Virulent Wound
Instant
Put a -1/-1 counter on target creature. When that creature dies this turn, its controller gets a poison counter.
- CMC
- 1
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- B
- Rarity
- common
- Set
- Mirrodin Besieged
- Price
- $0.35
- EDHREC rank
- #13568
Virulent Wound kills a creature, leaves a -1/-1 counter behind, and costs one black mana — that's an absurd amount of work for a single spell. In Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons decks it's effectively a removal spell stapled to a free 1/1 deathtouch Snake token, which makes the cost feel like a misprint.
Best Commanders
Commanders with the highest synergy
Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons
Every -1/-1 counter Virulent Wound places triggers Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons, so a one-mana instant that removes a threat also manufactures a 1/1 deathtouch Snake — the card generates two board events for the price of one.
Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon
Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon decks lean on the infect and poison-counter ecosystem, and Virulent Wound fits cleanly as a one-mana interaction piece that doubles as a poison delivery mechanism against players when the counter lands on a creature that dies.
The Scorpion God
The Scorpion God draws a card whenever a creature gets a -1/-1 counter, so Virulent Wound is a one-mana removal spell that replaces itself — the -1/-1 counter it leaves is the trigger, not an afterthought.
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 | legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
Commander is where Virulent Wound actually belongs: -1/-1 counter synergies are almost entirely an EDH phenomenon, and the commanders built around them make this card punch well above its mana cost. In Pauper it's a legal one-mana removal spell with upside, which is worth knowing, but the format's faster threats often demand unconditional answers rather than combat-trick kills. Legacy and Vintage don't want it — one mana to conditionally kill a small creature isn't competitive at those tables. Treat it as a Commander-first card that moonlights in Pauper.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.35 bulk tier
At $0.35, Virulent Wound is deep bulk — you'll find copies in any common box at your local game store for less than the listed price. It's been printed enough times that there's no supply pressure, so don't expect the price to move; just grab a copy and move on.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
- Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons
- Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon
- The Scorpion God
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.