What is the New Infect Mechanic?
Infect is a mechanic introduced in the Scars of Mirrodin block, which is a newer, meaner form of the original Poisonous ability. Infect deals damage to creatures as -1/-1 counters, like the Wither mechanic from the Lorwyn block, and to players as poison counters.
How Does Infect Work?
Infect is a unique mechanic that allows creatures to deal damage to players directly, without the need for combat. When a creature with infect deals damage to a player, it applies -1/-1 counters to the creature, which reduces its power and toughness. This can be a game-changer in many situations, as it allows players to deal damage to opponents without having to worry about their own life total.
Key Points to Remember
- Infect deals damage to creatures as -1/-1 counters
- Infect deals damage to players as poison counters
- Creatures with infect can apply -1/-1 counters to opponents’ creatures
- Players with 10 or more poison counters lose the game
Infect in Commander
In Commander, the rules are slightly different. To kill a player, you need to deal 10 infect damage to them. This is because it is very hard to kill more than a single player with poison, especially because your opponents likely are not piling on with their own infect creatures.
Can You Proliferate Poison Counters?
The answer is yes, you can proliferate poison counters. If you read the reminder text for a card with proliferate, it says, "You choose any number of permanents and/or players with counters on them, then give each another counter of a kind already there".
Is Deathtouch a Triggered Ability?
Deathtouch is a triggered ability. Whenever a creature you control with deathtouch deals combat damage to a player, that player gets two poison counters. (A player with ten or more poison counters loses the game.)
Ward and Infect
Ward is a triggered ability that says, "Whenever this permanent becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, counter that spell or ability unless that player pays [cost]."
Conclusion
Infect is a powerful and unique mechanic that allows players to deal damage to opponents directly, without the need for combat. It can be a game-changer in many situations, and is a key part of many decks. Whether you’re playing in Commander or a casual game, infect is a mechanic that can add a new level of strategy and excitement to your gameplay.
Table: Infect Mechanics
| Mechanic | Description |
|---|---|
| Infect | Deals damage to creatures as -1/-1 counters and to players as poison counters |
| Proliferate | Gives each permanent or player with counters on them another counter of the same type |
| Deathtouch | Gives a player two poison counters when a creature with deathtouch deals combat damage to them |
| Ward | Counter a spell or ability unless the opponent pays the cost |
Bullets List: Key Points to Remember
• Infect deals damage to creatures as -1/-1 counters
• Infect deals damage to players as poison counters
• Creatures with infect can apply -1/-1 counters to opponents’ creatures
• Players with 10 or more poison counters lose the game