Blightreaper Thallid // Blightsower ThallidHow it works & interactions with other cards

What Blitreaper Thallid Does

Blightreaper Thallid starts as a 2/2 Fungus creature for two mana. Its primary utility comes from its activated ability, which allows you to pay three generic mana and one Phyrexian Green mana to transform it into its back side, Blightsower Thallid. Because the cost includes Phyrexian mana, you can choose to pay the final portion with either one Green mana or by spending 2 life.

Resolving the Transformation

The transformation ability can only be activated during your main phase when the stack is empty. Once the ability resolves, the creature turns into Blightsower Thallid. This event triggers the card's second ability, creating a 1/1 green Phyrexian Saproling creature token. Notably, this same triggered ability also fires if the creature dies, whether it was on its front or back face at the time of its destruction.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is trying to transform Blightreaper Thallid at instant speed to surprise a blocker; however, the ability is restricted to sorcery speed. Additionally, remember that transforming the creature does not cause it to leave the battlefield or enter it. It remains the same permanent, so any Auras, Equipment, or counters on it will stay put, and it will not suffer from 'summoning sickness' if you have controlled it since the start of your turn.

Strategic Timing

You should look to transform this creature when you need to wide your board presence or when you have excess mana. Since you get a token regardless of whether it transforms or dies, it is often beneficial to transform it early to gain the token and a larger attacker, knowing that if your opponent uses a removal spell later, you will simply receive a second token.

Interaction examples

Fueling the Transformation

Llanowar Elves

With Llanowar Elves on the battlefield, you can tap it for Green mana to pay the Phyrexian cost of Blightreaper Thallid's ability. This allows you to transform the creature using only mana, preserving your life total while still generating a Phyrexian Saproling token upon resolution.

Fixing for Phyrexians

Birds of Paradise

If you are playing a deck without Green mana sources, Birds of Paradise can tap to provide the Green mana required for the transformation. If the Bird is not available, you can instead choose to pay 2 life to satisfy the Phyrexian mana requirement, ensuring you get your token even in a mono-Black deck.

Double Token Value

Phyrexian Saproling

When you activate the transformation ability, the creature turns into Blightsower Thallid and you create one Phyrexian Saproling token. Later, if Blightsower Thallid is destroyed in combat or by a spell, the 'dies' trigger activates, granting you a second Phyrexian Saproling token.