Tainted Adversary MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Zombie
Abilities Deathtouch
Power 2
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Tainted Adversary grants card advantage through token creation and unexpected instant-speed ability activation.
  2. Its resource acceleration via decayed zombies aids sacrificial strategies and creature count tactics.
  3. Despite advantages, high mana costs and color specificity can limit Tainted Adversary’s deck compatibility.

Text of card

Deathtouch When Tainted Adversary enters the battlefield, you may pay any number of times. When you pay this cost one or more times, put that many +1/+1 counters on Tainted Adversary, then create twice that many 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens with decayed. (A creature with decayed can't block. When it attacks, sacrifice it at end of combat.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The versatility of Tainted Adversary comes in part from the ability to create multiple creature tokens. This attribute of the card can secure you a significant advantage on the battlefield. Having additional creatures means more ways to attack or block, which can be a pivotal factor in the game.

Resource Acceleration: Tainted Adversary offers a deceptively powerful form of resource acceleration through its decayed zombie tokens. While these tokens can’t block and are a one-time use for attacks, they serve as excellent fodder for various sacrificial effects or to empower strategies that benefit from a high creature count.

Instant Speed: The secondary ability of the card can be activated at instant speed, allowing you to surprise your opponents by strengthening it during their turn. This can turn the tide by either deterring attackers with the potential of an unexpected power boost or by enhancing the card just before you deal your own decisive strike.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Tainted Adversary doesn’t necessitate parting with a card directly, leveraging its full potential involves a significant investment, which may lead to hand depletion akin to a discard requirement, especially in aggressive matchups where maintaining board presence is critical.

Specific Mana Cost: Tainted Adversary’s need for one black mana can be restrictive. Decks not heavily invested in black may find it challenging to reliably play this creature early enough to influence the game, diminishing its utility in multi-colored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The base cost for Tainted Adversary is manageable, but to exploit its decoy ability effectively, you’re often looking at a total investment of up to five mana for an optimal play. This steep cost for its peak performance can be a considerable drawback, particularly when you have other cards competing for those mana resources.


Reasons to Include Tainted Adversary in Your Collection

Versatility: Tainted Adversary’s role is not rigid, it smoothly integrates into multiple deck archetypes. Its ability to create zombie tokens makes it a flexible choice for both aggressive and midrange strategies, particularly in black-centered decks that leverage creature-based tactics.

Combo Potential: This card’s synergy with the decayed mechanic and its capability to scale with mana investment present vast combo opportunities. It can boost your board presence, enhance sacrifice strategies or amplify death triggers, all of which contribute to a dynamic game plan.

Meta-Relevance: Staying competitive requires adapting to the shifting meta and Tainted Adversary holds its value firmly. Its early threat can pressure opponents, and it’s even more impactful in games that stretch into the later turns where its scalable power can swing the match in your favor.


How to beat

Tainted Adversary is a versatile creature card with both immediate impact and scaling potential as the game progresses. As a Deathtouch creature, it can prove to be a formidable blocker or a dangerous attacker. However, its true power lies in the zombie token generation that accompanies its secondary ability, which can swing a game if not addressed promptly.

Countering this multifaceted threat requires a strategy focusing on instant-speed removals or cards that can prevent Tainted Adversary from exploiting its scaling ability. Efficient removal spells like Path to Exile or Bloodchief’s Thirst can dispatch the adversary before it becomes an issue. Alternatively, employing graveyard hate cards like Grafdigger’s Cage can hinder the adversary’s ability to scale by blocking zombie tokens from flooding the board.

Understanding the timing and the deck synergy Tainted Adversary brings to the table is crucial. It’s important to manage your resources effectively and plan for potential interactions. This preemptive approach can mitigate the impact of Tainted Adversary and maintain control of the field, preserving your path toward victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

The strategic depth of MTG always surprises with cards like Tainted Adversary. Capitalizing on its multifaceted abilities can give you an upper hand, creating a stronger defensive line or a sudden offensive spike. Consider integrating this versatile card into decks that thrive on zombie synergy or require adaptable responses to in-game scenarios. The value it adds through token generation and instant-speed power boosts is considerable, and its place in the current meta is well-earned. To truly harness the potential of Tainted Adversary, deepen your understanding of resource management and deck building. Join the discussion and expand your gameplay with more insights like this. Ready to enhance your collection and strategic play? Dive in with us.


