Festering Mummy MTG Card
2017-04-28 - Number 91
2020-08-13 - Number 105
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Zombie |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
When Festering Mummy dies, you may put a -1/-1 counter on target creature.
As its parched flesh withers away, its malignant hunger grows.
Cards like Festering Mummy
Festering Mummy is a nuanced player in the realm of one-drop creatures in MTG. It’s often linked to cards like Serrated Scorpion and Festering Goblin. Each of these cards offers something upon death – a last gasp effect that can influence the board. Festering Mummy allows you to put a -1/-1 counter on a target creature when it dies, potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategy by weakening their creatures. In contrast, Serrated Scorpion provides a direct life total swing, dealing damage to an opponent and granting you life upon its demise.
Looking at Festering Goblin, it shares a similar death-triggered ability with our mummy friend, but it only gives a creature -1/-1 until end of turn. This fleeting impact makes Festering Mummy a more persistent threat, as its effect can permanently alter the fate of its targeted creature. Despite the similarities, the type of impact and the archetype of deck they fit into can vary greatly, making Festering Mummy a unique and valuable piece, especially in decks leveraging -1/-1 counter synergies.
Through this lens, Festering Mummy stands out as a versatile component in MTG, capable of subtly swaying the match in your favor with its lasting board presence and strategic death-triggered ability.
Cards similar to Festering Mummy by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Festering Mummy. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono- Black Zombies | Pauper | Monthly Tournament #38 @ Paper Pauper Magic Discord | |
 | Mono-Black Tempo | Pauper | BLUE - SAT - 1PM - Chicago Pauper Cup |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Festering Mummy comes with a built-in way to trade with an opponent’s creature, which can be a form of card advantage. When it dies, you can place a -1/-1 counter on another creature, potentially eliminating a threat without using an additional card.
Resource Acceleration: While the Festering Mummy itself doesn’t directly provide mana acceleration, its presence can contribute to strategies centered around sacrifice and recursion, indirectly accelerating resources through undying or persist mechanics.
Instant Speed: Although Festering Mummy doesn’t operate at instant speed, its triggered ability when it dies works on a similar surprise factor. It allows you to disrupt your opponent’s strategy during their turn, acting at a pace that can mimic the advantages of instant speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Festering Mummy does not prompt an immediate discard, but it demands strategic sacrifice to capitalize on its unearthed potential. Should it leave the battlefield, its demise forces the allocation of a -1/-1 counter, a cost that requires thoughtful play to ensure this drawback morphs into a competitive edge.
Specific Mana Cost: As a creature fixated in the black mana realm, Festering Mummy necessitates a specific mana alignment. This can be restrictive, tethering it closely to decks steeped in black mana spells or those able to generate various colors with ease.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at a single black mana, Festering Mummy’s cost may appear negligible. However, in a game where every mana point is pivotal, its 1/1 stats juxtaposed against other one-mana alternatives can sometimes seem underwhelming. Players might lean towards creatures that bring immediate board impact or provide a greater threat to opponents.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Festering Mummy is a solid addition to any deck focusing on counter manipulation or sacrifice triggers. Its ability places a -1/-1 counter on a creature, making it a functional tool for dealing with indestructible or regeneration abilities.
Combo Potential: This creature can be the linchpin in combos surrounding -1/-1 counters. Pair it with proliferate mechanisms or with cards that have synergy with creatures dying, and it can become a recurring threat or a resource for powering up other creatures and strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where small creatures are abundant, Festering Mummy’s death trigger can upset the balance of the board, making it a useful card against aggro and token strategies. Additionally, its low casting cost allows for early gameplay impact and strategic planning for the turns ahead.
How to beat Festering Mummy
Festering Mummy is an interesting utility creature in Magic: The Gathering that provides strategic depth in the early game phases. As a black Zombie creature, it fits seamlessly into decks centered around undead synergies; however, its real power lies in its ability to leave an impact on the battlefield, even after death. When Festering Mummy dies, it can place a -1/-1 counter on a target creature an opponent controls.
Defeating Festering Mummy is about minimizing its death-trigger effect. Prioritizing removal spells that exile instead of destroy keeps the mummy from triggering its ability. Instant-speed spells like Path to Exile or combat tricks that can negatively affect the mummy’s combat presence can deter an opponent from blocking or attacking, further mitigating its impact.
Moreover, focusing on building a board presence with creatures that have more than one toughness can withstand the -1/-1 counter, ensuring that the demise of Festering Mummy isn’t as impactful. By considering these strategies, you can reduce the effectiveness of Festering Mummy and maintain control of the board state.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Festering Mummy MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Amonkhet Remastered, 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 Festering Mummy 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
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Printings
The Festering Mummy Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Christopher Burdett.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet | AKH | 91 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christopher Burdett | |
| 2 | 2020-08-13 | Amonkhet Remastered | AKR | 105 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christopher Burdett |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Festering Mummy has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |