Spike Feeder MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Spike
Power 0
Toughness 0

Key Takeaways

  1. Instant speed abilities of Spike Feeder allow tactical responses to opponents’ actions during critical gameplay moments.
  2. Its synergies with cards like Archangel of Thune can set up formidable combos and overwhelming game states.
  3. Effectively countering Spike Feeder involves instant speed removal and disruption of its life gain and counter synergies.

Text of card

Spike Feeder comes into play with two +1/+1 counters on it. , Remove a +1/+1 counter from Spike Feeder: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. Remove a +1/+1 counter from Spike Feeder: Gain 2 life.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Spike Feeder enters the battlefield with two +1/+1 counters, which can be removed to gain life. This ability provides a repeatable source of life gain, potentially keeping you out of reach from aggressive strategies, and can also be a key interaction with other cards that capitalize on gaining life or manipulating counters for strategic advantage.

Resource Acceleration: In decks utilizing +1/+1 counters, Spike Feeder can act as a resource accelerator by moving counters onto other creatures, potentially growing them out of range of common removal spells or enabling them to close out the game more rapidly. This versatility in distributing resources where they’re most needed makes it a solid choice for decks built around +1/+1 counters synergy.

Instant Speed: Although Spike Feeder itself is not an instant, its ability to remove +1/+1 counters and gain life can be utilized at instant speed. This means you can respond to your opponent’s actions, including damaging spells or combat phases, to unexpectedly alter the state of the game and potentially disrupt your opponent’s plans, giving you a tactical edge during critical moments.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike some utility creatures, Spike Feeder doesn’t require you to discard cards. This is beneficial as it allows you to maintain hand advantage. However, in decks that leverage graveyard strategies, the absence of self-discard can be seen as a missed opportunity for synergy.

Specific Mana Cost: The Spike Feeder demands both green mana in its casting cost, making it an exclusive choice for green or green-inclusive decks. This specificity restricts the card’s versatility and hinders its inclusion in decks that don’t support green mana easily.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a three-mana casting cost, Spike Feeder might compete with other three-drop creatures or spells that offer immediate impact or broader utility. While it does provide value over turns, the initial investment can be a drawback for fast-paced or resource-conscious strategies.


Reasons to Include Spike Feeder in Your Collection

Versatility: Spike Feeder serves as a flexible component in decks that focus on gaining life or manipulating +1/+1 counters. Its ability to remove counters to gain life can be a game-changer in various situations, providing a resilient option against aggressive strategies.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combination with other cards that have synergies with +1/+1 counters. A notable combination with Archangel of Thune can create an infinite loop of life gain and counter distribution, potentially overwhelming your opponent.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creature-based strategies or damage-based removal are prevalent, Spike Feeder can be a valuable asset. Its instant-speed life gain can disrupt opponent calculations, making it a tactical choice in current and evolving metagames.


How to beat Spike Feeder

Spike Feeder can be an elusive target in your Magic: The Gathering games, presenting a unique challenge with its ability to gain life and manipulate +1/+1 counters. To successfully counter this card, understanding the interaction angles is key. One effective strategy is prioritizing the removal of this creature at instant speed before the opponent gets the chance to utilize its abilities. Cards like Murderous Rider offer a swift and unerring solution to deal with Spike Feeder before life totals become insurmountable.

Moreover, incorporating graveyard hate into your deck, such as Tormod’s Crypt, can prevent Spike Feeder from recurring through effects like Sun Titan or any graveyard-centric strategies. It’s also beneficial to disrupt synergies that Spike Feeder forms with other cards such as Archangel of Thune, by either countering key pieces or by preemptively removing them from play. Lastly, without overlooking the creature’s utility, your best line of play often entails assessing the prime moment to act, ensuring the tempo and the battlefield stay in your grasp.

Addressing Spike Feeder with these tactics elevates your control over the game, keeping your opponent’s potential life gain and counters manipulation in check, and steering the game towards your victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the nuances of Spike Feeder enhances both your MTG gameplay and deck building prowess. Its synergistic potential with cards like Archangel of Thune, plus its utility in counter-centric decks, can significantly impact your strategy. It’s essential to keep your deck adaptable, incorporating cards that can handle threats or offer multifaceted benefits. If you’re intrigued by life gain strategies or the tactical distribution of +1/+1 counters, consider integrating Spike Feeder into your collection. Embrace its versatile role and stay ahead in the ever-changing metagame. Eager for more insights and advanced tactics? Connect with us for strategic guidance and empower your MTG journey.


Cards like Spike Feeder

The essence of life gain mechanics in Magic: The Gathering can be neatly encapsulated in Spike Feeder, a card that has found its place in a variety of combos and life-centric decks. When delving into cards akin to Spike Feeder, one naturally compares it to Kitchen Finks. Both cards offer life gain, yet Kitchen Finks provides a recursive element through persist, making it a resistant force on the battlefield. Nevertheless, Spike Feeder stands out by allowing targeted life gain and the potential to distribute +1/+1 counters, which can be pivotal in certain strategies.

Examining further, we encounter Scavenging Ooze, a card that not only gains you life but also disrupts graveyards, thus embodying a dual utility in both offensive and defensive plays. While the Ooze requires a mana investment to activate its ability, Spike Feeder’s flexibility comes from its immediate two +1/+1 counters that can be removed without any cost. Another notable comparison is with Archangel of Thune, whose ability to give a +1/+1 counter to each creature you control whenever you gain life synergizes effectively with Spike Feeder’s life gain trigger.

These comparisons elucidate that while other cards offer similar life gain advantages, Spike Feeder remains a distinct and versatile choice for players looking to exploit the life gain mechanic to its fullest extent in their MTG decks.

Kitchen Finks - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Archangel of Thune - MTG Card versions
Kitchen Finks - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Scavenging Ooze - Commander 2011 (CMD)
Archangel of Thune - Magic 2014 (M14)

Cards similar to Spike Feeder by color, type and mana cost

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Cat Warriors - Legends (LEG)
Rysorian Badger - Homelands (HML)
Sabertooth Cobra - Mirage (MIR)
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Hungry Hungry Heifer - Unglued (UGL)
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Taoist Mystic - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Femeref Archers - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Lydari Druid - Sega Dreamcast Cards (PSDG)
Steel Leaf Champion - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Realmwalker - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander (LCC)
Topiary Stomper - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Territorial Scythecat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Wirewood Savage - Onslaught (ONS)
Reki, the History of Kamigawa - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Timberwatch Elf - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Pincher Beetles - Tenth Edition (10E)
Awakener Druid - Magic 2011 (M11)
Brindle Boar - Magic 2011 (M11)
Wood Elves - New Capenna Commander (NCC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spike Feeder MTG card by a specific set like Stronghold and World Championship Decks 1998, 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 Spike Feeder and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Spike Feeder Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 1998-03-02 and 2020-03-08. Illustrated by Heather Hudson.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-03-02StrongholdSTH 1181997normalblackHeather Hudson
21998-08-12World Championship Decks 1998WC98 bs1181997normalgoldHeather Hudson
31999-11-12Battle Royale Box SetBRB 781997normalwhiteHeather Hudson
42002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 360821997normalblackHeather Hudson
52006-10-06Time Spiral TimeshiftedTSB 841997normalblackHeather Hudson
62011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 1722003normalblackHeather Hudson
72015-05-06Tempest RemasteredTPR 1962015normalblackHeather Hudson
82020-03-08Mystery Booster Retail Edition FoilsFMB1 821997normalblackHeather Hudson
92020-09-26The ListPLST TSB-841997normalblackHeather Hudson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Spike Feeder has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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