Plaguebearer MTG Card

Card advantage through Plaguebearer’s ability to limit opponent’s creature deployment and presence. Instant speed activation allows for tactical responses and strategic mana usage during gameplay. Specific mana demands and escalating costs may limit Plaguebearer’s versatility in certain decks.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Zombie
Released	1998-06-15
Set symbol
Set name	Exodus
Set code	EXO
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	71
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ron Spencer

Text of card

o Xo Xoo B Destroy target nonblack creature with total casting cost equal to X.

Its respiration is your expiration.

Cards like Plaguebearer

Plaguebearer stands out as a unique creature card in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, belonging to the subset of cards that can manipulate the board by targeting and destroying creatures. When we look at cards such as Skinrender, we see a parallel in the creature control aspect. Skinrender enters the battlefield with the ability to place three -1/-1 counters on a creature, in some ways echoing Plaguebearer’s destructive capability. However, Plaguebearer offers repeated use of its ability, albeit at a potentially higher mana cost for larger creatures.

Comparably, the card Royal Assassin allows for the removal of targeted tapped creatures, giving a player the control to eliminate key threats. Unlike Royal Assassin, Plaguebearer does not require creatures to be tapped, providing more flexibility. Another similar card is Avatar of Woe, which can destroy creatures without the necessity of tapping, much like Plaguebearer, but comes with a potentially higher impact by eliminating creatures regardless of size for a fixed cost once it’s active.

Although there are various options for creature control in MTG, Plaguebearer remains a versatile choice, offering scalable destruction that can adapt as threats grow, ensuring its place in decks focusing on maintaining a clear battlefield through pinpoint removal.

Cards similar to Plaguebearer by color, type and mana cost

Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Plaguebearer offers strategic flexibility, allowing you to whittle down opposing creatures and potentially deter opponents from deploying their smaller creatures. This establishes a subtle form of card advantage, as you are effectively nullifying your opponent’s resources while maintaining your own.

Resource Acceleration: In a deck built around sacrificial mechanics or creature death triggers, Plaguebearer can be a crucial engine. While it doesn’t directly produce additional resources, its ability can trigger synergies that accelerate your resource development indirectly, contributing to the broader strategy of controlling the board state.

Instant Speed: The real power of Plaguebearer lies in its ability to be activated at instant speed. This grants you the agency to respond to threats immediately, disrupt your opponent’s strategies mid-combat, or simply use your mana efficiently at the end of your opponent’s turn if you’ve kept resources available for responses.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Plaguebearer requires that you’ve already set up a graveyard strategy or have expendable cards in hand. Without an active graveyard or cards you’re willing to part with, utilizing its ability could put you at a significant disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Plaguebearer’s activation cost is not only specific to black mana but also escalates with the toughness of the target creature. This can make it a challenging fit for multicolored decks or those with a tight mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Plaguebearer can be a powerful asset, its initial casting cost combined with the variable activation cost means you could be investing a lot of mana into it. Other creatures or spells might offer similar or better removal options without such a high mana commitment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Plaguebearer offers unique adaptability across multiple deck types, particularly in those that revolve around counter manipulation or attrition strategies. Its ability to pick off key creatures scales with your mana availability, making it a versatile threat in drawn-out matches.

Combo Potential: This creature shines in combos, serving as an engine in a deck designed around +1/+1 counters. Pairing it with proliferate mechanics or cards that generate abundant mana can establish a board state where Plaguebearer controls and dominates the creature landscape.

Meta-Relevance: In metas teeming with creature-based decks, Plaguebearer becomes exceedingly valuable. Its targeted removal capability proves crucial in dismantling opponent tactics and maintaining board control, making it a strategic addition amidst creature-centric environments.

How to beat

Plaguebearer presents a unique challenge on the battlefield due to its creature removal ability, which can be activated for as little as one mana. This card showcases a potentially relentless attrition strategy that can be difficult to overcome. To counteract Plaguebearer’s ability to pick off smaller creatures, leveraging cards that generate numerous tokens or creatures with undying and persist abilities can be extremely effective, as these creatures can withstand or even benefit from being targeted.

Another viable strategy involves cards that grant your creatures hexproof or shroud, rendering Plaguebearer’s targeted ability ineffective. Moreover, instant speed removal or countermagic can disrupt the utilization of Plaguebearer’s ability on your turn, protecting your creatures and preserving your board presence. It’s also worth considering the use of high toughness creatures or those with indestructible, as they can easily outmatch Plaguebearer’s damage output.

Ultimately, while Plaguebearer can seem daunting with its scalable creature removal, planning your deck to include resilient creatures, protective spells, or faster, more aggressive strategies can keep it in check. Overpowering it before the mana investment becomes impactful is key in maintaining control over the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Plaguebearer MTG card by a specific set like Exodus, 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 Plaguebearer and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Plaguebearer has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal