Spinebiter MTG Card


Spinebiter is adept at bypassing blockers, tilting control in your favor during battles. Proliferate synergies with Spinebiter can escalate your board presence significantly. Its infect ability combined with instant-speed spells makes it a formidable threat.
Spinebiter - New Phyrexia
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Phyrexian Beast
Abilities Infect
Released2011-05-13
Set symbol
Set nameNew Phyrexia
Set codeNPH
Power 3
Toughness 4
Number121
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJaime Jones

Text of card

Infect (This creature deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters.) You may have Spinebiter assign its combat damage as though it weren't blocked.


Cards like Spinebiter

Spinebiter occupies a unique role in Magic: The Gathering as a creature card with the ability to deal combat damage to a player even if it’s blocked. It stands shoulder to shoulder with other infect creatures like Ichorclaw Myr, which also threatens to deal damage in the form of -1/-1 counters. Spinebiter, though, brings a higher level of versatility to the battlefield with its ability to bypass blockers entirely.

Looking at Phyrexian Hydra, another creature with infect, Spinebiter doesn’t exponentially increase its threat with each damage dealt, but it offers consistent damage through its unblockable nature. Then we have Whispering Specter, a smaller flying infect creature that can also be hard to block but lacks Spinebiter’s reliability in securing damage each turn without the necessity of evasion.

It’s clear that while there are several cards with infect, Spinebiter’s direct damage capability makes it an asset in any MTG player’s arsenal intent on a strategy that deals infect counters efficiently, setting it apart in both functionality and strategy. This adds a layer of depth to deckbuilding, particularly in formats where infect strategies shine.

Ichorclaw Myr - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Hydra - MTG Card versions
Whispering Specter - MTG Card versions
Ichorclaw Myr - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Hydra - MTG Card versions
Whispering Specter - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Spinebiter by color, type and mana cost

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Craw Wurm - MTG Card versions
Gaea's Liege - MTG Card versions
Wiitigo - MTG Card versions
Autumn Willow - MTG Card versions
Ancient Silverback - MTG Card versions
Sulam Djinn - MTG Card versions
Verdeloth the Ancient - MTG Card versions
Nemata, Grove Guardian - MTG Card versions
Gang of Elk - MTG Card versions
Kavu Howler - MTG Card versions
Crashing Centaur - MTG Card versions
Giant Warthog - MTG Card versions
Rhox - MTG Card versions
Kodama of the East Tree - MTG Card versions
Terra Stomper - MTG Card versions
Feral Throwback - MTG Card versions
Silvos, Rogue Elemental - MTG Card versions
Brontotherium - MTG Card versions
Elvish Aberration - MTG Card versions
Seshiro the Anointed - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Spinebiter offers a strategic edge on the battlefield by enabling you to potentially eliminate key blockers or use its ability to directly damage an opponent, allowing for greater control over the game’s flow.

Resource Acceleration: While Spinebiter itself doesn’t directly contribute to resource acceleration, its synergy with proliferate strategies can rapidly escalate your board presence and available options by accentuating counters on your permanents.

Instant Speed: Although Spinebiter is not an instant, its Infect ability synergizes effectively with spells that are cast at instant speed. Being able to cast augmenting spells during combat or on an opponent’s turn can unpredictably increase its damage potential and make it a terrifying force during any phase of the game.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Spinebiter requires a specific combination of mana to cast, including both green mana and generic mana. This may restrict its inclusion to decks that are heavily green or those that have reliable mana fixing abilities to access the necessary resources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of six mana, Spinebiter is on the more expensive side. This can slow down your gameplay, as you may have to wait until the later stages of the game to play it, potentially giving your opponents more time to establish their board presence and strategies.

Discard Requirement: While Spinebiter itself does not have a discard requirement, its high mana cost can indirectly pressure players to discard cards for other mana acceleration or filtering effects to cast it sooner, which can deplete hand resources prematurely.


Reasons to Include Spinebiter in Your Collection

Versatility: Spinebiter boasts an adaptability welcomed in numerous deck builds, excelling in strategies that seek to bypass traditional combat defenses. Its unique ability to deal damage to players directly allows for new angles of attack, making it a useful card under a variety of gameplay scenarios.

Combo Potential: The infect mechanic on Spinebiter works harmoniously with cards that increase power or provide additional combat phases, creating opportunities for swift victories. This synergy can be particularly devastating when paired with ways to multiply or proliferate counters, emphasizing its combo potential.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based defense prevails, Spinebiter can shift the scales in your favor. Its relevance grows in metas saturated with creature-heavy decks, offering a way to circumvent potential stalls on the battlefield and pressuring opponents with its lethal infect damage.


How to Beat Spinebiter

Spinebiter is a unique creature in Magic: The Gathering, primarily due to its ability to deal damage to players as if it were not blocked. This can make it seem daunting to deal with, especially once it gets swinging on the battlefield. However, there are strategies to mitigate the impact of Spinebiter.

To effectively counter this creature, consider using removal spells that can target it regardless of its infect and unblockable-like capabilities. Spot removals like Path to Exile or Go for the Throat can efficiently handle the threat Spinebiter poses. Additionally, utilizing creatures with deathtouch or those that can force a sacrifice upon the opponent can navigate around Spinebiter’s combat advantages.

Finally, enchantments or artifacts that prevent damage or redirect it can nullify the life-draining quality of Spinebiter’s infect. Implementing these tactics can preserve your life total and maintain control over the game, neutralizing the intimidating presence of Spinebiter on the field.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the intricacies of Spinebiter requires careful strategy and a keen eye for deck synergy. Its potential to turn the tide of battle by targeting players directly is a compelling reason to incorporate it into your arsenal. If you’re looking to carve a path through defenses or finetune an infect-themed deck, Spinebiter is worth your attention. We invite you to delve deeper into the mechanics and strategies that can elevate your gameplay. With the right knowledge, you can optimize your deck to harness the full power of Spinebiter and dominate the playing field. Learn more about enhancing your MTG experience with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spinebiter MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia, 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 Spinebiter and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Spinebiter has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal