Tainted Strike — ruling 1

A player who has ten or more poison counters loses the game. This is a state-based action.

Tainted Strike — ruling 2

Infect’s effect applies to any damage, not just combat damage.

Tainted Strike — ruling 3

The -1/-1 counters remain on the creature indefinitely. They’re not removed if the creature regenerates or the turn ends.

Tainted Strike — ruling 4

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.

Tainted Strike — ruling 5

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.

Tainted Strike — ruling 6

Damage from a source with infect affects planeswalkers normally.

Tainted Strike : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Tainted Strike 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

Target creature gets +1/+0 and gains infect until end of turn. (It deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters.)

Complete guide

Tainted Strike is a lethal black instant that can turn a seemingly minor creature into a game-ending threat. By granting a power boost and the infect keyword, it allows you to bypass traditional life totals and win through poison counters.

The Power of Infect

When a creature gains infect, it changes how it deals damage to everything it touches. Instead of reducing life, it gives players Poison Counter objects; instead of marking damage on creatures, it places permanent -1/-1 counters. Tainted Strike also provides a +1/+0 buff, making it easier to reach that critical ten-poison-counter threshold.

Resolution Step by Step

First, you cast the spell by paying one black mana and choosing a single target creature. Upon resolution, that creature immediately gains +1 power and the infect ability until the end of the current turn. Any damage the creature deals after this point, including non-combat damage if applicable, will be dealt in the form of counters. The -1/-1 counters placed on creatures remain even after the turn ends, whereas the infect ability itself expires at the cleanup step.

Common Pitfalls

Remember that infect is not 'additional' damage; it replaces how damage is dealt. If a creature with infect deals 3 damage to a player, they get 3 poison counters, but their life total does not change. Additionally, damage prevention effects still work normally against infect. If the damage is prevented, no counters are placed.

Strategic Timing

The best time to cast Tainted Strike is usually after your opponent has declined to block a creature, or in response to a spell that would deal damage. Because it is an instant, it serves as a powerful combat trick that can surprise an opponent who feels safe at a high life total.

Interaction examples

Accelerating the Infection

Dark Ritual

You can use Dark Ritual to generate three black mana early in the game. Use one of that mana to cast Tainted Strike on a small creature you control. This allows you to start applying pressure with Poison Counter stacks as early as turn one or two.

Searching for the Finisher

Vampiric Tutor

If your opponent is at 9 poison counters and you have an unblocked creature, you can cast Vampiric Tutor during your opponent's end step to put Tainted Strike on top of your library. On your turn, you draw it, cast it, and secure the win regardless of the opponent's remaining life.

Permanent Weakening

If you use Tainted Strike on a creature that is blocking a high-toughness enemy, the infect ability will place -1/-1 counters on that enemy. Unlike regular damage, these counters do not wear off at the end of the turn, permanently weakening or killing the opposing creature.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.

How it works : Tainted Strike

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1January 1, 2011· 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
Poison Counter
#2January 1, 2011· Wizards of the Coast
Infect’s effect applies to any damage, not just combat damage.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3January 1, 2011· 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.
#4January 1, 2011· 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.
#5January 1, 2011· 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
Poison Counter
#6January 1, 2011· Wizards of the Coast
Damage from a source with infect affects planeswalkers normally.
No other card is named in this ruling.