Monstrous War-Leech MTG Card


Monstrous War-Leech excels in recursive strategies, providing card advantage by recurring creature cards. Enhances mana acceleration, key for decks that employ sacrificial mechanics for rapid growth. Flexibility during gameplay is upheld through its triggered abilities, making it a versatile pick.
Monstrous War-Leech - Dominaria United
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Leech Horror
Abilities Kicker,Mill
Released2022-09-09
Set symbol
Set nameDominaria United
Set codeDMU
Power *
Toughness *
Number98
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byChristopher Burdett

Text of card

Kicker (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.) As Monstrous War-Leech enters the battlefield, if it was kicked, mill four cards. (To mill a card, put the top card of your library into your graveyard.) Monstrous War-Leech's power and toughness are each equal to the highest mana value among cards in your graveyard.


Cards like Monstrous War-Leech

Monstrous War-Leech finds its niche in the realm of creature cards that balance offense with utility. Its parallels can be drawn to cards like Slaughter Drone which, akin to Monstrous War-Leech, offers an ability that can be activated to manage the battlefield. Both deliver more than just combat damage – they offer strategic value on the board. Yet, the War-Leech stands out with its ability to repeatedly grow larger each turn, offering a persistent threat that can shape your opponent’s playstyle.

Examining cards such as Banehound reveals a different facet of comparison. While Banehound offers lifelink and haste making it immediately impactful, Monstrous War-Leech provides long-term benefits and requires your commitment to the board, growing in threat the longer it remains. The trade-off is in the pacing; immediate gain versus progressive advantage. Then consider Thornbow Archer, another creature offering offensive value at a low cost. It penalizes opponents for not having elves, while the War-Leech builds on an accumulation strategy. Each creature serves its role depending on the deck’s overarching strategy.

Looking across comparable cards in MTG, Monstrous War-Leech wins strategic favor for its continuous strengthening capabilities, making it a formidable presence the longer it survives in the game.

Slaughter Drone - MTG Card versions
Banehound - MTG Card versions
Thornbow Archer - MTG Card versions
Slaughter Drone - MTG Card versions
Banehound - MTG Card versions
Thornbow Archer - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Monstrous War-Leech by color, type and mana cost

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Phantasmal Fiend - MTG Card versions
Doomsday Specter - MTG Card versions
Possessed Aven - MTG Card versions
Marsh Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Moroii - MTG Card versions
Circu, Dimir Lobotomist - MTG Card versions
Blizzard Specter - MTG Card versions
Wydwen, the Biting Gale - MTG Card versions
Evil Twin - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Liege - MTG Card versions
Kathari Remnant - MTG Card versions
Lazav, Dimir Mastermind - MTG Card versions
Ulamog's Nullifier - MTG Card versions
Elusive Tormentor // Insidious Mist - MTG Card versions
Drunau Corpse Trawler - MTG Card versions
Gisa and Geralf - MTG Card versions
Duskmantle Seer - MTG Card versions
Hostage Taker - MTG Card versions
Deadeye Brawler - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Monstrous War-Leech provides exceptional card utility by potentially returning a creature card from your graveyard to your hand each time another creature dies. This allows savvy players to maintain a full grip of options and outmaneuver their opponents by constantly having access to their creatures.

Resource Acceleration: This creature can actively contribute to your mana pool by unleashing mana each time you sacrifice another creature, thus accelerating your resources and enabling bigger plays earlier in the game. It serves as a unique enabler for decks that capitalize on sacrificial strategies.

Instant Speed: While Monstrous War-Leech itself may not interact at instant speed, its triggered ability can work seamlessly in conjunction with instant speed interaction, providing players with the flexibility to respond to threats or board changes while still benefiting from the leech’s ability.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Monstrous War-Leech’s activation might be contingent on disposing of another card, potentially straining your hand when resources are crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature demands an exact blend of mana types, impeding flexibility and possibly complicating your mana base, especially in multicolor strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment required to bring Monstrous War-Leech onto the battlefield can be substantial, taking up significant resources that could be allocated to more cost-effective creatures or spells.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Monstrous War-Leech can adapt to various gameplay styles, seamlessly fitting into aggressive strategies that capitalize on early board presence. Its ability to scale in power makes it a threat in multiple phases of the game.

Combo Potential: With an innate +1/+1 counter mechanic, the Monstrous War-Leech synergizes well with decks focusing on counter manipulation, opening up avenues for powerful combos and interactions within such archetypes.

Meta-Relevance: Given the landscape of prevailing MTG gameplay that often revolves around creature-based tactics, having the Monstrous War-Leech offers a competitive edge, especially in formats where resilient and scalable creatures are key.


How to beat

The Monstrous War-Leech is a card that can pose a formidable challenge on the battlefield. To successfully navigate against this card, one must understand its strengths and plan countermeasures accordingly. The creature thrives in environments where it can leverage its size to overpower opponents. Thus, the key to mitigating the threat it presents is to deny it the opportunity to dominate the board.

Removal spells are the most straightforward solution to handle the Monstrous War-Leech. Direct damage spells or those that cause creatures to be sacrificed, regardless of their size, can dispose of the War-Leech efficiently. Another strategy involves utilizing control spells that alter combat dynamics, such as those that prevent a creature from attacking or blocking. This can render the War-Leech useless during crucial phases of the game. Finally, cards that allow for bypassing the War-Leech’s combat prowess altogether—such as those granting evasion or alternate win conditions—can provide a way to triumph without confronting the creature head-on. Judicious timing and savvy deck construction can turn this monstrous threat into a manageable challenge.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Monstrous War-Leech MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United, 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 Monstrous War-Leech and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Monstrous War-Leech has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-09-09 If Monstrous War-Leech was kicked, it enters the battlefield with power and toughness each equal to the highest mana value among cards in your graveyard, including cards that were milled due to its replacement effect. For example, if you have no cards in your graveyard as it enters and you mill three land cards and a card with mana value 4, Monstrous War-Leech is a 4/4 creature entering the battlefield.
2022-09-09 If a card in a graveyard has an in its mana cost, X is 0.
2022-09-09 Monstrous War-Leech’s second ability is a replacement effect, not a triggered ability. It happens at the same time that Monstrous War-Leech enters the battlefield, it doesn’t use the stack, and it can’t be responded to.