Belbe, Corrupted Observer MTG Card


Beyond card draw, Belbe enables playing high-cost spells unusually early. While offering mana acceleration, she demands careful deck construction. Belbe’s unique design provides an aggressive edge in the MTG meta.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Phyrexian Zombie Elf
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

At the beginning of each player's postcombat main phase, that player adds for each of your opponents who lost life this turn. (Damage causes loss of life.)

"Those who wish to become evincar must first cast off the shackles of compassion."


Understanding Belbe Corrupted Observer’s Place in MTG

Within the intricate dynamics of MTG, Belbe Corrupted Observer emerges as a unique commander. She stands out for her ability to generate colorless mana, reminiscent of cards like Sisay’s Ring, albeit with a twist that ties to life loss. Unlike the Ring, which provides a consistent mana boost, Belbe’s power is conditional, hinging on the amount of life opponents lose in a turn.

Cards like Belbe, Corrupted Observer

Belbe Corrupted Observer finds parallels with Selvala, Heart of the Wilds in their mutual capacity to ramp up mana, but diverges in strategy. Selvala offers mana based on creatures’ power, promoting creature-heavy play, while Belbe incentivizes damaging opponents. Another cognate, Kruphix, God of Horizons, allows for unused mana to carry over between turns – a different form of efficiency but without the life loss hook.

Zhedina, the Enabler acts as an alternative angle, pushing opponents to spend life to draw cards, which can indirectly feed into Belbe’s ability to generate mana. However, Belbe’s direct link to actual damage dealt frames her in a different league, centering around aggressive plays and offering a tantalizing challenge to MTG enthusiasts looking for a commander that rewards calculated aggression.

In evaluating their toolkit, MTG players can appreciate Belbe’s distinctive qualities among mana-generating cards, with a lean towards a more aggressive commander archetype.

Sisay's Ring - MTG Card versions
Selvala, Heart of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Kruphix, God of Horizons - MTG Card versions
Sisay's Ring - MTG Card versions
Selvala, Heart of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Kruphix, God of Horizons - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Belbe, Corrupted Observer by color, type and mana cost

Llanowar Dead - MTG Card versions
Chevill, Bane of Monsters - MTG Card versions
Grim Flayer - MTG Card versions
Golgari Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Thelon of Havenwood - MTG Card versions
Blightsoil Druid - MTG Card versions
Woodlurker Mimic - MTG Card versions
Putrid Leech - MTG Card versions
Skullbriar, the Walking Grave - MTG Card versions
Korozda Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Lotleth Troll - MTG Card versions
Rakshasa Deathdealer - MTG Card versions
Deathcap Cultivator - MTG Card versions
Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons - MTG Card versions
Swarm Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Winding Constrictor - MTG Card versions
Fiend Artisan - MTG Card versions
Skull Prophet - MTG Card versions
A-Moss-Pit Skeleton - MTG Card versions
Moss-Pit Skeleton - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Dead - MTG Card versions
Chevill, Bane of Monsters - MTG Card versions
Grim Flayer - MTG Card versions
Golgari Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Thelon of Havenwood - MTG Card versions
Blightsoil Druid - MTG Card versions
Woodlurker Mimic - MTG Card versions
Putrid Leech - MTG Card versions
Skullbriar, the Walking Grave - MTG Card versions
Korozda Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Lotleth Troll - MTG Card versions
Rakshasa Deathdealer - MTG Card versions
Deathcap Cultivator - MTG Card versions
Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons - MTG Card versions
Swarm Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Winding Constrictor - MTG Card versions
Fiend Artisan - MTG Card versions
Skull Prophet - MTG Card versions
A-Moss-Pit Skeleton - MTG Card versions
Moss-Pit Skeleton - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When piloting a deck featuring Belbe, Corrupted Observer, one of the clear benefits is its ability to potentially draw you extra cards. Each turn, the passive damage dealt to opponents can lead to significant card advantage, outpacing your opponents and ensuring a full grip of strategies.

