Bite Down MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2022-09-09 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Dominaria United |
| Set code | DMU |
| Number | 155 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Kitt Lapeña |
Text of card
Target creature you control deals damage equal to its power to target creature or planeswalker you don't control.
"Yavimaya takes care of herself; the kavu are evidence of this. What does your Coalition offer that the forest cannot provide?" —Jenson Carthalion
Cards like Bite Down
Bite Down is an intriguing piece in the lineup of removal spells within the Magic: The Gathering universe. When examining cards of a similar nature, one can draw comparisons to cards like Savage Swipe. Both cards are designed to deal with threats by leveraging the strength of the player’s creatures. Yet, Bite Down offers a unique dynamic, as it specifically targets tapped creatures, providing strategic depth to timing your plays.
In line with this, Clear Shot presents as another analogous option. However, it provides an instant-speed interaction without the tapped creature condition that Bite Down has. Its versatility is a significant factor, though it requires more mana. Another notable comparison is Prey Upon, which, like Bite Down, is low cost and revolves around a fight mechanic between creatures. Nevertheless, Prey Upon allows for a broader range of targets, not just those that are tapped.
Through evaluating these kindred spells, it’s evident that Bite Down has potential in decks that force opponents’ creatures into unfavorable positions, carving its niche among Magic: The Gathering’s creature combat spells due to its capacity to capitalize on tactical maneuvers.
Cards similar to Bite Down by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Bite Down. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Green Aggro | Free form | Standard Pauper Tournament Feb 2024 | |
 | Mono-Green Ramp | Gladiator | Gladiator Games: We're Back |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Bite Down allows strategic removal of a creature, providing a tactical advantage in maintaining board presence.
Resource Acceleration: By possibly eliminating a blocker or attacker, Bite Down can pave the way for more aggressive plays, accelerating your game plan.
Instant Speed: The versatility of casting Bite Down at instant speed grants the flexibility to disrupt opponent’s strategies during their turn or at the end of their turn for maximum surprise and efficiency.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Bite Down demands the player to pitch a card from their hand, which could hinder card advantage and be detrimental during late-game scenarios when every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a precise combination of mana types, this card’s cost may not seamlessly integrate into multicolored decks, potentially affecting its versatility across diverse strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With other options available that fulfill a similar role at a lower mana investment, the casting cost of Bite Down might be considered steep, affecting its inclusion in mana-efficient decks.
Reasons to Include Bite Down in Your Collection
Versatility: Bite Down is a card that can seamlessly integrate into a wide array of deck types, adding strategic depth to creature-based decks, while also providing an answer to opponent threats.
Combo Potential: This card can interact synergistically with decks that capitalize on death triggers or benefit from creature removal tactics, paving the way for powerful combos.
Meta-Relevance: Owing to its ability to disrupt your opponents’ game plan, Bite Down could gain importance if creatures and creature combos dominate the MTG play environment.
How to beat
Bite Down might seem like a challenging condition to overcome in the landscape of Magic: The Gathering. This card offers a targeted solution towards creature-heavy strategies by potentially removing an opponent’s key threats. To navigate around Bite Down’s effects, consider employing creatures with hexproof to protect them from being targeted. Another strategy entails diversifying your creature base with indestructible or creatures that have enter-the-battlefield effects, making the removal less impactful.
Adapting to Bite Down also means taking advantage of instant-speed spells and abilities that can be used in response to Bite Down being cast. Utilizing counterspells, or spells that grant temporary indestructibility, can effectively negate Bite Down’s attempt to eliminate your creature. Keeping in mind that Bite Down targets, having a range of backup creatures or other threats can ensure your gameplay remains uninterrupted even if one creature falls prey to this removal card.
To succinctly maneuver through the challenges posed by Bite Down, an optimal blend of preventive and responsive measures in your deck construction and during gameplay is key. By doing so, you maintain a strong board presence and reduce the effectiveness of your opponent’s Bite Down in the strategic environment of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Bite Down MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United, 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 Bite Down and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Bite Down has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Bite Down card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-09-09 | If either target is an illegal target as Bite Down tries to resolve, the creature you control won’t deal damage. |