Parasitic Grasp MTG Card
2021-11-19 - Number 123
2022-01-28 - Number 390
2021-11-19 - Number 36
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Cleave |
Text of card
Cleave (You may cast this spell for its cleave cost. If you do, remove the words in square brackets.)
Parasitic Grasp deals 3 damage to target
-uman] creature. You gain 3 life.
Some wicked souls linger only to consume the warmth of life.
Cards like Parasitic Grasp
Parasitic Grasp is an interesting piece in the arsenal of removal spells in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to other kill spells like Doom Blade or Go for the Throat, both being staples for their efficiency in dispatching creatures. Yet, Parasitic Grasp has its own twist with an added gain life caveat based on the creature’s power. Unlike Doom Blade or Go for the Throat which simply remove a creature from the battlefield, it also provides a potential buffer to your life total, making it ideal in situations where health is as critical as board control.
Another notable comparison comes with Murder, a straightforward elimination card that, for one additional mana, offers no restriction on the target’s color. While Murder is versatile and unhampered by color identity, the life gain from Parasitic Grasp can be a considerable factor, especially in formats where your life total is under constant threat. It’s all about balance – choosing between the broader applicability of Murder or the dual utility of removal and life gain with Parasitic Grasp.
Considering these different attributes, Parasitic Grasp holds its ground in Magic: The Gathering as a powerful option for players who value the extra cushion to their life total while dealing with opposing threats on the board.
Cards similar to Parasitic Grasp by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Parasitic Grasp. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Esper Midrange | Standard | Esper Midrange | Standard League 2024-02-21 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Parasitic Grasp provides a dual benefit, not only removing an opponent’s creature but also enabling you to gain life equal to that creature’s toughness. This life gain can be crucial in outlasting opponents and maintaining a healthy life total, which in turn can secure a more dominant position on the board.
Resource Acceleration: While Parasitic Grasp doesn’t directly generate mana or tokens, it effectively saves resources by being a multifunctional card. Instead of needing separate cards for creature removal and life gain, Parasitic Grasp fulfills both roles, freeing up other cards in your hand for further strategic plays.
Instant Speed: The power of instant speed cards cannot be overstated in MTG. Parasitic Grasp can be cast at the most opportune time, such as in response to an opponent’s attack or in the midst of their combo setup. This disrupts their strategy and maintains the element of surprise, giving you the tactical advantage of making decisions with the most information available.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Parasitic Grasp demands a nonland card discarded upon casting, which could thin out your hand at crucial moments, often outweighing the benefits of its core ability, especially when your hand is already running low on options.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Parasitic Grasp is particularly restrictive, requiring both black and green, making it less versatile and possibly straining the mana base in decks that are not heavily tuned to these colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a relatively steep mana requirement, Parasitic Grasp may find itself competing with other spells in your deck that can offer more immediate or impactful advantages for the same, or even a lower, mana investment.
Reasons to Include Parasitic Grasp in Your Collection
Versatility: Parasitic Grasp is a swiss army knife in the context of black decks, capable of functioning as a removal spell while offering the added value of life gain. Its ability to target creatures of any color makes it a universal answer to threats on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: This card shines in decks that capitalize on life total manipulation or require targeted creature removal to pave the way for larger combos. Its life gain aspect can be a springboard to activate synergistic abilities in your deck that reward you for gaining life.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by creature-heavy decks, Parasitic Grasp proves to be a clutch inclusion. Its relevance increases further when facing aggressive strategies, allowing you to stabilize while disrupting your opponent’s tempo.
How to beat Parasitic Grasp
Understanding how to navigate around Parasitic Grasp can significantly enhance your playing strategy in Magic: The Gathering. This removal spell can be a nuisance, as it’s designed to eliminate threats while potentially giving your opponent a hefty life boost. To outmaneuver this card, it’s essential to recognize the types of creatures most vulnerable to it. Creatures without hexproof or shroud are notably at risk, so employing creatures with these abilities can render Parasitic Grasp ineffective.
Additionally, the key to weakening Parasitic Grasp’s impact lies in managing your opponent’s black mana availability. Since it requires black mana specifically, color-fixing disruptions or land destruction can be particularly potent against it. Furthermore, using creatures that thrive from being targeted, like those with the enrage mechanic, can turn the tables on your opponent. These creatures benefit when harmed, often inflicting repercussions on the caster of Parasitic Grasp or advancing your board state.
Overall, with proper foresight and tactical counters such as creature protection and mana disruption, you can safeguard your creatures against Parasitic Grasp’s predatory nature and maintain dominance on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Parasitic Grasp // Parasitic Grasp MTG card by a specific set like Crimson Vow Art Series and Innistrad: Crimson Vow, 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 Parasitic Grasp // Parasitic Grasp and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
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- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Parasitic Grasp // Parasitic Grasp Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Rovina Cai.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crimson Vow Art Series | AVOW | 36 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Rovina Cai | ||
| 2 | 2021-11-19 | Innistrad: Crimson Vow | VOW | 123 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Rovina Cai | |
| 3 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 390 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Rovina Cai |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Parasitic Grasp has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Parasitic Grasp card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-11-19 | A cleave cost is an alternative cost that's paid instead of the spell's mana cost. Casting a spell for its cleave cost doesn't change the spell's mana value. |
| 2021-11-19 | If an effect allows you to “cast a spell without paying its mana cost,” you can't cast that spell for its cleave cost. |
| 2021-11-19 | If you cast a spell for its cleave cost, that spell doesn't have any of the text in square brackets while it's on the stack. |
| 2021-11-19 | You can't cast a spell for both its cleave cost and another alternative cost. For example, if an effect gives an Alchemist's Retrieval in your graveyard a flashback cost of , you can't cast it from your graveyard for its cleave cost. |