Fungal Infection MTG Card
2018-04-27 - Number 94
2019-11-07 - Number 665
2022-12-02 - Number 416
2020-09-26 - Number DOM-94
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn. Create a 1/1 green Saproling creature token.
To thallids, the whole world is just a pile of mulch to grow saprolings in.
Cards like Fungal Infection
Fungal Infection is a utility spell in Magic: The Gathering that offers a blend of creature debuff and token generation. It bears some resemblance to cards like Moment of Craving, which provides a similar -2/-2 effect to a creature, in addition to giving the player an invaluable 2-life cushion. Moment of Craving, for instance, offers a lifeline in the form of life gain but forgoes the strategic advantage of spawning a 1/1 Saproling token that Fungal Infection promises.
Comparably, Dead Weight is another pertinent comparison. As an enchantment, it can continuously suppress a creature with a -2/-2 debuff, yet it lacks the immediacy and surprise that an instant like Fungal Infection can provide, especially significant during combat phases. Dead Weight, however, can be a more persistent problem for opponents relying on creatures buffed by counters or equipment since it doesn’t disappear after the turn ends.
Exploring these similar cards, it’s evident that Fungal Infection’s intricacies give it a niche within Magic: The Gathering. Its potential to impact the board by picking off smaller threats and concurrently adding to your army with a Saproling cannot be understated.
Cards similar to Fungal Infection by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Fungal Infection. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Golgari Gardens | Pauper | Golgari Gardens | Pauper Preliminary 2024-04-16 |
| Jund Gardens | Pauper | Golgari Gardens | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-05-10 |
| BG | Pauper | Pauper League 2024-04-15 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Fungal Infection doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it does provide a subtle form of card advantage by possibly taking out an opponent’s creature while giving you a creature token. This one-for-two exchange can tip the scales in your favor during the game.
Resource Acceleration: Fungal Infection doesn’t directly increase your resources in the form of mana or cards, but by creating a 1/1 Saproling token, it effectively accelerates your board presence without additional resource investment, making it a cost-effective play.
Instant Speed: Fungal Infection can be played at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond during your opponent’s turn. This surprise element can disrupt their strategy, especially if they’re counting on a particular creature to perform a critical play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Fungal Infection might not require a card to be discarded, but it does ask for precise timing and creature availability to be fully advantageous. If there are no suitable targets on the battlefield, it may sit idly in your hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a single black mana, this card fits neatly into mono-black or two-color decks but could be less accessible in a multicolored deck where mana flexibility is crucial.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While only costing a single mana, in the realm of instant-speed removal or trick spells, there are options that may provide greater versatility or impact for a similar cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Fungal Infection is a staple for black decks looking for a low-cost spell with multiple benefits. It can be played to weaken an opponent’s creature before combat or used defensively to create a surprise blocker, making it adaptable to various in-game situations.
Combo Potential: The card’s ability to create a Saproling token can synergize with strategies that leverage creature tokens. It pairs well with cards that benefit from creatures entering or dying, providing a subtle yet significant advantage in token-focused builds.
Meta-Relevance: In metas with a prevalence of aggro decks featuring low-toughness creatures, Fungal Infection shines. Its capacity to remove key one-toughness creatures and disrupt early momentum can be critical in maintaining board control.
How to beat
Fungal Infection is an intriguing spell in the realm of single-target removal within Magic: The Gathering. This instant offers more than just the ability to give a creature -1/-1 until end of turn; it also generates a 1/1 saproling creature token when it successfully diminishes a creature’s toughness to 0. This creates a defensive advantage, making it a versatile card in any deck that capitalizes on token generation or instant speed interaction.
Counteracting Fungal Infection revolves around understanding the spell’s timing and limitations. Its potency diminishes significantly against creatures with higher toughness. Bolstering your creatures’ toughness through enchantments or equipment can prevent them from falling victim to this removal strategy. Furthermore, the key to overcoming Fungal Infection’s effect lies in evaluating when to deploy your creature spells, being cautious not to walk into open mana that could indicate your opponent’s readiness to use such removal.
Protective spells that grant indestructible or hexproof until end of turn are also effective shields against Fungal Infection, ensuring that your key creatures survive through your opponent’s removal tactics, allowing you to maintain a firm grip on the game’s outcome.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Fungal Infection MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria and Mystery Booster, 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 Fungal Infection and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Fungal Infection Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Filip Burburan.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-04-27 | Dominaria | DOM | 94 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Filip Burburan | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 665 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Filip Burburan | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | DOM-94 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Filip Burburan | ||
| 4 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 416 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Filip Burburan |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Fungal Infection 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 |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Fungal Infection card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-04-27 | If the target creature is an illegal target by the time Fungal Infection tries to resolve, the spell doesn’t resolve. You won’t create a Saproling token. |
| 2018-04-27 | The target creature will be on the battlefield when you create the Saproling token, even if it’s about to die for having 0 toughness or lethal damage. Its abilities may affect the token’s creation or trigger when the token enters the battlefield. Abilities that trigger this way will resolve after the target creature has died. |