Throttle MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Throttle offers card advantage by disrupting opponents and saving your board presence.
  2. Instant speed allows surprise plays, making Throttle a tactical game-changer.
  3. The discard requirement and mana cost can hinder its playability in some decks.

Text of card

Target creature gets -4/-4 until end of turn.

"The best servants are made from those who died without a scratch." —Sidisi, khan of the Sultai


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Throttle allows players to remove a key threat from the battlefield while keeping pace in the game. In MTG, removing creatures can indirectly translate to card advantage if it disrupts an opponent’s strategy or protects your cards on the board.

Resource Acceleration: Although Throttle doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it functions as an efficient use of mana in the mid to late game. Its cost aligns with its potent effect, optimizing the use of mana resources at a critical juncture in the game.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Throttle at instant speed is a tactical asset. This flexibility lets players wait until the most opportune moment during the battle phase or end step, making it a surprise element that can swing the game’s momentum.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Throttle demands that a player discard a card upon casting. This could pose a significant drawback during gameplay, especially during moments when preserving hand advantage is crucial for maintaining control of the game.

Specific Mana Cost: With a requirement of both generic and black mana, Throttle’s cost may not seamlessly fit into every deck archetype. Players running multi-colored or colorless decks might find it challenging to meet the mana requirements without compromising their mana base’s stability.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Throttle comes at a hefty price of five mana, which can be quite restrictive considering players might have access to other removal options that cost less. In a game where tempo and efficiency are key to victory, allocating five mana to a single removal spell can be a tactical setback.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Throttle is a flexible removal spell that can be slotted into a variety of black decks. Its ability to target any creature makes it a reliable answer to threats on the battlefield, regardless of size or abilities.

Combo Potential: This card is an excellent enabler for decks that capitalize on death triggers or graveyard synergies. It can remove blockers to enable attacks, or be used defensively to eliminate incoming threats—all while setting up your board for future plays.

Meta-Relevance: Given its instant speed and affordable mana cost, Throttle adapts well to numerous meta environments. It excels in limited formats like draft or sealed, where removal is crucial, and serves as a fine inclusion in constructed play when dealing with creature-heavy or aggro decks.


How to Beat Throttle

Throttle, in MTG, is known for its ability to neutralize threats on the battlefield with its -4/-4 debuff. Against such a card, it’s essential to think strategically. First, consider using creatures with a toughness greater than 4 to withstand the Throttle’s impact. This ensures they remain on the battlefield, even if they’re targeted.

Protecting your creatures can also negate Throttle’s effect. Employ spells that grant indestructibility or hexproof to safeguard your key creatures. Additionally, having a counter spell at the ready allows you to intervene directly as Throttle is cast, preventing it from taking effect entirely.

Another effective tactic is to bait out Throttle by playing less critical creatures that you’re willing to lose. Once used, your opponent will need time to draw into another, giving you an opening to play your more valuable creatures with less risk of them being throttled out of the game.

By understanding Throttle’s mechanisms and preparing your deck with the right countermeasures, you can turn the tables and maintain your presence on the board, priming you for victory.


Cards like Throttle

Throttle is an intriguing piece in the arsenal of removal spells within Magic: The Gathering, particularly for scenarios where taking down larger creatures is crucial. Similar to Throttle, there’s Murder, which allows players to destroy any target creature for an identical three black mana at instant speed. While Murder offers no restrictions on the creature’s toughness, Throttle provides the additional benefit of debuffing a creature with -4/-4 until end of turn, which can be vital in certain board states.

Besides, there’s Languish, which gives all creatures -4/-4 until end of turn for four mana, affecting the entire board and not just a single target as with Throttle. Meanwhile, cards like Flatten, which also serves as a way to weaken creatures, gives a creature -4/-4 but can miss out on destroying creatures with higher health totals. Though not as universally flexible as Murder or sweeping as Languish, Throttle comes out ahead in decks that target individual, high-toughness threats.

In the context of black removal spells, Throttle carves out its niche by offering targeted creature weakening, which may not always be as desirable as outright destruction but can be uniquely suited for games where that specific approach is advantageous.

Murder - MTG Card versions
Languish - MTG Card versions
Flatten - MTG Card versions
Murder - Magic 2013 (M13)
Languish - Magic Origins Promos (PORI)
Flatten - Dragons of Tarkir (DTK)

Cards similar to Throttle by color, type and mana cost

Broken Visage - MTG Card versions
Contagion - MTG Card versions
Necrologia - MTG Card versions
Hatred - MTG Card versions
Dark Triumph - MTG Card versions
Annihilate - MTG Card versions
Waste Away - MTG Card versions
Consume the Meek - MTG Card versions
Stinging Study - MTG Card versions
Cruel Revival - MTG Card versions
Call for Blood - MTG Card versions
Death of a Thousand Stings - MTG Card versions
Moonlight Bargain - MTG Card versions
Treacherous Urge - MTG Card versions
Ad Nauseam - MTG Card versions
Lash of the Whip - MTG Card versions
Rescue from the Underworld - MTG Card versions
Flesh to Dust - MTG Card versions
Unmake the Graves - MTG Card versions
Murderous Cut - MTG Card versions
Broken Visage - Masters Edition II (ME2)
Contagion - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Necrologia - Tempest Remastered (TPR)
Hatred - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Dark Triumph - Nemesis (NEM)
Annihilate - The List (PLST)
Waste Away - Torment (TOR)
Consume the Meek - Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi (DDP)
Stinging Study - Commander 2021 (C21)
Cruel Revival - Starter Commander Decks (SCD)
Call for Blood - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Death of a Thousand Stings - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Moonlight Bargain - Commander 2018 (C18)
Treacherous Urge - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Ad Nauseam - Double Masters (2XM)
Lash of the Whip - Theros (THS)
Rescue from the Underworld - The List (PLST)
Flesh to Dust - The List (PLST)
Unmake the Graves - Magic 2015 (M15)
Murderous Cut - The List (PLST)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Throttle MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir and Shadows over Innistrad, 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 Throttle and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Throttle Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2014-09-26 and 2016-04-08. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-09-26Khans of TarkirKTK 932015normalblackWayne Reynolds
22016-04-08Shadows over InnistradSOI 1382015normalblackRaymond Swanland

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Throttle has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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