Waxing Moon MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Abilities	Transform
Released	2016-07-22
Set symbol
Set name	Eldritch Moon
Set code	EMN
Number	177
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Adam Paquette

Key Takeaways

Waxing Moon can significantly alter creature abilities, creating powerful board presence instantaneously.
It enables resource gains and card acceleration when transforming specific Werewolves.
Flexibility in timing makes this card a tactical asset in responsive plays.

Text of card

Transform up to one target Werewolf you control. Creatures you control gain trample until end of turn.

"Show them what it means to be the source of nightmares!" —Ulrich, Krallenhorde alpha

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Waxing Moon provides a significant boost in creature matchups, transforming any number of Human creatures you control. This could lead to unexpected card advantages as transformed creatures often have superior abilities and stats.

Resource Acceleration: By transforming Werewolves, it could trigger abilities that result in additional resources such as creating tokens or drawing cards, indirectly translating to an acceleration in available resources.

Instant Speed: The instant speed of Waxing Moon enables strategic flexibility, allowing you to catch your opponent off guard by transforming your creatures right before an untap step or in response to an opponent’s action during their turn for maximum impact.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mandates that you forfeit another card from your hand, presenting a potential setback when resources are already stretched thin, or you’re holding onto crucial game pieces.

Specific Mana Cost: The card’s casting cost necessitates specific mana, constraining its integration primarily to decks that can reliably produce those mana types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that might be seen as steep considering the outcome, there exist alternatives in MTG that could potentially yield greater benefits for less investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Waxing Moon shines in many decks that thrive on transformation mechanics, boosting both werewolf transformations and strategies seeking to flip various double-sided cards.

Combo Potential: This card pairs well with werewolves and other transform cards, setting off a chain of activations that could suddenly tilt the battlefield in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-heavy strategies are often popular, having Waxing Moon could give you a sudden and unexpected edge by rapidly evolving your creatures mid-game.

How to Beat Waxing Moon

Waxing Moon is a versatile instant that can catch opponents off guard during the werewolf transformation. When played skillfully, it allows for an instant creature upgrade and unexpectedly triggers a werewolf’s transformation in Magic: The Gathering. However, it also presents opportunities for counterplay. To effectively navigate against this card, timing and understanding the phases of the game become crucial.

In strategy, employing instant-speed removal in response to Waxing Moon can mitigate its impact. Targeting the transforming creature before the transformation resolves removes the immediate threat. Additionally, controlling the pace of your play to avoid passing turns without casting spells can prevent the werewolf transformation naturally, rendering Waxing Moon less effective.

Deck-wise, consider adding cards that restrict instant plays or provide ways to cast spells on your opponent’s turn. This proactive approach not only disrupts Waxing Moon strategies but also positions you to maintain tempo and control. Through attentiveness to game state and strategic foresight, Waxing Moon’s influence can be diminished, allowing you to retain the upper hand in your MTG matches.

Cards like Waxing Moon

Waxing Moon is an intriguing instant in Magic: The Gathering that serves as a beacon for werewolf transformation. This card parallels the transformative effects found in Moonmist, which also turns human creatures into werewolves. However, Waxing Moon exclusively targets a single creature for transformation and grants it trample, providing a narrower yet potentially more impactful shift in power during combat.

Comparatively, Full Moon’s Rise is another card that synergizes with werewolf and wolf creatures but operates differently by granting an ongoing stat boost and regeneration ability to these creatures. While Waxing Moon offers a surprise tactical advantage in a single turn, Full Moon’s Rise provides a solidary benefit over a longer duration, reinforcing your board presence.

All in all, Waxing Moon carves out its own niche within the werewolf-themed cards of Magic: The Gathering, giving players a swift and unexpected tool to tip the scales during battle. Its ability to instantly beef up and give trample to a newly changed creature can decide the outcome of a fight, illustrating its worth in a well-tuned werewolf deck.

Cards similar to Waxing Moon by color, type and mana cost

Might of the Nephilim - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Waxing Moon MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon, 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 Waxing Moon and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Waxing Moon has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2016-07-13	You may cast Waxing Moon without targeting a Werewolf. If you do choose a target, and that target becomes illegal, Waxing Moon doesn’t resolve, and your creatures won’t gain trample.