6/6 for 5? Regenerates? Dodges protection? Grows if blocked? Really sweet card. The only thing it misses is trample.
Equinox523
★★★★☆ (4.3/5.0)(9 votes)
One of the most powerful creatures ever printed. Not only is he strong for his cost, but you can't chump block him, because he gets bigger. You can't kill him with damage, because he regenerates. You can't use a creature with protection, because he changes color and bypasses that ability. Combine this with support from Pernicious Deed, Maelstrom Pulse or Putrefy, all in-color, and you have a massive threat not many decks have ways of dealing with.
Spiritmonger being a beast means you can use it with Contested Cliffs.
Arachibutyrophobia
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(5 votes)
Other than Nemesis of Reason, this is the best five-mana play. Yes, yes, there are ways you can kill him. But who cares! It's still a ginormous 6/6!
Xarule
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(4 votes)
One of my favorite cards, when ever I play green/black I put at least 2 in my deck, I usually use it in conjunction with Jolael, Empress of Beasts and Pernicious Deed/Nevinyrral's Disk Use Jolreal to turn my opponents lands to creature deed or disk them, regenerate Spiritmonger as needed.
BayushiKazemi
★★★☆☆ (3.6/5.0)(5 votes)
HOLY CRAP! This is one of the ten best old creatures I've ever seen. I mean, really, look at that thing. It's a Beast, a common creature type. It costs 5 for a 6/6, already good in that time. Plus, they give it regeneration and then let it change colors. Finally, whatever drugs the developer was on convinced him to give it a self-pump ability.
True_Smog
★★★★☆ (4.1/5.0)(4 votes)
One of my all-time favourite creature, works increadibly well with Pernicious Deed. The only thing he misses is trample.
spacechaser0001
★★★☆☆ (3.3/5.0)(3 votes)
Can we get a Reprint >_< 4.5/5
AbyssalManZero
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(6 votes)
@majinara (2/5/2009 3:03:50 PM)
Nah, I think the only thing he's missing is FIRST STRIKE lol :P
He seems a bit over powered for just a CMC of 5; I mean maybe if it was {1}{B}{B}{G}{G}
but for {3}{B}{G} seems too cheap... Though lol Baneslayer Angel almost makes me think I should just over look it lol....
@Etregan (5/26/2009 10:46:44 AM)
... What is your point?? There's a 'fix' for everything/anything! And you forgot the one mana solution Path to exile, but how to get rid of a card is NEVER the problem cause there are over fifty different ways to get rid of any creature on the table. So, what is your point? (Yes, I have repeated myself)
Don't mean to be rude, but seriously, people like you for example point out the ovious in how to get rid of a creature. Not about how to get rid of any creature, it's how to get the most out of it while/when using it.
I really hate this card. I really love this card. 5/5
qaq456
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
if it gets blocked by baneslayer angel who cares? it will just more buffed and kill baneslayer. really good card
uberschveinen
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
And they say creatures are overpowered now...
spectermonger
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I think it has gotten to the point where this is counterspell could be reprinted and nobody would complain about them being broken.
TheSuperbloop
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Great fatty. 5 for a 6/6 that grows, can easily regenerate, and change colors is quite awesome. :)
Snaxme
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
He dies to all the obvious things. Big whoop. Hell, even BananaSlayer dies to a bloody Path or Doom Blade. This guy here is a Rock staple. And he'll continue to be for a long, long time, I wager.
Omenchild
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
he needs to be a Beast Monger :D
nathaze
★★★★☆ (4.1/5.0)(5 votes)
go ahead - name 1 bad thing about this guy, i dare ya
achilleselbow
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(8 votes)
I really just don't understand how a card like this actually gets made. Like imagine the development process: they made it a 6/6 for 5, decided to give it regenerate, and then decided it still wasn't powerful enough?
izzet_guild_mage
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
He matters. He matters so much! A little piece of history :)
niallcmurray86
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(6 votes)
Man I love Spiritmonger, he was a card that was designed by fans and it really shows. The best 5 mana drop ever!
Ideatog
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
What I want to know is why this doesn't have the subtype "monger"...
TheSwarm
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
at first I didn't know why this got 5 stars.. it didnt seem that good.. I was only looking at the abilities.. regenerate is fantastic, and the selfpump is cool too, but 5 stars? then I saw it has 6/6....... daaaaamn. And it doesnt die to doomblade, or lighting bolt (Obviously). White removal kinda owns it buuut no biggy, white removal owns anything
DespisedIcon
★★★★☆ (4.6/5.0)(8 votes)
The traditional Spike fatty. I really hated this guy back in the day when most kinds of removal were Dark Banishing-styled.
MasterOfEtherium
★★★☆☆ (3.6/5.0)(4 votes)
In My Balck Green Deck Plus A Got A Grand Prix One. So Good So Good.
blindthrall
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The creature type says it all-BEAST!
Revelation666
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
One of the first true "power creep" cards
DacenOctavio
★★☆☆☆ (2.0/5.0)(3 votes)
What a retardedly good card for an older set. And I thought we were really powercreeping now with Lightning Bolt in standard.
chocolate_lightning
★★★★☆ (4.7/5.0)(13 votes)
damn right this card is a beast
markarmor
★★★★☆ (4.1/5.0)(4 votes)
Incredibly good bargain P/T for his CMC, Regeneration and Growing abilities are an insane bonus and the pro-color evasion is like icing on the cake. A fantastic 5CMC creature.
Qoid
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
Not only is this card amazing, but it lucked out with awesome art too :D 5/5
jsttu
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card is an amazingly good bargain. It has two very useful abilities and one situational one, all for 5 mana in a mana-ramp color. best of all, even if you never used the abilities it would still be a 6/6 for five, which by itself is above the curve. Hard to get rid of, punishes chump blocking, and hurting when it gets through all make this card a freaking monster to play against. Only white removal will reliably deal with him, making hard for other colors to cope, although blue can bounce/counter it i suppose. The sad thing is that when this guy was in standard white didn't have such nice removal as path to exile, oblivion ring or condemn. it had swords to plowshares, which was not standard legal, and that was it.
scumbling1
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(12 votes)
Assuming the curve for creatures is as simple as +1/+1 for one mana is erroneous. There are more subtle complexities going on; for example, you can fudge a bit more when you're getting into midrange creatures like Spiritmonger. If they printed a vanilla 6/6 for five, would you play it? No. Adding a bunch of abilities that fail to force damage through doesn't usually necessitate upping the mana cost, either. See how Spiritmonger never dominated tournaments in any format, for example. Or take Terra Stomper and Silvos, Rogue Elemental -- neither saw much (if any) serious play, despite being very "undercosted" in the simplistic approach to evaluating cards. Clearly, there's more at work here.
Look at some recent cards at five + mana that have seen success:
Baneslayer Angel - Evasion, and she buys you extra protection with lifelink
Exalted Angel - See Above
Reveillark - Evasion and card advantage
Broodmate Dragon - Evasion and card advantage, yet again
the Titan Cycle - some have evasion, and all have ways of generating a dominating board position
Also, Tarmogoyf is nearly as big, but for three less mana. See also Tombstalker.
So it should become clear where Spiritmonger fails. It is just a big, dumb monster that is poor at putting damage through. It just attacks once a turn and doesn't help you race the opponent particularly well. It doesn't create a dominating board presence in any way.
This is why Spiritmonger is one of the most overrated cards in the entire game.
Alan13
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
But its much easier to play Spiritmonger on turn two with Elf/Bird and Ritual/Culling. Although I am considering replacing mine with Malakir Bloodwitch.
jbrsci1
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
You guys need to ease down on all the "power creep" comments. Lightning Bolt was in core sets since the beginning, it left for a while, and now it's back. So what?
Vanisher65
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(9 votes)
Whos the beatdown?!
Feralsymphony
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(3 votes)
One of the most powerful creatures ever. No amount of powercreep will come close to outdoing him.
whoiam
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(2 votes)
I don't really know what happens in the picture, it is so messy lol, but the creature is awesome. Mirran Crusader destroys your BG deck? Put Spiritmonger onto the battlefield and swing for the win!
nic56
★★★☆☆ (3.3/5.0)(3 votes)
Shoulda been reprinted for the B/G/W Commander deck, considering it gets +1/+1 counters.
Jasonoro
★★★★☆ (4.6/5.0)(14 votes)
Reads card what? Reads card again WHAT?
bowerock
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(5 votes)
Everyone's already broken down why it's awesome...
As my cousin says, when I would have 2 or 3 of these on the field... "HOW IS THIS NOT A LEGENDARY!"
ElMikkino
★★★☆☆ (3.7/5.0)(3 votes)
PLEASE reprint this in Innistrad! Flavorful name for the set, powerful chase rare, but not powerful enough to outclass something like a Titan.
wstonefi
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(3 votes)
Back in his day, this guy was by far the most efficient fatty available. Now that the Titans, Baneslayer Angel, Consecrated Sphinx, Phyrexian Obliterator, Batterskull, and others are running around, he's not quite as impressive as he used to be-- but the fact that I'm even comparing him with such powercreeped creatures proves how strong he is. He was one of Magic's first real "wow" creatures-- and he's still one of the best. Definitely 5/5 material.
ax_morph
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(3 votes)
Spiritmonger sticks his tongue out at Wurmcoil and his pesky tokens.
eddned
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Every Black green deck should have four of these
neerajman
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The OG of Powercreep :)
Seriously, though, this card is among many reasons why Invasion will always be my favorite multicolor-themed block. Alara, eat your heart out.
