Moonglove Winnower MTG Card

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Moonglove Winnower provides strategic value by enabling removal of key creatures with its unique ability. This disruption can potentially lead to gaining indirect card advantage over an opponent by efficiently dealing with threats.

Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct accelerator of resources, its cost-effective mana value allows players to develop their board while keeping other options open, thus optimizing mana usage and pacing the game in their favor.

Instant Speed: While Moonglove Winnower itself does not function at instant speed, its deathtouch ability complements well with instant-speed removal spells in a player’s deck by threatening to trade with any attacking or blocking creature, no matter the size, adding a layer of battlefield control during any phase of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Moonglove Winnower comes with a downside for players who prefer to maintain a full hand. Its ability to destroy target non-Elf creature might seem handy in certain situations, but it requires you to let go of another card from your hand, which can sometimes leave you at a strategic disadvantage, especially if your in-hand options are all valuable.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting requirement that includes two black mana, the card’s usefulness is restricted to black-centric or compatible multicolor decks. For players who run decks without a strong black mana base, including the Winnower could make for cumbersome deck adjustments or simply render it a dead card in their hands during play.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three total mana with two being specifically black, the Moonglove Winnower might be a card that costs just a tad more than some players are willing to pay for creature removal. In a game where tempo can be crucial, allocating three mana to remove a single non-Elf creature may not be the most cost-efficient play, especially when there are cheaper removal options available in the game.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Moonglove Winnower is an adaptable card that can be a tactical inclusion in decks aiming to disrupt opponents’ strategies. Its ability to remove Elves, an ever-present tribe in various formats, makes it a smart pick for sideboards in particular.

Combo Potential: By specifically targeting one of the most common creature types, this card allows players to engineer board states to their advantage, potentially clearing the way for their own win conditions. It can also be used with cards that exploit enemy deaths or creature-type-based mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: With Elves being a recurring archetype in multiple MTG formats, Moonglove Winnower holds its own as a relevant card. Its role as an elf-killer ensures its utility remains solid in environments where Elf decks are prevalent or on the rise.

How to beat

Moonglove Winnower is a creature card that poses a unique challenge on the battlefield. Its ability to render non-elf creatures unable to block is a strategic advantage that can be difficult to overcome if not addressed promptly. To counter Moonglove Winnower’s effect, one strategy is to remove it from play. This can be achieved through various removal spells, such as Murder or Doom Blade, which allow you to directly target and destroy the troublesome creature. Another method is to include creatures with reach or flying in your deck, which are not impeded by the Winnower’s ability and can block as normal. Additionally, having instant-speed removal spells at the ready enables you to react swiftly during your opponent’s combat phase, ensuring that the Winnower’s effect doesn’t disrupt your defensive line.

In terms of board presence, it is essential to maintain a versatile and resilient lineup. Consider including an array of creatures with different abilities to mitigate the impact of the Winnower’s selective blocking restriction. With the right mix of removals, versatile creatures, and responsive strategy, overcoming the challenge posed by Moonglove Winnower becomes a manageable task on your path to victory.