Purestrain Genestealer MTG Card


Purestrain Genestealer provides card draw and lands for a substantial battlefield advantage. Its high mana cost and specific color needs may hinder deck flexibility and strategy. Despite drawbacks, its versatile and meta-relevant qualities make it worthy of collection.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Tyranid
Abilities Vanguard Species
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Purestrain Genestealer enters the battlefield with two +1/+1 counters on it. Vanguard Species — Whenever Purestrain Genestealer attacks, you may remove a +1/+1 counter from it. If you do, search your library for a basic land card, put it onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle.


Cards like Purestrain Genestealer

The Purestrain Genestealer is another intriguing creature to join the ever-expanding roster of MTG cards. Creatures like Knight of the Holy Nimbus resonate with Purestrain Genestealer due to their low casting cost and valuable abilities that enhance survivability on the battlefield. Both cards offer tactical advantages, although the Purestrain Genestealer edges out with its gene-stealing proficiency, which can have a lasting impact on the tide of a game.

Examining those akin to Purestrain Genestealer, Adaptive Automaton emerges as a comparable card, given its ability to enhance others of a chosen type. This versatility can be likened to Purestrain Genestealer’s tribal synergy, although the latter specializes in working within its own specific creature type. Another notable card, Metallic Mimic, also shares this tribal enhancement factor, but lacks the Genestealer’s capability of permanently altering the playing field through its unique abilities.

In the realm of tribal-based gameplay, Purestrain Genestealer stands out. It works seamlessly with other like-minded creatures, fostering a more cohesive and formidable line of defense. Its distinct skill set affords it a place of respect, especially among those who appreciate the strategic depth of tribal deck building within MTG.

Knight of the Holy Nimbus - MTG Card versions
Adaptive Automaton - MTG Card versions
Metallic Mimic - MTG Card versions
Knight of the Holy Nimbus - MTG Card versions
Adaptive Automaton - MTG Card versions
Metallic Mimic - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Purestrain Genestealer by color, type and mana cost

Cat Warriors - MTG Card versions
Rysorian Badger - MTG Card versions
Sabertooth Cobra - MTG Card versions
Quirion Druid - MTG Card versions
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Titania's Chosen - MTG Card versions
Taoist Mystic - MTG Card versions
Femeref Archers - MTG Card versions
Steel Leaf Champion - MTG Card versions
Realmwalker - MTG Card versions
Topiary Stomper - MTG Card versions
Territorial Scythecat - MTG Card versions
Wirewood Savage - MTG Card versions
Reki, the History of Kamigawa - MTG Card versions
Timberwatch Elf - MTG Card versions
Pincher Beetles - MTG Card versions
Awakener Druid - MTG Card versions
Brindle Boar - MTG Card versions
Wood Elves - MTG Card versions
Rot Wolf - MTG Card versions
Cat Warriors - MTG Card versions
Rysorian Badger - MTG Card versions
Sabertooth Cobra - MTG Card versions
Quirion Druid - MTG Card versions
Hungry Hungry Heifer - MTG Card versions
Titania's Chosen - MTG Card versions
Taoist Mystic - MTG Card versions
Femeref Archers - MTG Card versions
Steel Leaf Champion - MTG Card versions
Realmwalker - MTG Card versions
Topiary Stomper - MTG Card versions
Territorial Scythecat - MTG Card versions
Wirewood Savage - MTG Card versions
Reki, the History of Kamigawa - MTG Card versions
Timberwatch Elf - MTG Card versions
Pincher Beetles - MTG Card versions
Awakener Druid - MTG Card versions
Brindle Boar - MTG Card versions
Wood Elves - MTG Card versions
Rot Wolf - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Purestrain Genestealer card provides a formidable advantage by potentially drawing you additional cards. When it deals combat damage to a player, you could reveal the top card of your library and into your hand, ensuring that you’re never short on options.

Resource Acceleration: This creature can be a key piece in accelerating your resources. By potentially placing lands from the top of your library into the battlefield, it can ramp up your mana availability, allowing for more significant plays earlier in the game.

Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, the Purestrain Genestealer’s abilities can benefit from instant-speed interactions on the battlefield. With flash enablers, you could deploy it unexpectedly during your opponent’s turn, disrupting their strategy and gaining the upper hand.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Purestrain Genestealer card demands that you part ways with another card from your hand, a trade-off that might put you at a disadvantage, mainly when your hand is already dwindling and every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Deck building flexibility gets a notch down with this card because it needs a particular color combination of mana to cast. This specificity can limit strategic variety and might not be the best fit outside dedicated decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When it comes to mana investment, the Purestrain Genestealer asks for a sizeable amount. In a game where every mana point matters, you might find that the cost surpasses the immediate benefits, especially when there are numerous lower-cost cards offering similar or more impactful effects.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Purestrain Genestealer offers adaptability on the battlefield, capable of integrating into various deck archetypes. Its ability to pressure opponents early in the game makes it a valuable addition for decks that thrive on a strong offense.

Combo Potential: With synergistic capabilities, Purestrain Genestealer works well with decks that exploit creature abilities. Its inherent traits can help unlock powerful combinations, augmenting your deck’s performance significantly.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the shifting dynamics of tournament play, Purestrain Genestealer remains relevant. It can counter prevalent control tactics, enabling a more robust strategy that adapts to the competitive landscape.


How to beat

Purestrain Genestealer poses a formidable threat on the battlefield with its potent combination of abilities that can make quick work of opponents in Magic: The Gathering. The key to outmaneuvering this card lies in understanding its strengths and preemptively countering its influence. You might want to consider using removal spells that don’t target or those that exile, to bypass any protective measures. Board wipes are especially effective as they cleanse the battlefield regardless of individual creature abilities.

Tapping into graveyard disruption proves invaluable, with cards like Tormod’s Crypt that exile the opponent’s graveyard, nullifying any advantages they might leverage through creature recursion. Hand disruption plays a critical role as well; thoughtfully pilfering your opponent’s hand with cards like Thoughtseize can disrupt their game plan and eliminate threats like Purestrain Genestealer before they even hit the board. Lastly, improving your deck’s speed and efficiency to outpace the setup and execution of your opponent’s strategy can take you a long way in securing victory against this menacing card.


BurnMana Recommendations

Unlocking the full potential of the Purestrain Genestealer in MTG could prove to be a game-changer in your matches. With its ability to provide card advantage and accelerate your resources, this creature can dominate the battlefield, creating new opportunities with each turn. If you’re eager to up your strategic game, incorporating cards like the Genestealer could be the edge you’re looking for. Dive deeper into synergy exploration and discover how this card can enhance your deck’s performance against various opponents. Curious about the best strategies to leverage the Genestealer’s abilities? We invite you to learn more with us and refine your deck-building skills for your next victorious matchup.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Purestrain Genestealer MTG card by a specific set like Warhammer 40,000 Commander and Warhammer 40,000 Commander, 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 Purestrain Genestealer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Purestrain Genestealer Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-10-07 and 2022-10-07. Illustrated by Games Workshop.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 972015NormalBlackGames Workshop
22022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 97★2015NormalBlackGames Workshop

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Purestrain Genestealer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal