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, MTGO Classic Banned in Standard
Printings (1/8)	Fifth Dawn (Uncommon)