Putrefaction MTG Card

Putrefaction undermines opponents, providing card and resource advantage through strategic discards. Instant speed playability of Putrefaction adds unpredictability and tactical flexibility to matches. Its specific mana and high cost can limit deck integration and immediate board impact.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment
Released	1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mercadian Masques
Set code	MMQ
Number	153
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	DiTerlizzi

Text of card

Whenever a player plays a white spell or green spell, that player discards a card from his or her hand.

"Do you want to be alive or whole?" —Ta-Karnst, Cho-Arrim healer

Cards like Putrefaction

Putrefaction offers a unique strategy for creature control in Magic: The Gathering. It shares conceptual space with cards like Contagion, which allows players to spend life instead of mana to give creatures -2/-1 counters. However, Putrefaction stands out by dealing with non-creature permanents, poising it as a distinct choice for disrupting opponents.

When considering likeness, Pernicious Deed emerges as another card capable of dealing with a variety of permanents. The ability to pay X and clear the board of tokens and low-cost permanents makes it flexible. Unlike Putrefaction, it’s not limited to just non-creature permanents, yet it doesn’t offer the repeatable effect for each spell cast without creatures. Additionally, Putrefy is a direct and cost-efficient removal spell that destroys target artifact or creature, but it doesn’t provide the ongoing control potential that Putrefaction does.

Hence, Putrefaction is a novel addition to the MTG ecosystem. While there are other spells that can disrupt an opponent’s board, Putrefaction’s unique handling of non-creature permanents with a persistent deterrent ensures it has its niche among the various removal options available to players looking to control the pace and flow of the game.

Cards similar to Putrefaction by color, type and mana cost

Screams of the Damned - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Putrefaction offers players the potential to disrupt opponents’ strategies by forcing them to discard cards, essentially stripping them of their resources while concurrently bolstering your hand, giving you a broader range of options and responses during gameplay.

Resource Acceleration: By undermining your opponent’s hand with targeted discards, you are effectively accelerating your own resource advantage. Control over the game is often tied to who has access to more options, and Putrefaction helps tip the scales in your favor.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Putrefaction at instant speed adds a layer of versatility to your strategy. This timing allows you to interrupt opponents during critical phases or in response to their threats, keeping them guessing and playing around your unseen potential.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Putrefaction card necessitates that you discard another card as part of its activation cost. This stipulation can often lead to a difficult decision, particularly if your hand is already depleted or if every card is crucial for maintaining your strategic advantage on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Locked behind a black mana requirement, Putrefaction demands a deck tailored around swamps or mana-fixing capabilities. This particular need can restrict the card’s integration into multicolored decks or those that don’t focus on black mana sources, potentially rendering it a dead card in draws where the specific mana is unavailable.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher mana cost than some alternative cards in the same category, Putrefaction may not be the most mana-efficient choice for your deck. Players might find themselves forgoing its activation in favor of deploying multiple lower-costing spells or creatures, which could contribute more immediately to board presence and momentum within the game.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Putrefaction brings utility to any deck that thrives on controlling the board. Its ability to destroy creatures can be pivotal in both early and late-game scenarios, ensuring you remain the dominant force on the table.

Combo Potential: This card is particularly potent when combined with effects that benefit from the death of creatures, such as triggering morbid abilities or enhancing grave-based strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment abundant with creature-heavy decks, Putrefaction has a significant role in shifting the scales in your favor, keeping the creature count on the adversary’s side consistently low.

How to beat

Putrefaction is a card that can pose a significant threat on the battlefield with its ability to distort an opponent’s gameplay, creating a challenging environment in any MTG matchup. Tackling this card requires a well-thought-out strategy. First and foremost, timing is essential. Playing around Putrefaction means you might need to adjust when you cast your creature spells. Consider holding off on key creatures until you can deal with Putrefaction or have alternative plays that don’t involve casting creature spells.

Removal spells are your best friend against Putrefaction. Prioritize having enchantment removal in your deck, such as Disenchant or Naturalize, which are effective and versatile answers to Putrefaction. Be tactical with your removal; wait for the right moment to surprise your opponent and dismantle their strategy. Also, don’t overlook the power of counterspells. Countering Putrefaction before it hits the board is an efficient solution, keeping your game plan on track without interruptions.

Lastly, embracing indirect strategies can help circumvent Putrefaction’s crippling effect. Utilize noncreature spells that create creature tokens or rely on planeswalkers with abilities to generate creatures indirectly. By pivoting your tactics and having the right answers at hand, you can overcome the daunting presence of Putrefaction on the field and maintain control over the game’s pace.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Putrefaction MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Putrefaction and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Putrefaction has restrictions

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