Genestealer Patriarch MTG Card


Genestealer Patriarch enhances card draw, bolstering hand size and gameplay strategy options. It accelerates resources, potentially speeding up strategy execution and board control. Patriarch’s synergy with instant-speed spells adds a tactical edge and surprise factor.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Tyranid
Abilities Children of the Cult,Genestealer's Kiss
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

Genestealer's Kiss — Whenever Genestealer Patriarch attacks, put an infection counter on target creature defending player controls. Children of the Cult — Whenever a creature with an infection counter on it dies, you create a token that's a copy of that creature, except it's a Tyranid in addition to its other types.


Cards like Genestealer Patriarch

The Genestealer Patriarch stands as a unique figure in the MTG universe. Its distinct features resonate with those of other formidable creatures in the game. Take for instance the Sedge Sliver, which also provides beneficial effects to its fellow Slivers by granting them a toughness boost and regeneration. The Patriarch’s ability to empower its brood is reminiscent of this, though it belongs to a different tribe altogether.

Moreover, there’s the Goblin Chieftain, a card that gives other Goblins you control a notable increase in speed and power. In parallel, the Genestealer Patriarch lends its strength to affiliated creatures, augmenting the intensity of your creature assaults. However, unlike the Goblin Chieftain, the Patriarch also offers protection to specific creature types, ensuring their survival against certain removal spells.

When delving into the tapestry of MTG cards, the Genestealer Patriarch finds its niche. It not only amplifies the lethality of your creatures but shields them in battle, making it a card that could shape the battlefield and turn the tide in creature-heavy decks.

Sedge Sliver - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chieftain - MTG Card versions
Sedge Sliver - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chieftain - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Genestealer Patriarch by color, type and mana cost

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Water Elemental - MTG Card versions
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Sandbar Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Pirate Ship - MTG Card versions
Segovian Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Sun Ce, Young Conquerer - MTG Card versions
Mawcor - MTG Card versions
Timin, Youthful Geist - MTG Card versions
Geology Enthusiast - MTG Card versions
Coastal Hornclaw - MTG Card versions
Meloku the Clouded Mirror - MTG Card versions
Azami, Lady of Scrolls - MTG Card versions
Cloudhoof Kirin - MTG Card versions
Drelnoch - MTG Card versions
Adarkar Windform - MTG Card versions
Infiltrator il-Kor - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Genestealer Patriarch card provides a significant boost to your hand by introducing powerful card draw mechanics. This allows players to pull from their deck more frequently, thus offering a way to outpace an opponent by sheer volume of available options.

Resource Acceleration: This imposing figure on the battlefield can also contribute to your resource management. With abilities that might allow the generation of additional tokens or mana, players could potentially deploy their strategies faster than their opponents, creating a more dynamic and potentially overwhelming presence.

Instant Speed: While typically not an instant itself, the Genestealer Patriarch may interact favorably with other instant-speed spells and effects. The interplay between this card and instant capabilities within your deck can offer strategic depth and surprise maneuvers that could turn the tide of the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the hurdles with the Genestealer Patriarch card is that it necessitates discarding one of your other cards. This can be particularly taxing when your hand is already running low, forcing you to make difficult decisions about which resources to sacrifice.

Specific Mana Cost: The card’s effectiveness is also tied to a specific mana cost which includes both colorless and colored mana. Its precise requirement can hinder its inclusion in a deck, especially those that are not tailored to its color scheme, making it less flexible for players who run a multicolored deck.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost to summon the Genestealer Patriarch is significant. For the mana investment required, players might find that other cards could offer more impactful effects or better synergy with the rest of the deck, potentially leading to more dynamic and cost-effective strategies.


Reasons to Include Genestealer Patriarch MTG Card in Your Collection

Versatility: The Genestealer Patriarch card offers multifaceted utility in gameplay, adeptly sliding into commander decks that capitalize on its tribal synergies as well as those seeking a robust late-game threat.

Combo Potential: Leveraging the Genestealer Patriarch’s abilities can catalyze an array of combo plays, particularly in decks that unfold around Warhammer 40k themes or those emphasizing creature type interactions.

Meta-Relevance: As the metagame ebbs and flows, the Genestealer Patriarch remains pertinent by providing a commanding presence on the battlefield that can tilt the scales in creature-centric or control matchups.


How to beat

Defeating a Genestealer Patriarch can be a true test for MTG players, given its potential to dominate the board with its formidable abilities. The key to victory lies in timing and efficient removal. The use of instant-speed removal spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can be effective, as they disrupt the play before the Patriarch gets a chance to exert its influence. Additionally, employing exile effects can counter its possible recursion from the graveyard, as cards like Rest in Peace can prevent graveyard strategies from being a concern. For those running counterspell strategies, being proactive is essential. Counters like Cancel or Mana Leak can prevent the Patriarch from ever hitting the board. Moreover, don’t underestimate the power of board wipes; a well-placed Wrath of God can clear the way for your victory. It’s all about strategy and resource management—timing your removals and counters to ensure the Genestealer Patriarch can’t rally its forces against you.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Genestealer Patriarch MTG card by a specific set like Warhammer 40,000 Commander and Warhammer 40,000 Commander, 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 Genestealer Patriarch and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Genestealer Patriarch Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-10-07 and 2022-10-07. Illustrated by Games Workshop.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 22★2015NormalBlackGames Workshop
22022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 222015NormalBlackGames Workshop

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Genestealer Patriarch has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-10-07 Any enters-the-battlefield abilities of the copied creature will trigger when the token enters the battlefield. Any “as
-his creature] enters the battlefield” or “
-his creature] enters the battlefield with” abilities of the creature will also work.
2022-10-07 If the copied creature had in its mana cost, X is 0.
2022-10-07 If the copied creature was copying something else, then the token enters the battlefield as whatever that creature copied.
2022-10-07 If you control more than one Genestealer Patriarch as a creature with an infection counter on it dies, each one’s ability will trigger, and you will make two tokens that are copies of it.
2022-10-07 The token copies exactly what was printed on the original creature and nothing else (unless that creature is copying something else; see below). It doesn’t copy whether that creature was tapped or untapped, whether it had any counters on it or Auras or Equipment attached to it, or any non-copy effects that had changed its power, toughness, types, color, or so on.
2022-10-07 The token copies the creature as it last existed on the battlefield before it died, not as it exists in the graveyard.