Cards like Tainted Adversary

Tainted Adversary is a unique creature card in MTG that can create a significant impact on the battlefield. It shares similar characteristics with other creature cards, like Diregraf Colossus, which also has the ability to provide value upon entering the battlefield with its zombie token generation. However, Tainted Adversary offers a deathtouch ability and the versatility of a multi-kicker cost, allowing for more zombie tokens at the expense of additional mana. This makes it highly adaptable during various stages of the game.

In the realm of deathtouch creatures, Vampire Nighthawk is a notable comparison, although it lacks the token generation ability and the scaling power of Tainted Adversary. Alternatively, Murderous Rider stands out with its dual nature as a creature and removal spell, yet it doesn’t match the adversary’s potential for wide board presence. Finally, Nantuko Husk presents a contrast with its sacrifice mechanics to gain strength, a different strategy compared to Tainted Adversary’s straightforward token generation.

Assessing Tainted Adversary amidst these contenders highlights its versatility and scalability, which are distinguishing qualities in games where incremental advantage can pave the way to victory.

Diregraf Colossus - MTG Card versions
Vampire Nighthawk - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Husk - MTG Card versions
Diregraf Colossus - Shadows over Innistrad Promos (PSOI)
Vampire Nighthawk - Wizards Play Network 2009 (PWP09)
Nantuko Husk - Onslaught (ONS)

Cards similar to Tainted Adversary by color, type and mana cost

Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Nether Shadow - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cuombajj Witches - MTG Card versions
Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions
Bog Imp - MTG Card versions
Wall of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Blighted Shaman - MTG Card versions
Rabid Rats - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Bat - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Flesh Reaver - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdler - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions
Skullsnatcher - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Drudge Skeletons - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Nether Shadow - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
Erg Raiders - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Cuombajj Witches - Chronicles (CHR)
Order of the Ebon Hand - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Bog Imp - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Wall of Corpses - Mirage (MIR)
Blighted Shaman - Mirage (MIR)
Rabid Rats - Stronghold (STH)
Dakmor Bat - Portal Second Age (P02)
Ravenous Rats - Invasion (INV)
Flesh Reaver - Urza's Saga (USG)
Bloodcurdler - Odyssey (ODY)
Nantuko Shade - Commander 2014 (C14)
Piper of the Swarm - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Undead Augur - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Shepherd of Rot - Onslaught (ONS)
Swarm of Rats - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Skullsnatcher - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Nezumi Cutthroat - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tainted Adversary MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Innistrad: Midnight Hunt, 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 Tainted Adversary and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tainted Adversary Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Tuan Duong Chu.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 939542015normalblackTuan Duong Chu
22021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight HuntMID 3502015normalblackTuan Duong Chu
32021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight Hunt PromosPMID 124s2015normalblackTuan Duong Chu
42021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight HuntMID 1242015normalblackTuan Duong Chu
52021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight Hunt PromosPMID 124p2015normalblackTuan Duong Chu
62022-01-28Innistrad: Double FeatureDBL 1242015normalblackTuan Duong Chu

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tainted Adversary has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2021-09-24 After you pay the cost one or more times, a second ability triggers. Players may respond to the new ability at that point. As that ability resolves, Tainted Adversary gets its counters and the tokens are created.
2021-09-24 Decayed does not create any attacking requirements. You may choose not to attack with a creature that has decayed.
2021-09-24 Decayed does not grant haste. Creatures with decayed that enter the battlefield during your turn may not attack until your next turn.
2021-09-24 Decayed represents a static ability and a triggered ability. "Decayed" means "This creature can't block" and "When this creature attacks, sacrifice it at end of combat."
2021-09-24 Once a creature with decayed attacks, it will be sacrificed at end of combat, even if it no longer has decayed at that time.

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