Cystbearer MTG Card

Cystbearer benefits gameplay by potentially shortening games with its infect ability. Opponents may over-allocate resources to counteract Cystbearer’s presence. Synergy with instant-speed spells amplifies Cystbearer’s threat level.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Phyrexian Beast
Abilities	Infect
Released	2010-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Scars of Mirrodin
Set code	SOM
Power	2
Toughness	3
Number	117
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Kev Walker

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.)

Phyrexia strives to simulate natural life, but it can't resist improving on the design.

Cards like Cystbearer

Cystbearer stands out in the crowded field of creatures with infect in Magic: The Gathering. Comparable to cards like Blight Mamba, it offers the potent infect ability, which deals damage in the form of -1/-1 counters to creatures and poison counters to players. What makes Cystbearer unique is its sturdy 3/3 body, capable of withstanding damage that would eliminate weaker infect creatures like Ichorclaw Myr, which has only 1/1.

Blightwidow is another analogous creature that shares the infect trait with Cystbearer, but also features reach, giving it an edge against flying opponents. Despite the similarities, Cystbearer’s lower converted mana cost gives it an advantage in terms of tempo, allowing you to apply pressure earlier in the game. Putrefax, with its haste and larger power, might be a finisher in comparison to Cystbearer’s more methodical approach, yet Cystbearer’s staying power can be a more consistent threat over several turns.

Assessing the infect creature landscape in Magic: The Gathering, Cystbearer earns its place by merging resilience with cost-effectiveness, making it a reliable choice for decks that aim to spread poison counters efficiently.

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cystbearer may not directly let you draw cards, but its infect ability can potentially reduce the number of turns needed to win, indirectly allowing you to conserve cards in hand. This could be seen as a form of card economy, where the cards you have become more effective.

Resource Acceleration: While Cystbearer doesn’t accelerate resources in the traditional sense, it places pressure on your opponent to deal with it swiftly. This can lead to a resource advantage as your opponent may need to use more resources to handle this threat, leaving you ahead.

Instant Speed: Although Cystbearer itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it synergizes well with other cards that do. For example, being able to protect it with instant-speed spells or buffs during combat can turn it into an even more formidable threat, catching opponents off-guard.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although not specific to Cystbearer, some players may find the discard requirement for similar infect creatures a drawback, lessening their hand advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Cystbearer demands green mana, which might not blend into every deck archetype, especially for those not running a mono-green or compatible multicolor strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including two greens, Cystbearer may show up a tad too late in games where speed is of the essence, especially given that many efficient creatures in the infect category come at a lower cost.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Cystbearer can serve as a staple in any green deck focused on proliferating counters, owing to its capability to consistently place +1/+1 counters on itself or other creatures.

Combo Potential: When partnered with cards that benefit from, or add to, the proliferation of counters, Cystbearer can become part of potent combinations that amplify its infect damage capability, potentially leading to faster victories.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where infect strategies are viable, Cystbearer provides a reliable threat, synergizing well with buffs and other infect creatures to apply consistent pressure on opponents.

How to Beat

Cystbearer is known in the MTG community for its infect ability, presenting a unique challenge in games. Infect allows Cystbearer to deal damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players as poison counters. Gathering ten poison counters is an alternate win condition that players need to be cautious about when facing this card.

When strategizing against Cystbearer, it’s crucial to have removal spells handy. Instant-speed removal such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push can effectively get rid of Cystbearer before it can become a major threat. Don’t underestimate the power of board wipes like Wrath of God either; they can clear out Cystbearer along with other menacing creatures your opponent controls. Given its reliance on the poison counter mechanic, any effect that grants you hexproof like Leyline of Sanctity can also be invaluable, as it prevents you from receiving poison counters directly.

It is essential for players to neutralize Cystbearer swiftly to prevent the accumulation of poison counters. Thoughtful deck building and the right removal can maintain the tempo of your game, keep threats at bay, and steer you clear of those perilous poison counters Cystbearer is eager to distribute.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cystbearer MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin, 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 Cystbearer and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cystbearer has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2011-01-01	A player who has ten or more poison counters loses the game. This is a state-based action.
2011-01-01	Damage from a source with infect affects planeswalkers normally.
2011-01-01	Damage from a source with infect is damage in all respects. If the source with infect also has lifelink, damage dealt by that source also causes its controller to gain that much life. Damage from a source with infect can be prevented or redirected. Abilities that trigger on damage being dealt will trigger if a source with infect deals damage, if appropriate.
2011-01-01	If damage from a source with infect that would be dealt to a player is prevented, that player doesn’t get poison counters. If damage from a source with infect that would be dealt to a creature is prevented, that creature doesn’t get -1/-1 counters.
2011-01-01	Infect’s effect applies to any damage, not just combat damage.
2011-01-01	The -1/-1 counters remain on the creature indefinitely. They’re not removed if the creature regenerates or the turn ends.