-1/-1 Counter Precon’s Missing Ingredient Skyrockets Nearly 1,000%

Last updated on January 9, 2026

Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons | Illustration by Tyler Jacobson

The price of Amonkhet uncommon Nest of Scarabs by 833% (MTGGoldfish.com) due to the announcement of Lorwyn Eclipsed’s Blight Curse precon, a Jund () -1/-1 counter deck that lacked a reprint of one of the archetype’s most powerful cards.

Nest of Scarabs Way Up

Nest of Scarabs | Illustration by Jason A. Engle

Per MTGGoldfish, Nest of Scarabs held a steady price of $0.50-$0.60 throughout 2025, but the recent focus on -1/-1 counters with Magic’s return to Lorwyn has propelled the price of a non-foil Nest of Scarabs to $9, and foil versions to $19. This is due to two factors: The card’s crucial role in -1/-1 counter decks, and a lack of reprints.

-1/-1 counters debuted in 1994 when Fallen Empires printed Tourach's Chant and Thelon's Chant, a pair of color-hosing enchantments that punished green and black players, respectively. The mechanic saw sporadic appearances over the new several years, with cards like Harbinger of Night and Aboroth. The first time they received the focus of a full Magic set was the original run of Lowryn block. They were also appear as parts of future mechanics, like wither and infect. The second major run of -1/-1 counters came with Amonkhet and Hour of Devastation, which is where the infamous Nest of Scarabs debuted, as well as Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons—a creature long considered one of, if not the, best -1/-1 counter commanders.

The mechanic has rarely received the spotlight, and it’s often connected with costs, as seen on cards like Devoted Druid and Channeler Initiate. This leaves the pool of cards that reward you for putting -1/-1 counters relatively thin, so familiar faces like Necroskitter and Blowfly Infestation appear consistently, often regardless of the commander.

Nest of Scarabs in particular works extremely well as a source of tokens, which these black-based decks can exploit in a variety of ways (which is also key to Hapatra’s success).

First and foremost, -1/-1 counters permanently shrink opposing creatures. That makes it much more realistic for the measly 1/1 Insect creatures to trade with substantial threats; if you put two counters on an opposing 4/4 and make 2 Insects, they no longer have a viable attack.

Secondly, black and -1/-1 counters go together like Massacre Girl and Murder. Though all colors has some form of -1/-1 counters, black uses them the most and the best since most payoffs have black in their color identity. Another thing that goes great with black? Sacrifice effects! Sacrifice outlets like Plumb the Forbidden and Braids, Arisen Nightmare desire the Nest of Sacrifice Fodder. Nest strikes well at multiple things black does, making it a key synergy engine.

Nest of Scarabs belongs in nearly every -1/-1 counter deck due to its combo potential. The card lacks restrictions; no nontoken clause, no one per turn nonsense. A common combo is Yawgmoth, Thran Physician; one you make the first token, you can churn through your deck until you have a hand you’re satisfied with. If you have Hapatra, two 1/1s, and Blowfly Infestation, you have an infinite combo that happens to draw your deck with Auntie Ool, Cursewretch.

It’s unclear why Wizards failed to print such a necessary staple in Blight Curse. The single Amonkhet printing is largely responsible for the price spike, as we have little supply to keep up with the surge in demand. Wizards printed (most) other -1/-1 payoffs, like Hapatra, Necroskitter, and Blowfly Infestation with limited printings; hopefully they don’t overlook such key reprints in the future.

Note: this post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to make a purchase, you’ll help Draftsim continue to provide awesome free articles and apps.