Needle Specter MTG Card


Needle Specter combines damage with a discard effect, diminishing opponent’s options while attacking. Requiring two black mana, it can be less flexible for multicolor deck strategies. While its 1/1 stats may seem modest, the scaling discard effect can be devastating.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Specter
Abilities Flying,Wither
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Flying Wither (This deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters.) Whenever Needle Specter deals combat damage to a player, that player discards that many cards.


Cards like Needle Specter

Needle Specter stands out as an impactful creature in MTG with its unique abilities to chip away at an opponent’s hand size and life total. Looking at similar cards, we are reminded of creatures like Liliana’s Specter. While the ability to force a discard is shared, Liliana’s Specter does so immediately upon entering the battlefield, without the need for combat. However, it lacks the continuous pressure applied to the opponent’s hand that Needle Specter exert with each successful attack.

Another comparable card is Hypnotic Specter, a classic that shares the flying and discard-triggering abilities upon dealing combat damage. It’s a bit more robust with a 2/2 body versus Needle Specter’s 1/1. Still, Needle Specter’s strength lies in its potential for scaling punishment, inflicting damage equal to the number of cards the opponent has discarded, a torment that can quickly spiral out of control for the opposing player.

When measuring Needle Specter against its peers, it proves to be a formidable threat in MTG, capable of disrupting opponents while steadily whittling down their defenses and life points. Its ability to strategically manipulate the game’s flow makes it a notable option for players looking to weave hand-attack strategies into their decks.

Liliana's Specter - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Specter - MTG Card versions
Liliana's Specter - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Specter - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Needle Specter by color, type and mana cost

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Nim Abomination - MTG Card versions
Vesper Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Specter - MTG Card versions
Dusk Imp - MTG Card versions
Nettling Imp - MTG Card versions
Royal Assassin - MTG Card versions
Plague Rats - MTG Card versions
El-Hajjâj - MTG Card versions
Frozen Shade - MTG Card versions
Scathe Zombies - MTG Card versions
Sorceress Queen - MTG Card versions
Lost Soul - MTG Card versions
Mindstab Thrull - MTG Card versions
Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions
Strongarm Thug - MTG Card versions
Razortooth Rats - MTG Card versions
Ghastly Remains - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Undead - MTG Card versions
Deepwood Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Dross Prowler - MTG Card versions
Nim Abomination - MTG Card versions
Vesper Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Specter - MTG Card versions
Dusk Imp - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Needle Specter presents a unique opportunity for card advantage by potentially discarding multiple cards from your opponent’s hand when dealing combat damage, essentially diminishing their resources while you maintain yours.

Resource Acceleration: Despite not directly providing mana, the Needle Specter can act as a form of resource acceleration by impeding your opponent’s land drops and spells if you manage to target their hand effectively. This disruption can indirectly accelerate your position in the game.

Instant Speed: Although Needle Specter itself doesn’t have flash, it synergizes well with instant speed spells and abilities. Setting up your defenses with cards that can be played at instant speed allows you to clear the way for Needle Specter to hit your opponent and leverage its powerful effect without unnecessary risk.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Needle Specter’s ability to force an opponent to discard cards is dependent on dealing combat damage. This can be challenging in games where opponents have a robust defense or numerous creatures that can easily block and remove Needle Specter from play, thus negating its potential card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes two black mana, Needle Specter demands a heavy commitment to black mana sources. This requirement could potentially restrict its inclusion in multi-color decks that lack the means to consistently produce enough black mana, especially early in the game when establishing board presence is critical.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Needle Specter might be considered mana-intensive for its 1/1 stats. While the spectral ability is a powerful deterrent, there are more mana-efficient creatures that players might opt for when constructing a deck, particularly if the main strategy does not revolve around discard mechanics.


Reasons to Include Needle Specter in Your Collection

Versatility: Needle Specter can seamlessly integrate into a variety of deck strategies, making it an asset for players who appreciate adaptable gameplay. Its ability to deal damage and force discards makes it a valuable card in both aggressive and control-oriented decks.

Combo Potential: With the capacity to whittle down an opponent’s hand, Needle Specter works exceptionally well in tandem with strategies focusing on discard mechanics. It can amplify the impact of other cards that thrive on opponents having fewer options, thereby strengthening the overall synergy of your deck.

Meta-Relevance: In a game landscape where hand advantage is crucial, Needle Specter serves as a powerful tool. It’s particularly effective against decks that rely heavily on holding specific combinations of cards, distorting the balance in your favor and making it a relevant choice for any competitive player’s collection.


How to Beat Needle Specter

Needle Specter, a force in the world of creature cards, presents players with a unique challenge. Boasting evasive abilities and a punishing hit to an opponent’s hand, it’s essential to craft a strategy around its weaknesses effectively. To counter this shadowy threat, prioritize removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their ability to avoid being blocked. Direct damage spells or board wipes are especially effective in this scenario, ensuring that the Specter’s impact is neutralized before it can cause significant disruption to your game plan.

Furthermore, employing creatures with reach or those having abilities such as “can block creatures with flying” can serve as a defensive bulwark against the flying menace. It also pays to keep a robust hand size or to utilize spells and abilities that allow you to recover or protect your cards from being discarded. Lastly, considering hexproof or shroud-enabling cards can preserve your key pieces from becoming casualties of the Specter’s effect. Understand the threats, adapt your deck accordingly, and Needle Specter’s presence on the board will swiftly shift from daunting to manageable.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Needle Specter MTG card by a specific set like Eventide and The List, 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 Needle Specter and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Needle Specter Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2008-07-25 and 2008-07-25. Illustrated by Christopher Moeller.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-07-25EventideEVE 392003NormalBlackChristopher Moeller
22020-09-26The ListPLST EVE-392003NormalBlackChristopher Moeller

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Needle Specter has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal