Viridian Betrayers MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Phyrexian Elf Warrior
Released	2011-05-13
Set symbol
Set name	New Phyrexia
Set code	NPH
Power	3
Toughness	1
Number	124
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Karl Kopinski

Key Takeaways

Infect ability of Viridian Betrayers pressures opponents, subtly dictating their play pace and strategies.
Optimal in decks that exploit counters, however, it struggles in multicolor strategies due to specific mana costs.
While versatile and combo-friendly, consider other infect creatures for better cost-to-power ratio.

Text of card

Viridian Betrayers has infect as long as an opponent is poisoned. (It deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters.)

To secure a place in Phyrexia's ranks, they hunted their surviving kin.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Viridian Betrayers may not appear as a direct source of card advantage, but its infect ability can quickly tip the scales in a match. By dealing damage in the form of -1/-1 counters, it effectively reduces the opponents’ creature resources and paves the way for more strategic plays.

Resource Acceleration: Though the Betrayers itself doesn’t accelerate your resources in typical ways, it synergizes well with proliferate mechanics and other cards that capitalize on counters. This synergy allows for more rapid deployment of threats and can enhance your board position significantly.

Instant Speed: While Viridian Betrayers operates at sorcery speed, its presence can influence how an opponent plays, knowing that at any moment, they could be open to infect damage. This in itself can disrupt an opponent’s strategy, buying you precious time to set up your winning moves.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Viridian Betrayers lacks this attribute, but in general, cards that force a player to discard can strain your hand especially if the card doesn’t provide adequate compensation. Being forced to get rid of useful cards can put you at a disadvantage against opponents.

Specific Mana Cost: Viridian Betrayers require both green mana and generic mana, making it mostly playable in green-centric or two-color decks. The reliance on green can be restrictive if your deck is not optimized for it or runs on a multi-color strategy that does not favor green.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though Viridian Betrayers have an infect ability which can be quite powerful, their mana cost is considered high given their base stats and the fact that they do not have inbuilt evasion. There are other infect or utility creatures at a lower cost that might offer better value or synergy with your deck’s strategy.

Reasons to Include Viridian Betrayers in Your Collection

Versatility: Viridian Betrayers is a flexible inclusion for any deck seeking to capitalize on infect strategies or the proliferation of +1/+1 counters. This card can seamlessly integrate into green-focused decks that benefit from aggressive tactics and creature synergy.

Combo Potential: With the ability to gain infect if an opponent is poisoned, Viridian Betrayers works well in combos that increase its damage output, potentially turning other combat phases into devastating opportunities for distributing -1/-1 counters across the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where infect strategies are prevalent, Viridian Betrayers shines as an under-the-radar threat that can catch opponents off-guard. It becomes increasingly valuable as the game progresses and more opponents find themselves with poison counters to leverage.

How to beat

Viridian Betrayers is a card that adds a layer of complexity to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Known for its infect ability, it becomes quite the threat when you’re at the point of having 10 or more poison counters, as it takes advantage of this situation to deal regular damage instead. Overcoming this strategy requires a thoughtful approach.

Dealing with Viridian Betrayers efficiently calls for elimination or neutralization tactics. Keeping your life total high isn’t going to help against infect damage, so consider using cards that give -1/-1 counters to negate the infect capability of creatures. Removal spells, board control tools, and anything that can exile or bounce Viridian Betrayers back to your opponent’s hand will effectively nullify the threat.

Moreover, creature abilities that negate the effectiveness of infect, such as those that provide protection from green or protection from artifacts, can form a solid defense line. Ultimately, staying proactive with disruption and control strategies will keep Viridian Betrayers from betraying your victory in the game.

Cards like Viridian Betrayers

When delving into the green arsenal of infect creatures in Magic the Gathering, Viridian Betrayers stands out for its conditional might. In the same echelon, we observe Glistener Elf, a one-mana creature that constantly poses an infect threat. Both are powerful, but the Betrayers require an opponent with a poisoned status to activate their ability. Contrastingly, Glistener Elf is always ready to deal infect damage.

Looking at another peer, Ichorclaw Myr offers a different angle on infect strategy. This artifact creature becomes more menacing when blocked, taking advantage of the opponent’s defenses. Whereas Viridian Betrayers demand a specific board state to be effective, Ichorclaw Myr actively alters combat decisions no matter the game’s state.

Ultimately, within the infect creature category of Magic the Gathering, each card presents distinct advantages. Viridian Betrayers can swing games if timed perfectly after an opponent receives poison counters. Comparing them to Glistener Elf and Ichorclaw Myr illustrates the diversity and strategic depth of infect-based gameplay, shaping how players approach building their Green deck strategies.

Cards similar to Viridian Betrayers by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Viridian Betrayers MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia, 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 Viridian Betrayers and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Viridian Betrayers has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2011-06-01	A player is poisoned if that player has one or more poison counters.
2011-06-01	The player must be poisoned when Viridian Betrayers deals damage in order for Viridian Betrayers to have infect. If the player has no poison counters, damage dealt to that player by Viridian Betrayers will result in loss of life, even if it’s dealt at the same time as damage from another creature with infect.