Spinal Parasite
Artifact Creature — Insect
Sunburst (This creature enters with a +1/+1 counter on it for each color of mana spent to cast it.)
Remove two +1/+1 counters from this creature: Remove a counter from target permanent.
- CMC
- 5
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- C
- Rarity
- uncommon
- Set
- Fifth Dawn
- Price
- $0.23
- EDHREC rank
- #25802
Spinal Parasite enters with -1/-1 counters equal to the phyrexian mana you pay, turning it into a flexible removal tool that scales with how much life you're willing to spend. The catch is that a 0/0 base body means you're paying life just to distribute counters — you're not keeping a creature, you're buying a targeted shrink effect.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | legal |
| pioneer | not legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | not legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
In Commander, Spinal Parasite is a niche but legitimate include in -1/-1 counter synergy decks — Hapatra and Yawgmoth shells will generate real value from the entry triggers, while everyone else should skip it. In Legacy and Vintage, the card is legal but functionally irrelevant; those formats move too fast for a life-payment creature removal spell with no body to survive. Modern is the same story — Spinal Parasite simply doesn't compete at any meaningful level of play. Oathbreaker follows the Commander logic: build around it or don't bother.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.23 bulk tier
At $0.23, Spinal Parasite is deep bulk — you're paying for cardboard, not scarcity. It won't appreciate; demand is too narrow and supply too wide for any upward movement.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.