How to Remove Poison Counters in MTG
TLDR
- Poison counters are meant to be sticky. Life gain will not save you.
- If you want to remove your own poison counters, the short list is basically Leeches (and it makes you pay for the privilege).
- In multiplayer, other players can sometimes “cure” you with effects that remove counters from an opponent (yes, you are their opponent).
- The practical plan is usually: stop more poison, then remove the poison player (politely, with removal spells).
If you searched how to remove poison counters mtg, you’re probably sitting at 6 poison, staring at an Infect creature, and realizing your 40 life total is mostly a decorative number. Poison is the glitter of Magic. Once it’s on you, it’s hard to get off, and it will absolutely show up in the next game too (emotionally).
How Many Poison Counters to Win in MTG
How to remove poison counters MTG (the actual options)
Let’s be brutally honest: there are very few cards that remove poison counters from a player, and even fewer that remove them from you.
1) Leeches (the classic cure, unfortunately real)
Leeches removes all poison counters from a target player. Great. Then it deals that much damage to that player, because healing should hurt, apparently. If you’re at 9 poison, this can save you, but it might also make you die to a stiff breeze. Still, it is one of the only clean “reset my poison” buttons that targets any player.
2) Suncleanser (multiplayer politics edition)
Suncleanser can make a target opponent lose all counters and not get counters while Suncleanser stays on the battlefield. That includes poison counters… but it does not target you if you cast it. In Commander though, one of your opponents can target you with it if they want to keep you alive long enough to help dunk on the Infect player. Magic is a beautiful game.
3) Price of Betrayal (small dose, cheap bill)
Price of Betrayal removes up to five counters from a target opponent. Again, you can’t cast it on yourself in 1v1, but in multiplayer someone else can point it at you. It’s not a full cure, but shaving 4 or 5 poison off a player at 8 can be the difference between “still playing” and “thank you for coming.”
The real plan: prevent more poison (and don’t be shy about it)
If you’re already poisoned, you usually win by not getting more.
Quick checklist:
- Kill the source: remove Infect/Toxic creatures before combat, not after the pump spell.
- Blank counters: Solemnity stops players from getting counters at all. No poison, no energy, no experience counters, no fun allowed.
- Turn off poison: Melira, Sylvok Outcast stops you from getting poison counters and makes opposing creatures lose infect. It doesn’t remove what you already have, but it’s a great way to lock the number in place.
- Rule 0 it: if your pod hates poison, talk about it up front. House-ruling a higher poison threshold is common in casual groups. Just do it before someone gets to 10 and starts negotiating.
FAQs
Can you remove poison counters with life gain?
No. Poison doesn’t care how healthy you are.
Is there a “cleanse” card that works on yourself in Commander?
The closest is Leeches, because it can target any player.
Does “remove all counters from a player” remove poison counters?
Yes. Poison counters are counters on a player.
Can I use Suncleanser or Price of Betrayal to remove my own poison counters?
Not if you’re the one casting them, because they target an opponent. In multiplayer, another player can target you.
Do you lose immediately at 10 poison?
You lose as a state-based action when the game checks, which happens before anyone gets priority again. Functionally, yes, you’re done.
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