Infernal Medusa MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Gorgon
Released	1994-06-01
Set symbol
Set name	Legends
Set code	LEG
Power	2
Toughness	4
Number	108
Frame	1993
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Anson Maddocks

Key Takeaways

Infernal Medusa offers board control by deterring opponents’ creatures with its petrifying ability.
Its mana cost and color requirements may limit deck integration, despite strategic utilities.
A well-rounded addition for control decks, Infernal Medusa excels in creature-heavy metas.

Text of card

All non-wall creatures blocking Medusa are destroyed at the end of combat, as are all creatures blocked by Medusa.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Infernal Medusa packs a powerful punch by potentially disabling multiple threats on the board. By turning any blocked or blocking creatures into stone, this card effectively removes opposing forces while maintaining your own board presence. This ability can lead to significant card advantage due to deterring attacks or unfavorable blocks from the opponent.

Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct source of resource acceleration, Infernal Medusa can indirectly influence your mana pool. By discouraging attackers or blockers with its deathtouch-like effect, it preserves your life total and the creatures that would otherwise be used to stabilize the board, leaving your resources free for further development and threats.

Instant Speed: Although Infernal Medusa does not operate at instant speed, its static ability has an immediate impact on the battlefield. The mere presence of Infernal Medusa on the field can alter your opponents’ strategies in real-time, much like an instant would. This constant ‘threat of activation’ can give you a psychological edge, dictating the pace of the game even when it’s not your turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The need to discard a card when playing Infernal Medusa can be challenging, especially if your hand is already running low. Strategizing to maintain card advantage while also making use of this creature might prove demanding during crucial moments in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Infernal Medusa requires both black and green mana for casting, which could restrict its inclusion to decks that can reliably produce both types of mana. Players running mono-color decks or those that aren’t aligned with Medusa’s mana requirements will find it hard to integrate this card.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost to summon Infernal Medusa onto the battlefield may be considered high for its abilities when compared to newer MTG creatures. Modern decks might offer alternative creatures or spells that provide better value or more impactful presence on the board for the same, if not lower, mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Infernal Medusa offers a unique mix of offensive and defensive capabilities. Its ability to transform any blocking creature into stone makes it a card that can deter attacks and control the pace of the game.

Combo Potential: This card can be an essential piece of a control strategy, working well with cards that encourage or force opponents to attack, thereby capitalizing on its deathtouch-like ability.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creatures dominate the battlefield, Infernal Medusa provides a significant advantage, making it a relevant choice for decks aiming to hold their ground against aggressive strategies.

How to beat

Infernal Medusa is a unique creature card with an ability that can turn attacking creatures to stone, akin to the petrifying gaze of mythological Medusas. When confronted by this creature, strategic removal becomes key in preventing your creatures from meeting a stony end. Spells that can exile it before combat, such as Swords to Plowshares, are highly effective, bypassing its ability by removing it from play altogether.

Another angle is to tackle the medusa with flying creatures; as Infernal Medusa can typically only affect those that it blocks or that block it, airborne attackers sidestep its gaze entirely. Additionally, employing indirect damage through spells like Lightning Bolt can eliminate the threat the medusa presents without risking your own creatures in combat.

It’s also worth considering the use of enchantment removal, which can neutralize enchantment-based buffs that may be strengthening the medusa. In conclusion, your path to victory involves a blend of tactical combat decisions and smart spell choices that keep Infernal Medusa from becoming an insurmountable obstacle on the battlefield.

Cards like Infernal Medusa

When delving into Magic: The Gathering’s treasure trove of creatures, Infernal Medusa stands out with its ability to petrify attacking creatures, a unique twist in the world of MTG. In a similar context, we find Gorgon Flail, which equips to give any creature deathtouch. While not a creature itself, it bestows a similar power, yet lacks the imposing presence of Infernal Medusa on the battlefield.

Another parallel can be drawn with Sisters of Stone Death from Ravnica. These formidable Gorgons also destroy any creature they block or become blocked by, and even offer the ability to exile and later control creatures. Although Sisters of Stone Death require a steeper mana investment than Infernal Medusa, their broader control capabilities could justify the extra cost in certain deck strategies.

To sum up, while Infernal Medusa might not be the most aggressive threat in a player’s arsenal, its distinctive defensive ability puts it on the map. Alongside other Gorgon-themed cards, it contributes to a control-focused gameplay style, turning opponents’ offenses to stone with strategic ease.

Sisters of Stone Death - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Infernal Medusa by color, type and mana cost

Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions

Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Infernal Medusa MTG card by a specific set like Legends, 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 Infernal Medusa and other MTG cards: