allows for an efficient use of resources early in the game. This can accelerate a player’s resource curve, enabling them to allocate mana to other spells sooner than expected, potentially tipping the scales in their favor.
Instant Speed: While Blighted Agent itself is not an instant, it synergizes exceptionally well with spells of this speed. The ability to protect the Agent using instant-speed tricks or buffs can catch an opponent off-guard, especially since it can attack without being blocked due to its unblockable trait. This creates a dynamic where the opponent must constantly remain cautious, preserving their resources to handle potential threats at instant speed.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Blighted Agent doesn’t have a discard ability, but any deck utilizing it will need hands full of protection spells, potentially leading to difficult discard decisions late game when you are trying to maintain an offensive posture.
Specific Mana Cost: Blighted Agent requires both blue mana and generic mana, which means it’s constrained to decks that can provide a blue mana source. This limits deck building flexibility compared to those cards with generic mana costs only.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Blighted Agent’s mana cost isn’t excessively high on its own, at two mana—1 blue and 1 generic. However, considering it’s a 1/1 creature with no inherent protection, you may end up investing more resources to keep it on the battlefield compared to other options with greater survivability or impact.
Reasons to Include Blighted Agent in Your Collection
Versatility: Blighted Agent is a flexible addition to any deck that relies on infect or unblockable creatures. Its inherent ability to be unblockable makes it a consistent threat in various playing environments and allows it to fit seamlessly into both aggressive and control-oriented blue decks.
Combo Potential: This card shines in combo strategies that capitalize on increasing poison counters quickly. Pairing Blighted Agent with pump spells or proliferate mechanics can lead to a swift victory, showcasing its remarkable synergy with other cards that enhance or utilize poison counters.
Meta-Relevance: In metas where creature-based strategies dominate, Blighted Agent bypasses traditional defenses by dealing damage in the form of poison counters. As such, it remains relevant, particularly in formats where infect strategies can thrive and where it’s crucial to slide past blockers and direct damage effects.
How to beat
Blighted Agent is a deceptively powerful card in the world of Magic: The Gathering. As an unblockable threat that deals infect damage, it poses a unique challenge, requiring a strategic approach to overcome. Unlike typical creatures that reduce life points, Blighted Agent aims to accumulate poison counters, hastening an opponent’s defeat.
To counter this stealthy assailant, having removal spells on hand is essential. Instant speed options like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can dispatch the Agent before it inflicts too much damage. Additionally, consider effects that prevent counter accumulation or spells that provide swift creature destruction or mass board wipes. Players should also employ disruption to prevent Blighted Agent from hitting the board in the first place, utilizing thoughtsieze-like effects or counterspells. Keeping a well-prepared defense against such underhanded tactics can ensure victory against this infectious adversary.
Ultimately, while facing a card like Blighted Agent can be a nerve-wracking experience, understanding its vulnerabilities and preparing your deck with the right countermeasures will transform this challenge into a winnable match. Remember, the key is to remain proactive and vigilant.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Blighted Agent MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia and Secret Lair Drop, 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 Blighted Agent and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Blighted Agent Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2011-05-13 and 2020-03-08. Illustrated by Anthony Francisco.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2011-05-13 | New Phyrexia | NPH | 29 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Anthony Francisco | |
| 2 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 1203 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anthony Francisco | ||
| 3 | 2020-03-08 | Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils | FMB1 | 20 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Anthony Francisco | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | NPH-29 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Anthony Francisco |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Blighted Agent has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |