Numbing Dose MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
| Released | 2011-05-13 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | New Phyrexia |
| Set code | NPH |
| Number | 40 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Brad Rigney |
Text of card
Enchant artifact or creature Enchanted permanent doesn't untap during its controller's untap step. At the beginning of the upkeep of enchanted permanent's controller, that player loses 1 life.
Understanding the Impact of Numbing Dose
Exploring the world of control within Magic: The Gathering, Numbing Dose enters as a unique enchantment that can slow down opponents by tapping a creature and siphoning life each turn. This blue aura shares similarities with cards like Claustrophobia and Ice Cage, which also focus on locking down creatures. However, Numbing Dose adds a twist with its damage over time effect, setting it apart from these other control options.
Cards like Numbing Dose
Numbing Dose aligns with Ice Cage in its ability to neutralize threats by tapping creatures and preventing them from untapping. This mechanic is crucial for controlling the tempo of the game. Yet, unlike Ice Cage, Numbing Dose’s incremental life-draining ability bolsters its user’s survivability each turn, an aspect that could turn the tides in prolonged matches. On the other hand, Encrust delivers a similar effect by locking down creatures or even artifacts but lacking the life-draining component. With the additional benefit of the life sapping, Numbing Dose becomes a more potent choice for long-term advantage on the battlefield.
In the spectrum of creature control enchantments, Numbing Dose positions itself as a versatile tool. It tactically combines creature lockdown with passive damage, providing players with a more sustained approach to controlling the board state and edging into a lead over time.
Cards similar to Numbing Dose by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Numbing Dose provides a sustainable advantage over the course of a game, as it allows you to continually immobilize a key creature while drawing cards if you have ways to untap the enchanted creature.
Resource Acceleration: Though it doesn’t accelerate resources directly, controlling the battlefield effectively with Numbing Dose can save you mana in the long run as you may not need to cast additional spells to deal with the affected creature.
Instant Speed: Numbing Dose’s ability to lock down a threat works well with instant-speed strategies, enabling you to disrupt your opponent’s plan during their turn and maintaining the element of surprise.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In order to fully utilize Numbing Dose, you may have to discard valuable cards from your hand. This can be a real setback when your hand is already depleted, and every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Numbing Dose requires a specific mix of mana to cast: two islands and three generic mana. This specialized mana cost makes it a bit less flexible, especially in multicolored decks that may struggle with mana consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of five mana, Numbing Dose comes in at a higher mana investment than some other control options in your arsenal. Players might find it a challenge to justify the cost for the effect it offers, considering there are alternative control spells with lower mana requirements available.
Reasons to Include Numbing Dose in Your Collection
Versatility: Numbing Dose is a flexible card that can be incorporated into a variety of control decks. Its ability to lock down a creature or artifact can be pivotal in games where stalling opponent strategies is crucial.
Combo Potential: This card works seamlessly with proliferate mechanics, allowing its -1/-1 counter effects to spread and further incapacitate opponents’ resources. The synergy with counter-increasing cards extends its utility beyond just a simple lockdown.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by creature-heavy decks or artifact-based combos, Numbing Dose can act as a deterrent or even a continuous removal tool, making it a timely inclusion in your arsenal against such prevalent deck types.
How to Beat
Numbing Dose is a unique card in the MTG universe, offering a blend of control and slow attrition. It’s a card that demands a strategic approach to overcome. Similar cards like Pacifism also impose limitations on creatures, but lack the incremental damage aspect of Numbing Dose. Getting around it requires a bit of ingenuity. Since it’s an enchantment, direct answers like Disenchant or Naturalize will effectively remove it from the battlefield, liberating your creature and halting the life-loss.
Indirect strategies include using hexproof to prevent your creatures from becoming targets in the first place, or employing counterspells like Negate or Cancel to stop Numbing Dose from hitting the field. Additionally, as a five-mana investment, Numbing Dose is a commitment for your opponent, paving the way for more aggressive strategies that outrun its control potential. Sidelining it with evasion abilities like flying or trample can also reduce its impact and force opponents to have more answers.
Ultimately, knowing the nature of control mechanics in Magic: The Gathering is key to overcoming them. Smart deck construction, including versatile removal and protective spells, ensure that cards like Numbing Dose won’t numb your chances of victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Numbing Dose MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia, 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 Numbing Dose 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Numbing Dose has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Numbing Dose card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-06-01 | Numbing Dose may target and may enchant an untapped artifact or creature. |