Cankerous Thirst MTG Card

Cankerous Thirst offers both removal and boosting capabilities, providing dual benefits from a single card. Instant speed allows for flexible response to opponents’ actions, enhancing strategic depth during play. Despite its benefits, the discard requirement could potentially limit its effectiveness in late-game scenarios.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Released	2008-07-25
Set symbol
Set name	Eventide
Set code	EVE
Number	116
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Carl Frank

Text of card

If was spent to play Cankerous Thirst, you may have target creature get -3/-3 until end of turn. If was spent to play Cankerous Thirst, you may have target creature get +3/+3 until end of turn. (Do both if was spent.)

Nothing warms the bark on a chilly day like a draught of elf.

Cards like Cankerous Thirst

Cankerous Thirst is an intriguing option within the black and green spell arsenal of MTG. When considering other removal options, one might look at Putrefy, which can also target creatures or artifacts. Where Cankerous Thirst gains versatility is in its ability to not only destroy a creature but also to significantly weaken another, doubling its potential utility on the battlefield.

In the realm of multicolored spells, Mortify could be referenced as well. It allows for the destruction of creatures or enchantments at the same instant speed but lacks the adaptable dual functionality that Cankerous Thirst provides. Abrupt Decay offers an uncounterable solution to remove small threats, though it doesn’t boast the reach or flexibility against larger targets that Cankerous Thirst holds.

The dual capacity to disrupt opponent strategy by handling two threats at once allows Cankerous Thirst to carve its unique niche in the MTG multiverse. Whether decimating a key blocker or diminishing the power of an attacker, its power in providing advantage across multiple fronts is evident, particularly in formats that favor tactical resource management.

Cards similar to Cankerous Thirst by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cankerous Thirst can both neutralize an opponent’s threat and bolster your own creature’s power, effectively swinging the board state in your favor. This dual utility ensures you get more value per card, thereby maintaining momentum during the match.

Resource Acceleration: While Cankerous Thirst itself doesn’t directly provide mana or treasures, removing a blocker or potential threat can accelerate your board presence, making it easier to commit more resources to your strategy unhindered.

Instant Speed: Cankerous Thirst’s ability to be cast at instant speed provides significant strategic flexibility. You can adapt to your opponent’s moves during their turn, making it harder for them to predict and counter your game plan, and optimize the timing of altering power and toughness to your advantage.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One drawback of Cankerous Thirst is the necessity to discard a card for its effect. In late-game scenarios when your hand is diminishing, this requirement can hamper your ability to maintain card advantage over your opponent. This cost might pressure players to surrender potentially crucial cards, hinder strategic hand management, or deplete already scant resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting Cankerous Thirst requires both black and green mana, which can sometimes restrict the card’s integration into decks. Players running multicolored decks that do not include both of these mana types will find this card unusable. Moreover, for those with the right colors, it still demands a well-balanced mana base to cast reliably on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The four-mana cost of Cankerous Thirst might be considered steep for its effects. In the current meta, players scrutinize the efficiency of their spells closely, and there are several alternative spells that can provide similar or even better outcomes for less mana. With fast-paced games, the card’s higher mana cost could slow down your gameplay, giving an edge to opponents with more cost-effective removal or creature buffs.

Reasons to Include Cankerous Thirst in Your Collection

Versatility: Cankerous Thirst offers dual utility by allowing players to remove threats or bolster their own creatures. This flexibility makes it a strong contender for inclusion in decks that require dynamic options.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with strategies that play off of -1/-1 counters or need targeted removal to clear the way for game-winning plays. It’s a valuable asset for decks looking to exploit these kinds of interactions.

Meta-Relevance: With the shifting MTG landscape, having adaptable cards like Cankerous Thirst can be crucial. Its ability to interact with key creatures or turn the tides in combat phases makes it a noteworthy choice for competitive play.

How to beat

Cankerous Thirst is a versatile removal and weakening spell in the dynamic landscape of MTG. Its modal nature allows players to either diminish an opponent’s creature or bolster their own. Addressing this card effectively requires strategic thought. One tactic involves timing your plays to avoid peak vulnerability. If Cankerous Thirst is an anticipated threat, maintaining a hand with protection spells or counters, like Negate or Blossoming Defense, can be crucial for shielding your valued creatures from its debilitating effect.

Similarly, deploying creatures with hexproof or indestructible attributes can fundamentally undermine the effectiveness of Cankerous Thirst. Cards such as Carnage Tyrant or Selfless Spirit not only resist being targeted by this particular spell but also endure through various other forms of removal, providing a steadfast presence on the battlefield. Moreover, having a diversified board state with multiple threats dilutes the impact of single-target spells and maintains pressure on your opponent. Savage Summoning can also be effective, catching your adversary off guard by introducing creatures during their turn and minimizing the window for Cankerous Thirst’s optimal use.

Overall, while Cankerous Thirst can sway the tide in your opponent’s favor, a combination of proper timing, defensive measures, and maintaining a diverse army will help to keep the path to victory within reach.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cankerous Thirst MTG card by a specific set like Eventide, 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 Cankerous Thirst and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cankerous Thirst has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2008-08-01	As you cast Cankerous Thirst, you must target a creature for the first effect and you must target a creature for the second effect. Both targets may be the same. As Cankerous Thirst resolves, you decide whether to apply either effect.
2008-08-01	If the spell is copied, the copy will never have had mana of the stated color paid for it, no matter what colors were spent on the original spell.
2008-08-01	The spell cares about what mana was spent to pay its total cost, not just what mana was spent to pay the hybrid part of its cost.
2008-08-01	The spell checks on resolution to see if any mana of the stated colors was spent to pay its cost. If so, it doesn’t matter how much mana of that color was spent.
2008-08-01	When you cast the spell, you choose its targets before you pay for it.