Plague Spitter MTG Card


Plague Spitter provides recurring board control, efficiently constraining swarms of small creatures. Enabling various combos, it fits well in strategies that benefit from auto-damage each turn. Always consider using instant-speed removal or sturdier creatures to effectively counter it.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Phyrexian Horror
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

At the beginning of your upkeep, Plague Spitter deals 1 damage to each creature and each player. When Plague Spitter is put into a graveyard from play, Plague Spitter deals 1 damage to each creature and each player.


Cards like Plague Spitter

Plague Spitter stands out in the MTG universe as a unique source of recurring damage. A comparison would bring to mind cards like Pestilence, which allows players to repeatedly deal damage to each creature and player at the cost of mana. However, Plague Spitter doesn’t require additional mana to inflict damage; it deals one damage to each creature and each player during your upkeep automatically.

Similarly, cards like Pyrohemia and Crypt Rats share the ability to damage multiple targets, yet they differ as they need mana investment to activate their abilities. Pyrohemia, in particular, needs red mana and can be repeatedly activated, whereas Plague Spitter’s effect occurs passively, providing consistent pressure without ongoing investment, making it a hands-off threat.

When we distill the characteristics of these cards, Plague Spitter offers a subtle yet reliable form of automatic damage, setting it apart from other cards with shared damage capabilities in MTG. While it may not provide the flexibility of controlled activations, its passive nature can be advantageous, working steadily in the background as both a deterrent and a means to chip away at opponents’ life totals.

Pestilence - MTG Card versions
Pyrohemia - MTG Card versions
Crypt Rats - MTG Card versions
Pestilence - MTG Card versions
Pyrohemia - MTG Card versions
Crypt Rats - MTG Card versions

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

Nettling Imp - MTG Card versions
Royal Assassin - MTG Card versions
Plague Rats - MTG Card versions
El-Hajjâj - MTG Card versions
Frozen Shade - MTG Card versions
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Lost Soul - MTG Card versions
Mindstab Thrull - MTG Card versions
Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions
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Razortooth Rats - MTG Card versions
Ghastly Remains - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Undead - MTG Card versions
Deepwood Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Dross Prowler - MTG Card versions
Nim Abomination - MTG Card versions
Vesper Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Specter - MTG Card versions
Dusk Imp - MTG Card versions
Nettling Imp - MTG Card versions
Royal Assassin - MTG Card versions
Plague Rats - MTG Card versions
El-Hajjâj - MTG Card versions
Frozen Shade - MTG Card versions
Scathe Zombies - MTG Card versions
Sorceress Queen - MTG Card versions
Lost Soul - MTG Card versions
Mindstab Thrull - MTG Card versions
Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions
Strongarm Thug - MTG Card versions
Razortooth Rats - MTG Card versions
Ghastly Remains - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Undead - MTG Card versions
Deepwood Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Dross Prowler - MTG Card versions
Nim Abomination - MTG Card versions
Vesper Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Specter - MTG Card versions
Dusk Imp - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
EsperEsper Free formMiddle School World Championships
Pit RackPit Rack PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent
Deadguy AleDeadguy Ale PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Plague Spitter isn’t just a single-use card; the damage it deals at the end of each turn can add up over time, allowing you to whittle down the opponent’s life total and control the board by threatening smaller creatures.

Resource Acceleration: Although Plague Spitter itself doesn’t accelerate your resources in the traditional sense, its consistent damage helps maintain pressure without requiring additional mana investment every turn, effectively giving you resource advantage by saving your mana for other spells each turn.

Instant Speed: While the card doesn’t operate at instant speed, its effect at the end of each turn generates a persistent threat that forces opponents to act quickly, often at instant speed, to deal with it.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Some players might find the lack of a discard ability with Plague Spitter a missed opportunity for synergy in decks that capitalize on graveyard strategies or card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Plague Spitter requires both black mana and generic mana to cast, which may not always align smoothly with the mana base in multicolored decks, potentially causing delays in play.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While three mana isn’t exorbitant, Plague Spitter’s cost can be seen as high when its abilities are compared to other creatures or spells in the same mana range that might provide immediate impact or a more substantial board presence.


Reasons to Include Plague Spitter in Your Collection

Versatility: Plague Spitter is a unique card that can be smoothly integrated into a variety of deck types. Its ability to deal damage to each creature and each player at the beginning of your upkeep means it can play both offensive and defensive roles in your game strategy.

Combo Potential: This card pairs well with strategies that capitalize on damaging your own creatures for value, or with effects that benefit from consistent damage being dealt to all players. By carefully crafting your deck, you can turn Plague Spitter’s symmetrical damage into a one-sided advantage.

Meta-Relevance: In environments dominated by decks that churn out numerous small creatures, Plague Spitter shines by providing a recurring board control mechanism. As a result, it can become an essential tool in your arsenal, helping to keep swarm strategies at bay while slowly chipping away at your opponent’s life total.


How to beat

Plague Spitter is a unique card in Magic: The Gathering, notorious for dealing damage to each creature and each player during your upkeep. Its presence on the battlefield can quickly become a persistent threat if not addressed. To effectively counter this card, one strategy is to employ creatures with toughness greater than the damage dealt by Plague Spitter or to use creatures that have beneficial effects when they die, turning the negative into an advantage.

Another approach to consider is the use of removal spells that can deal with Plague Spitter before its damage accumulates. Instant-speed removal like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can be highly effective at removing Plague Spitter from the game before its ability triggers, saving your creatures and your life total from dwindling down. Additionally, incorporating life gain strategies can help offset the damage done by Plague Spitter, ensuring your survival as you develop your board and prepare to take down your opponent.

Overall, beating Plague Spitter involves a mix of timely removal, resilient creatures, and life gain tactics. Understanding how to navigate these strategies against Plague Spitter is crucial for maintaining control of the game and eventually leading you to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the dynamic gameplay of MTG is not just about the individual cards you play, but how they interact within your deck and against the broader meta. Plague Spitter is a card that offers a consistent, repeating effect to control the board and strategically influence the game. As we unravel the card’s subtleties, including its advantages like card advantage and combo potential, as well as its cons, we invite you to delve deeper into its strategic uses. Enhance your deck and your understanding of the game by learning more about how Plague Spitter can become a pivotal part of your strategy, especially in environments where it can truly shine. Join us to learn more and unlock the full potential of your MTG gameplay.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Plague Spitter MTG card by a specific set like Invasion and World Championship Decks 2001, 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 Spitter and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Plague Spitter Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2000-10-02 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Chippy.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12000-10-02InvasionINV 1191997NormalBlackChippy
22001-08-08World Championship Decks 2001WC01 tvdl1191997NormalGoldChippy
32022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 7672015NormalBlackChippy
42022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 4562015NormalBlackChippy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Plague Spitter has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal