Germ MTG Card

Germ tokens can rapidly escalate board presence through synergistic equipment interactions for card advantage. Deploying germs requires careful mana management and may demand additional resources or discard costs. Countering germs effectively hinges on disrupting their crucial symbiosis with enhancing equipment.
Card setsReleased in 10 setsSee all
TypeToken Creature — Germ
Power 0
Toughness 0

Cards like Germ

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, the concept of tokens like the Germ card comes into play with intriguing consequences. Germ tokens are frequently associated with the Living Weapon mechanic, where they’re automatically equipped to Equipment artifacts that generate them. Take the card Batterskull as an example – it creates a 0/0 Germ token which immediately gets a boost from the equipment itself, becoming a formidable 4/4 lifelink creature.

Comparatively, cards like Khalni Garden produce a 0/1 Plant token upon entering the battlefield, serving as a basic defense without added abilities. Another relative is the Myrsmith, which allows players to create 1/1 Myr artifact creature tokens with a payoff for casting artifacts. Although these tokens differ in abilities and stats, they all emphasize the strategy of token generation and utilization on the battlefield.

While Germs are intrinsically reliant on their symbiotic relationship with Equipment, other tokens offer more standalone utility or are boosted by other synergies within their respective decks. Analyzing these dynamics provides insight into how Germ tokens fit into broader token strategies and player tactics in Magic: The Gathering.

Batterskull - MTG Card versions
Khalni Garden - MTG Card versions
Myrsmith - MTG Card versions
Batterskull - MTG Card versions
Khalni Garden - MTG Card versions
Myrsmith - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Germs in Magic the Gathering offer a unique form of card advantage through the creation of powerful equipment interactions. When paired with specific equipment cards, germs can generate virtual card advantage by creating formidable creatures out of what was previously just an artifact.

Resource Acceleration: A germ’s ability to attach to and utilize equipment can lead to significant resource acceleration. By effectively deploying a zero-cost creature that can immediately benefit from existing artifacts, players can conserve mana and other resources for further development of their board state.

Instant Speed: While germs themselves aren’t cast at instant speed, their synergy with instant-speed effects can be a tremendous asset. Many equipment cards have activated abilities that can be used at instant speed, allowing germ-equipped creatures to surprise opponents with sudden power boosts or other effects during combat or at the end of their turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When it comes to Germ cards, players often encounter the hurdle of additional discard costs. This can be particularly taxing when your hand is already dwindling, and surrendering more resources could tilt the game out of your favor.

Specific Mana Cost: Germ cards typically necessitate precise mana arrangement for summoning, which may not always align with your deck’s mana curve. This specificity in mana could hinder your ability to cast other spells seamlessly throughout the game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Germs, known for their potential to enhance game play, still come with a relatively steep mana investment. Players must weigh the benefits against other actions or cards that could offer similar or greater advantages with less of a mana strain, considering the tempo of the match and the deck’s overall strategy.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Germ cards have an inherently flexible nature due to their basic function as creature tokens. These tokens often synergize with various equipment cards, enabling them to adapt to different deck playstyles from aggressive beatdown to more controlled strategies.

Combo Potential: Germs’ ability to harness the power of attachable equipment like ‘Batterskull’ means that there is significant combo potential. They can become critical components in strategies that multiply their threat level, or that use their tokens to fuel sacrifice effects for larger gains.

Meta-Relevance: Given that equipment and creature tokens make recurring appearances in various MTG meta snapshots, having Germ cards in your collection ensures you have access to strategies that remain relevant and can surprise opponents in many metagame configurations.

How to beat

Germ cards in Magic: The Gathering present a unique challenge on the battlefield due to their method of generation, typically entering the play attached to powerful equipment tokens like Batterskull. To effectively counter these tokens, it’s crucial to interrupt the synergy between the Germ and its accompanying equipment. Targeted removal spells like Disenchant or Naturalize that can dismantle the equipment deprive the Germ token of its enhanced power and toughness, rendering it susceptible to any kind of damage.

Alternatively, creature removal spells such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile can dispose of the Germ directly and are particularly efficient if deployed before the Germ becomes a larger threat. It’s also worth considering strategies that bypass the Germ entirely, such as flying or unblockable creatures, to pressure your opponent and maintain pace within the game. Board wipes, including Supreme Verdict or Wrath of God, serve as a last resort, effectively resetting the board and neutralizing the immediate threat posed by Germ tokens.

Understanding when and how to dismantle the equipment-Germ connection is key, ensuring that these tokens do not overwhelm you with their potential for rapid growth. By prioritizing the disruption of this combo, you can maintain control and apply pressure, a critical component in overcoming the challenge posed by Germ cards in the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Germ MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin Besieged and Commander 2014, 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 Germ and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Germ Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 2011-02-04 and 2020-09-25. Illustrated by Igor Kieryluk.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-02-04Mirrodin BesiegedMBS 12003TokenBlackIgor Kieryluk
22014-11-07Commander 2014C14 142015TokenBlackIgor Kieryluk
32015-05-22Modern Masters 2015MM2 72015TokenBlackIgor Kieryluk
42015-11-13Commander 2015C15 72015TokenBlackIgor Kieryluk
52016-11-11Commander 2016C16 102015TokenBlackIgor Kieryluk
62016-11-25Planechase AnthologyPCA 72015TokenBlackIgor Kieryluk
72017-06-09Commander AnthologyCMA 42015TokenBlackIgor Kieryluk
82018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 62015TokenBlackIgor Kieryluk
92020-08-07Double Masters2XM 102015TokenBlackIgor Kieryluk
102020-09-25Zendikar Rising CommanderZNC 42015TokenBlackIgor Kieryluk