Plague Nurse MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Phyrexian Cleric |
| Abilities | Toxic |
| Released | 2023-02-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Phyrexia: All Will Be One |
| Set code | ONE |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 179 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Marcela Bolívar |
Text of card
Toxic 2 : Each other creature you control with toxic gains toxic 1 until end of turn. Activate only once each turn. (A player dealt combat damage by a creature with toxic also gets poison counters equal to that creature's total toxic value.)
Cards like Plague Nurse
Plague Nurse emerges as a unique creature in Magic: The Gathering with its distinctive ability set. The card stands out in the way it manipulates the board by granting players the ability to control -1/-1 counters. When examining cards with similar functionality, one can look at Skinrender. This card also places -1/-1 counters on creatures when it enters the battlefield. However, Plague Nurse offers an additional level of versatility with its repeatable counter distribution ability, albeit at a potentially higher cost.
Comparably, Midnight Banshee is another creature that deals in the currency of -1/-1 counters, affecting every non-Black creature at the beginning of each player’s upkeep. While Banshee applies a more blanket approach to counter distribution, the Nurse allows for more targeted counter play. The difference in mana cost between these two cards is notable, with Banshee being a more mana-intensive option.
Through this lens, Plague Nurse certainly carves its niche in Magic: The Gathering as a potential linchpin in decks that focus on -1/-1 counter strategies. Its ability to consistently and selectively place counters makes it a valuable asset in control decks that thrive on diminishing opponent resources.
Cards similar to Plague Nurse by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Plague Nurse offers card advantage by letting you potentially remove several of your opponent’s creatures from the game, depending on the number of -1/-1 counters spread across them. This repeated creature removal can surpass one-for-one exchanges, keeping your hand full while depleting theirs.
Resource Acceleration: While Plague Nurse might not directly produce mana or tokens, the card ensures resource acceleration by preserving your life points. By removing threats without the need to cast additional spells, you effectively save resources for other strategic plays or higher impact cards.
Instant Speed: The ability to use Plague Nurse’s effect at instant speed makes the card a formidable deterrent. You’re able to interact on your opponent’s turn, removing creatures right before they can exert their effects or when your opponent is least expecting, potentially swinging the game in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Plague Nurse card places a demand on players to discard another card to activate certain abilities. This requirement can prove to be a strategic setback when your hand is already diminished or if the card you need to maintain a strong position in the game is the one you’re forced to throw away.
Specific Mana Cost: The specific mana cost associated with the Plague Nurse card can be considered restrictive. Given its unique mana requirements, integrating it into a multi-colored deck might pose some challenges, especially if the deck is not heavily invested in the colors this card needs.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher mana cost than some alternative cards with similar effects, Plague Nurse could be seen as less than ideal for players looking for a quick impact on the game. When resources are scarce or when playing against fast-paced decks, the cost of summoning the Plague Nurse could put you at a disadvantage.
Reasons to Include Plague Nurse in Your Collection
Versatility: Plague Nurse offers a unique blend of control and life-draining abilities, making it a suitable addition to a variety of black-centered decks, particularly those aiming to disrupt opponents while gaining incremental advantages.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies that revolve around -1/-1 counters, amplifying the effects of other cards with similar mechanics or benefitting from creatures dying. Its ability to remove counters for a targeted creature destruction gives it a proactive role in many combo setups.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment heavy on creature-based strategies, Plague Nurse serves as an efficient tool for maintaining board control. Its relevance increases in metas where small to mid-sized creatures dominate, allowing it to consistently impact the field and alter the course of the game.
How to beat Plague Nurse
Among the myriad of creatures in Magic: The Gathering, Plague Nurse stands out for its unique ability to disrupt opponents by potentially negating creature-based strategies. Overcoming this card hinges on a few key tactics that savvy players can employ. First, spells that grant hexproof or indestructible can protect your valuable creatures from Plague Nurse’s devastating effect. Swiftfoot Boots and Heroic Intervention are examples of cards that can shield your board effectively.
Another strategy is to prioritize the removal of Plague Nurse before it can wreck havoc. Direct removal spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can dispatch the Plague Nurse before it becomes a threat. Additionally, using instant-speed removal spells allows you to react to the Nurse’s trigger, ensuring your creatures remain safe. Lastly, you can take advantage of its ability by playing around it—using creatures with enter the battlefield effects or death triggers that can turn the Nurse’s ability against your opponent.
Adapting your gameplay to the threats Plague Nurse brings will certainly enhance your chances of maintaining control over the battlefield and pave the way towards victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Plague Nurse MTG card by a specific set like Phyrexia: All Will Be One, 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 Nurse 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 Plague Nurse has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Plague Nurse card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-02-04 | A player with ten or more poison counters loses the game. This is a state-based action and doesn't use the stack. In other words, it happens immediately and players can't respond to it, just like a player losing the game due to having 0 or less life. |
| 2023-02-04 | Any other effects of that damage, such as life gain from lifelink, still apply. |
| 2023-02-04 | Conversely, replacement effects that apply to the number of counters put on a player can modify the counters placed this way. For example, Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider's last two abilities can apply to counters placed this way. |
| 2023-02-04 | Damage dealt by a creature with toxic grants the same number of counters regardless of how much damage is dealt. Notably, if a replacement effect modifies the damage in some way (such as that of Gratuitous Violence), the number of counters given remains unchanged. |
| 2023-02-04 | If a creature with toxic deals combat damage to a creature or planeswalker, or if it deals noncombat damage, toxic has no effect and no player gets poison counters. |
| 2023-02-04 | Multiple instances of toxic are cumulative. For example, if a creature has toxic 2 and gains toxic 1 due to another effect, combat damage that creature deals to a player will cause that player to get 3 poison counters. |
| 2023-02-04 | Toxic doesn't change the amount of combat damage a creature deals. For example, if a 2/2 creature with toxic 1 deals combat damage to a player, that creature will deal 2 damage. The results of that damage are the player loses 2 life and gets a poison counter. |