Spinal Parasite

Artifact Creature - Insect -1/-1, 5 (5)
Sunburst (This enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it for each color of mana spent to cast it.)
Remove two +1/+1 counters from Spinal Parasite: Remove a counter from target permanent.¹
Illus. Cyril Van Der Haegen

Gatherer Card Rulings [Nov 2009]

• 12/1/2004: Yes, this card's base power/toughness is -1/-1. If it has five +1/+1 counters on it, it's a 4/4 creature.
• 12/1/2004: If Spinal Parasite is a 1/1 because it has two +1/+1 counters on it, you can remove both counters to pay for its activated ability.
• 12/1/2004: Any permanent is a legal target for Spinal Parasite's ability, not just one with a counter on it. The player who controls Spinal Parasite chooses which counter to remove from the targeted permanent.

Format Legality	Legal in Vintage, Legacy, Extended Banned in Standard
Printings (1/8)	Fifth Dawn (Uncommon)