Putrid Leech MTG Card
2009-04-30 - Number 95
2012-09-07 - Number 53
2014-03-14 - Number 51
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Zombie Leech |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Pay 2 life: Putrid Leech gets +2/+2 until end of turn. Play this ability only once each turn.
It reacted to Naya's overabundant food supply by growing additional mouths.
Cards like Putrid Leech
In the realm of creature cards in MTG, Putrid Leech offers a blend of aggression and resilience that suits many decks. It stands in comparison with Vampire Nighthawk, a creature card offering both lifelink and deathtouch, a combination that promises both defensive and offensive advantages. However, while the Nighthawk provides a stable board presence, Putrid Leech demands the right moment for its power boost, trading life for greater attack and defense at a crucial junction.
Another card to consider alongside Putrid Leech is Experiment One. This creature excels in decks that aim to evolve and grow over time, potentially surpassing Putrid Leech in size. Yet, it lags behind in the immediate impact that Putrid Leech can have early in the game, given that it can be a formidable 4/4 on turn two.
Rounding out the comparison, Scavenging Ooze brings a different flavor to the mix, offering not just a growing threat but also graveyard disruption and life gain. It’s a more reactive card than Putrid Leech which can adapt to various situations but doesn’t provide the same predictable power boost.
Assessing these creatures side by side, Putrid Leech holds a unique position, offering a consistent and cost-effective way to pressure opponents right from the early game stages.
Cards similar to Putrid Leech by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Putrid Leech doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its efficient trading potential on the battlefield often forces opponents to use more resources to deal with it, indirectly contributing to card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: As a 2 mana creature that can become a 4/4, Putrid Leech accelerates your board presence quickly, effectively using your mana resources to apply pressure and demand answers from your opponents early on in the game.
Instant Speed: The ability to pay life to increase Putrid Leech’s power and toughness can be activated at instant speed, making it a versatile threat during combat. This allows for surprise combat tricks that can turn the tide of battle, catching an adversary off-guard.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To unlock its potential, Putrid Leech demands you pay 2 life, which could strain your life total in close games or against aggressive strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: Necessitating both black and green mana, this card limits flexibility, requiring a committed deck strategy and a stable mana base to be played effectively.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a 2/2 creature, the initial cost may deter some players when considering more mana-efficient creatures with similar or greater power available.
Reasons to Include Putrid Leech in Your Collection
Versatility: Putrid Leech provides an adaptable presence on the battlefield, able to become a more formidable creature at a moment’s notice. This adaptability makes it a great fit for various decks, especially those that can afford to pay life for increased power on board.
Combo Potential: This card pairs well with strategies focusing on life gain or effects that trigger when life is paid as a cost. Combining Putrid Leech with cards that offset its life payment can lead to powerful synergies and enhance overall strategy.
Meta-Relevance: If the current competitive environment leans towards aggressive plays, Putrid Leech’s ability to swiftly escalate its power makes it an asset in applying early pressure or defending against other aggressive creatures.
How to beat
Putrid Leech poses a unique challenge on the battlefield, known for its power to change the tide of combat in a matter of turns. Boasting the ability to enhance its strength and toughness, it’s no surprise opponents find it daunting. However, this creature has a weakness – the life payment required to activate its ability can leave its controller vulnerable to strategic life-loss effects.
Players often forget the importance of removal spells when facing threats like Putrid Leech. Cheap and efficient spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can dispatch the leech before its effect becomes a problem. Additionally, since activating Putrid Leech’s ability is not a mana ability, it leaves room for instant-speed responses, creating perfect opportunities to take it out or cripple your opponent’s life total further without having them benefit from the increased power and toughness.
Lastly, countering the card outright remains a viable strategy. With cards such as Spell Pierce or Negate, players can preemptively deal with the Leech, keeping their life total safe and their opponent’s board presence minimal. Understanding these strategies is essential, ensuring Putrid Leech doesn’t become an insurmountable obstacle in your MTG games.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Putrid Leech MTG card by a specific set like Alara Reborn and Duel Decks: Izzet vs. Golgari, 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 Putrid Leech 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
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Putrid Leech Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2009-04-30 and 2014-03-14. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-04-30 | Alara Reborn | ARB | 95 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Allsop | |
| 2 | 2012-09-07 | Duel Decks: Izzet vs. Golgari | DDJ | 53 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Allsop | |
| 3 | 2014-03-14 | Duel Decks: Jace vs. Vraska | DDM | 51 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Craig J Spearing |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Putrid Leech has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |