Putrid Warrior MTG Card
2001-06-04 - Number 117
2020-09-26 - Number APC-117
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Zombie Soldier Warrior |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Whenever Putrid Warrior deals damage, choose one each player loses 1 life; or each player gains 1 life.
"I do not like it," said Grizzlegom, "but I will take every soldier I can get."
Cards like Putrid Warrior
Putrid Warrior is an intriguing part of the black and white creature card lineup in Magic: The Gathering. When observed alongside its brethren, it gets attention for its unique on-death ability that allows a player to gain or make an opponent lose life. This feature draws a parallel to Vindictive Lich, which offers a choice of painful effects upon death, one of which also includes life loss.
Others like Doomed Traveler offer a different but valuable exit strategy, generating a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying upon hitting the graveyard, ensuring board presence after death. Tithebearer Giant stands out as well with its entrance ability, allowing its controller to draw a card but at the cost of life – a different angle of ensuring resource flow. Finally, comparing it to creatures like Blood Artist, which focuses on enjoying benefits from any creature’s demise, showcases a shared philosophy of gaining advantages from deaths on the battlefield, albeit in a broader context.
When we dive deep into the synergy and effects that each similar creature card can bring, Putrid Warrior certainly finds a niche as a flexible piece in MTG decks focused on life manipulation and death-triggered mechanics.
Cards similar to Putrid Warrior by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Putrid Warrior offers a unique advantage by giving the player the option to either draw a card or force the opponent to lose one. This versatility allows savvy players to make strategic decisions based on the flow of the game.
Resource Acceleration: While Putrid Warrior itself does not directly accelerate resources, it can indirectly contribute to resource acceleration by pressuring opponents and thereby creating openings for more aggressive play or advantageous trades, potentially leading to a more favorable board state.
Instant Speed: Though Putrid Warrior is not an instant, the card effect is triggered upon dealing damage which can effectively be during the instant phase of combat. This surprise factor can catch opponents off guard, essentially granting a form of tempo which is pivotal in many MTG strategies.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Putrid Warrior asks for a card to be discarded when it enters the battlefield. This can deplete your hand, especially when you’re trying to maintain card advantage against your opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature card requires both black and white mana to cast. For decks that aren’t built around this color combination, fitting Putrid Warrior into your game strategy could be tricky and limiting.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a card that provides minimal battlefield presence, Putrid Warrior’s mana cost can be steep. There are alternatives in the same cost bracket that may provide a greater impact or more versatility in a game, making it less attractive for competitive play.
Reasons to Include Putrid Warrior in Your Collection
Versatility: Putrid Warrior offers a flexible role in various deck builds, particularly in Aristocrats or Zombie tribal themes where its sacrifice mechanic proves useful.
Combo Potential: Its ability to toggle between life gain and life loss opens up synergies with cards that thrive on life total changes or death triggers.
Meta-Relevance: In the current metagame, where life totals can be a critical resource, having a card like Putrid Warrior can offer a strategic edge in pivotal, fast-paced matches.
How to beat
The Putrid Warrior card is one that demands a specific strategy to overcome. As a creature that can swing damage to your life total while gaining that amount for your opponent, it’s pivotal to address it swiftly on the battlefield. To beat Putrid Warrior effectively, consider utilizing removal spells that can take it out before its abilities trigger. Instant speed spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push are excellent for this task, allowing you to deal with the threat before it gains momentum.
You could also include creatures with first strike to win combat against Putrid Warrior without taking damage. If you’re in a more controlling deck, consider using board wipes to reset the field. On the other hand, aggressive deck players should capitalize on speed, taking down the opponent before they can leverage Putrid Warrior’s life-swing potential. Key is to either neutralize this card early on or circumvent its effect by focusing on alternative winning strategies.
Understanding the dynamics of creatures with life-shift abilities empowers you to develop a multifaceted approach, ensuring that you aren’t caught off-guard by their potential for tipping the scales in prolonged matches. Adjusting your deck to include responsive answers to such threats will elevate your level of play and preparedness in any match-up where cards like Putrid Warrior are present.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Putrid Warrior MTG card by a specific set like Apocalypse and The List, 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 Warrior 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Putrid Warrior Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2001-06-04 and 2001-06-04. Illustrated by Ray Lago.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-06-04 | Apocalypse | APC | 117 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ray Lago | |
| 2 | The List | PLST | APC-117 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ray Lago |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Putrid Warrior has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |