Corrosive Mentor MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Elemental Rogue
Released	2008-05-02
Set symbol
Set name	Shadowmoor
Set code	SHM
Power	1
Toughness	3
Number	61
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Daarken

Key Takeaways

Corrosive Mentor provides battlefield control by weakening enemy creatures, which may lead to card advantage.
Its static ability applies constant pressure and can force opponents to alter their play strategies.
Exclusive to black creatures, it demands strategic deck building focused around -1/-1 counter synergies.

Text of card

Black creatures you control have wither. (They deal damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters.)

Guttering cinders stoke their dying flames by snuffing out the lights of others.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Corrosive Mentor’s ability to place a -1/-1 counter on every nonblack creature that blocks or becomes blocked by a black creature you control can dismantle your opponent’s forces. This not only tips the battlefield in your favor but also enables potential card advantage if it leads to better trades or discourages blocks altogether.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly influencing mana resources, the Mentor’s effect can be a form of acceleration by weakening your opponent’s creatures, making your own attacks more efficient. This allows you to use your creatures and mana more aggressively, knowing that your threats are more likely to survive combat.

Instant Speed: Although the Corrosive Mentor itself isn’t an instant, its static ability works at all times. This offers strategic flexibility similar to instant speed interactions. You’re constantly applying pressure and altering combat math, which can force your opponent to play around your potential moves even when it’s not your turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Corrosive Mentor requires a steady flow of other creatures on the board to maximize its utility. If you’re behind or facing a creature-light deck, this card’s impact diminishes significantly, potentially clogging your hand without providing immediate value.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that demands two black mana, integrating Corrosive Mentor into multi-colored decks becomes more challenging. This mana specificity demands a strong investment in black mana sources, reducing flexibility when building your deck.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the ability to grant wither to your other black creatures is potent, the three total mana cost for a 1/2 creature can be steep. Considering the curve of most aggressive black decks, allocating three mana for a creature with minimal board presence might not always align with your strategy, especially when there are other compelling options at this price point in the mana curve.

Reasons to Include Corrosive Mentor in Your Collection

Versatility: Corrosive Mentor slides into a variety of black-based decks, particularly those that capitalize on -1/-1 counter mechanics. Its ability to grant this effect to black creatures you control can be a game-changer, turning even your smallest creatures into threats.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combo settings. It pairs excellently with creatures that have persist or with other cards that benefit from -1/-1 counters being placed on creatures, enabling potentially infinite interactions that can overwhelm opponents.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-dependent strategies predominate, Corrosive Mentor can act as a constant source of board disruption. Its potential to tilt combat in your favor by weakening enemy forces makes it a relevant and tactical choice in various metas.

How to Beat Corrosive Mentor

Corrosive Mentor is a strategic component in black-based token strategies within Magic the Gathering. This intriguing card bolsters those tactics by applying wither to each black creature you control. This ability enables your creatures to deal damage in the form of -1/-1 counters, effectively reducing an opponent’s creature strength turn by turn. Overcoming this incremental advantage requires a nuanced approach.

To counteract Corrosive Mentor, prioritize removal spells that can target this creature directly. Since it’s not exceptionally tough, common removal spells should suffice. Additionally, consider employing board wipes to reset the playing field before your opponent’s wither strategy fully develops. Sweeping away multiple creatures at once can swiftly negate the value Corrosive Mentor hopes to provide over time. Lastly, utilizing hexproof or indestructible creatures can prevent wither from impacting your board presence, circumventing his ability altogether and leaving your opponent at a disadvantage. By understanding Corrosive Mentor’s role in an opponent’s deck and preparing counter-strategies accordingly, you can ensure your MTG matches remain competitive.

In essence, the key to beating Corrosive Mentor lies in quick removal, strategic planning, and having the right countermeasures in your deck to handle this persistent threat.

Cards like Corrosive Mentor

Corrosive Mentor brings a unique twist to the creature buffing mechanics in Magic: The Gathering, sharing similarities with other creatures that empower those that share their type. Comparable to cards like Death Baron, which grants deathtouch to your Zombie creatures, Corrosive Mentor offers the same ability, but for black creatures specifically. The intrinsic value of giving deathtouch to a wider array of creatures without a tribal lock makes Corrosive Mentor a versatile option in various deck builds.

Another card worth mentioning is Baleful Eidolon. It also bestows deathtouch but as an enchantment creature, it can double as a creature itself or attach to another, a flexibility that the Mentor doesn’t possess. However, Corrosive Mentor has the upper hand by affecting multiple creatures without additional mana investment after being played. Midnight Reaper offers a different kind of support, providing card draw upon non-token creature deaths, yet without enhancing their combat abilities as Corrosive Mentor does.

When evaluating these cards, Corrosive Mentor stands out for its blanket effect, elevating it as a strategic inclusion in decks aiming to make the most of numerous black creatures’ combat engagements.

Cards similar to Corrosive Mentor by color, type and mana cost

Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Corrosive Mentor MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, 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 Corrosive Mentor and other MTG cards: