Putrid Leech MTG Card


Putrid Leech effectively trades on the battlefield, offering indirect card advantage through resource consumption. Activating at instant speed, it’s a versatile combatant that can surprise opponents with sudden power increases. Its requirement of life payment for activation can be leveraged against it, making careful strategy essential.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Zombie Leech
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Pay 2 life: Putrid Leech gets +2/+2 until end of turn. Play this ability only once each turn.

It reacted to Naya's overabundant food supply by growing additional mouths.


Cards like Putrid Leech

In the realm of creature cards in MTG, Putrid Leech offers a blend of aggression and resilience that suits many decks. It stands in comparison with Vampire Nighthawk, a creature card offering both lifelink and deathtouch, a combination that promises both defensive and offensive advantages. However, while the Nighthawk provides a stable board presence, Putrid Leech demands the right moment for its power boost, trading life for greater attack and defense at a crucial junction.

Another card to consider alongside Putrid Leech is Experiment One. This creature excels in decks that aim to evolve and grow over time, potentially surpassing Putrid Leech in size. Yet, it lags behind in the immediate impact that Putrid Leech can have early in the game, given that it can be a formidable 4/4 on turn two.

Rounding out the comparison, Scavenging Ooze brings a different flavor to the mix, offering not just a growing threat but also graveyard disruption and life gain. It’s a more reactive card than Putrid Leech which can adapt to various situations but doesn’t provide the same predictable power boost.

Assessing these creatures side by side, Putrid Leech holds a unique position, offering a consistent and cost-effective way to pressure opponents right from the early game stages.

Vampire Nighthawk - MTG Card versions
Experiment One - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Vampire Nighthawk - MTG Card versions
Experiment One - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Putrid Leech by color, type and mana cost

Llanowar Dead - MTG Card versions
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Belbe, Corrupted Observer - MTG Card versions
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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
Belbe, Corrupted Observer - 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
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: While Putrid Leech doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its efficient trading potential on the battlefield often forces opponents to use more resources to deal with it, indirectly contributing to card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: As a 2 mana creature that can become a 4/4, Putrid Leech accelerates your board presence quickly, effectively using your mana resources to apply pressure and demand answers from your opponents early on in the game.

Instant Speed: The ability to pay life to increase Putrid Leech’s power and toughness can be activated at instant speed, making it a versatile threat during combat. This allows for surprise combat tricks that can turn the tide of battle, catching an adversary off-guard.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To unlock its potential, Putrid Leech demands you pay 2 life, which could strain your life total in close games or against aggressive strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: Necessitating both black and green mana, this card limits flexibility, requiring a committed deck strategy and a stable mana base to be played effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a 2/2 creature, the initial cost may deter some players when considering more mana-efficient creatures with similar or greater power available.


Reasons to Include Putrid Leech in Your Collection

Versatility: Putrid Leech provides an adaptable presence on the battlefield, able to become a more formidable creature at a moment’s notice. This adaptability makes it a great fit for various decks, especially those that can afford to pay life for increased power on board.

Combo Potential: This card pairs well with strategies focusing on life gain or effects that trigger when life is paid as a cost. Combining Putrid Leech with cards that offset its life payment can lead to powerful synergies and enhance overall strategy.

Meta-Relevance: If the current competitive environment leans towards aggressive plays, Putrid Leech’s ability to swiftly escalate its power makes it an asset in applying early pressure or defending against other aggressive creatures.


How to beat

Putrid Leech poses a unique challenge on the battlefield, known for its power to change the tide of combat in a matter of turns. Boasting the ability to enhance its strength and toughness, it’s no surprise opponents find it daunting. However, this creature has a weakness – the life payment required to activate its ability can leave its controller vulnerable to strategic life-loss effects.

Players often forget the importance of removal spells when facing threats like Putrid Leech. Cheap and efficient spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can dispatch the leech before its effect becomes a problem. Additionally, since activating Putrid Leech’s ability is not a mana ability, it leaves room for instant-speed responses, creating perfect opportunities to take it out or cripple your opponent’s life total further without having them benefit from the increased power and toughness.

Lastly, countering the card outright remains a viable strategy. With cards such as Spell Pierce or Negate, players can preemptively deal with the Leech, keeping their life total safe and their opponent’s board presence minimal. Understanding these strategies is essential, ensuring Putrid Leech doesn’t become an insurmountable obstacle in your MTG games.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Putrid Leech MTG card by a specific set like Alara Reborn and Duel Decks: Izzet vs. Golgari, 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 Putrid Leech and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Putrid Leech Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2009-04-30 and 2014-03-14. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12009-04-30Alara RebornARB 952003NormalBlackDave Allsop
22012-09-07Duel Decks: Izzet vs. GolgariDDJ 532003NormalBlackDave Allsop
32014-03-14Duel Decks: Jace vs. VraskaDDM 512003NormalBlackCraig J Spearing

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Putrid Leech has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal