Obelisk Spider MTG Card


Card Advantage: Obelisk Spider enables ongoing board control without expending extra cards. Combos and Synergy: Pairs effectively with -1/-1 counter related cards for powerful interactions. Meta Utility: Serves as a deterrent in creature-dense metas, supporting your win strategy.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Spider
Abilities Reach
Power 1
Toughness 4

Text of card

Reach Whenever Obelisk Spider deals combat damage to a creature, put a -1/-1 counter on that creature. Whenever you put one or more -1/-1 counters on a creature, each opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.


Cards like Obelisk Spider

Obelisk Spider stands out within the Magic: The Gathering creature collection, especially among those with a focus on counter play. This card bears a resemblance to the likes of Exemplar of Strength in terms of distributing -1/-1 counters. While Exemplar of Strength offers a self-buffing mechanism by placing counters on itself, Obelisk Spider distributes them on opponent’s creatures, which can shape the battlefield to your advantage.

Another similar card is Grim Poppet, which also delivers -1/-1 counter strategically across opponent’s creatures. The notable difference, however, lies in Grim Poppet’s larger body and the ability to distribute multiple counters at once. In contrast, Obelisk Spider’s ability to drain life each time a counter is placed gives it a unique spin, combining board control with a touch of direct damage.

The arachnid also finds a parallel in the likes of Festering Mummy, a creature that, upon death, leaves behind a -1/-1 counter to disrupt your enemy’s field. While Festering Mummy offers an immediate, one-time effect, Obelisk Spider has the potential to continually impact the game, providing sustained value over time. These subtle yet significant differences highlight why Obelisk Spider can be a formidable presence in any deck revolving around -1/-1 counter mechanics.

Exemplar of Strength - MTG Card versions
Grim Poppet - MTG Card versions
Festering Mummy - MTG Card versions
Exemplar of Strength - MTG Card versions
Grim Poppet - MTG Card versions
Festering Mummy - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Obelisk Spider by color, type and mana cost

Harald, King of Skemfar - MTG Card versions
Grakmaw, Skyclave Ravager - MTG Card versions
Chatterfang, Squirrel General - MTG Card versions
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Stalker Hag - MTG Card versions
Hag Hedge-Mage - MTG Card versions
Quillspike - MTG Card versions
Glissa, the Traitor - MTG Card versions
Stonefare Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Varolz, the Scar-Striped - MTG Card versions
Quagmire Druid - MTG Card versions
Catacomb Sifter - MTG Card versions
Autumnal Gloom // Ancient of the Equinox - MTG Card versions
Shaman of the Pack - MTG Card versions
Mournwillow - MTG Card versions
Reyhan, Last of the Abzan - MTG Card versions
Charnel Troll - MTG Card versions
Pitiless Gorgon - MTG Card versions
Leyline Prowler - MTG Card versions
Harald, King of Skemfar - MTG Card versions
Grakmaw, Skyclave Ravager - MTG Card versions
Chatterfang, Squirrel General - MTG Card versions
Shambling Shell - MTG Card versions
Wormwood Dryad - MTG Card versions
Stalker Hag - MTG Card versions
Hag Hedge-Mage - MTG Card versions
Quillspike - MTG Card versions
Glissa, the Traitor - MTG Card versions
Stonefare Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Varolz, the Scar-Striped - MTG Card versions
Quagmire Druid - MTG Card versions
Catacomb Sifter - MTG Card versions
Autumnal Gloom // Ancient of the Equinox - MTG Card versions
Shaman of the Pack - MTG Card versions
Mournwillow - MTG Card versions
Reyhan, Last of the Abzan - MTG Card versions
Charnel Troll - MTG Card versions
Pitiless Gorgon - MTG Card versions
Leyline Prowler - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Obelisk Spider. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
YawgmothYawgmoth ModernYawgmothModern Showcase Challenge 2024-01-06

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Obelisk Spider helps you maintain board presence while indirectly advancing your card quality. Each time it puts a -1/-1 counter on a creature, it can trigger card interactions that bolster your strategy and weaken the opposition without costing additional card resources.

Resource Acceleration: Although Obelisk Spider itself doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, its ability to diminish opposing forces can save your mana and resources. The spider’s ability to drain life when counters are placed creates an advantage that can indirectly translate to resource acceleration by impeding your opponent’s development.

Instant Speed: Benefitting from instant speed interactions, Obelisk Spider thrives in environments with supported actions at critical moments. With cards that place counters at instant speed, you can surprise an opponent by weakening their attackers or strategically removing key threats during their turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Obelisk Spider requires a balance in hand since without a sufficient number of cards in play, its impact can be less effective. Adequately managing your hand is pivotal, as having fewer cards could undermine the advantages brought by the card’s abilities.

Specific Mana Cost: The reliance on both green and black mana to cast Obelisk Spider could pose a challenge. Decks that don’t run these colors or a mana base designed to accommodate multiple colors could find Obelisk Spider difficult to play due to its color-intensive mana requirements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes three mana, including a colored mana requirement, some players might find the mana investment for Obelisk Spider a bit steep. In situations where speed is crucial, there are alternatives that may be deployed faster or offer more immediate board presence.


Reasons to Include Obelisk Spider in Your Collection

Versatility: Obelisk Spider shines in decks that revolve around -1/-1 counters, adding an additional layer of strategy. Its ability to consistently place counters and drain life makes it a staple in any Golgari (-1/-1 counter-themed) deck.

Combo Potential: This spider pairs superbly with other cards that manipulate counters, such as “Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons”, to create an engine that can overwhelm your opponents with multiple tokens while whittling down their life totals.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta with creature-heavy decks, Obelisk Spider acts as both a deterrent and a threat, regulating the board while passively contributing to your win condition. Its modest casting cost also means it’s quite accessible in the early-to-mid game phases.


How to beat Obelisk Spider

Obelisk Spider presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to place -1/-1 counters on creatures while bolstering your life total. Despite its resilience and synergistic potential in counter-centric decks, several strategies can effectively neutralize this arachnid threat.

First, prioritize removal spells that can bypass its ability to generate -1/-1 counters. Direct removal spells like Path to Exile or Murder offer a clean solution, excising the spider from play without triggering its life-gain ability. Additionally, board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation can sweep away the spider along with any other threats, but these should be used with caution to avoid losing your own board presence.

Furthermore, focusing on flying creatures can also give you an edge, as Obelisk Spider doesn’t have reach and is vulnerable to aerial attacks. Flyers can chip away at your opponent’s life total and force them to react, potentially diverting resources away from their -1/-1 counter strategy and giving you the upper hand.

Counteracting Obelisk Spider goes beyond mere removal. Adjusting your playstyle to proactively handle threats and prioritizing cards that offer a direct solution can make all the difference in overcoming this pestilent creature.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the ecosystem of MTG is key to success, and Obelisk Spider is a multifaceted card that can serve as both an asset and an opponent. For those looking to enhance their decks with -1/-1 counter dynamics or seeking cards that provide sustainable value, this card is a worthy consideration. Knowing its strengths and weaknesses allows players to strategize effectively and anticipate challenges. If you’re intrigued by the strategic depth that Obelisk Spider brings to the table and are eager to learn about its optimum utilization in your deck, delve deeper with us and discover how to optimize your gameplay, dominate the board, and advance in your MTG journey.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Obelisk Spider MTG card by a specific set like Hour of Devastation and Mystery Booster, 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 Obelisk Spider and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Obelisk Spider Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2017-07-14 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by YW Tang.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-07-14Hour of DevastationHOU 1412015NormalBlackYW Tang
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 14612015NormalBlackYW Tang
32020-08-13Amonkhet RemasteredAKR 2492015NormalBlackYW Tang
42020-09-26The ListPLST HOU-1412015NormalBlackYW Tang

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Obelisk Spider has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2017-04-18 If a creature with wither or infect deals damage to a creature, the controller of the creature with wither or infect puts that many -1/-1 counters on the second creature.
2017-07-14 Because damage remains marked on a creature until it’s removed as the turn ends, the counter Obelisk Spider’s first triggered ability puts on a creature may cause previously marked damage to become lethal.
2017-07-14 If Obelisk Spider deals combat damage to a creature at the same time Obelisk Spider is dealt lethal damage, its first triggered ability will put a -1/-1 counter on the other creature. However, because Obelisk Spider has left the battlefield before that ability resolves, its last ability won’t trigger.
2017-07-14 If Obelisk Spider deals combat damage to a creature but that creature isn’t on the battlefield as Obelisk Spider’s first triggered ability resolves, most likely because Obelisk Spider killed that creature already, that ability won’t put a -1/-1 counter on it.
2017-07-14 If you put one or more -1/-1 counter on each of multiple creatures at the same time, Obelisk Spider’s last ability triggers once for each of those creatures.
2017-07-14 In a Two-Headed Giant game, Obelisk Spider’s last ability causes the opposing team to lose 2 life and you gain 1 life.
2017-07-14 Obelisk Spider’s first triggered ability puts only one -1/-1 counter on the creature, no matter how much combat damage it dealt.