Festering Newt MTG Card
2013-07-19 - Number 98
2017-11-17 - Number 90
2019-11-07 - Number 659
2020-07-17 - Number 234
2020-09-26 - Number IMA-90
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Salamander |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
When Festering Newt dies, target creature an opponent controls gets -1/-1 until end of turn. That creature gets -4/-4 instead if you control a creature named Bogbrew Witch.
Its back bubbles like a witch's cauldron, and it smells just as vile.
Cards like Festering Newt
Festering Newt is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering, sharing some likenesses with other low-cost creatures. It’s akin to cards like Typhoid Rats for its ability to punch above its weight, although the Newt shines through its synergy with Bogbrew Witch and Bubbling Cauldron. Unlike Typhoid Rats, Festering Newt serves a larger plan beyond the early attack and defense strategies.
Comparatively, Festering Goblin is another card that offers utility upon leaving the battlefield. While costing the same mana, the Goblin can directly weaken an opponent’s creature. Still, Festering Newt’s potential impact on life totals, given the right combinations, can be more significant. Another relative is Alchemist’s Apprentice, a creature that can be sacrificed for immediate card draw, whereas the Newt builds towards a more devastating effect over time.
In essence, Festering Newt may appear humble when considered alongside other one-mana creatures, yet it carves a niche in dedicated decks that can exploit its death-triggered abilities. Ultimately, its value in MTG goes beyond its stats, lying in the strategic depth it offers within synergistic deck builds.
Cards similar to Festering Newt by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Festering Newt can be part of a synergy that lets you exchange it for significant value. When paired with cards like Bogbrew Witch and Bubbling Cauldron, you can create a combo that provides multiple advantages, squeezing out more power from a single card than what’s initially evident on the surface.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly contributing to mana acceleration, Festering Newt aids in resource acceleration by potentially clearing the board when it dies. This can indirectly ramp up your game plan by reducing the need for additional resource investment to deal with opponents’ threats.
Instant Speed: While Festering Newt itself is a creature that doesn’t operate at instant speed, its death trigger can be utilized during any phase of the game. This means you can strategically plan your moves and potentially disrupt your opponent’s plays by timing the sacrifice of Festering Newt when it’s most beneficial, such as in response to an attack or key spell.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Festering Newt may feel less potent in a vacuum. Without its synergistic partners, Bogbrew Witch and Bubbling Cauldron, its impact on the game can be minimal, and holding onto it until you can assemble the combo may feel like a hindrance.
Specific Mana Cost: The Newt requires black mana, which restricts it to certain deck types. This limitation can be a drawback for players looking to include it in multicolored decks that might not focus on black mana or have ample mana fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While it only costs a single black mana, in the scope of one-drop creatures in MTG, Festering Newt’s power and toughness are outmatched. More aggressive alternatives are available that can exert immediate pressure or offer higher utility at the same cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Festering Newt offers utility in various deck builds, serving as an early blocker or as fodder for sacrificial mechanics, which are prevalent in black-themed decks or those focused on creature recursion.
Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with Bogbrew Witch and Bubbling Cauldron, creating a synergy that can disrupt opponents and provide a recurring cycle of life gain, creature removal, and board presence.
Meta-Relevance: As the meta ebbs and flows, Festering Newt holds its ground in environments heavy with creature-based strategies, acting as a deterrent to aggressive plays with its death-triggered abilities that can weaken opponent creatures.
How to beat
The Festering Newt may seem unassuming in the world of Magic: The Gathering, but it can be quite the thorn in your side if paired with the right synergies. It’s vital to know the best strategies to prevent this pest from unleashing its full potential during a duel. Focus on removing key combo pieces like the Bogbrew Witch or the Bubbling Cauldron which significantly enhance the value of Festering Newt and can turn a simple creature into a recurring threat.
Counterspells can nip the problem in the bud by preventing your opponent from casting their key pieces altogether. Efficient removal spells are also great for dealing with Festering Newt before it becomes a sacrifice fodder for bigger effects. Moreover, take advantage of graveyard disruption cards to stop any attempt of reanimation or recursion that could bring back the Festering Newt for another round. By strategically dismantling the synergies, you can ensure the Newt remains just a minor nuisance rather than a catalyst for your opponent’s victory.
Beyond direct interaction, focus on building a board presence quickly. The Newt struggles against early pressure as it does not favourably block most creatures. By asserting an early game advantage, you can often race against the incremental value that a Festering Newt combo strives to create.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Festering Newt MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2014 and Iconic Masters, 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 Newt 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 Newt Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2013-07-19 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Eric Deschamps.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2013-07-19 | Magic 2014 | M14 | 98 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps | |
| 2 | 2017-11-17 | Iconic Masters | IMA | 90 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 659 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps | |
| 4 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 234 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | IMA-90 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Festering Newt 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 |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Festering Newt card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-11-17 | Whether you control a creature named Bogbrew Witch is checked only as the triggered ability resolves. How the target creature is affected won’t change if you gain or lose control of all your Bogbrew Witches later in the turn. |