Pith Driller MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Phyrexian Horror |
| Released | 2011-05-13 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | New Phyrexia |
| Set code | NPH |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 69 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Nils Hamm |
Text of card
({PB} can be paid with either or 2 life.) When Pith Driller enters the battlefield, put a -1/-1 counter on target creature.
After boring up through the crust of Mirrodin, it turned its expertise upon the surface dwellers.
Cards like Pith Driller
Pith Driller enters the realm of MTG as a card that merges the utility of creature removal with a solid body. It stands beside other removal creatures like Skinrender, which features a similar enter-the-battlefield effect that can weaken or outright eliminate a creature. What makes Pith Driller unique, however, is the combination of its Phyrexian mana cost option, offering flexibility in how you pay the mana cost.
Looking at another similar card, Dross Ripper offers a creature with a potential to become a powerhouse. It lacks the removal capability but it compensates with scalable strength, thanks to its ability to increase its power. Pith Driller doesn’t share this adaptability in power, but it more than makes up for it with its initial impact on the board state.
In the grand tapestry of artifact creatures and removal options available in Magic: The Gathering, Pith Driller finds its niche. Its particular blend of cost-effective removal and the presence of a 3/3 body provides strategic advantage on the field, ensuring its place in decks that value immediate board impact over long-term growth potential.
Cards similar to Pith Driller by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Pith Driller may not let you draw cards directly, but its ability to dispatch a creature can equate to card advantage. By removing key creatures your opponent controls, you effectively reduce their resources while maintaining your own board presence.
Resource Acceleration: Although Pith Driller doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, its relatively low cost makes it a valuable addition in decks that aim for a steady development of the board. It fits well with strategies that want to maximize efficiency per mana spent, helping you to maintain tempo and pressure on your opponent.
Instant Speed: While Pith Driller is a creature and does not have instant speed, its enters-the-battlefield effect is a form of immediate interaction with the board. This allows you to surprise your opponent by modifying the state of the battlefield as soon as Pith Driller enters play, similarly to how an instant would be used during combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn to disrupt their plans.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Pith Driller has no discard requirements, offsetting this as a potential downside for building card advantage in your hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Pith Driller necessitates a mix of generic and Phyrexian mana, demanding either precise mana resources or payment with life, which requires strategic resource management.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Five mana for a 2/4 creature can be steep, particularly when compared to other options that might provide a greater presence or impact on the battlefield for the same or less investment.
Reasons to Include Pith Driller in Your Collection
Versatility: Pith Driller offers a flexible role in decks, complementing strategies that hinge on manipulating +1/+1 counters or needing removal options. As both a creature and a source of removal, it fits into a variety of game plans.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes with proliferate mechanics or any strategy that takes advantage of placing -1/-1 counters on creatures. It can serve as an enabler for combos that capitalize on counter manipulation.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames where small creatures are prevalent, Pith Driller can be particularly effective at disrupting opponents’ early-game board presence, making it a relevant choice for sideboards or even main deck inclusion depending on the format.
How to beat
Dealing with a Pith Driller on the battlefield can be quite the nuisance for MTG players. This creature not only brings a solid body to the table but also the ability to weaken one of your creatures. To outmaneuver a Pith Driller, consider using cards that can remove it from the board before its -1/-1 counter ability becomes a recurring problem.
Spot removal spells are an excellent strategy. Cards like Doom Blade or Go for the Throat can dispatch Pith Driller quickly and efficiently. Additionally, if you manage your resources wisely, countering it with spells such as Cancel or Mana Leak prevents it from hitting the board in the first place. Also, don’t overlook the potential of playing creatures with hexproof or indestructible as they’re impervious to Pith Driller’s ability, giving you a robust defensive line that it can’t easily penetrate.
Ultimately, while Pith Driller may seem daunting with its immediate board impact, careful planning and the right countermeasures can keep it from drilling into your game plan. Keep your game sharp, your removal ready, and Pith Driller won’t stand a chance.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Pith Driller MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia, 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 Pith Driller 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Pith Driller 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 Pith Driller card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-06-01 | A card with Phyrexian mana symbols in its mana cost is each color that appears in that mana cost, regardless of how that cost may have been paid. |
| 2011-06-01 | As you cast a spell or activate an activated ability with one or more Phyrexian mana symbols in its cost, you choose how to pay for each Phyrexian mana symbol at the same time you would choose modes or choose a value for X. |
| 2011-06-01 | If you’re at 1 life or less, you can’t pay 2 life. |
| 2011-06-01 | Phyrexian mana is not a new color. Players can’t add Phyrexian mana to their mana pools. |
| 2011-06-01 | Pith Driller’s ability is mandatory. If it’s the only creature on the battlefield when it enters the battlefield, Pith Driller’s ability will target itself. |
| 2011-06-01 | To calculate the converted mana cost of a card with Phyrexian mana symbols in its cost, count each Phyrexian mana symbol as 1. |