Dead Weight MTG Card
2011-09-30 - Number 96
2016-04-08 - Number 106
2018-10-05 - Number 67
2020-04-24 - Number 83
2022-12-02 - Number 393
2023-03-21 - Number 106
2023-11-17 - Number 99
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets -2/-2.
The crueler vampires' idea of free-range farming.
Cards like Dead Weight
Dead Weight occupies a unique space in Magic: The Gathering as an efficient enchantment aura that weakens opposing creatures. Its parallel can be drawn with the card Fatal Push, which is a one-mana instant with the potential to destroy a small creature outright. While similar in cost and effect, Dead Weight allows for more strategic gameplay, slowly degrading an opponent’s creature over time rather than dispatching it immediately.
Another analogous card is Grasp of Darkness, which provides a greater immediate impact by giving a target creature -4/-4 until end of turn. This spell can handle larger threats but at the cost of an additional mana and being an instant, it doesn’t offer the persisting board presence that Dead Weight boasts. Lastly, Disfigure, a one-mana instant that gives -2/-2 until end of turn, presents a trade-off between the temporary effect and the lower cost compared to Dead Weight’s enduring -2/-2 effect.
Assessing the trade-offs between the unexpected powerful blow and prolonged control, Dead Weight proves to be a staple in decks focusing on long-term advantage and creature management in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Dead Weight by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Dead Weight. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Sultai Midrange | Vintage | Sultai Midrange | Vintage Showcase Qualifier 2024-03-30 |
 | Lurrus Saga | Vintage | Lurrus Saga | Vintage Showcase Qualifier 2024-03-30 |
 | Decklist | Free form | Torino Tournament - Lost Caverns of Ixalan |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Dead Weight doesn’t let you draw cards, it often effectively removes a creature from the game, providing you with a kind of pseudo card advantage. By eliminating an opposing threat, you maintain the balance of power on the board in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly linked to resource acceleration, Dead Weight is a cost-efficient spell. For a single black mana, you get to neutralize potentially much more costly threats from your opponent, leaving your resources free for other strategic plays or setting up for future turns.
Instant Speed: Dead Weight is an enchantment that can’t be played at instant speed. However, its strength lies in its ability to affect the board as soon as it is cast. It allows for strategic planning, ensuring your opponent’s creatures are weakened or removed before they can become a greater threat. By preemptively managing threats, it indirectly grants you the flexibility similar to what is typically achieved with instant speed interaction.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When it comes to Dead Weight, there isn’t a discard element associated with it which means this negative attribute doesn’t apply. Players need to be aware of the actual card mechanics when evaluating its pros and cons.
Specific Mana Cost: Dead Weight requires black mana, limiting its inclusion to only those decks that run Swamps or have mana fixing capabilities to accommodate black spells. This specific mana cost can be restrictive for some strategies that do not support the color.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Dead Weight is not notorious for having a high mana cost, it is essential to weigh its cost against the benefit it provides. It’s a one-mana enchantment that provides a permanent -2/-2 to a target creature, which is generally cost-efficient, but there are scenarios where instant speed removal for a similar cost would be more beneficial.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Dead Weight is a flexible card that can be seamlessly incorporated into a variety of decks. Its ability to weaken opponent creatures makes it useful in both aggressive and control strategies, ensuring that your deck can react to diverse threats.
Combo Potential: This card shines in synergy-driven decks. Dead Weight can work in tandem with cards that benefit from enchantments or the demise of creatures, allowing for intricate and potent interactions that can tip the game in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: Given its low cost and utility, Dead Weight remains relevant in metas dominated by low-to-mid toughness creatures. Its ability to disrupt early game plays can be a game-changer, keeping the board clear and manageable as you establish your winning position.
How to beat
Dead Weight is a classic enchantment that serves as a potent removal tool in the MTG universe. By decreasing a creature’s strength and toughness, it can neutralize threats or even remove them from the battlefield entirely. Yet, like any card, Dead Weight has its vulnerabilities.
To effectively counter Dead Weight, it’s important to use creatures that can withstand the -2/-2 debuff it provides. Creatures with indestructible are immune to its power-reducing effect, ensuring their survival. Additionally, utilizing enchantment removal spells like Disenchant can immediately whisk Dead Weight away, freeing your creature from its grasp.
Bouncing your own creature back to hand is another strategy. Cards like Unsummon not only protect your creature from permanent loss but also waste your opponent’s Dead Weight play. Moreover, hexproof creatures provide a more proactive approach, as Dead Weight can’t target them in the first place. Thus, while Dead Weight can impose a formidable obstacle, understanding and preparing for its weaknesses can keep your creatures safe and your strategy on track.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dead Weight MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Shadows over Innistrad, 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 Dead Weight 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 Dead Weight Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by 4 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2011-09-30 | Innistrad | ISD | 96 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Randy Gallegos | |
| 2 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad | SOI | 106 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Randy Gallegos | |
| 3 | 2018-10-05 | Guilds of Ravnica | GRN | 67 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lake Hurwitz | |
| 4 | 2020-04-24 | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths | IKO | 83 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 5 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 393 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lake Hurwitz | |
| 6 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 106 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Randy Gallegos | |
| 7 | 2023-11-17 | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan | LCI | 99 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Javier Charro |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dead Weight 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 |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |