Putrefax MTG Card


Putrefax stands out with its game-ending infect ability, turning combat phases into decisive moments. Its mana-efficient damage output provides a quick route to victory in later game stages. Despite its strengths, Putrefax’s specific mana needs and high cost may limit deck flexibility.
Putrefax - Scars of Mirrodin
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Phyrexian Horror
Abilities Haste,Infect,Trample
Released2010-10-01
Set symbol
Set nameScars of Mirrodin
Set codeSOM
Power 5
Toughness 3
Number126
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred bySteven Belledin

Text of card

Trample, haste Infect (This creature deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters.) At the beginning of the end step, sacrifice Putrefax.


Cards like Putrefax

Putrefax, a force to be reckoned with in the world of Magic: The Gathering, is a valuable card with striking similarities and notable differences with other cards like Hand of the Praetors and Phyrexian Swarmlord. Similar to Putrefax, Hand of the Praetors also strikes a lethal blow, but it requires an additional point of power to achieve a one-hit kill.

Phyrexian Swarmlord shadows Putrefax in terms of infect capabilities but makes its mark by generating token creatures for every opponent infected and escalating the fervor of the game. Yet, the downside is its higher mana cost, needing up to six mana to cast, unlike Putrefax that requires only a total of five mana.

Another faux twin is the Whispering Specter. This card also offers the infect game mechanic, like Putrefax, but it empowers its controller to discard cards from an opponent’s hand based on the damage inflicted.

To sum it up, assessing Putrefax against other cards with similar attributes, it stands tall owing to its perfect balance of cost and power, providing players a potent weapon on the MTG battlefield.

Hand of the Praetors - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Swarmlord - MTG Card versions
Whispering Specter - MTG Card versions
Hand of the Praetors - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Swarmlord - MTG Card versions
Whispering Specter - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Putrefax by color, type and mana cost

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Copperhoof Vorrac - MTG Card versions
Tel-Jilad Lifebreather - MTG Card versions
Thicket Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Cockatrice - MTG Card versions
Ironroot Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Elvish Bard - MTG Card versions
Durkwood Boars - MTG Card versions
Elven Riders - MTG Card versions
Redwood Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Spined Wurm - MTG Card versions
Rabid Wolverines - MTG Card versions
Deadly Insect - MTG Card versions
Vintara Elephant - MTG Card versions
Crashing Boars - MTG Card versions
Kavu Chameleon - MTG Card versions
Spring-Leaf Avenger - MTG Card versions
Okina Nightwatch - MTG Card versions
Consuming Blob - MTG Card versions
Primeval Force - MTG Card versions
Spitting Spider - MTG Card versions
Copperhoof Vorrac - MTG Card versions
Tel-Jilad Lifebreather - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Putrefax is a brutal force on the board. This green beast can potentially end games in one swing, instantly becoming a card that opponents must answer, and hence creating significant card advantage. It can destroy your opponent’s creatures or life total, meaning your resource exchange is often in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Putrefax definitely shines by converting mana to serious physical damage fast. With a mana cost of five, this heavy hitter provides a critical boost to your offense in the later stages of a game. It’s a great way to get the most bang for your buck in terms of damage output per mana spent, offering you a potent form of resource acceleration.

Instant Speed: While Putrefax doesn’t have instant speed itself, it works incredibly well with cards that provide such a benefit. Imagine giving this infect beast flash in response to an opponent’s end of turn actions. Or perhaps you might want to equip it with the instant speed boots, allowing it to sidestep counter-magic or removal. Either way, the potential for sudden impact is staggering.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Putrefax requires careful thought before playing, as it needs you to discard a card to procure its full potential. This can prove to be a detrimental drawback if you’re running low on cards or if the discarded card happens to be a crucial part of your play strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost requirements for Putrefax involve two green mana. This specificity might act as a limitation for its integration, mostly restricting it to green decks. Thus, the card’s usability becomes narrow and may not be feasible for players who run multicolored or color-specific decks, other than green.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Putrefax’s power comes with a high price, demanding a total of five mana (3 of any color and 2 green mana) for summoning. Although the card offers impactful benefits, its summoning cost might be on the higher side when compared to other cards delivering similar effects. Thus, deploying Putrefax might take up a significant portion of your turn’s resources.


Reasons to Include Putrefax in Your Collection

Versatility: Putrefax is not just a creature card, but a valuable tool for infect strategies. With trample and haste qualities, it can get the poison counters stacking quickly against your opponent, making it a handy addition to a variety of decks.

Combo Potential: Putrefax synergizes well with other cards having proliferate or doubling effects like Corpsejack Menace. It also interacts favorably with cards providing additional attack phases, transforming it into a literal game-ender.

Meta-Relevance: Infect strategies, to which Putrefax offers substantial contribution, have always held a niche in the meta. Even though the current metagame might be dominated by aggressive or control decks, the surprise and quick-end capacity of Putrefax can turn matches around in your favor.


How to Beat

Playing against Putrefax in a game of Magic: The Gathering can be incredibly challenging. Unlike other creatures, Putrefax boasts a potent combination of Haste and Trample, making it a rampant force that swiftly deals substantial damage.

However, beating this card isn’t impossible if you’re strategic. Reacting to its Haste ability is crucial. Keep instant speed removal spells, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, at hand to deal with it before it lands any damage. Likewise, having creatures with defender abilities can absorb its Trample damage and protect your life points.

Due to Putrefax’s Infect, your defense should not solely rely on life gain tactics. Instead, invest in counteracting the poison counters – cards like Leeches may help in decreasing accumulated poison counters.

Another way to get around Putrefax is using spells that remove creatures from the game entirely, such as Swords to Plowshares, rendering the Infect trait useless. While dealing with Putrefax can be tasking, with the right strategy and deck, it is certainly achievable. Knowledge of these countermeasures is key to seizing victory when confronting Putrefax during a game of Magic: The Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

Putrefax is a name that echoes through MTG communities with an air of menacing potential. With the power to end games in a single turn, it demands respect and strategy both from those who wield it and those who face it across the table. If the thrill of harnessing such formidable force calls to you, or if you seek to refine your infect deck’s efficiency, consider Putrefax a high-value target for your collection. Dive deeper into the intricate world of Magic the Gathering, uncover the art of the perfect play, and refine your deck to the enviable precision. Embrace the challenge; learn more and ensure your next MTG session showcases your prowess with a deck boasting this impactful card.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Putrefax MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin, 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 Putrefax and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Putrefax has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Putrefax card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2011-01-01 A player who has ten or more poison counters loses the game. This is a state-based action.
2011-01-01 Damage from a source with infect affects planeswalkers normally.
2011-01-01 Damage from a source with infect is damage in all respects. If the source with infect also has lifelink, damage dealt by that source also causes its controller to gain that much life. Damage from a source with infect can be prevented or redirected. Abilities that trigger on damage being dealt will trigger if a source with infect deals damage, if appropriate.
2011-01-01 If damage from a source with infect that would be dealt to a player is prevented, that player doesn’t get poison counters. If damage from a source with infect that would be dealt to a creature is prevented, that creature doesn’t get -1/-1 counters.
2011-01-01 Infect’s effect applies to any damage, not just combat damage.
2011-01-01 The -1/-1 counters remain on the creature indefinitely. They’re not removed if the creature regenerates or the turn ends.