Downsize MTG Card


Downsize allows cost-effective board control, maintaining card advantage by mitigating multiple threats efficiently. Its flexibility at instant speed makes it an unpredictable combat phase disruptor, protecting your strategic interests. Though it may challenge your mana pool, the versatility and tactical advantage it offers are undeniable.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Overload

Text of card

Target creature you don't control gets -4/-0 until end of turn. Overload (You may cast this spell for its overload cost. If you do, change its text by replacing all instances of "target" with "each.")


Cards like Downsize

Downsize is an intriguing choice within the realm of battle tricks and size alteration spells in Magic: The Gathering. It stands toe-to-toe with cards like Unsummon, which offers a different yet strategic advantage of returning a creature to its owner’s hand. Downsize, in contrast, temporarily reduces a creature’s power, potentially neutralizing a threat without permanently removing it from the battlefield. Unsummon provides a more direct approach but lacks the subtlety of temporary debuff.

Another spell to consider is Hydrosurge, which similarly decreases a creature’s power significantly but doesn’t alter its toughness. While Downsize offers a mere -4 to power until the end of the turn, Hydrosurge gives a larger -5 change but still leaves toughness intact, potentially impacting the board in different ways. Flusterstorm is also worth mentioning, not for size alteration, but for its capability to be a powerful tool against noncreature spells, particularly useful in games dense with instant and sorcery spells.

Ultimately, players must weigh these variations when curating their deck. Downsize’s momentary power reduction may not have the permanence of other control spells, but its surprise factor can sway combat phases in your favor, emphasizing the tactical diversity MTG offers in gameplay.

Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Hydrosurge - MTG Card versions
Flusterstorm - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Hydrosurge - MTG Card versions
Flusterstorm - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Downsize by color, type and mana cost

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Ancestral Recall - MTG Card versions
Jump - MTG Card versions
Sleight of Mind - MTG Card versions
Twiddle - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Siren's Call - MTG Card versions
Power Sink - MTG Card versions
Blue Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Spell Blast - MTG Card versions
Magical Hack - MTG Card versions
Riptide - MTG Card versions
Winter's Chill - MTG Card versions
Mind Bend - MTG Card versions
Denied! - MTG Card versions
Hydroblast - MTG Card versions
Whispers of the Muse - MTG Card versions
Ertai's Trickery - MTG Card versions
Force Spike - MTG Card versions
Opt - MTG Card versions
Envelop - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Downsize is a particularly useful addition to a deck where maintaining card superiority is a strategy. By using it, you can potentially prevent multiple threats from a single card, keeping your hand robust and opponents on their toes.

Resource Acceleration: Although Downsize doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, its low mana cost can indirectly accelerate your resources. By using less mana to control the board, you conserve resources for deploying larger threats or actions that can shift the game in your favor.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Downsize at instant speed gives players the flexibility to disrupt opponents’ combat strategies during their turn. This can prevent unfavorable trades or damage, keeping your strategic position solid while leaving mana available for other pivotal plays.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When playing Downsize, you must discard a card, which can deplete your hand and reduce future play options, especially detrimental when you’re already behind.

Specific Mana Cost: Downsize demands blue mana, which might restrict its integration in decks not focused on blue resources or in multi-color strategies that struggle with mana fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Downsize can shrink opponents’ creatures, the two mana (one of which is blue) required might be too steep considering alternative spells with similar or better effects at a lower cost.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Downsize is a flexible card that can be seamlessly incorporated into various deck archetypes. Its ability to shrink an opponent’s creatures during combat makes it an excellent tool for both offensive and defensive strategies.

Combo Potential: Downsize works well in synergy with other cards that benefit from reduced creature strength. It can set up for board clears, or work with cards that deal damage based on power differentials for decisive plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that regularly shifts with new deck themes and strategies, Downsize holds its ground by countering creature-heavy decks, making it a relevant addition in diverse metas.


How to Beat

The Downsize card presents a unique challenge in the realm of MTG. This card possesses the ability to reduce your creatures’ power for a turn, which can turn the tide of battle unfavorably. Facing Downsize requires a strategic approach, understanding that your most potent creatures might not be reliable during crucial turns.

One effective way to circumvent the impact of Downsize is by utilizing instant spells that can boost the power of your creatures. This not only counters the effect but can also surprise an opponent who’s counting on your weakened offense. Cards with hexproof are also valuable as they are immune to such spells, maintaining their strength regardless of your opponent’s actions.

Furthermore, deploying creatures that benefit from spells targeting them can turn Downsize’s effect from a detriment into an advantage. Abilities such as prowess or ‘heroic’ trigger additional effects when spells are cast, potentially creating powerful synergies in response to your opponent’s actions, even when they are intended to disrupt your game plan.

By preparing for Downsize’s temporary setback, you reinforce your strategy and secure your position in the game, proving that no card is insurmountable with the right tactics and foresight.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Downsize MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica and Ravnica Remastered, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Downsize and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Downsize Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-10-05 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by Ryan Pancoast.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-10-05Return to RavnicaRTR 382003NormalBlackRyan Pancoast
22024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 412015NormalBlackRyan Pancoast

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Downsize has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Downsize card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2013-04-15 Because a spell with overload doesn’t target when its overload cost is paid, it may affect permanents with hexproof or with protection from the appropriate color.
2013-04-15 Casting a spell with overload doesn’t change that spell’s mana cost. You just pay the overload cost instead.
2013-04-15 Effects that cause you to pay more or less for a spell will cause you to pay that much more or less while casting it for its overload cost, too.
2013-04-15 If you are instructed to cast a spell with overload “without paying its mana cost,” you can’t choose to pay its overload cost instead.
2013-04-15 If you don’t pay the overload cost of a spell, that spell will have a single target. If you pay the overload cost, the spell won’t have any targets.
2013-04-15 Note that if the spell with overload is dealing damage, protection from that spell’s color will still prevent that damage.
2013-04-15 Overload doesn’t change when you can cast the spell.