Putrefax is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Trample, haste Infect (This creature deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters.) At the beginning of the end step, sacrifice this creature.
Complete guide
Putrefax is a terrifying embodiment of the Phyrexian infection, designed to end games in a single sudden strike. With a lethal combination of Trample, Haste, and Infect, this creature demands immediate attention from your opponents before it consumes itself.
One Shot, One Kill
Putrefax utilizes the Infect keyword, meaning it deals damage to players in the form of Poison Counters. Since a player with ten Poison Counters loses the game, Putrefax represents over half of a player's total health in a single swing. Its Trample ability ensures that even if small creatures stand in its way, the remaining damage carries over to the player as toxic counters.
The End Step Sacrifice
The primary drawback of Putrefax is its 'flicker of life' design. It features a mandatory triggered ability that triggers at the beginning of the end step, forcing you to sacrifice it. This means you usually only get one attack out of it unless you have ways to return it from the graveyard or end the turn prematurely.
Infect and Damage Rules
It is important to remember that damage from a source with Infect is still damage. It can be prevented by spells or redirected. If Putrefax deals damage to a creature, it places that many -1/-1 counters on it permanently. These counters do not go away at the end of the turn and will stay on the creature even if it survives the initial combat.
Strategic Timing
Because Putrefax has Haste, it is best used as a surprise finisher when an opponent is tapped out or has low-toughness blockers. Since it sacrifices itself at the beginning of the end step, you cannot save it simply by waiting; you must maximize its impact during the combat phase of the turn it is played.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumYou attack with Putrefax, and your opponent blocks with Solemn Simulacrum. Putrefax deals 2 damage to the Golem in the form of two -1/-1 counters and 'tramples' the remaining 3 damage to the opponent. The opponent receives 3 Poison Counters, and the Golem is put into the graveyard because its toughness becomes 0.
Roaming ThroneIf you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Phyrexian' or 'Horror' chosen, Putrefax's end-step ability will trigger twice. While you only have one Putrefax to sacrifice, this interaction is a reminder that the Throne affects all triggered abilities of the chosen type, even the detrimental ones!
Poison CounterIf Putrefax attacks an unblocked opponent, it deals 5 damage in the form of 5 Poison Counters. If that player already had 5 or more Poison Counters from previous turns, they will have a total of 10 or more and lose the game immediately as a state-based action once damage is dealt.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Putrefax
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
A player who has ten or more poison counters loses the game. This is a state-based action.
Card named in this ruling
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Infect’s effect applies to any damage, not just combat damage.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
The -1/-1 counters remain on the creature indefinitely. They’re not removed if the creature regenerates or the turn ends.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
Damage from a source with infect is damage in all respects. If the source with infect also has lifelink, damage dealt by that source also causes its controller to gain that much life. Damage from a source with infect can be prevented or redirected. Abilities that trigger on damage being dealt will trigger if a source with infect deals damage, if appropriate.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
If damage from a source with infect that would be dealt to a player is prevented, that player doesn’t get poison counters. If damage from a source with infect that would be dealt to a creature is prevented, that creature doesn’t get -1/-1 counters.
Card named in this ruling
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
Damage from a source with infect affects planeswalkers normally.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Related cards and tokens
Legal formats
Commentaires
- Sois le premier à commenter cette carte.
Read next
Meta decks with Putrefax
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.