Lueseto
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The first time I read this card i was like, ehm, nice and versatile dude... thinking he was a 3/3
then I reached the right bottom corner and almost fell of the chair
Shannnnoonn
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Holy crap!!!! I'm sure all of us had a similar reaction when we first seen this monstrous monstrosity.... I had to make sure by looking at the back of the card to make sure it was real... 5/5 .. No brainer... Beast...
LordRandomness
★★★☆☆ (3.7/5.0)(3 votes)
Wait, 5 for a 6/6 that gets bigger, dodges any color-based shenanigans, AND regenerates?!
Ferlord
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Oh come on, this had to be a mistake.
Apocalypse wasn't exactly the most powerful set (unlike the sets now), and they let something like this fly?
I'd expect "When this creature is dealt damage, but a -1/-1 counter on it" instead, and one of its other abilities would be for First Strike instead.
That wouldn't make a broken card. Instead, we have this.
Not that it's a problem. It's just... out of place
Baconradar
★★★★☆ (4.3/5.0)(6 votes)
He's a beautiful footnote in the world of creature power creep.
None of the top decks when he was around actually used him, because the environment wasn't suited to playing him, which I think really got the attention of development and was some solid evidence in many arguments about the power of individual cards.
In my world, casual kitchen table magic, he is an extremely rarely seen overpowered but acceptable card. I personally don't want cards like this made and it makes me sad that there are 5 drop creatures as powerful as him at mythic and rare nowadays (like baneslayer). But he isn't BROKEN. He's just a really good creature.
SgtSwaggr
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(4 votes)
Is there some sort of downside that I'm not seeing?
shamanix913
★★☆☆☆ (2.0/5.0)(3 votes)
when I read the link "report abuse" I want to report this card... is OP! But I really love it!!!
If mythic were around back in Apocalypse, this guy would've been mythic. Above the curve, regenerate, gains counters, and has a sometimes-useful color change...totally mythic.
There's little wonder why he gets played in many BG mid/late game decks.
Sheoldreds_Chosen
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(4 votes)
I love this thing so much I want to see a reprint, would make a great mythic rare.
Paleopaladin
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
Highest rated creature on gatherer! Though I think this is because he hits a sweet spot of being powerful enough to be exciting, but not broken to the point of drawing resentment and hate-ratings.
I was going to trade a Storm Crow for one of these, but I couldn't do it
Arachnos
★☆☆☆☆ (1.5/5.0)(2 votes)
How did something like THAT make it into Apocalypse?
pedrodyl
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Dat horrific art is the only bad thing I have to say about this card. Needs a reprint, 4.5/5
TherealphatMatt
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Yes, you're reading that right.
It can change its color at any time!
PatrickWR
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Really neat to read the history about Spiritmonger being a player-designed card. That makes sense -- this card struck me as way, way too powerful for an old set like Apocalypse.
rollinsclone
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
......holy crap. This dude is STILL above the curve. WHY DO PEOPLE NOT PLAY HIM.
talcumpowder0046
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
POWER CREE...
Oh how amusing. Printed back when creatures were balanced, yet so good it pushes the envelope even today! As a spike, I'm inclined to give it a 5/5.
Romulox1990
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(3 votes)
Everything about this card rules. Even the artists name, 'Glen Angus'. It sounds like he's as raw and gritty as a tough steak who Chuck Norris just choked on and died. (Yeah, I did a Chuck Norris joke, sue me.)
kiseki
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
So put a regeneration shield on it for , then donate it with a Bazaar Trader, Alpha Brawl it for , then cast Brand for .
Lifegainwithbite
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Aww it's not legendary... I could have had a hipster but amazing EDH commander.
Nikeyeia
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@Kiseki: Or you could just, you know, use something like Overwhelming Forces.
Pongdok
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Love at first sight. Beasts weren't really as relevant at the time, but he's such a charmer that nobody cared. I could gaze lovingly into his bowel-loosening chest-mouth all day long. Want my spirit, sweetie? Go ahead and monger it... 5/5
Stormchildl
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
What happened to the rulings for this card? This is one of my favorite cards, but there was a ruling about the color change ability and using non-standard colors that I need to confirm.
TheWrathofShane
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
He costs , unless you want to leave him vulnerable to a removal spell. Primeval Titan is much stronger.
Continue
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
A 6/6 for 5 wasn't overly played back then, and it isn't now either. See Underworld Cerberus. Still, this 6/6 gets a 5/5 from me.
blurrymadness
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Can still be used in Legacy via Nic Fit decks or a possible 1-of in a Jund/Junk/Rock deck if you're a little crazy.
