Ichorclaw Myr MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Phyrexian Myr
Abilities Infect
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. The card can indirectly provide card advantage by forcing opponents into costly trades while attacking or blocking.
  2. With infect capabilities, it adds a tempo advantage, pressuring opponents and potentially speeding up victories.
  3. Its synergy with instant-speed spells allows it to significantly impact combat outcomes, deterring enemy actions.

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.) Whenever Ichorclaw Myr becomes blocked, it gets +2/+2 until end of turn.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Ichorclaw Myr isn’t traditionally associated with card draw, but it does offer indirect card advantage. This comes from its potential to force unfavorable trades for your opponent. When it attacks or blocks, it gets a +2/+2 boost whenever it becomes the target of a spell, thus often requiring multiple cards from your opponent to handle it.

Resource Acceleration: While the Ichorclaw Myr itself does not directly accelerate your resources in terms of mana, it creates a unique form of tempo advantage. It pressures opponents by possessing an infect capability, threatening to end the game rapidly unless dealt with, which can allow you more time to develop your board and resources unimpeded.

Instant Speed: Although Ichorclaw Myr isn’t an instant, its abilities synergize well with instant-speed spells in your arsenal. You can use combat tricks to alter combat math significantly in your favor. When combined with instants that buff or protect it, Ichorclaw Myr becomes a formidable threat that can deter opponents from blocking or attacking, streamlining your strategy and preserving your life total.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Ichorclaw Myr doesn’t specifically require you to discard cards, it’s part of a deck strategy that could potentially demand card sacrifices from other synergistic pieces. This might lead to situations where maintaining resource equilibrium becomes challenging, especially if you’re facing discard-influencing opponents.

Specific Mana Cost: Ichorclaw Myr needs a precise sum of two mana, with one being Phyrexian, which might restrict its inclusion primarily to decks that have a strong Infect component or are tailored around proliferate mechanics, potentially limiting its versatility across diverse builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite being an aggressive creature, Ichorclaw Myr has a mana cost that’s steep relative to its 1/1 stat line. In the context of competitive play, there are other two-mana creatures that can provide an immediate impact or bring additional benefits right away, making the Myr a card that sometimes can lag in terms of board presence and tempo.


Reasons to Include Ichorclaw Myr in Your Collection

Versatility: Ichorclaw Myr can seamlessly integrate into a vast array of decks, shining in both aggressive strategies that capitalize on its infect ability and defensive decks that use it as a deterrent.

Combo Potential: This card excels when combined with equipment and spells that enhance its power or provide evasion, turning it into a formidable threat that can swiftly proliferate poison counters among opponents.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creatures often engage in combat, Ichorclaw Myr stands out. It thrives in metas where the infect strategy is viable, or where games can be quickly ended through alternative damage methods.


How to beat Ichorclaw Myr

The Ichorclaw Myr presents unique challenges on the battlefield with its ability to potentially decimate opponents’ life totals if not handled correctly. Players facing this artifact creature often reconsider their blocking decisions, given its ability to grow stronger when blocked. Fortunately, there are tactics to mitigate the threat posed by the Ichorclaw Myr.

One effective strategy is the use of removal spells that do not require blocking, such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push, which can exile or destroy it before it ever has a chance to become a larger menace. Additionally, board wipes, such as Supreme Verdict, can sweep away Ichorclaw Myr regardless of its power boost without the need to engage it directly in combat. Another angle of approach is to employ enchantments or artifacts that prevent or neutralize combat damage, thereby nullifying the Myr’s power increment. By focusing on non-combat interaction or utilizing game elements that restrict combat abilities, players can safely navigate around the deceptive lethality of the Ichorclaw Myr.

In essence, while the Ichorclaw Myr demands attention on the board, informed tactical choices can contain and conquer this seemingly small yet potent threat in any Magic: The Gathering matchup.


BurnMana Recommendations

MTG players looking to amplify their deck’s potency will find the Ichorclaw Myr a stealthy asset. Its capacity to apply pressure and rapidly disseminate poison counters blends well with a variety of combat strategies, demanding serious consideration from opponent play. While its true strength lies within specific deck archetypes, the Ichorclaw Myr’s inherent infect ability and synergy with instant-speed spells cater to those who favor surprise over brute force. Craft your game plan around this artifact creature to harness its full potential. Keen on mastering its strategic deployment? Delve deeper with us and discover how to optimize your MTG arsenal using Ichorclaw Myr’s subtle might.


Cards like Ichorclaw Myr

Ichorclaw Myr is a unique artifact creature in Magic: The Gathering known for its potential to create massive swings in combat scenarios. With similarities to cards such as Plague Myr, which also belongs to the Myr family, Ichorclaw Myr distinguishes itself with its ability to grow stronger when blocked. The Plague Myr includes mana acceleration but lacks the intimidation factor of Ichorclaw Myr.

Then there’s Signal Pest, another artifact creature that thrives in the red zone, albeit in a different way. It buffs other attacking creatures and evades most blockers with its evasion ability, but doesn’t pack the same standalone punch as our Ichorclaw friend. In comparison, Ichorclaw Myr needs no supporting cast to become a formidable threat individually.

To sum up, while Plague Myr and Signal Pest offer their unique utilities, Ichorclaw Myr stands out as a solo performer capable of turning any block into a perilous decision for opponents, making it an interesting choice for decks focusing on aggressive and synergistic strategies with artifact creatures in Magic: The Gathering.

Plague Myr - MTG Card versions
Signal Pest - MTG Card versions
Plague Myr - Wizards Play Network 2011 (PWP11)
Signal Pest - Wizards Play Network 2011 (PWP11)

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ichorclaw Myr MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin and Phyrexia: All Will Be One Commander, 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 Ichorclaw Myr and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ichorclaw Myr Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2010-10-01 and 2023-02-03. Illustrated by Eric Deschamps.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12010-10-01Scars of MirrodinSOM 1662003normalblackEric Deschamps
22023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be One CommanderONC 1332015normalblackEric Deschamps

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ichorclaw Myr has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2011-01-01 A player who has ten or more poison counters loses the game. This is a state-based action.
2011-01-01 Damage from a source with infect affects planeswalkers normally.
2011-01-01 Damage from a source with infect is damage in all respects. If the source with infect also has lifelink, damage dealt by that source also causes its controller to gain that much life. Damage from a source with infect can be prevented or redirected. Abilities that trigger on damage being dealt will trigger if a source with infect deals damage, if appropriate.
2011-01-01 If damage from a source with infect that would be dealt to a player is prevented, that player doesn't get poison counters. If damage from a source with infect that would be dealt to a creature is prevented, that creature doesn't get -1/-1 counters.
2011-01-01 Infect's effect applies to any damage, not just combat damage.
2011-01-01 The -1/-1 counters remain on the creature indefinitely. They're not removed if the creature regenerates or the turn ends.
2011-01-01 Whenever Ichorclaw Myr becomes blocked, its last ability triggers just once, no matter how many creatures it became blocked by. It will get just +2/+2.

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