Pestilent Kathari MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Bird Warrior |
| Abilities | Deathtouch,Flying |
| Released | 2009-02-06 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Conflux |
| Set code | CON |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 50 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Dave Kendall |
Text of card
Flying Deathtouch (Whenever this creature deals damage to a creature, destroy that creature.) : Pestilent Kathari gains first strike until end of turn.
Cards like Pestilent Kathari
Pestilent Kathari may not be the flashiest staple in the Magic: The Gathering arsenal, but it does find kinship with other cards sharing the death-bringing deathtouch ability. Cards like Typhoid Rats, for example, also boast this ability to eliminate any creature it deals damage to, regardless of the opponent’s creature’s size. However, Pestilent Kathari edges ahead with its flying trait, giving it an aerial advantage to outmaneuver ground-bound threats and potential blockers.
A further comparison reveals Vampire Nighthawk, a card celebrated for its combination of deathtouch and flying, similar to Pestilent Kathari. The Nighthawk, however, comes bundled with lifelink, presenting an additional avenue for a player to gain life, making it a potentially more valuable choice during play. Despite these similarities, Pestilent Kathari’s strength lies in its scalability, featuring a Scavenge ability that allows it to contribute even from the graveyard by bolstering another creature.
In assessing the strategic nuances of adding such creatures to your deck, Pestilent Kathari, with its multifaceted death-touching and flying capabilities along with its scalable post-mortem benefits, can be considered a versatile asset in MTG, holding its own in the pantheon of sneaky and lethal winged threats.
Cards similar to Pestilent Kathari by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When included in your deck, Pestilent Kathari enhances your card utility, as it can serve multiple purposes. With its abilities, this card can affect the board state by removing smaller creatures or deterring attackers, potentially saving other valuable cards in your hand from having to address these threats.
Resource Acceleration: Although Pestilent Kathari itself does not directly provide mana or tokens, its deathtouch ability works well in combination with resource acceleration mechanics that you may have in play. This means that by clearing the path, you potentially allow for more effective attacks that can result in increased resource growth through other cards.
Instant Speed: The activated abilities of Pestilent Kathari can be executed at instant speed, providing flexibility in gameplay. You can strategically decide the best moment to take out key threats during your opponent’s turn or after they have committed to certain actions, catching them off-guard and preserving your tactical advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Pestilent Kathari expects players to discard another card to unleash its full potential. If your hand is already suffering, this additional cost can further deplete your resources and put you at a disadvantage compared to simpler creatures that require no additional sacrifices.
Specific Mana Cost: Pestilent Kathari asks for a blend of mana types, with black being a necessity. This requirement confines it mostly to black-focused or multicolored decks, limiting the card’s versatility and ease of integration into a broader variety of deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its range of abilities, Pestilent Kathari comes at a higher mana cost than other creatures with similar capabilities. Balancing your mana to accommodate such a card can be challenging when other options could provide equal or greater board presence for less investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Pestilent Kathari is a flexible creature card that can be integrated into numerous deck archetypes. Its combination of flying and deathtouch abilities allows it to serve as both an offensive and defensive asset.
Combo Potential: This card can synergize well with other cards that encourage or benefit from sacrificing creatures, potentially unlocking potent combinations and enhancing your overall gameplay strategy.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where small creatures are prevalent, Pestilent Kathari can be particularly effective. It serves as a deterrent, making opponents think twice before attacking or blocking, thereby holding relevance in diverse meta scenarios.
How to beat
Pestilent Kathari stands out in the ecosystem of creatures in Magic: The Gathering with its potential to become a consistent thorn in your opponent’s side. Boasting deathtouch, Pestilent Kathari can single-handedly thwart your larger threats, enticing you to second-guess your attacks. However, its presence on the battlefield is not insurmountable.
One strategy to overcome this aerial menace involves utilizing cheap removal spells. Anything that can neutralize a creature at a low cost, like Fatal Push or Path to Exile, can dispatch the Kathari without losing tempo. It’s also worth noting that its secondary ability requires mana investment, which your opponent might not always have available. Without it, the Kathari’s flying and deathtouch are less intimidating.
Finding ways to bypass creature combat altogether can also render the Kathari moot. Enchantments that keep it tapped or cards that negate abilities ensure it never becomes the obstacle your opponent intends it to be. Direct damage spells or effects that deal damage to multiple creatures at once, such as Pyroclasm or Electrickery, are also highly effective. Thus, by adopting a proactive control strategy or by cleverly using your removal spells, you can mitigate the threat of Pestilent Kathari and maintain the upper hand in your matches against decks that wield this pesky creature.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Pestilent Kathari MTG card by a specific set like Conflux, 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 Pestilent Kathari 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Pestilent Kathari has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |