Dress Down MTG Card


Disables threatening abilities, offers surprise plays at instant speed, shifting in-game dynamics. Restrictive mana cost may hinder deck building strategy, demanding flexibility adjustments. Versatile and meta-relevant, Dress Down counters creature-heavy strategies, fitting various decks.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment
Abilities Flash

Text of card

Flash When Dress Down enters the battlefield, draw a card. Creatures lose all abilities. At the beginning of the end step, sacrifice Dress Down.


Cards like Dress Down

Dress Down has found its niche in the world of Magic: The Gathering as an effective tool to neutralize creatures’ abilities. It can be likened to cards like Humility, a classic that also strips all creatures of their abilities. Dress Down, though, does so at a fraction of the cost and momentarily, bringing an element of surprise and timing into the mix.

Torpor Orb is another card that shares the essence of nullifying creatures’ abilities. Unlike Dress Down, Torpor Orb has a permanent presence on the field but affects only entering creatures. Dress Down, on the other hand, is fleeting, yet it stops all abilities for a turn, making it versatile and useful in disrupting opponents’ plans at critical moments without the long-term commitment.

Assessing the value of Dress Down in comparison to its peers, it stands out for its low cost and instant speed, empowering players to make impactful decisions at pivotal moments in the game. Its temporary nature offers flexibility that permanent-based solutions do not, making it a unique addition to Magic: The Gathering’s pantheon of creature control options.

Humility - MTG Card versions
Torpor Orb - MTG Card versions
Humility - MTG Card versions
Torpor Orb - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Dress Down by color, type and mana cost

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Phantasmal Terrain - MTG Card versions
Stasis - MTG Card versions
Creature Bond - MTG Card versions
Lifetap - MTG Card versions
Power Artifact - MTG Card versions
Psychic Venom - MTG Card versions
Venarian Gold - MTG Card versions
Soar - MTG Card versions
Flooded Shoreline - MTG Card versions
Dance of Many - MTG Card versions
Teferi's Veil - MTG Card versions
Legacy's Allure - MTG Card versions
Chill - MTG Card versions
Buoyancy - MTG Card versions
Mana Maze - MTG Card versions
Psionic Gift - MTG Card versions
Immobilizing Ink - MTG Card versions
Stupefying Touch - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Dress Down. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Jeskai ControlJeskai Control LegacyJeskai ControlLegacy Challenge 32 2024-05-11 (1)
Murktide RegentMurktide Regent ModernMurktide RegentModern Showcase Challenge 2024-05-11
StiflenoughtStiflenought LegacyStiflenoughtLegacy League 2024-05-13
Bant ControlBant Control ModernBant ControlModern Challenge 64 2024-05-13
Beanstalk ControlBeanstalk Control LegacyBeanstalk ControlLegacy Challenge 32 2024-05-11 (1)
4c Control4c Control Legacy4C ControlLegacy League 2024-05-13
4c Omnath4c Omnath Modern4/5c OmnathModern League 2024-05-13
High TideHigh Tide LegacyHigh TideLegacy Preliminary 2024-05-13 (1)
Ad Nauseam TendrilsAd Nauseam Tendrils LegacyAd Nauseam TendrilsLegacy League 2024-05-12
Grixis Underworld BreachGrixis Underworld Breach VintageUnderworld BreachVintage Challenge 32 2024-05-12

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dress Down provides a unique form of card advantage by negating abilities that could be threatening or problematic, effectively shutting down opposing strategies while also replacing itself with a fresh card from your library.

Resource Acceleration: While Dress Down doesn’t directly accelerate resources, playing it can effectively slow down an opponent’s resource acceleration, especially if they rely on creatures with mana abilities, helping you maintain or gain the upper hand.

Instant Speed: Dress Down can be cast at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s plays during their turn or right before your next turn begins, ensuring you are always playing with the element of surprise.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Dress Down card doesn’t directly involve discarding cards, but it’s important to note that it could force players to discard if the hand is already full due to the reduced abilities of creatures on the battlefield impacting draw strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: Dress Down requires a blue mana for casting, which can be restrictive for decks that aren’t built around this color or those that struggle with mana flexibility. This may force deck builders to adjust their mana bases which can affect overall consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While costing only two mana, the flash enchantment’s temporary effect might seem underwhelming when compared to other cards with permanent solutions at similar mana costs. It’s critical for players to evaluate whether the card’s effect is worth the slot in their deck considering the mana investment.


Reasons to Include Dress Down in Your Collection

Versatility: Dress Down is a card that adapts easily to different gameplay situations. Its ability to negate creature abilities for a turn allows for strategic plays across multiple deck archetypes.

Combo Potential: This card shines when used in combinations, effectively disabling opponents’ creature-based strategies and enabling yours. Its flash ability allows for surprise plays that can shift the tide of a match.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where creature abilities dominate, Dress Down can act as a strong counter, providing players with an edge. It’s particularly useful if the format leans heavily on creatures with powerful abilities.


How to beat

Dress Down is a unique addition to the Magic: The Gathering roster, bringing a twist to competitive play. This enchantment card has the power to neutralize creatures’ abilities, leveling the battlefield during your opponent’s turn. Identifying the right moment to deploy this card is critical to maximizing its disruptive impact on your opponents’ strategies.

Kin to classic creature control spells, Dress Down temporarily shuts down all creatures’ abilities, akin to effects seen with cards like Humility. Though Humility affects the game for longer, Dress Down offers the advantage of surprise due to its flash ability, allowing for strategic play during your opponent’s turn. Its fleeting nature requires careful timing but can dismantle combos and tactics reliant on creature abilities.

To overcome the challenges posed by Dress Down, it’s essential to anticipate its arrival and hold backup plans. Play creature cards with enter-the-battlefield effects or abilities that are not continuous or activated, allowing you to derive value even when faced with this enchantment. Keep an eye out for spells capable of removing enchantments or be ready to exploit the brief window after Dress Down’s effect has expired.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dress Down has emerged as a Swiss Army knife for flexible MTG strategies, fitting snugly in decks that thrive on controlling the tempo of the match. As you fine-tune your repertoire, consider incorporating Dress Down for its ability to tip the scales at pivotal moments. Decks can harness its disruptive prowess to arrest the momentum of ability-dependent opponents, while strategically planning their next cunning move. Ready to sharpen your competitive edge? Dive deeper into our tailored guides and discussions to master the art of weaving Dress Down into your deck with finesse.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dress Down // Dress Down MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons 2 Art Series and Modern Horizons 2, 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 Dress Down // Dress Down and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Dress Down // Dress Down Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2021-06-18 and 2024-06-07. Illustrated by Iain McCaig.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-06-18Modern Horizons 2 Art SeriesAMH2 12s2015Art seriesBorderlessIain McCaig
22021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 392015NormalBlackIain McCaig
32021-06-18Modern Horizons 2 Art SeriesAMH2 122015Art seriesBorderlessIain McCaig
42021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 3342015NormalBlackIain McCaig
52021-06-19Modern Horizons 2 PromosPMH2 39s2015NormalBlackIain McCaig
62024-06-07Modern Horizons 2 TimeshiftsH2R 41997NormalBlackIain McCaig

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dress Down has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-06-18 If an effect causes Dress Down to become a creature, it will lose its own abilities along with all other creatures. This includes the triggered ability that causes it to be sacrificed at the beginning of the end step.
2021-06-18 If an effect grants a creature an ability after Dress Down has entered the battlefield, it won't lose that ability. For example, if a land becomes a creature while Dress Down is on the battlefield, it will still gain any abilities given to it by the effect that animated it. It will, however, lose any abilities it already had.
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.