Malignant Growth MTG Card

Offers incremental card advantage, becoming a stronger asset with each draw over time. Facilitates resource acceleration for a more versatile and reactive playstyle. Instant speed payment option grants flexibility and strategic depth during gameplay.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Enchantment
Abilities	Cumulative upkeep
Released	1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set name	Mirage
Set code	MIR
Number	272
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Scott M. Fischer

Text of card

Cumulative upkeep o1 During your upkeep, put a growth counter on Malignant Growth. During target opponent's draw phase, he or she draws an additional card for each growth counter on Malignant Growth. For each card that opponent draws in this way, Malignant Growth deals 1 damage to him or her.

Cards like Malignant Growth

Malignant Growth brings a unique and incremental advantage mechanic to the battlefield. It bears a striking resemblance to Cold-Eyed Selkie in its potential to draw cards, but unlike the Selkie, it doesn’t require combat to activate its ability. Malignant Growth’s cumulative upkeep cost can steadily provide card advantage, though it does so at an increasing resource cost each turn.

Another akin card is Mystic Remora, which also helps players to capitalize on others’ spells. The advantage, however, is that Mystic Remora’s cumulative upkeep cost is fixed, making it more predictable and potentially less taxing on your mana pool over time. In contrast, Malignant Growth requires a more strategic approach to leverage its increasing cost against the benefit of drawing more cards.

When exploring alternatives, it’s worth noting that Malignant Growth can be an engine of consistent card draw in the right deck, especially in longer games where its value can compound. While similar cards offer more immediate or less costly benefits, Malignant Growth’s evolving nature can provide a persistent advantage to those who manage their resources wisely.

Cards similar to Malignant Growth by color, type and mana cost

Kruphix, God of Horizons - MTG Card versions

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Malignant Growth offers successive buildup of card advantage by steadily increasing the number of counters on it, which in turn amplifies the effect of drawing extra cards for each of your draws, thus outpacing the opponent.

Resource Acceleration: This unique enchantment facilitates resource acceleration by giving you the potential to generate additional draw steps. With more cards in hand, you have more options to deploy threats and answers, improving your overall game tempo.

Instant Speed: Although the card itself isn’t an instant, its cumulative upkeep cost can be paid at instant speed, which grants flexibility in your game plan, allowing you to respond to your opponent’s actions efficiently while still investing in the Growth’s expanding power.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Malignant Growth asks players to toss another card from their hand to unleash its full potential. This can put players at a disadvantage, especially when their hand is already running thin on options and each card is a valuable asset for their strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s requirement for blue and green mana can pose restrictions for decks that are not aligned with these colors. It might only seamlessly fit into Simic or multicolored decks that already run this color combination, making it less versatile for a broad range of players.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a heavier cost on the mana spectrum, Malignant Growth may not be the first choice for players looking for cost-efficient ways to impact the board. Considering the range of alternatives available in MTG, there might be options that provide similar effects for a lower investment, allowing players to keep momentum with less resource expenditure.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Malignant Growth offers a dynamic option for players to boost their long-game strategies. This card is a fit for decks that aim to prolong the match, giving incremental advantages that can become overwhelming with time.

Combo Potential: The cumulative upkeep allows it to synergize with cards that benefit from, or mitigate, upkeep costs. Additionally, it grows each turn, which can be a keystone in strategies that capitalize on the number of counters on permanents.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where the board state often determines the victor, Malignant Growth’s potential to tip the scales grows with each turn it remains in play. Particularly in environments where games tend to go longer, its presence can be a pivotal factor.

How to beat

Malignant Growth is a card that, over time, can become a looming threat on the battlefield in MTG. With its cumulative upkeep cost that increases its potency with every turn, it requires a strategic approach to handle effectively. To counteract this growth, focus on cards that can neutralize enchantments or deal with incremental threats. Naturalize and Disenchant are prime examples of instants that can remove Malignant Growth before the counters build up to an overwhelming number.

Another angle is to implement cards that reset or manipulate counters, like Aether Snap or Vampire Hexmage. Utilizing cards with the capabilities to target and eliminate counters directly keeps Malignant Growth in check. Additionally, running counter spells or having instant-speed removal ensures that you stand a chance to disrupt the setup before it gains momentum. Remember, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the cumulative upkeep curve, as the investment to keep Malignant Growth will eventually outweigh its benefit to its controller.

By including versatile removal or counter strategies in your deck, you can maintain control over the battlefield and set yourself up for success against persistent threats like Malignant Growth in MTG.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Malignant Growth MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Malignant Growth and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Malignant Growth has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2004-10-04	In multiplayer games it affects all opponents.
2013-04-15	The triggered ability is put onto the stack after you have already drawn your card for the turn.