Weed-Pruner Poplar MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Treefolk Assassin
Released	2008-02-01
Set symbol
Set name	Morningtide
Set code	MOR
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	83
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jeff Miracola

Key Takeaways

Its ability can offer indirect card advantage by controlling your opponent’s board presence.
The presence of Weed-Pruner Poplar can compel your opponent to modify their playstyle.
Despite its limitations, it has the potential to be a valuable asset in specific deck strategies.

Text of card

At the beginning of your upkeep, target creature other than Weed-Pruner Poplar gets -1/-1 until end of turn.

"When Byoog reached down to pull up a bit of root for the stew, he didn't expect the root to pull back." —A tale of Auntie Wort

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Weed-Pruner Poplar may not look like a traditional source of card advantage, but its ability to potentially eliminate opposing creatures each turn can indirectly lead to gaining the upper hand. By consistently trimming down your opponent’s side of the field, you ensure more of your own spells have a lasting impact.

Resource Acceleration: While the Weed-Pruner Poplar itself doesn’t directly ramp your mana resources, its mere presence can alter how your opponent plays. This might force them to hold back resources or overcommit to the board, which you can then take advantage of to accelerate your own game strategy.

Instant Speed: Although Weed-Pruner Poplar operates at sorcery speed, its built-in threat creates a dynamic similar to that of instant-speed interaction. Opponents must be wary of developing their board too aggressively, giving you a semblance of control often attributed to instant-speed capabilities. This can lead to advantageous plays where you force your opponent to play on your terms.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Weed-Pruner Poplar often demands that you discard another card, which can be a considerable setback, especially when your hand is already depleted from a long stretch of the game. Managing your hand size becomes critical, and this requirement might sometimes force you to make unwelcome decisions, like discarding a potentially game-changing card.

Specific Mana Cost: Utilizing Weed-Pruner Poplar means you need to tap into both black and green mana resources. This requirement can create a stumbling block for decks that aren’t strictly tailored around a Golgari (black/green) strategy or multicolor adaptability. Its specific mana cost makes it less flexible in decks that are not designed to accommodate the Golgari color pair.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For the impact it delivers, Weed-Pruner Poplar carries a relatively steep mana valuation. With a converted mana cost (CMC) of four and an ability that offers incremental advantage at best, many players find that there are more cost-effective creatures or spells that could occupy this slot in their decks. Affordability in terms of mana is crucial for maintaining tempo, and this card might hinder that aspect of gameplay.

Reasons to Include Weed-Pruner Poplar in Your Collection

Versatility: Weed-Pruner Poplar has the adaptability to be a key addition in decks that strive for board control. Its power to pick off smaller creatures during your upkeep can help maintain a clear path for your attackers.

Combo Potential: This card aligns well with strategies that exploit -1/-1 counters. It can be combined with other cards to create a lockdown on the opponent’s creature development and magnify the impact of those counters across the board.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where numerous decks rely on small utility creatures, Weed-Pruner Poplar becomes increasingly potent. Removing pivotal creatures each turn can disrupt your opponent’s game plan and tilt the scales in your favor.

How to beat

Weed-Pruner Poplar can be a tricky card to overcome due to its ability to weaken your creatures. However, strategically managing the battlefield can turn the tide in your favor. The key is to prioritize removal spells that can bypass its abilities. Cards such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade can effortlessly remove it from play without triggering its potential downsides. Furthermore, utilizing instant-speed spells allows you to react during your opponent’s turn, reducing the opportunity for them to benefit from the Poplar’s abilities.

Another effective strategy is to include creatures that are immune to Weed-Pruner Poplar’s effect. This could be creatures with hexproof, such as Slippery Bogle, or those with protection from black like White Knight. Not only do they remain unaffected by Poplar’s ability, but they can also serve as a consistent threat to your opponent’s life total.

By incorporating such cards and tactics into your deck, you stand a better chance of maintaining a strong board presence while minimizing the impact of Weed-Pruner Poplar’s persistent presence on the field.

Cards like Weed-Pruner Poplar

Weed-Pruner Poplar may not headline deck lists, but its function in Magic: The Gathering isn’t without merit. Analogous to cards like Festering Goblin, it provides utility upon leaving the field. While Festering Goblin allows you to put a -1/-1 counter on a target creature upon death, the Weed-Pruner requires a longer wait, with its ability triggering only during upkeep with a condition of being tapped.

Considering Serrated Biskelion, another creature with the ability to distribute -1/-1 counters comes to mind. Unlike the Poplar, Biskelion offers immediate impact, minus the conditional trigger. Meanwhile, Fume Spitter also enters the fray as another creature that can distribute a -1/-1 counter, and does so at the moment of your choosing, thanks to its sacrificial ability.

When weighed against its peers, Weed-Pruner Poplar’s niche is found in decks that can consistently ensure it’s tapped, crafting a unique space for it. It might not be the first pick for those looking for immediate board impact, but it offers an intriguing delayed control option for players who can leverage its upkeep trigger effectively within the vast array of choices in Magic: The Gathering.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Weed-Pruner Poplar MTG card by a specific set like Morningtide, 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 Weed-Pruner Poplar and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Weed-Pruner Poplar has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Weed-Pruner Poplar card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2008-04-01	The ability is mandatory. If you’re the only player who controls any other creatures, you must target one of your own creatures with the ability.