Wretched Anurid MTG Card

Low mana cost can result in early game dominance and translates to indirect card advantage against opponents. One must balance the aggressive early play potential with the upkeep cost that may strain resources later on. Its unique ability and stats provide deck builders with a calculative trade-off for aggressive strategies.

Onslaught (ONS)
2002-10-07 - Number 183

Wretched Anurid - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)

Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
2023-01-13 - Number 109

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Zombie Frog Beast
Power	3
Toughness	3

Text of card

Whenever another creature comes into play, you lose 1 life.

The only prince inside this frog is the one it ate.

Cards like Wretched Anurid

Wretched Anurid stands as a unique creature card in the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering options. Its closest relatives in terms of punishing gameplay can be found in cards like Carnophage and Sangrophage. Much like these cards, Wretched Anurid requires a player sacrifice to maintain its presence on the battlefield. Carnophage and Sangrophage both demand life for sustenance during the upkeep phase, yet Wretched Anurid deepens the pain by forcing its owner to lose a card from their hand instead.

Another kin in the realm of self-imposing creatures is the infamous Phyrexian Negator, which, while hugely powerful, damages its controller’s board presence when it takes damage. Wretched Anurid skips this board punishment but shares the same spirit of high risk for a low-cost, aggressive advantage. Undeniably, the Anurid offers a severe downside, which might deter some players, but it can be a potent weapon in strategies designed to outpace and surprise the opponent with relentless pressure.

Though not without risks, the Wretched Anurid offers an aggressive early-game option that can set the tempo for swift, impactful gameplay in structured decks. Compared to its functional relatives, it trades life or board leverage for a more immediate hand size reduction, presenting a calculated gambit for the strategic MTG player.

Cards similar to Wretched Anurid by color, type and mana cost

Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions

Nezumi Graverobber // Nighteyes the Desecrator - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While the Wretched Anurid doesn’t directly allow for drawing cards, its low casting cost can lead to an advantageous board state early on. Over time, this translates into indirect card advantage as your opponent is forced to deal with the creature or suffer swift damage, potentially using up more of their resources than you invested.

Resource Acceleration: The speed at which you can deploy Wretched Anurid to the battlefield is a form of resource acceleration. It costs a mere two mana, which can be a critical advantage in aggressive strategies that aim to outpace the opponent by curating a formidable presence on the board quickly.

Instant Speed: Although this creature cannot be cast at instant speed, its mere existence can influence how your opponent plays their instant speed removal or tricks. Knowing that you have a potent and cost-effective threat in your deck can pressure them into making awkward plays or holding back their instant speed interactions for fear of what else you might have up your sleeve.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Wretched Anurid’s drawback is that at the beginning of your upkeep, you must sacrifice a creature unless you discard a card. This requirement can become particularly burdensome in the later stages of a game when hand resources might be limited, forcing difficult decisions on what to keep and what to sacrifice.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that requires both black and generic mana, Wretched Anurid could be less flexible for multi-colored decks. This specific mana requirement can limit deck-building options and affect the card’s overall versatility in various MTG formats.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While its initial casting cost of three mana for a 3/3 creature may seem reasonable, the upkeep cost effectively increases the total cost to maintain it on the battlefield. Other creatures or spells in the same mana range may not have such a restriction, potentially offering a more stable board presence without additional costs or sacrifices.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Wretched Anurid offers an intriguing dynamic for deck builders, easily slipping into aggressive strategies that value a high power-to-cost ratio and are less concerned with the life loss drawback.

Combo Potential: This card finds its niche in combos that capitalize on creature sacrifice, potentially turning its downside into an asset within the right deck framework.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where speed trumps longevity, Wretched Anurid can be a cost-effective beast, outpacing more conservative plays and putting opponents on a shorter clock.

How to beat

Wretched Anurid is one of those Magic: The Gathering cards that requires you to strategize differently. Its drawback of having to sacrifice a creature whenever it becomes the target of a spell or ability makes it a double-edged sword. To effectively counter this beast, consider using cards that can target it without triggering its negating ability. Board wipes like Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict bypass the need to target it directly, thus avoiding its downsides.

Another effective strategy is to utilize spells that force your opponent to sacrifice creatures. Since these spells don’t target Wretched Anurid specifically, its ability won’t activate. Cards like Diabolic Edict or Liliana of the Veil’s sacrifice ability are prime ways to deal with it. Finally, passive effects from enchantments or abilities that reduce the power and toughness of your opponent’s creatures can also serve well here, as they continuously apply pressure without having to target the Anurid, gradually diminishing its effectiveness on the battlefield.

Tackling Wretched Anurid head-on may not always be the wisest choice due to its drawback. Adjust your approach to exploit its vulnerability and you’ll find yourself gaining the upper hand in no time.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wretched Anurid MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught and Dominaria Remastered, 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 Wretched Anurid and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Wretched Anurid Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by Glen Angus.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2002-10-07	Onslaught	ONS		183	1997	Normal	Black	Glen Angus
2	2023-01-13	Dominaria Remastered	DMR		109	2015	Normal	Black	Glen Angus

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Wretched Anurid has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal