Blistergrub MTG Card
2010-10-01 - Number 56
2016-09-02 - Number 40
2019-11-07 - Number 580
2020-09-26 - Number DDR-40
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Phyrexian Horror |
| Abilities | Swampwalk |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Swampwalk When Blistergrub is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, each opponent loses 2 life.
"The sooner you join Phyrexia, the sooner you'll forget your painful rebirth." —Sheoldred, Whispering One
Cards like Blistergrub
Blistergrub holds its own within the cohort of creature cards that command an impact when they leave the battlefield. Likened to cards such as Black Cat and Festering Newt, Blistergrub steps up its game by delivering a hit to each opponent’s life total when it dies, a trait these other creatures lack. Where Black Cat may cause an opponent to discard a card at random upon death, Blistergrub swoops in with a guaranteed loss of life that scales with the number of adversaries.
Moreover, creatures like Slum Reaper present a more universal effect, causing all players to sacrifice a creature upon entering the battlefield, not only when it dies. This trait, while powerful, does not target opponents’ life totals as directly as Blistergrub’s ability. Abyssal Gatekeeper is another card that features a similar ‘upon death’ effect; however, it forces each player to sacrifice a creature, unlike Blistergrub which is focused on depleting life totals.
In essence, when comparing Blistergrub to other creatures within Magic: The Gathering that affect the game from the graveyard, its strength lies in its targeted approach to reduce opponents’ life rather than disrupting hand or board presence.
Cards similar to Blistergrub by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Blistergrub creates a shift in board presence when it dies by forcing each opponent to lose 2 life, indirectly presenting a card advantage. The loss of life can be especially beneficial in multiplayer formats, where Blistergrub’s effect scales with the number of opponents.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or acceleration, Blistergrub’s synergies within a black mana deck can indirectly lead to resource acceleration. It fits into strategies that benefit from creature deaths, potentially unlocking mana abilities from other cards or contributing to the threshold for powerful graveyard-based effects.
Instant Speed: Although Blistergrub itself isn’t an instant, it is a key component in decks that can capitalize off its death trigger. The card can be sacrificed at instant speed with various MTG sacrificing outlets, allowing for strategic plays and interactions during an opponent’s turn or at the end of their turn for surprise life loss, potentially swaying the game in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Blistergrub’s presence in your deck doesn’t directly necessitate discarding cards, but its strength in a graveyard-centric strategy often requires synergistic discard outlets. This can be problematic if those outlets are not in play or in hand when needed.
Specific Mana Cost: Blistergrub demands two black mana within its total cost, restricting it largely to mono-black or black-heavy decks and often excluding it from multicolored strategies where mana flexibility is crucial.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana for a creature that provides a relatively common effect—life loss upon death—Blistergrub can be viewed as a costly investment. In competitive formats where mana efficiency is key, there may be hesitation in choosing this card over others with lower costs or more impactful abilities.
Reasons to Include Blistergrub in Your Collection
Versatility: Blistergrub is a creature that proves efficient in a variety of decks, especially those built around black mana strategies. Its ability to impact the board on both presence and departure makes it a flexible addition.
Combo Potential: When Blistergrub leaves the battlefield, it causes each opponent to lose 2 life, slotting in neatly with life-drain mechanics. This synergizes well with strategies that focus on sacrificing creatures for greater benefits.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based decks are common, Blistergrub can serve as an insurance against board wipes or as a way to chip away at an opponent’s life total, making it a relevant choice for certain meta games.
How to beat
Blistergrub’s presence in the MTG realm features a hallmark ability that can influence the tide of a game, particularly in matches focusing on black mana. As a creature that thrives in a graveyard-centric strategy, this sinister insect benefits from being sent to the graveyard, dealing damage to each opponent as it dies. This capability makes it a subtle but notable threat in a deck built around similar synergies.
Overcoming a Blistergrub starts with an understanding of its strengths. Acting preemptively to exile it from the game rather than letting it hit the graveyard is an effective tactic. Utilizing spells like Scavenging Ooze or Relic of Progenitus to remove it from play can neutralize its impact. Furthermore, countering strategies that capitalize on sacrificing creatures or self-mill will invariably diminish the potency of Blistergrub and similar cards.
While there are numerous approaches to disrupt a Blistergrub strategy, recognizing its role in the broader context of an opponent’s strategy is key. By addressing those synergies and utilizing graveyard disruption tools judiciously, you can negate the leverage Blistergrub may otherwise provide and pave the way for a clearer path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Blistergrub MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin and Duel Decks: Nissa vs. Ob Nixilis, 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 Blistergrub 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 Blistergrub Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2010-10-01 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Daarken.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-10-01 | Scars of Mirrodin | SOM | 56 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Daarken | |
| 2 | 2016-09-02 | Duel Decks: Nissa vs. Ob Nixilis | DDR | 40 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 580 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | DDR-40 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Blistergrub has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |