Quillspike MTG Card


Quillspike - Eventide
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Beast
Released2008-07-25
Set symbol
Set nameEventide
Set codeEVE
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number126
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byCarl Critchlow

Key Takeaways

  1. Quillspike offers card advantage by countering -1/-1 elements, especially in persist mechanic decks.
  2. Its instant-speed ability enables surprise strategies and rapid power growth in matches.
  3. Mana specificity and reliance on counter presence could limit Quillspike’s versatility in some decks.

Text of card

{BG}, Remove a -1/-1 counter from a creature you control: Quillspike gets +3/+3 until end of turn.

While it's true that a quillspike does heal the sick, it's just because it finds them tastier that way.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Quillspike’s ability to remove -1/-1 counters from a creature, thus bolstering its staying power can result in significant card advantage. This is especially true in decks focusing on counters and persist mechanics, where this two-drop creature shines.

Resource Acceleration: Quillspike can efficiently and repeatedly use mana as a resource, allowing for quick power acceleration in the appropriate deck builds. If synergized correctly, this creature can become a major threat to your opponent in no time.

Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, Quillspike has an activated ability that can be used at instant-speed. This means you can potentially react to enemy threats during their turn or boost Quillspike’s power as a surprise blocker or attacker during your turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Quillspike necessitates you to remove a -1/-1 counter from a creature you control. This dependency can be disadvantageous when managing fewer resources or when such counterpart isn’t present on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: The required mana for Quillspike includes a specific type, namely black and green. This requirement may limit the incorporation of Quillspike card into specific deck builds, leading to potential strategy restrictions.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of three which includes one black and one green mana, the cost for Quillspike is considerable. Some could contemplate this as high when contrasted to the range of other cards with yielding more efficient creature buffs or counter manipulations.


Reasons to Include Quillspike in Your Collection

Versatility: Quillspike boasts adaptability unlike many. Its low-costs and creature type render it flexible for most deck configurations, especially those favoring -1/-1 counters and Golgari-based themes.

Combo Potential: With an ability to remove counters from creatures for increased stats, Quillspike synchronizes well with cards like Devoted Druid for an unlimited combo, pushing this card’s strategic value even further.

Meta-Relevance: Within the current meta, Golgari strategies are respected and widely utilized. Quillspike’s unique abilities can carve an advantageous path against various decks, rendering it an essential inclusion for those keen on a competitive edge.


How to Beat

Quillspike falls into a class of creatures in Magic: The Gathering known for their potent, combo-oriented abilities. Unlike many such creatures, Quillspike doesn’t just stand out due to her inherent threat, but also because of a highly adaptable skillset. Her ability, which removes a -1/-1 counter from the play to increase her strength and health, sets up unique challenges for the unprepared opponent.

While certainly formidable, avoiding oversights can make Quillspike less threatening. Prioritizing removal spells might seem obvious, but it’s crucial against this creature. Cast out, Unmake, or Path to Exile are excellent spell options if you’re running a White deck while Red deck owners can put stock in Lightning Bolt and Terminate. Green decks can creature-counter with Beast Within, and Blue has Reality Shift at disposal.

Counteracting Quillspike skillset also involves stifling the combo set up. Nullifying effects that add -1/-1 counters on creatures, such as Black Sun’s Zenith or Carnifex Demon, can hamper her effectiveness. A wise strategy is to keep a close watch on the board state and have versatile options at your ready. This way, the high-risk Quillspike is significantly less threatening.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the synergy of Quillspike in MTG is an advanced play for anyone looking to make their deck more resilient and potent. By taking advantage of its ability to increase power at instant-speed, you can turn the tide of battle in your favor. Effective in tandem with persist mechanics and counter plays, Quillspike fits neatly in decks that exploit these strategies. But, cards like Quillspike also require careful board management and a good understanding of tempo to unleash their full potential. Dive deeper into strategizing with Quillspike and enhance your competitive edge. Learn more about maximizing its abilities along with other strategic insights.


Cards like Quillspike

Quillspike is a robust card in MTG featuring an exciting function, the power to remove -1/-1 counters for profiting its prowess. The card Devoted Druid shares similar attributes with Quillspike, letting it untap by placing a -1/-1 counter on itself.

Another card that can be linked to Quillspike is Necroskitter. It also works with -1/-1 counters but it commands creatures on which the counters kill instead of benefitting from it. Necroskitter could turn out as a valuable asset, particularly when combined with a card like Quillspike. Another card comparable to Quillspike is Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons that generates a snake token for each -1/-1 counter, making Quillspike an excellent partnering tool.

Lastly, Midnight Banshee also fits this magma of card comparisons. The Banshee gives all nonblack creatures a -1/-1 counter during every upkeep, which, in synergy with Quillspike, can lead to unlimited counters. So, being in concert with these range of cards truly enhances the strategic usage and prevalence of Quillspike in MTG gameplays.

Devoted Druid - MTG Card versions
Necroskitter - MTG Card versions
Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons - MTG Card versions
Midnight Banshee - MTG Card versions
Devoted Druid - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Necroskitter - Eventide (EVE)
Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons - Amonkhet (AKH)
Midnight Banshee - Shadowmoor (SHM)

Cards similar to Quillspike by color, type and mana cost

Harald, King of Skemfar - MTG Card versions
Grakmaw, Skyclave Ravager - MTG Card versions
Chatterfang, Squirrel General - MTG Card versions
Reyhan, Last of the Abzan - MTG Card versions
Shambling Shell - MTG Card versions
Wormwood Dryad - MTG Card versions
Stalker Hag - MTG Card versions
Hag Hedge-Mage - MTG Card versions
Glissa, the Traitor - MTG Card versions
Stonefare Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Dreg Mangler - MTG Card versions
Varolz, the Scar-Striped - MTG Card versions
Quagmire Druid - MTG Card versions
Catacomb Sifter - MTG Card versions
Autumnal Gloom // Ancient of the Equinox - MTG Card versions
Shaman of the Pack - MTG Card versions
Mournwillow - MTG Card versions
Charnel Troll - MTG Card versions
Pitiless Gorgon - MTG Card versions
Leyline Prowler - MTG Card versions
Harald, King of Skemfar - Kaldheim (KHM)
Grakmaw, Skyclave Ravager - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Chatterfang, Squirrel General - Modern Horizons 2 (MH2)
Reyhan, Last of the Abzan - Treasure Chest (PZ2)
Shambling Shell - The List (PLST)
Wormwood Dryad - Time Spiral (TSP)
Stalker Hag - Eventide (EVE)
Hag Hedge-Mage - Eventide (EVE)
Glissa, the Traitor - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Stonefare Crocodile - Duel Decks: Jace vs. Vraska (DDM)
Dreg Mangler - Return to Ravnica Promos (PRTR)
Varolz, the Scar-Striped - Dragon's Maze (DGM)
Quagmire Druid - Commander 2013 (C13)
Catacomb Sifter - Battle for Zendikar (BFZ)
Autumnal Gloom // Ancient of the Equinox - Shadows over Innistrad (SOI)
Shaman of the Pack - Explorer Anthology 2 (EA2)
Mournwillow - Shadows over Innistrad Remastered (SIR)
Charnel Troll - Guilds of Ravnica (GRN)
Pitiless Gorgon - Ravnica: Clue Edition (CLU)
Leyline Prowler - War of the Spark (WAR)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Quillspike MTG card by a specific set like Eventide, 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 Quillspike and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Quillspike has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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