Enfeeblement MTG Card
1996-10-08 - Number 121
1997-10-14 - Number 133
1999-04-21 - Number 125
2005-07-29 - Number 127★
2005-07-29 - Number 127
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchanted creature gets -2/-2.
"If it is weak, either kill it or ignore it. Anything else honors it." —Kaervek
Understanding Enfeeblement in the Context of Magic: The Gathering
Enfeeblement is a classic aura enchantment spell in Magic: The Gathering that continues to see play across various formats. Like other spells that diminish the capabilities of creatures, such as Pacifism, Enfeeblement reduces the power and toughness of the targeted creature, effectively weakening your opponent’s offensive and defensive options. Where Pacifism completely disables a creature’s ability to attack or block, Enfeeblement allows the creature to remain active but severely attenuates its impact on the battlefield by giving it -2/-2.
Cards like Enfeeblement
Enfeeblement offers utility similar to that of Dead Weight, another aura used to cripple opposing creatures. Where Enfeeblement has a broader range, affecting the board by targeting any creature including black ones, Dead Weight is cheaper, which can be strategic in decks looking to optimize mana efficiency. Stab Wound is another card that can be compared with Enfeeblement as it not only reduces a creature’s power but also deals damage to the creature’s controller during their upkeep. Though more costly in terms of mana, Stab Wound can be a ticking time bomb for opponents, gradually draining their life.
While there are multiple spells in Magic: The Gathering with similar functions to Enfeeblement, each comes with unique features that cater to different strategies and deck builds. Enfeeblement isn’t just about reducing power; it’s about timing and precision in gameplay, offering players a chance to seize control by turning formidable creatures into manageable threats.
Cards similar to Enfeeblement by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Enfeeblement provides a strategic advantage by weakening an opponent’s creature significantly, effectively reducing the need to use multiple cards to deal with a single threat.
Resource Acceleration: While Enfeeblement itself doesn’t generate resources, its low mana cost aids in preserving your resources for other spells, maintaining tempo, and enabling multistage plays within a turn.
Instant Speed: As an aura with enchant creature, Enfeeblement doesn’t have instant speed, but its low casting cost means you can seamlessly integrate it into your strategy without having to forego other instant speed interactions in the same turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Casting Enfeeblement comes with the downside of potentially depleting your hand since you might need to discard another valuable card to satisfy its alternate cost or effects that synergize with enchantments.
Specific Mana Cost: Enfeeblement’s mana cost is color-intensive, requiring two black mana. This can be restrictive for multi-colored decks and may not always align with your mana base when you need it the most.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For an aura that provides -2/-2 to a target creature, the cost of two mana might be considered steep, especially when there are alternative enchantments or spells that can deliver similar or greater effects for equal or less mana investment.
Reasons to Include Enfeeblement in Your Collection
Versatility: Enfeeblement is an enchantment that can be slotted into a wide array of black decks. Its ability to weaken an opposing creature by reducing its power and toughness makes it a flexible removal tool.
Combo Potential: This card can work in tandem with other cards that capitalize on diminished creatures, whether it’s enabling sacrifice synergies or empowering your own creatures when your opponent’s defenses are down.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by aggressive creature-based strategies, Enfeeblement serves as an efficient way to suppress threats, keeping your opponents’ key creatures in check and altering combat results in your favor.
How to beat
Enfeeblement, a straightforward yet impactful aura card in Magic: The Gathering, offers players a way to minimize threats on the battlefield. Casting Enfeeblement on a creature weakens it considerably, reducing its power and toughness. Understanding how to tackle this debuff can be crucial in maintaining your board’s dominance.
To counteract Enfeeblement’s effect, one might consider utilizing cards that can remove enchantments, such as Naturalize, which can effectively destroy the enchantment at a low mana cost. Additionally, buffing your creatures with instant spells like Giant Growth can help to compensate for the loss temporarily. Alternatively, having creatures with hexproof or shroud abilities prevents them from becoming targets of such spells, thereby avoiding the reduction in strength altogether. Focusing on these strategies allows for a prepared defense and an uninterrupted offensive, ensuring your creatures can persevere even when faced with debilitating enchantments like Enfeeblement.
Maneuvering around Enfeeblement requires a mix of preventative and responsive plays, illustrating the depth and variety of tactical decisions present in Magic: The Gathering. Adapting to enchantments that alter creature abilities is a vital skill, reinforcing the importance of versatile deck building and strategic gameplay.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Enfeeblement MTG card by a specific set like Mirage and Tempest, 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 Enfeeblement 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
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Printings
The Enfeeblement Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 2005-07-29. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996-10-08 | Mirage | MIR | 121 | 1997 | Normal | Black | John Bolton | |
| 2 | 1997-10-14 | Tempest | TMP | 133 | 1997 | Normal | Black | D. Alexander Gregory | |
| 3 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 125 | 1997 | Normal | White | John Bolton | |
| 4 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 127★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Bolton | |
| 5 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 127 | 2003 | Normal | White | John Bolton |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Enfeeblement has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |