Parasitic Strix MTG Card
2009-02-06 - Number 32
2020-08-07 - Number 60
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Bird |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Flying When Parasitic Strix comes into play, if you control a black permanent, target player loses 2 life and you gain 2 life.
After finding no sustenance on the edges of Grixis, it turned to the skies of Bant.
Cards like Parasitic Strix
Parasitic Strix is an intriguing artifact creature card within Magic: The Gathering, with abilities that have drawn comparisons to other cards in the game. The life loss and gain effect of Parasitic Strix can be likened to the abilities seen in Tidehollow Strix. Although Tidehollow Strix does not offer life gain or loss, it comes with deathtouch, making it a strong defensive option.
When looking at Foundry Street Denizen, one can observe a different approach. Although it’s a creature that doesn’t share direct life-altering effects, it grows stronger with every red creature casting, showcasing an alternative aggressive strategy in gameplay. Baleful Strix also enters the conversation with its value-driven combination of deathtouch and card draw. Although not directly affecting life totals, its potential to trade with large creatures and provide card advantage is significant.
Comparing these cards, Parasitic Strix stands out with its combination of impact on life totals and synergistic potential in artifact-centric decks, making it a unique option for players interested in balancing offense with life manipulation strategies in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Parasitic Strix by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Parasitic Strix. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Parasitic Strix can provide card advantage in two ways. Firstly, when it enters the battlefield, if you control a blue permanent, you may gain 2 life and your opponent loses 2 life. This immediate effect can create a life points gap while maintaining your hand count. Subsequently, its presence demands an answer, often causing your opponent to spend a card to remove it.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or Treasure tokens, Parasitic Strix can contribute to artifact synergies within your deck. Its artifact creature type allows it to be a cog in the machine of artifact-based strategies, potentially unlocking earlier deployments of powerful spells or enabling improvised costs. Its role can indirectly lead to acceleration of your resources on the board.
Instant Speed: Parasitic Strix itself might not be an instant, but it pairs exceptionally well with flash enablers or bounce spells at instant speed. This combination can create sudden shifts in board state and opponent life totals, catching adversaries off guard during their turn. Its ability to interact on the opponent’s turn amplifies its strategic utility.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Parasitic Strix requires an artifact to be in play under your control to trigger its life exchange ability. If you’re unable to meet this condition, you won’t reap the benefits of the card’s effect.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Parasitic Strix includes both blue and black mana, which necessitates a multicolored deck. This can be restrictive for deck construction, especially if you’re looking to include it in a mono-colored or a deck with a different color identity.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana for a 2/2 creature, Parasitic Strix may not provide the best value for its cost. While the life swing it offers can be powerful, there are other creatures and spells at this mana range that could offer a more immediate impact on the game state.
Reasons to Include Parasitic Strix in Your Collection
Versatility: Parasitic Strix offers flexibility in deck building. As an artifact creature, it’s not only a flying threat but also fits well into artifact-centric decks or strategies incorporating blue and black’s control elements.
Combo Potential: This card shines in combos, particularly when paired with cards that can repeatedly bounce creatures to your hand. Unleash repeated life swings or even infinite loops in the right setup.
Meta-Relevance: In environments heavy with multicolor decks, Parasitic Strix can provide a consistent source of life drain. Its ability to disrupt opponents while maintaining your life total makes it a strategic asset in certain metagames.
How to beat
Parasitic Strix is a card that has found a niche in certain MTG combo decks, primarily due to its ability to clock an opponent with life loss when paired with other artifacts. To overcome this flying threat, the key strategy lies in disrupting the synergy that makes it effective. One of the most straightforward methods is artifact removal, targeting key pieces that the Strix relies on for its life-draining ability. Alternatively, cards that prevent life loss or grant you hexproof can nullify the damage dealt by Parasitic Strix altogether.
Countering the Strix or the artifacts it partners with is a solid tactic as well. Keep counter spells at hand for when your opponent casts their artifacts or attempts to return them from the graveyard. Creature removal spells can quickly dispatch Parasitic Strix, and those with instant speed give you flexibility to wait until your opponent has committed to their combo before you strike. Remember, keeping the board clear of artifacts, especially before the Strix enters the battlefield, is crucial in mitigating the damage it can inflict.
In summary, maintaining control over the board, particularly by managing artifacts and countering key spells, is an effective blueprint to follow when facing decks that utilize Parasitic Strix. By doing so, you’ll undermine the very engine that fuels this creature’s potential and keep your health out of jeopardy.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Parasitic Strix MTG card by a specific set like Conflux and Double Masters, 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 Strix and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Parasitic Strix Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2009-02-06 and 2020-08-07. Illustrated by Steven Belledin.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-02-06 | Conflux | CON | 32 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin | |
| 2 | 2020-08-07 | Double Masters | 2XM | 60 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Parasitic Strix has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Parasitic Strix card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-08-07 | If you don't control a black permanent immediately after Parasitic Strix enters the battlefield, its ability doesn't trigger. If you don't control one as the ability resolves, no player loses or gains life. It doesn't have to be the same black permanent both times, however. |
| 2020-08-07 | Parasitic Strix's ability triggers only once, no matter how many black permanents you control beyond the first. |