Cut Down MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 1 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Instant |
Text of card
Destroy target creature with total power and toughness 5 or less.
"There can be no mercy, no half measures. When facing Phyrexians, it's kill swiftly or die." —Jodah
Cards like Cut Down
Cut Down is an interesting addition to the damage causing spells in Magic: The Gathering. Its similarity can be traced to Lightning Bolt, a spell that also deals damage to creatures. Yet, Cut Down has its unique aspect of destroying the most potent adversary, while Lightning Bolt inflicts a fixed damage, disregarding the creature’s power level.
Another parallel can be seen with Flame Slash. This spell also manifests the damage causing mechanism, but it gives a more flexible reach with damage that can be directed to any creature. Unlike Cut Down’s condition of striking the strongest amongst the opposing creatures – limiting its potential targets. Then we have Fatal Push, a spell whose destructive nature aligns with Cut Down’s. It eradicates creatures, but with a more specific requirement, based on converted mana cost, offering tactical advantages in certain scenarios.
To summarize, after examining the characteristics and evaluating the potential of comparable options, Cut Down secures a commendable position amid damaging spells in Magic: The Gathering. This is attributable to its unique destructive power that strikes at the heart of the opponent’s strength.
Cards similar to Cut Down by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Cut Down. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
4c Legends | Standard | 4c Legends | Standard Preliminary 2024-05-20 | |
Esper Midrange | Standard | Esper Midrange | Standard Challenge 64 2024-05-19 | |
Dimir Midrange | Standard | Dimir Midrange | Standard League 2024-05-19 | |
Golgari Midrange | Standard | Golgari Midrange | Standard Challenge 64 2024-05-19 | |
Mono-Black Midrange | Standard | Mono-Black Midrange | Standard League 2024-05-20 | |
Dimir Control | Standard | Dimir Control | Standard Preliminary 2024-05-20 | |
Esper Control | Standard | Esper Control | Standard League 2024-05-20 | |
Grixis Midrange | Standard | Grixis Midrange | Standard Challenge 64 2024-05-19 | |
Rakdos Midrange | Standard | Rakdos Midrange | Standard Challenge 64 2024-05-19 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Cut Down MTG is a strategic play where you can dismantle your opponent’s forces by eliminating cards, bestowing you with card advantage. This tactic amplifies your standing and leaves your opponent in a card deficit.
Resource Acceleration: This strategy quickens the depletion of your opponent’s cards, accelerating the flow of resources in your favor. This hastens the game’s progression towards your victory by starving your adversary of their valuable resources.
Instant Speed: Implementing a Cut Down MTG strategy can be successful at instant speed, when your opponent is caught off guard and isn’t able to defend or counter it, resulting in undesirable losses.
This way, a well-executed Cut Down MTG strategy can provide you with a superior game state by rapidly reducing the opponent’s playing field and catching them off guard. The efficiency of this approach lies in proper timing, meaning you might just score a decisive advantage when your adversary least expects it.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Cut Down card tends to require discarding a card to follow through on its activation. When your hand is minimal, this can play against the smooth execution of your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: The Cut Down card asks for a specific mana color, making it less versatile. This may restrict its fitting into a multi-color deck and could potentially slow your play.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a significant mana cost, Cut Down card might cause a setback. There are other cards with equal or more beneficial effects at a lower mana cost that could be considered for more competitive play.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The cut down strategy presents unparalleled flexibility. It applies in various deck types, potentially aiding those that benefit the most from instant or sorcery cards, while also disrupting opponents’ strategies.
Combo Potential: Numerous synergies arise with cut down cards, utilizing the efficient removal of threats on the battlefield. This accelerates your strategies, simultaneously hindering opponents from gaining an upper hand.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta-game dominated by creature-intensive strategies or high-cost cards, the cut down approach adds a significant competitive edge. By swiftly eliminating key threats, you maintain control over the game’s flow, making cut down cards indispensable in any collection.
How to beat
Resolving the effect of Cut Down in MTG can be a nail-biting scenario, given its power. This spell is similar to other removal spells such as Doom Blade or Go for the Throat, however, Cut Down’s unique dynamics make it a strong contender. Contingent on the controlling player’s life points being less than their opponents, Cut Down can destroy target creature, swinging games in a player’s favor.
While we can establish Cut Down’s potential impact, how does one defeat it? Simple counterspell cards can efficiently nullify its effect. Look at spells like Cancel that negate the target spell entirely. Furthermore, consider leveraging creatures with Hexproof; they are immune to Cut Down. Cards like Slippery Bogle are great picks to withstand Cut Down’s effect.
Finally, managing your life total efficiently is key to outplaying Cut Down. Keeping your life points above your opponent’s can essentially make Cut Down a dead card in your opponent’s hand. In conclusion, through the strategic use of counterspells, Hexproof creatures, and effective life management, you can maneuver past Cut Down successfully.
BurnMana Recommendations
Diligent MTG aficionados striving for dominance know that every card and tactic has its place. Cut Down MTG epitomizes this, presenting both opportunities and obstacles. Appreciating its strengths, such as instant speed removal, and acknowledging its limitations, including its mana-specific demands, can refine your gameplay. As you consider integrating these strategies into your arsenal, we invite you on a journey to enhance your deck-building and tactical prowess. Discover with us the profound impacts of the cut down method, fortify your deck, and navigate the battlefield with confidence. Embrace the challenges ahead, and let’s level up your MTG experience together.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cut Down MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United and 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 Cut 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
Printings
The Cut Down Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-09-09 and 2022-09-09. Illustrated by Dominik Mayer.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United | DMU | 432 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dominik Mayer | |
2 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United | DMU | 89 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dominik Mayer |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cut Down has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Standard | Legal |
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Alchemy | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Modern | 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 Cut 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 | The total power and toughness of a creature is determined by adding its power and toughness. For example, the total power and toughness of a 3/2 creature is 5. |