Plague Belcher MTG Card

Enhances card value by turning expendable creatures into strategic advantages with -1/-1 counters. Can accelerate resources and combo with morbid or revolt-triggered cards for impactful plays. Syncs with instant-speed spells for flexible, adaptive tactics in various game situations.

Amonkhet (AKH)
2017-04-28 - Number 104

Amonkhet Promos (PAKH)
2017-04-29 - Number 104s

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Zombie Beast
Abilities	Menace
Power	5
Toughness	4

Text of card

Menace When Plague Belcher enters the battlefield, put two -1/-1 counters on target creature you control. Whenever another Zombie you control dies, each opponent loses 1 life.

Cards like Plague Belcher

Plague Belcher offers a unique dynamic to the zombie archetype in Magic: The Gathering. Its functionality can be compared to other creatures like Woe Strider, which plays a role in life-loss strategies. While Woe Strider enables sacrificing another creature to scry, giving you deck manipulation abilities, Plague Belcher directly puts two -1/-1 counters on a creature upon entering the battlefield, which could immediately impact the board.

Additionally, the similarities between Plague Belcher and Geralf’s Messenger are notable, with both sporting the zombie tribal theme. Geralf’s Messenger arrives with undying, allowing it to return to play stronger after death, which greatly benefits recurring threats. Conversely, Plague Belcher can potentially be more destructive by adding to the game’s tempo with its ability to inflict damage each time another zombie you control dies. Flesh Carver also draws parallels, granting you incremental advantages for sacrificing creatures, but lacks Plague Belcher’s immediate board influence and the recurring damage potential.

In light of this, Plague Belcher stands out for the consistency in both developing a board presence and dishing out steady damage, aligning it competitively among creatures that thrive in death-centric strategies in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Plague Belcher by color, type and mana cost

Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Plague Belcher. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

Name	Format	Archetype	Event
Mono-Black Zombies	Modern	Zombies	Pachanga Trial ACUP Domingo
Zombies	Legacy		Eternal Challenge 23
Orzhov Midrange	Legacy		Eternal Challenge 22

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Plague Belcher may not allow you to draw cards directly, it presents a unique twist on card advantage. By placing -1/-1 counters on creatures you control, it can turn expendable creatures into valuable assets. This transforms potential board liabilities into components for a larger strategy, essentially squeezing more value out of your existing cards.

Resource Acceleration: Plague Belcher’s ability to potentially eliminate smaller creatures can indirectly accelerate your resources. When used in tandem with cards that benefit from creatures dying, such as those with the ‘morbid’ ability or triggering revolt, Plague Belcher can be a catalyst for powerful plays and provide access to effects or levels of mana normally not available until a later stage in the game.

Instant Speed: Although Plague Belcher itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it synergizes well with other instant-speed spells. Its mechanic of putting -1/-1 counters on other creatures can sometimes be leveraged in the midst of combat or in response to an opponent’s actions. Moreover, if you pair it with instant-speed sacrifice outlets, it can offer you a versatile and reactive game plan.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Plague Belcher requires players to potentially weaken their own board presence as it enters play by asking you to put two -1/-1 counters on another creature you control. This can be a drawback if your battlefield is scarce of expendable creatures.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that demands one black and two generic mana, the Plague Belcher necessarily fits into black-centered or black-friendly decks, potentially restricting its versatility across a wider range of deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, the Plague Belcher is a significant investment in the early to mid-game. Players must strategize whether its impact on the board justifies its cost when other lower-cost creatures can fulfill similar roles with less financial strain on your mana resources.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Plague Belcher offers flexibility across various deck types, particularly in those centered around the -1/-1 counter mechanic or zombie tribal themes. Its dual roles as an aggressive creature and a life-draining engine make it a multifaceted addition for builders.

Combo Potential: This card becomes a powerhouse when paired with undying creatures or when used to sacrifice creatures for a strategic advantage. The ability to distribute -1/-1 counters also synergizes with other cards that benefit from counters being placed on creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where resilient creatures are prevalent, Plague Belcher shines as it can disrupt opponent’s board states while providing a significant threat. Its relevance in the meta can be felt in both aggressive and midrange decks that capitalize on the recursive nature of zombie creatures.

How to beat Plague Belcher

Overcoming Plague Belcher can be challenging; this menacing zombie beast from Magic: The Gathering is known for its impact on both the battlefield and opponents’ strategies. With its “When you put one or more -1/-1 counters on a creature, each opponent loses 1 life” ability, it turns negative counter placements into a tool for consistent life point pressure.

To effectively neutralize the threat of Plague Belcher, it’s crucial to either prevent it from hitting the battlefield or to swiftly deal with it once it’s in play. Utilizing removal spells that can bypass its menace ability, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, allows for direct and immediate answers. Another strategy involves counter spells that can stop the Belcher before it becomes a problem, such as Counterspell or Negate. Also, keeping flying blockers or creatures with reach can provide a defensive line against it.

Minimizing the Belcher’s impact means maintaining board control, managing your creatures’ placement, and considering proactive removal options. In games where creatures are pivotal, specific cards like Grafdigger’s Cage can be particularly effective at halting the Plague Belcher’s partner-in-crime synergies, further reducing its influence on the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Plague Belcher MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Amonkhet Promos, 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 Plague Belcher and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Plague Belcher Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2017-04-29. Illustrated by Izzy.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2017-04-28	Amonkhet	AKH		104	2015	Normal	Black	Izzy
2	2017-04-29	Amonkhet Promos	PAKH		104s	2015	Normal	Black	Izzy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Plague Belcher has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2017-04-18	If another Zombie you control dies at the same time as Plague Belcher, Plague Belcher’s last ability will trigger for that Zombie.
2017-04-18	In a Two-Headed Giant game, the triggered ability of Plague Belcher causes the opposing team to lose 2 life.