Trigon of Infestation MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact |
| Released | 2010-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Scars of Mirrodin |
| Set code | SOM |
| Number | 214 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Dave Allsop |
Key Takeaways
- Trigon of Infestation offers repeated insect token generation for sustained board presence and strategic depth.
- Activation at instant speed with Trigon of Infestation allows for tactical surprises and flexibility during matches.
- Despite its virtues, the Trigon’s specific mana needs and discard requirement can limit its playability.
Text of card
Trigon of Infestation enters the battlefield with three charge counters on it. , : Put a charge counter on Trigon of Infestation. , , Remove a charge counter from Trigon of Infestation: Put a 1/1 green Insect creature token with infect onto the battlefield.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Trigon of Infestation enables repeated token generation, ensuring a steady stream of creatures that can turn the tide of a game. By utilizing charge counters, you can create multiple insect tokens, bolstering your on-board presence and overwhelming your opponent with a growing army.
Resource Acceleration: By putting creatures on the board without expending cards from your hand, Trigon of Infestation effectively accelerates your resource pool. Each insect token can be seen as an asset, contributing to your offensive and defensive strategies and possibly synergizing with other effects in your deck that capitalize on creature numbers.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Trigon of Infestation at instant speed presents tactical diversity. It allows you to react at the end of your opponent’s turn or in response to their actions, creating surprise blockers or capitalizing on moments when your opponent is unprepared for an influx of insect tokens.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Trigon of Infestation requires players to discard a card, potentially depleting their hand. This can be particularly disadvantageous in the late game where every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Casting Trigon of Infestation demands a very specific mana alignment, including Phyrexian green. This can be a challenge for multi-colored decks that may not have the flexibility to accommodate such specific needs.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that can be substantial for what it accomplishes, the Trigon of Infestation might not be the most mana-efficient option available. Players could find other cards with lower costs or more impactful effects to include in their decks.
Reasons to Include Trigon of Infestation in Your Collection
Versatility: Trigon of Infestation offers strategic flexibility to any deck that capitalizes on token generation or artifact synergy. Its ability to produce insect creature tokens can serve various roles, from blockers to offensive pressure.
Combo Potential: This artifact thrives in situations where insect tokens can be used to amplify the effects of other cards, such as those increasing creature count for swarm strategies or enabling sacrifice for additional benefits.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where small creature strategies are prevalent, or where tokens can be converted into other forms of value, Trigon of Infestation aligns well, making it a solid inclusion in related decks.
How to beat
Trigon of Infestation can be a challenging card to face in a game of Magic: The Gathering. The artifact’s ability to churn out insect tokens makes it a persistent threat that can quickly turn the tides of a match. To effectively counter this artifact, one strategy is to utilize removal spells that specifically target artifacts. Cards like Disenchant or Naturalize offer a direct and cost-efficient way to eliminate the Trigon from play, halting the flow of insect tokens.
Besides, spell-based strategies, players may consider incorporating creatures with artifact destruction abilities, such as Reclamation Sage or Thrashing Brontodon. These creatures serve a dual purpose by providing a presence on the board while having the capacity to destroy key artifacts like the Trigon of Infestation when needed. Additionally, applying pressure with aggressive plays forces the opponent to use the Trigon defensively, which can be an advantage to exploit.
Ultimately, the versatility and timing of your artifact removal play a crucial role. It’s important to assess the state of your opponent’s board and your own before committing to a play. Quick action combined with the right cards can dismantle the threat posed by Trigon of Infestation, securing your position in the game.
Cards like Trigon of Infestation
The Trigon of Infestation is an intriguing artifact within Magic: The Gathering, offering a unique approach to token generation. It echoes the token-creating ability of Myr Turbine which also acts as a repeatable source of creature tokens. However, Myr Turbine focuses specifically on creating Myr creature tokens, while Trigon of Infestation is more flexible, producing insect tokens that can be used defensively as blockers or offensively to whittle down your opponent’s life.
In the realm of token generation, Tendershoot Dryad stands out as well, producing Saproling tokens during each upkeep, which becomes even more formidable if you have the city’s blessing. The Trigon, although less prolific, allows for more control over when and how many tokens you produce. Comparatively, there’s also the Phyrexian Processor, which asks for a life investment upfront to create large Minion creature tokens later on. The Processor can be a game-changer in the right deck but lacks the versatility of the Trigon’s insect tokens that require no life payment.
Ultimately, Trigon of Infestation’s versatility in token production makes it a consistent and dependable choice for players looking to build their board presence with an array of insect tokens over time.
Cards similar to Trigon of Infestation by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Trigon of Infestation 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 Trigon of Infestation and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Trigon of Infestation has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Trigon of Infestation 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. |
