Infernal Pet MTG Card

Increases board influence through cumulative power, pressuring opponents when casting multiple spells each turn. Discard cost and specific mana needs could limit hand resources and deck versatility, affecting strategic diversity. Versatility and growth make Infernal Pet a formidable force in spell-heavy decks within aggressive metagames.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Imp
Released	2021-02-05
Set symbol
Set name	Kaldheim
Set code	KHM
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	99
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	YW Tang

Text of card

Whenever you cast your second spell each turn, put a +1/+1 counter on Infernal Pet and it gains flying until end of turn.

"Here, my pet. Another little light for you to snuff out." —Kzarakh, Immersturm gamekeeper

Cards like Infernal Pet

Infernal Pet is a unique creature card in the pantheon of MTG, offering players a blend of growth potential and consistent offense. When held up against peers like Bloodthirsty Aerialist, similarities emerge in their ability to become stronger through other game actions. Both cards capitalize on the strategy of incrementally bolstering their power. Bloodthirsty Aerialist gains a +1/+1 counter each time you gain life, while Infernal Pet requires you to cast a second spell in a turn to receive its +1/+1 counter and flying ability until end of turn.

Fledgling Daemon provides an interesting comparison too, involving an alternative activation cost to kickstart its abilities. Infernal Pet shines with its simpler condition that aligns more neatly with mana-curve considerations in the early to mid-game stages. Another card to consider is Thirsting Shade, which also grows in power, but its lifelink provides a defensive angle unlike Infernal Pet’s focus on aggressive elevation of its attack capability.

Throughout, the versatility and aggressive potential of Infernal Pet signify its strength within creature cards adept at snowballing in power, presenting a formidable threat over time in MTG.

Bloodthirsty Aerialist - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Infernal Pet by color, type and mana cost

Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When it comes to maximizing the cards in your hand, Infernal Pet has a subtle but valuable benefit. As it gets stronger with each triggered ability from casting a second spell each turn, it steadily builds your presence on the board, indirectly leading to card advantage by forcing your opponents to deal with a growing threat.

Resource Acceleration: While Infernal Pet itself doesn’t directly provide mana, its presence can lead to resource acceleration by pressuring opponents. As they allocate resources to fend off the Pet, your other strategies can ramp up unimpeded, allowing you a better position to deploy your game plan efficiently.

Instant Speed: Infernal Pet thrives in a setup where you can cast spells at instant speed. The flexibility to cast spells during your opponent’s turn before unleashing a powered-up attack with the Pet on your turn can catch adversaries off guard and tilts combats in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Infernal Pet necessitates discarding a card to activate its ability. For players already struggling with hand size, this can further deplete valuable resources and may tip the balance during critical gameplay moments.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a precise combination of black mana, Infernal Pet’s cost can restrict deck building, as it fits primarily into mono-black or two-color decks where black is a major component, potentially excluding it from various archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For three mana, Infernal Pet’s initial impact on the board is modest compared to other creatures in that range. Without an immediate effect upon entry, the mana investment can be a setback if quicker board presence is vital for your strategy.

Reasons to Include Infernal Pet in Your Collection

Versatility: Infernal Pet is a flexible card, able to contribute to various deck strategies. Its low casting cost makes it easy to summon early on in the game, serving as an effective and adaptable play for decks that plan to cast lots of spells.

Combo Potential: This creature card thrives in decks that cast multiple spells per turn, progressively growing stronger each time you cast your second spell. The potential to rapidly increase its power makes it a potent ally in spell-heavy combos and synergistic builds.

Meta-Relevance: In game environments where smaller creatures are prevalent, Infernal Pet has the ability to stand tall. As a creature that evolves with your plays, it can quickly become a significant threat, aligning well with fast-paced, spell-casting decks that are often favored in dynamic metagames.

How to beat

Infernal Pet is a creature card that presents a unique challenge for MTG players. At first glance, the key to this card’s growth is its ability to gain +1/+1 counters whenever you cast your second spell each turn. This implies that to counteract the Infernal Pet’s development, disrupting your opponent’s spell casting rhythm can be quite effective. Cards that can help with this strategy include mana disruption spells or counterspells that target low-cost spells, which are often used by your opponent to trigger the Infernal Pet’s ability.

Another route is to employ removal spells efficiently. Since Infernal Pet requires time to become a formidable threat, targeting it with early removal can save you from facing a more dangerous foe in later turns. Utilize removal spells like Fatal Push or Heartless Act to eliminate the creature before it becomes buffed. In addition, you can also take advantage of spells that prevent the pet from attacking or blocking, such as those that tap creatures or remove them from combat. Just remember to keep a watchful eye on your opponent’s creatures and spells to pinpoint the perfect moment to act.

Ultimately, the balance between taking preemptive actions and reacting to your opponent’s strategies will lead to successfully managing the threat posed by Infernal Pet. Adaptability and careful planning are your allies in this contest of strategy and skill.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Infernal Pet MTG card by a specific set like Kaldheim, 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 Infernal Pet and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Infernal Pet has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Brawl	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2021-02-05	The triggered ability can trigger only once each turn. The ability will resolve before the second spell does. It doesn’t matter if the first spell you cast that turn has resolved, was countered, or is still on the stack.
2021-02-05	The triggered ability triggers only if the creature that has it is on the battlefield as you cast your second spell. Spells you cast in a turn before that creature entered the battlefield will count. In other words, the ability won’t trigger if the creature with the ability is the second spell you cast during a turn or if you have already cast two or more spells by the time that creature enters the battlefield that turn.