Malicious Malfunction MTG Card

Malicious Malfunction can swing card advantage in your favor and disrupt opponent tactics. Its instant speed allows tactical flexibility, making it a game-changer in tight spots. However, the discard cost and specific mana needs may limit its deck compatibility.

Malicious Malfunction - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery
Released	2022-02-18
Set symbol
Set name	Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty
Set code	NEO
Number	110
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Deruchenko Alexander

Text of card

All creatures get -2/-2 until end of turn. If a creature would die this turn, exile it instead.

"That? A minor test, nothing more. Incompleat flesh is weak." —Jin-Gitaxias

Cards like Malicious Malfunction

Malicious Malfunction carves its unique niche within the world of artifact disruption in Magic: The Gathering. It draws immediate comparisons to cards like Ancient Grudge, which also targets artifacts and offers a flashback cost to be used from the graveyard. Yet, Malicious Malfunction offers a different tactical edge — it can incapacitate an artifact for multiple turns without destroying it.

When considering versatility, cards like Disenchant also come to mind, which allows for direct removal of artifacts or enchantments at a similar cost. However, Malicious Malfunction also doubles as a stall tactic, prolonging the game and hindering opponents. Additionally, compare it with Revoke Existence that exiles the artifact, preventing any graveyard shenanigans. Malicious Malfunction doesn’t remove the item from the game, but it offers a recursive way to keep an artifact out of commission.

To sum up, Malicious Malfunction presents a strategic option for players focusing on tempo and control. It doesn’t just eliminate a threat; it continuously manages it, which in some scenarios, can be more beneficial than a one-off removal spell. With this card, players gain prolonged control over adversaries’ tools, demanding more nuanced play decisions.

Cards similar to Malicious Malfunction by color, type and mana cost

Decks using this card

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

#	Name	Format	Archetype	Event
	Mono-Black Midrange	Standard	Mono-Black Midrange	Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: March 18, 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Malicious Malfunction offers a unique twist to card advantage by disrupting your opponent’s strategy while potentially enhancing your board position.

Resource Acceleration: The ability to dismantle an artifact or enchantment can indirectly lead to resource acceleration by hindering an opponent’s mana development or their ability to generate additional resources.

Instant Speed: This card can be cast at instant speed, providing the flexibility to respond to threats or opportunities at the most strategic moment during the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Malicious Malfunction demands players to discard a card, which can lead to a resource deficit at critical game moments. This can be especially taxing when a player’s hand is already depleted or if the discarded card is essential for future strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a particular blend of mana colors to cast, which could potentially restrict its integration into a diverse array of decks. Players utilizing a deck with a different mana base may find it challenging to meet the card’s specific demands without altering their mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The casting cost might be seen as impractical when compared to other cards with similar effects. Savvy players often seek out the most economic options for their game plan, and Malicious Malfunction may be passed over in favor of spells that are less taxing on one’s mana pool, leaving more resources available for additional plays within a turn.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Malicious Malfunction offers flexibility for decks by providing both artifact removal and a way to deal direct damage. This makes it a suitable addition to decks that need to disrupt opponents’ strategies while also offering the potential for board control.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to target multiple aspects of gameplay means it can synergize with strategies that capitalize on artifact destruction or damage-based effects, enhancing your combo interactions.

Meta-Relevance: Given that artifacts are often key components in numerous deck archetypes, Malicious Malfunction remains a timely inclusion in any collection, particularly if artifact-heavy decks are prevalent within the current meta.

How to Beat

Malicious Malfunction presents a unique challenge in the realm of MTG. This spell can be a formidable weapon against artifact-heavy decks, disrupting the carefully laid plans of opponents who rely on these tools. To navigate around this obstacle, players should consider diversifying their assets, keeping a versatile mix of enchantments, creatures, and instants to ensure that too much isn’t lost if artifacts are targeted.

Another viable strategy is the incorporation of counterspells or hexproof abilities to protect valuable artifacts from spells like Malicious Malfunction. For those with a more aggressive playstyle, implementing quick and powerful creatures could shift the focus away from artifacts, thereby diminishing the relevance and impact of destruction spells. Timing is also key – by playing artifacts when opponents are tapped out or have used up their removal spells, you can dodge the threat of Malicious Malfunction altogether.

At its core, overcoming the disruption of Malicious Malfunction comes down to anticipation and strategic deck building. By broadening the scope of your strategy and maintaining a dynamic approach to gameplay, this card’s potential impact can be mitigated, keeping your deck running smoothly and your path to victory clear.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Malicious Malfunction MTG card by a specific set like Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, 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 Malicious Malfunction and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Malicious Malfunction has restrictions

Format	Legality
Standard	Legal
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Future	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Brawl	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2022-02-18	Creatures that would die for any reason this turn are exiled instead, not just creatures that would die after getting -2/-2.
2022-02-18	While the -2/-2 applies only to creatures that are on the battlefield as Malicious Malfunction resolves, the replacement effect applies to all creatures that turn, including ones that enter the battlefield after Malicious Malfunction resolves or noncreatures that become creatures after Malicious Malfunction resolves.