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Phyrexian Vatmother

Straight out of the Aliens series, Phyrexian Vatmother is the perfect queen to preside over your infectious court in Magic: The Gathering's Mirrodin Besieged.  Along with Hand of the Praetors, Putrefax, and Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon, Phyrexian Vatmother has potential to see play in a "real" infect deck.

Phyrexian Vatmother

2BB

Creature - Horror Rare

Infect (This creature deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters.)

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At the beginning of your upkeep, you get a poison counter.

4/5

Phyrexian Vatmother is aggressively priced with a huge hide of 5 toughness and an effective "8" points of damage if it comes in contact with your opponent.  This creature is a modern day Juzám Djinn that takes no prisoners, and unless your opponent is also playing infect you can largely ignore the downside to this plague-ridden princess.

The 4 points of power on an infect creature is scary enough, but factor in the gummy body of Phyrexian Vatmother and you've got a nasty threat that can be on the board as early as turn three.

In Limited matchups Phyrexian Vatmother will take several removal spells or creatures to take down, barring an unlucky Arrest or Turn to Slag.  The casting cost for this kind of threat is so low that your opponent will likely be forced to throw table resources in front of the shambling sickness turn after turn, losing cards and tempo while you press the advantage.

Your opponent will likely have to "stay home" even when you're badly outnumbered, as Phyrexian Vatmother backed up with a Virulent Wound, Pistus Strike, or Spread the Sickness will be able remove a single blocker and dish out 5+ poison in a single blow.

If you're willing to entertain black at all, Phyrexian Vatmother is definitely first pick material - you don't necessarily need to be running an infect deck with a creature like this.

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Daniel Tack has been playing Magic since the early days of Revised, when a Craw Wurm was just as magical as a Dual Land. Nowadays, Dan focuses on Limited style magic strategies, focusing on drafting and sealed deck play as well as the popular multiplayer format, Elder Dragon Highlander. You can...

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