Dwindle MTG Card

Neutralizes creatures by reducing power, rendering them less effective in combat scenarios. Preserves resources by managing threats without exhausting multiple cards. Offers strategic advantage with the potential to synergize in creature-centric decks.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant
Released	2018-07-13
Set symbol
Set name	Core Set 2019
Set code	M19
Number	53
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ryan Pancoast

Text of card

Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets -6/-0. When enchanted creature blocks, destroy it. (The attacking creature remains blocked.)

The collection didn't have room to expand, so the wizard improvised a solution.

Cards like Dwindle

Dwindle is an intriguing blue enchantment that minimizes an opposing creature’s threat in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often likened to Claustrophobia, which also incapacitates creatures by tapping them and preventing them from untapping during their controller’s untap phase. Dwindle takes it a step further, destroying the creature once it deals damage, effectively eliminating potential blockers or attackers after one use.

Another comparable card is Lignify, which doesn’t destroy the creature but turns it into a harmless 0/4 Treefolk with no abilities. This neutralization compares to Dwindle’s eventual removal but leaves the opponent with a potential blocker indefinitely. In terms of immediate impact, Lignify may underperform compared to Dwindle’s delayed but definitive solution.

In the broader context, Dwindle may compete with cards like Waterknot, which attach to and tap a creature, keeping it locked down without the destructive conclusion that Dwindle guarantees. The utility of such cards depends on the player’s strategy, whether the goal is temporary disablement or a path to removal. Dwindle serves well in scenarios where you anticipate a chance to trigger its lethal clause, securing its place within blue’s control arsenal in MTG.

Cards similar to Dwindle by color, type and mana cost

Threads of Disloyalty - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dwindle lets you shrink an opponent’s creature significantly, effectively negating its combat capabilities. This potentially deals with a threat without losing a card yourself, maintaining or tipping the card balance in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While Dwindle doesn’t directly produce mana or accelerate resources, it allows you to handle threats without committing multiple spells or creatures to the task, thus preserving your resources for other strategic plays.

Instant Speed: Dwindle is a deceptive card, given its enchantment nature. Although it doesn’t have instant speed, the way it changes the board state can be as sudden as an instant for your adversary. Its lingering effect continues to disrupt your opponent’s strategy in a way similar to how an instant can turn the tide of a match when least expected.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Dwindle necessitates relinquishing a card from your hand, which can be a significant setback when you’re running low on cards or need to maintain a strategic hand composition.

Specific Mana Cost: Dwindle demands a precise mix of blue mana in its casting cost. This can be restrictive and complicate deck-building strategies for players who prefer a less color-intensive spell lineup.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost being on the higher side for its effect, some players might find other enchantment options more economically viable, especially in competitive play where efficiency is paramount.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Dwindle is a flexible card that can neutralize a variety of threats on the battlefield. It can be slotted into decks that need control options to handle problematic creatures without having to commit to a permanent removal.

Combo Potential: This enchantment has the ability to synergize well with any strategy that takes advantage of creatures’ power or toughness being modified. It can also be a pivotal piece in decks that capitalize on the tapping or untapping of creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In a game setting where aggressive creatures dominate the landscape, Dwindle serves as an effective tool to mitigate such threats. Its capacity to turn robust attackers into harmless blockers makes it a card worth considering for inclusion, especially in a creature-heavy meta.

How to beat

Dwindle is an intriguing blue enchantment that can stymie aggressive creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Once attached to a formidable creature, it effectively neutralizes the threat by ensuring that any damage it deals will result in it being destroyed. The creature becomes a ticking time bomb that can’t afford to engage in combat, thereby giving you an edge on the battlefield.

To outmaneuver Dwindle, it’s wise to employ removal spells or abilities that can target your own creatures. By using spells like Naturalize or Disenchant, you can liberate your monster from the weakening grip of Dwindle. Hexproof and indestructible attributes are also invaluable, as they can shield your creatures from the initial application of such enchantments. Utilizing counterspells when Dwindle is cast could also save your creature from getting diminished in the first place.

When playing against a deck that incorporates Dwindle, remember to manage your resources efficiently. Prioritize the protection of key creatures, keeping in mind that Dwindle, while potent, can be worked around with the right strategy and a calm, calculated approach to the game state.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dwindle MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019, 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 Dwindle and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dwindle has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2018-07-13	Once the enchanted creature is destroyed, the attacking creature won’t assign or deal combat damage unless it has trample or is being blocked by another creature.