Downpour MTG Card

Disrupting opponent creatures at instant speed can serve as a powerful board control tool. The low mana cost of Downpour encourages effective tempo plays, maximizing turn efficiency. Requires card discard, limiting inclusion to decks with a reliable draw or recursion.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	2012-07-13
Set symbol
Set name	Magic 2013
Set code	M13
Number	48
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Eytan Zana

Text of card

Tap up to three target creatures.

"The sky holds vast oceans. They are at your fingertips if you know how to call them." —Talrand, sky summoner

Cards like Downpour

Downpour stands out in the realm of instant-speed control in Magic: The Gathering. It’s akin to cards such as Sleep, which taps all creatures an opponent controls. Downpour, however, offers flexibility by allowing a caster to target only three creatures. This can be a tactical advantage when dealing with a few key threats on the battlefield.

Another comparable spell, Selective Snare, provides an interesting contrast. Selective Snare can return multiple creatures of the same type to an opponent’s hand, again at instant speed. This type of bouncing effect can be more disrupting than simply tapping creatures, but it requires a more specific board state to be fully utilized.

Frost Breath is also in the same category, tapping two creatures which don’t untap during the controller’s next untap step, providing a prolonged effect compared to Downpour. However, it lacks the immediacy of being able to divide the effect among creatures as needed.

Ultimately, Downpour offers a unique position within MTG’s arsenal of creature control options, hitting the sweet spot between targeted impact and strategic versatility. Its ability to instantly neutralize threats makes it a valuable tool for players aiming to maintain the upper hand in creature-heavy matchups.

Cards similar to Downpour by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Playing Downpour can disrupt multiple opponents’ creatures and set you up for a favorable attack, potentially leading to a better board position and an advantage in card strength.

Resource Acceleration: As Downpour is a low-cost spell, it supports you in keeping mana available to establish your board presence or cast other spells on the same turn for a robust tempo play.

Instant Speed: The real flexibility of Downpour comes from its instant speed, providing you with the strategic advantage of choosing the precise moment to tap your opponent’s creatures, either during combat or at the end of their turn, keeping them on the defensive.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Downpour requires the player to have a card available to discard, potentially depleting their hand. This can be particularly risky in turns where maintaining card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: With its specific mana cost needing one blue mana, Downpour’s inclusion is primarily limited to blue-centered or blue-compatible decks. This can restrict deck-building options and strategic diversity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its effect, Downpour’s mana cost might be seen as high when compared to other options available. Players often evaluate the efficiency of a spell based on its impact relative to its mana cost, and there could be alternative cards that provide a similar effect with lower investment or additional benefits.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Downpour is a great asset for any blue deck, particularly those that thrive on controlling the tempo of the game. It can tap multiple creatures, preventing them from attacking or blocking, and its low mana cost means it can be played early in the game or saved for crucial moments when maintaining control is key.

Combo Potential: This card shines in decks that capitalize on tapping and untapping mechanics. With the right synergies, Downpour can be part of a combo that effectively keeps opponents’ creatures locked down, ensuring you dictate the pace of the match.

Meta-Relevance: As creature-based aggro and mid-range decks often populate the meta, having a tool like Downpour can be indispensable for swiftly shifting the balance of the game in your favor. It can be employed as a defensive measure against swarm strategies or to prevent key creatures from joining the battlefield fray.

How to beat Downpour

Downpour is a versatile blue instant in Magic: The Gathering, capable of tapping multiple creatures and preventing them from blocking or using tap abilities. To effectively counter this card, consider utilizing untap mechanics or strategies that are less vulnerable to being tapped. Swiftfoot Boots or Lightning Greaves can provide hexproof or shroud to dodge targeted spells such as Downpour. Additionally, employing instant-speed removal spells allows you to eliminate key creatures before Downpour has the chance to resolve.

Moreover, creatures with vigilance are immune to the drawbacks of Downpour as they do not need to tap to attack, maintaining their defense postures. Cards like Always Watching or Serra’s Blessing can grant vigilance to your creatures, thereby mitigating the tactical impact of Downpour. Alternatively, look to cast creatures with haste to maintain pressure, as they can attack immediately before Downpour can aim at them.

Keep in mind that Downpour excels in stalling your offense. Thus, a strategy that fosters continuous creature presence, such as token generation or creature recursion, can outpace the temporary setback caused by Downpour. By anticipating and preparing for its arrival, you can render this blue spell’s influence negligible on the field of battle.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Downpour MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2013, 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 Downpour and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Downpour has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2012-07-01	If Downpour targets more than one creature, and some but not all of the creatures are illegal targets by the time Downpour resolves, the remaining legal targets will be tapped.