Canker Abomination MTG Card
2008-07-25 - Number 115
2018-12-07 - Number 212
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Treefolk Horror |
| Power | 6 |
| Toughness | 6 |
Key Takeaways
- Board presence dictates its potency, with fewer opponent creatures heralding a stronger Canker Abomination.
- Tempo gain is achievable with its cost-to-size ratio, allowing for efficient resource allocation.
- Flexibility comes from instant-speed spell synergies that can unexpectedly bolster its power.
Text of card
As Canker Abomination comes into play, choose an opponent. Canker Abomination comes into play with a -1/-1 counter on it for each creature that player controls.
Once the hideous disease takes hold, it spreads through both bark and mind.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When you play Canker Abomination, you get a creature potentially much larger than what you pay for. It can dominate the board and become a real threat, giving you an edge over your opponents in terms of presence and pressure.
Resource Acceleration: Although it doesn’t directly produce additional mana, the low cost relative to its potential size can give you a significant tempo boost. You can allocate resources to other spells and actions sooner, effectively accelerating your game plan compared to your opponent.
Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, Canker Abomination can benefit from instant-speed spells that manipulate the number of cards in hands or creatures on the board right before it enters the battlefield. This synergy can turn it into a formidable force at a moment’s notice.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Canker Abomination does not have a direct discard mechanic, it does possess a condition upon entering the battlefield which can feel like an indirect discard. It enters with a number of -1/-1 counters on it equal to the number of creatures your opponents control. This could put you at a disadvantage if you’re unable to control the creature count on your opponent’s side of the board, essentially diminishing Canker Abomination’s potency as it hits the battlefield.
Specific Mana Cost: Canker Abomination requires a specific mana cost distribution—two black and/or green mana. This dual cost can potentially restrict its inclusion to only black or green decks, or decks that specifically accommodate its color requirements, thereby limiting flexibility and necessitating a mana base that can reliably produce both colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, Canker Abomination may be considered a tad costly for its base stats and variable power level. When up against numerous creatures on the opponent’s side, its effectiveness can be greatly reduced, making it a less appealing option compared to other four-mana creatures that can provide a consistent presence on the field without the conditional limitations.
Reasons to Include Canker Abomination in Your Collection
Versatility: Canker Abomination offers a unique adaptability as its power and toughness can be influenced by the state of the battlefield upon entering. This can be advantageous in various deck builds, from those that capitalize on creature numbers to control decks that seek to minimize threats on the board.
Combo Potential: This card’s entrance effect can be manipulated for interesting combinations. In decks that emphasize the -1/-1 counter synergy, such as those including cards with persist or with abilities that get activated upon placing or removing counters, Canker Abomination can become a pivotal piece in executing powerful strategies.
Meta-Relevance: As meta shifts occur, especially when swarming strategies or token decks gain popularity, Canker Abomination’s role becomes crucial. It can quickly become a sizable threat at a low cost, potentially turning the tide against opponents who rely on extensive creature presence.
How to beat
Canker Abomination enters the battlefield from the eerie world of Eventide as a creature whose strength and toughness can be both menacing and mutable. This MTG card starts as a force to be reckoned with; however, its power hinges on the number of cards in an opponent’s hand. The fewer cards they hold, the weaker the Abomination becomes. Therefore, one effective strategy to undermine this creature is to pressure your opponent to empty their hand. Engage them with cards that force discards or increase their card usage rate.
Aggressive play can also lead to a substantial reduction in the potency of Canker Abomination. Quick and efficient removal such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can dispatch this creature before it becomes a considerable threat on the board. By maintaining control over the battlefield and managing your adversary’s hand size, the once daunting Canker Abomination can be diminished to a mere nuisance. In the dynamic environment of Magic: The Gathering, even the most formidable adversaries can be overcome with the right tactics.
When facing this peculiar creature, adaptability is key. Players who can shift their gameplay to confront the challenger directly find that Canker Abomination can be swiftly brought to heel, aligning with the strategic depth and adaptability that defines masterful play in MTG.
Cards like Canker Abomination
Canker Abomination is a unique creature card that synergizes with the health of other creatures around it in Magic: The Gathering. It finds common ground with cards like Skinrender, which also manipulates -1/-1 counters to its advantage. Yet Canker Abomination’s entry effect is contingent on the number of creatures on the battlefield, unlike Skinrender’s guaranteed three -1/-1 counters when it enters the game.
Considering Grim Poppet, another creature card adept at placing -1/-1 counters, we see a more controlled but costly usage of this mechanic. Both creatures maneuver around counters, but Grim Poppet requires an investment of mana to shift them. In contrast, Canker Abomination’s effect is a one-time cost-benefit equation settled upon arrival. Languish could also be a distant cousin mechanism-wise, sweeping through the battlefield with -4/-4 to all creatures, which indirectly affects the Abomination’s power and toughness during its entry.
Assessing the dynamics of these cards offers insight into Canker Abomination’s niche. It’s a card that thrives in the right context, combining elements of risk with the potential for substantial reward, positioned uniquely amongst creatures in MTG with counter-related abilities.
Cards similar to Canker Abomination by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Canker Abomination MTG card by a specific set like Eventide and Ultimate Masters, 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 Canker Abomination and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Canker Abomination Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2008-07-25 and 2018-12-07. Illustrated by Brandon Kitkouski.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2008-07-25 | Eventide | EVE | 115 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Brandon Kitkouski | |
| 2 | 2018-12-07 | Ultimate Masters | UMA | 212 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Brandon Kitkouski |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Canker Abomination 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 Canker Abomination card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-12-07 | You choose an opponent while Canker Abomination is entering the battlefield. No player may take actions between the time you choose the opponent and the time Canker Abomination gets -1/-1 counters. |
