Blighted Agent MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Phyrexian Human Rogue
Abilities Infect
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. With infect, Blighted Agent turns damage into persistent poison counters, posing a constant threat to opponents.
  2. Two mana for an unblockable creature accelerates gameplay, providing early and persistent board advantage.
  3. Instant-speed spells pair well, safeguarding Blighted Agent and surprising adversaries during combat.

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.) Blighted Agent is unblockable.

"Urabrask may suspect our surveillance, but he cannot stop it." —Avaricta, Gitaxian sective


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Blighted Agent is a powerhouse in any deck that focuses on increasing the number of cards that manipulate or interact with poison counters. Its infect ability ensures that damage is dealt in the form of these counters, which can be harder for opponents to remove than regular damage, thereby maintaining pressure and leading to an advantageous board state.

Resource Acceleration: Since Blighted Agent requires only two mana to play, it allows for an efficient use of resources early in the game. This can accelerate a player’s resource curve, enabling them to allocate mana to other spells sooner than expected, potentially tipping the scales in their favor.

Instant Speed: While Blighted Agent itself is not an instant, it synergizes exceptionally well with spells of this speed. The ability to protect the Agent using instant-speed tricks or buffs can catch an opponent off-guard, especially since it can attack without being blocked due to its unblockable trait. This creates a dynamic where the opponent must constantly remain cautious, preserving their resources to handle potential threats at instant speed.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Blighted Agent doesn’t have a discard ability, but any deck utilizing it will need hands full of protection spells, potentially leading to difficult discard decisions late game when you are trying to maintain an offensive posture.

Specific Mana Cost: Blighted Agent requires both blue mana and generic mana, which means it’s constrained to decks that can provide a blue mana source. This limits deck building flexibility compared to those cards with generic mana costs only.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Blighted Agent’s mana cost isn’t excessively high on its own, at two mana—1 blue and 1 generic. However, considering it’s a 1/1 creature with no inherent protection, you may end up investing more resources to keep it on the battlefield compared to other options with greater survivability or impact.


Reasons to Include Blighted Agent in Your Collection

Versatility: Blighted Agent is a flexible addition to any deck that relies on infect or unblockable creatures. Its inherent ability to be unblockable makes it a consistent threat in various playing environments and allows it to fit seamlessly into both aggressive and control-oriented blue decks.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combo strategies that capitalize on increasing poison counters quickly. Pairing Blighted Agent with pump spells or proliferate mechanics can lead to a swift victory, showcasing its remarkable synergy with other cards that enhance or utilize poison counters.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where creature-based strategies dominate, Blighted Agent bypasses traditional defenses by dealing damage in the form of poison counters. As such, it remains relevant, particularly in formats where infect strategies can thrive and where it’s crucial to slide past blockers and direct damage effects.


How to beat

Blighted Agent is a deceptively powerful card in the world of Magic: The Gathering. As an unblockable threat that deals infect damage, it poses a unique challenge, requiring a strategic approach to overcome. Unlike typical creatures that reduce life points, Blighted Agent aims to accumulate poison counters, hastening an opponent’s defeat.

To counter this stealthy assailant, having removal spells on hand is essential. Instant speed options like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can dispatch the Agent before it inflicts too much damage. Additionally, consider effects that prevent counter accumulation or spells that provide swift creature destruction or mass board wipes. Players should also employ disruption to prevent Blighted Agent from hitting the board in the first place, utilizing thoughtsieze-like effects or counterspells. Keeping a well-prepared defense against such underhanded tactics can ensure victory against this infectious adversary.

Ultimately, while facing a card like Blighted Agent can be a nerve-wracking experience, understanding its vulnerabilities and preparing your deck with the right countermeasures will transform this challenge into a winnable match. Remember, the key is to remain proactive and vigilant.


Cards like Blighted Agent

Blighted Agent is a unique player in the landscape of creature-based strategies within Magic: The Gathering, standing out primarily for its ability to end games swiftly through poison counters. Its closest kin are other infect creatures like Glistener Elf, which also offers the infect ability but with the benefit of a lower mana cost. However, Blighted Agent brings the added tactical advantage of being unblockable, ensuring its damage is not easily thwarted by an opponent’s creatures.

Another relative is Plague Stinger, striking a balance in terms of cost-effectiveness and impact on the board with both flying and infect. However, the evasion provided by Blighted Agent’s unblockability usually proves more dependable in navigating past blockers. Then there’s Phyrexian Crusader, which costs more mana but comes equipped with infect, protection from white and red, and a sturdy body. It imposes a greater threat but lacks the low mana efficiency and unblockable nature of Blighted Agent.

In the realm of infect creatures, Blighted Agent is a strong choice for its stealthy damage delivery and the psychological pressure it applies. Its place in MTG is well-earned, with a blend of affordability, evasion, and niche role in depleting an opponent’s life through poison counters.

Glistener Elf - MTG Card versions
Plague Stinger - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Crusader - MTG Card versions
Glistener Elf - New Phyrexia (NPH)
Plague Stinger - Wizards Play Network 2010 (PWP10)
Phyrexian Crusader - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)

Cards similar to Blighted Agent by color, type and mana cost

Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Wu Light Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions
Minamo Sightbender - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Soldiers - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Zephyr Falcon - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Giant Albatross - Homelands (HML)
Phantasmal Sphere - Alliances (ALL)
Skyshroud Condor - Tempest (TMP)
School of Piranha - Exodus (EXO)
Coral Merfolk - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Wu Light Cavalry - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Sea Eagle - Starter 1999 (S99)
Overtaker - Mercadian Masques Promos (PMMQ)
Hazy Homunculus - Prophecy (PCY)
Darting Merfolk - World Championship Decks 2001 (WC01)
Thought Eater - Odyssey (ODY)
Spellstutter Sprite - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Sneaky Homunculus - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Coral Eel - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Storm Crow - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Aquamoeba - World Championship Decks 2003 (WC03)
Soratami Cloudskater - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Minamo Sightbender - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Blighted Agent MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia and Secret Lair Drop, 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 Blighted Agent and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Blighted Agent Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2011-05-13 and 2020-03-08. Illustrated by Anthony Francisco.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-05-13New PhyrexiaNPH 292003normalblackAnthony Francisco
22019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 12032015normalblackAnthony Francisco
32020-03-08Mystery Booster Retail Edition FoilsFMB1 202003normalblackAnthony Francisco
42020-09-26The ListPLST NPH-292003normalblackAnthony Francisco

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Blighted Agent has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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