Poison Counter MTG Card
2010-10-01 - Number 10
2011-02-04 - Number 6
2011-05-13 - Number 5
2023-02-03 - Number 14
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Type | Card |
Text of card
(A player with ten or more poison counters loses the game.)
Cards like Poison Counter
In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, the poison counter mechanic is a unique strategy, and cards utilizing this tactic can drastically shape the dynamics of a match. Similar to the infamous poison counter card Glistener Elf, which is known for its potency in infect decks, many other MTG cards can also distribute poison counters, albeit with varying conditions.
Take for instance Virulent Sliver, a card which shares the poison counter dispatch but within a Sliver tribal setting, conferring the mechanic to all Sliver creatures on the field. Further, the card Inkmoth Nexus transforms into an infect creature itself, threatening to spread poison counters while remaining versatile as a land. These cards, much like Glistener Elf, can change the course of a game by accumulating ten poison counters to secure a win, circumventing traditional life totals.
Despite the differences in creature types and activation requirements, cards associated with the infect strategy are connected by their common goal: delivering enough poison counters to swiftly defeat an opponent. They might vary in execution, but they unite under the same lethal objective that makes poison counter MTG cards a formidable force on the battlefield.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Poison Counter cards often disrupt opponents while setting up potentially game-ending conditions without sacrificing hand resources.
Resource Acceleration: These cards synergize with proliferate mechanics, effectively accelerating the poison counter accumulation and pressuring opponents more swiftly.
Instant Speed: Several poison-inflicting cards can be played at instant speed, offering the flexibility to respond to opponents’ actions and strategically plan the application of poison counters during critical moments.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For players leveraging poison counter cards, keeping a full hand can be crucial. These cards often require a discard as part of the casting cost or as an ability activation. This might strain your resources, especially when you need to maintain card advantage to respond to your opponent’s threats effectively.
Specific Mana Cost: Poison counter-centric cards typically lean towards green and black mana. If your deck isn’t tailored to support these colors, integrating these cards can be challenging. This requirement can severely restrict deck-building options and prevent the inclusion of such cards in multi-color decks not centered around those particular mana types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: A significant number of poison counter cards come with a high mana cost for their effects. This can slow down your gameplay, making it more difficult to deploy counters quickly. In a fast-paced game, having to allocate a substantial amount of mana to set up poison counters could put you at a disadvantage if your opponents are playing low-cost, high-impact cards.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Poison Counter cards offer unique strategies across various formats. From Commander to Modern, there’s always a deck looking to leverage the infect mechanic. The ability to count towards an alternate win condition by accumulating ten poison counters on opponents makes these cards a valuable asset for any collection.
Combo Potential: Cards that generate poison counters often synergize with proliferate mechanics and +1/+1 counters, creating devastating combos. Their interaction with cards such as Doubling Season or Winding Constrictor can quickly escalate the threat level, closing games swiftly with an unprepared opponent.
Meta-Relevance: As meta games evolve, the presence of aggressive and fast-paced strategies can make poison counter cards extremely relevant. Their potential to bypass traditional life-total based strategies can catch many opponents off guard, making them a potent choice for competitive play.
How to beat
Poison Counter cards in Magic: The Gathering represent a unique threat with an alternative win condition that can take opponents by surprise. Cards like ‘Virulent Sliver’ or ‘Blighted Agent’ deposit these venomous counters on players, ticking closer to the fatal ten-count threshold. To counteract this strategy, it’s essential to prioritize cards that offer life gain, counter spells or direct removal to neutralize these poisonous perpetrators quickly.
Moreover, including cards that provide you with hexproof, such as ‘Leyline of Sanctity’, prevents you from being targeted by spells that distribute poison counters. Some players prefer a more aggressive stance, using cards like ‘Melira, Sylvok Outcast’ to make themselves and their creatures immune to being poisoned, effectively nullifying an opponent’s poison counter tactics. A balanced deck with a focus on removal, life gain, and hexproof capabilities is key to dismantling a poison counter strategy’s lethal potential, ensuring you remain healthy and in the game longer.
Constructing your deck with these strategies in mind, while managing your resources effectively, positions you well against poison counter challenges. Keeping calm and making the most of your counters and protective spells can nullify this slippery strategy, leading you towards a clear path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Poison Counter MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin and Mirrodin Besieged, 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 Poison Counter 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
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Printings
The Poison Counter Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2010-10-01 and 2023-02-03. Illustrated by 0 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-10-01 | Scars of Mirrodin | SOM | 10 | 2003 | Token | Black | ||
| 2 | 2011-02-04 | Mirrodin Besieged | MBS | 6 | 2003 | Token | Black | ||
| 3 | 2011-05-13 | New Phyrexia | NPH | 5 | 2003 | Token | Black | ||
| 4 | 2023-02-03 | Phyrexia: All Will Be One | ONE | 14 | 2015 | Token | Black |