He's crazy huge and difficult to get rid of; beautiful and affordable. Good card is good!
JunkHarvester
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
In the famous words of Jeremy Clarkson; "I only have to imagine him, in foily, and I'm nursing a semi."
Seriously, though, what in the world? Black/Green is OBVIOUSLY R&D's favorite color combo. This AND Pernicious Deed in the same set?
Favorite creature ever.
My buddy will always hold a Treachery in EDH and wait for me to play this, then laugh maniacally while he bludgeons my face with my own favorite creature. Good times.
OlvynChuru
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
@TheWrathofShane
I really hate when people make arguments like that. Remember that, if this "costs 6," it's not going to die, because you left mana open to regenerate it. Primeval Titan can't regenerate at all. If you are in a situation where your opponent does not have removal, Spiritmonger does not "cost 6," because you don't need to regenerate it. For some reason, you seem to treat that fact that it can regenerate as a drawback.
Comments (76)
Three mana: Unmake.
Five mana: Slave of Bolas.
Spiritmonger being a beast means you can use it with Contested Cliffs.
4.5/5
Nah, I think the only thing he's missing is FIRST STRIKE lol :P
He seems a bit over powered for just a CMC of 5; I mean maybe if it was {1}{B}{B}{G}{G}
but for {3}{B}{G} seems too cheap... Though lol Baneslayer Angel almost makes me think I should just over look it lol....
@Etregan (5/26/2009 10:46:44 AM)
... What is your point?? There's a 'fix' for everything/anything! And you forgot the one mana solution Path to exile, but how to get rid of a card is NEVER the problem cause there are over fifty different ways to get rid of any creature on the table. So, what is your point? (Yes, I have repeated myself)
Don't mean to be rude, but seriously, people like you for example point out the ovious in how to get rid of a creature. Not about how to get rid of any creature, it's how to get the most out of it while/when using it.
A little piece of history :)
Look at some recent cards at five + mana that have seen success:
Baneslayer Angel - Evasion, and she buys you extra protection with lifelink
Exalted Angel - See Above
Reveillark - Evasion and card advantage
Broodmate Dragon - Evasion and card advantage, yet again
the Titan Cycle - some have evasion, and all have ways of generating a dominating board position
Also, Tarmogoyf is nearly as big, but for three less mana. See also Tombstalker.
So it should become clear where Spiritmonger fails. It is just a big, dumb monster that is poor at putting damage through. It just attacks once a turn and doesn't help you race the opponent particularly well. It doesn't create a dominating board presence in any way.
This is why Spiritmonger is one of the most overrated cards in the entire game.
what?
Reads card again
WHAT?
As my cousin says, when I would have 2 or 3 of these on the field... "HOW IS THIS NOT A LEGENDARY!"
Seriously, though, this card is among many reasons why Invasion will always be my favorite multicolor-themed block. Alara, eat your heart out.
then I reached the right bottom corner and almost fell of the chair
Apocalypse wasn't exactly the most powerful set (unlike the sets now), and they let something like this fly?
I'd expect "When this creature is dealt damage, but a -1/-1 counter on it" instead, and one of its other abilities would be for First Strike instead.
That wouldn't make a broken card. Instead, we have this.
Not that it's a problem. It's just... out of place
None of the top decks when he was around actually used him, because the environment wasn't suited to playing him, which I think really got the attention of development and was some solid evidence in many arguments about the power of individual cards.
In my world, casual kitchen table magic, he is an extremely rarely seen overpowered but acceptable card. I personally don't want cards like this made and it makes me sad that there are 5 drop creatures as powerful as him at mythic and rare nowadays (like baneslayer). But he isn't BROKEN. He's just a really good creature.
There's little wonder why he gets played in many BG mid/late game decks.
btw, I dream of Birthing Pod into this dude from a Solemn Simulacrum
Needs a reprint, 4.5/5
It can change its color at any time!
Oh how amusing. Printed back when creatures were balanced, yet so good it pushes the envelope even today! As a spike, I'm inclined to give it a 5/5.
He's crazy huge and difficult to get rid of; beautiful and affordable.
Good card is good!
Seriously, though, what in the world? Black/Green is OBVIOUSLY R&D's favorite color combo. This AND Pernicious Deed in the same set?
Favorite creature ever.
My buddy will always hold a Treachery in EDH and wait for me to play this, then laugh maniacally while he bludgeons my face with my own favorite creature. Good times.
I really hate when people make arguments like that. Remember that, if this "costs 6," it's not going to die, because you left mana open to regenerate it. Primeval Titan can't regenerate at all. If you are in a situation where your opponent does not have removal, Spiritmonger does not "cost 6," because you don't need to regenerate it. For some reason, you seem to treat that fact that it can regenerate as a drawback.