The 1996 Magic: The Gathering Alliances set with this uncommon black instant, Contagion. A staple for set completion and strategic gameplay.
Contagion
1996 • Magic: The Gathering • Alliances
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Description
Released in 1996 as part of the Alliances expansion, Contagion is a black instant card numbered 45 in the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Illustrated by Mike Raabe, this uncommon card features a mana cost of {3}{B}{B} and provides a strategic alternative for players seeking to manage life total and hand resources. The card allows you to exile a black card from your hand and pay 1 life instead of paying its mana cost, followed by distributing two -2/-1 counters among target creatures. This mechanic highlights the black color identity's affinity for sacrifice and life payment, making it a notable piece for enthusiasts of the game's early design philosophy. For collectors, owning a copy of Contagion is a rewarding step toward completing the Alliances set. The card's unique ability to swap life for card advantage exemplifies the creative risks taken during this era of Magic development. Whether you are building a vintage collection or analyzing the evolution of card design, this release from the Alliances series remains a key component for understanding the game's history.
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Card Details
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Catalog Profile
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Featured Subject
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Featured
Contagion
Game
Magic: The Gathering
TCG Attributes
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Uncommon
Mike Raabe
Card Stock
English
{3}{B}{B}
Instant
B
Card Text
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You may pay 1 life and exile a black card from your hand rather than pay this spell's mana cost. Distribute two -2/-1 counters among one or two target creatures.