Resource Acceleration: Not only does Belbe provide card advantage, but she’s also a powerhouse for resource acceleration. By dealing damage to each opponent, Belbe generates an impressive amount of colorless mana during your post-combat main phase. This rapid acceleration can be a game-changer, allowing you to deploy threats and answers ahead of schedule.

Instant Speed: While Belbe herself may not have instant speed capabilities, the mana boost can allow you to optimize your instant speed interactions. With a surplus of colorless mana, your end-of-turn plays can be more impactful, keeping opponents on their toes and making sure you’re always ready to respond to threats or opportunities with spells from your hand.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Belbe, Corrupted Observer can necessitate certain deckbuilding constraints to maximize her ability, which can be a disadvantage if your strategy does not naturally support such requirements.

Specific Mana Cost: While her ability generates colorless mana, her casting cost requires both black and green, potentially complicating her inclusion in multicolored decks not oriented around those colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two specific mana, Belbe, Corrupted Observer competes with other impactful two-drops, potentially reducing her overall appeal in decks where mana efficiency is key.


Reasons to Include Belbe Corrupted Observer in Your Collection

Versatility: Belbe Corrupted Observer offers a unique twist to gameplay by allowing additional mana generation as early as turn two. Her ability can be a valuable asset in commander decks that aim to cast high-cost spells swiftly.

Combo Potential: The mana boost provided by Belbe can be a critical enabler for various combos, especially in formats where generating multiple colors of mana can lead to a dominant board state in no time.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment that favors aggressive strategies, Belbe’s ability to generate extra mana can turn the tides by accelerating the deployment of critical threats or answers, keeping you toe-to-toe with the current aggressive meta.


How to beat

Belbe, Corrupted Observer presents a unique challenge in the universe of Magic: The Gathering. As a commander, she has the potential to offer an explosive advantage, providing colorless mana every post-combat main phase based on the loss of life from opposing players. To effectively neutralize Belbe’s utility, a strategic approach that focuses on life gain and damage prevention for all players is critical. Cards like Auriok Champion that can provide consistent life gain will inhibit the added mana Belbe generates for her controller. Additionally, utilizing pillow fort strategies with cards such as Ghostly Prison and Propaganda make it difficult for opponents to swing, thus not triggering Belbe’s ability.

Keep in mind, controlling the game’s pace plays a pivotal role when playing against Belbe’s deck archetype. Prioritize removing creatures that amplify life loss and include versatile removal in your deck to deal with Belbe directly when she hits the battlefield. With the right balance of life gain, damage prevention, and targeted removal, Belbe, Corrupted Observer’s impact can be significantly diminished, turning the tide of the game in your favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

Belbe, Corrupted Observer presents intriguing gameplay dynamics, shaping the battlefield with its unique mana-generating ability. By leveraging life loss, Belbe breathes life into aggressive strategies and combo plays alike. For those of you captivated by the intricate balance of resource acceleration and strategic depth that Belbe brings to your MTG experience, she’s a compelling addition to any collection. Dive deeper into the strategic uses of Belbe in your decks and discover how to optimize your game plan. Whether it’s overcoming her limitations or maximizing her strengths, we’re here to guild your next victory. To learn more about utilizing Belbe to its fullest potential, join us and stay one step ahead in your MTG journey.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Belbe, Corrupted Observer MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Commander 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 Belbe, Corrupted Observer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Belbe, Corrupted Observer Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-11-20 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by Igor Kieryluk.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 862462015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
22020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 5902015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
32020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 2702015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Belbe, Corrupted Observer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-11-10 If an effect creates an additional combat phase in a turn, it may also create an additional main phase after that combat phase. Belbe's ability triggers at the beginning of each of these postcombat main phases.
2020-11-10 If an opponent loses life before their own postcombat main phase, Belbe will reward their suffering with mana.
2020-11-10 If an opponent lost life and subsequently lost the game, Belbe's triggered ability still counts that player to determine how much mana to add.