Virulent Plague MTG Card
2015-03-27 - Number 125
2020-03-12 - Number 9
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
Creature tokens get -2/-2.
"This pestilence robs us of glorious death in battle. We starve to death with full bellies and drown trying to slake our unnatural thirst." —Kerai Hatesinger, Kolaghan warrior
Cards like Virulent Plague
Virulent Plague is an impactful enchantment within Magic: The Gathering that brings a specific strength to the table—its ability to weaken opposing creature tokens. When examining similar cards, we can’t ignore the parallels with Illness in the Ranks. Much like our theme card, this enchantment also diminishes the power of creature tokens. However, Illness in the Ranks is lighter on your mana pool, costing just a single black mana as opposed to Virulent Plague’s three mana (one black and two generic).
An analysis of Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite reveals a broader impact beyond just tokens. This powerful legendary creature doesn’t just shrink opposing tokens, but rather all creatures the opponent controls, making for a far-reaching effect. Nonetheless, Elesh Norn comes at a steep seven mana, which reflects its broader capability. Another comparable card is Night of Souls’ Betrayal, which imposes a continuous debuff on all creatures, not limited to tokens. It shares a similar mana cost to Virulent Plague but lacks the card’s specificity towards token creatures.
Each of these cards presents a distinct strategy in weakening opponents’ creatures. Yet, within the scope of targeted token disruption, Virulent Plague holds its own as a cost-effective and impactful option in a player’s arsenal.
Cards similar to Virulent Plague by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Virulent Plague deals with multiple creatures at once, essentially decimating token strategies and clearing the board of clutter. By doing this, it can shift the card advantage in your favor as your opponent loses several creatures to your single enchantment.
Resource Acceleration: Although Virulent Plague doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the form of mana or card draw, it contributes to a different sort of acceleration — tempo. By keeping your opponent’s board state under control and their creature tokens suppressed, you effectively accelerate your own game plan while slowing theirs.
Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Virulent Plague has a lasting impact on the game once it’s on the board. It operates at “instant speed” by affecting the game state as soon as creatures enter on your opponent’s turn, making it a powerful deterrent and a control element even when you’re not actively casting spells.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Virulent Plague does not directly require you to discard a card, it may force strategic discards to ensure the mana cost can be met, especially in a tight situation.
Specific Mana Cost: Virulent Plague’s casting cost includes one black mana, which might not seamlessly fit into every multi-colored deck, potentially limiting its utility in a diverse mana base environment.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of three, including one black, Virulent Plague may be considered costly when compared to other creature-debuffing enchantments, possibly making it less attractive for players aiming for a low-curve deck strategy.
Reasons to Include Virulent Plague in Your Collection
Versatility: Virulent Plague is a dynamic sideboard card that provides a significant advantage in games against token-heavy strategies. Its ability to give all creature tokens -2/-2 can render opponent’s token strategies ineffective, offering a wide utility across multiple formats where tokens are commonly utilized.
Combo Potential: This enchantment also fits seamlessly into decks that capitalize on weakening opponents’ creatures. It can work in tandem with cards that disincentivize or punish creature-heavy board states, enabling devastating combination plays.
Meta-Relevance: With the ever-fluctuating MTG meta, Virulent Plague can be particularly powerful in environments where token generators are prevalent. This card offers an immediate response to swarm tactics and can decisively shift the game in your favor when facing decks that rely on token synergies.
How to beat
Virulent Plague is a potent enchantment card that has the ability to severely hinder creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering. Its impact on the board is immediate, reducing the power of token creatures your opponents control to practically zero. This can dismantle an opponent’s army of tokens, which are often used as a means for both offense and defense. To effectively counter this card, it’s crucial to consider alternative strategies that do not heavily rely on token creatures.
One method to circumvent the debilitating effect of Virulent Plague is to employ cards with strong enchantment removal capabilities. Naturalize or Disenchant can easily remove the Plague from the battlefield, restoring the strength of your token creatures. Another strategy is to utilize non-token creatures with robust abilities or high power and toughness that can withstand Virulent Plague’s token-weakening effect. In addition, deploying counterspells such as Cancel when your opponent attempts to cast Virulent Plague can preserve your board presence and keep your strategy intact.
Embracing a flexible deck build that can adapt to such threats is key. Including a diverse range of answers ensures that a single card, like Virulent Plague, does not derail your path to victory. Hence, a well-rounded approach that anticipates potential disruptions will invariably enhance your overall game plan against enchantments that target token creatures.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Virulent Plague MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir and Historic Anthology 2, 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 Virulent Plague 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 Virulent Plague Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2015-03-27 and 2020-03-12. Illustrated by Johann Bodin.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-03-27 | Dragons of Tarkir | DTK | 125 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin | |
| 2 | 2020-03-12 | Historic Anthology 2 | HA2 | 9 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Virulent Plague has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Virulent Plague card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-02-25 | If an effect creates a creature token that normally has toughness 2 or less, it will enter the battlefield with toughness 0 or less, be put into its owner’s graveyard, and then cease to exist. Any abilities that trigger when a creature enters the battlefield or dies will trigger. |