Ray of Enfeeblement MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2021-07-23 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms |
| Set code | AFR |
| Number | 116 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Campbell White |
Key Takeaways
- Provides strategic control by temporarily debuffing high-power creatures at a low mana cost.
- Instant speed casting allows for flexible, real-time response to opponent’s threats.
- Its efficient resource use makes it a staple in black mana-based decks.
Text of card
Target creature gets -4/-1 until end of turn. If that creature is white, it gets -4/-4 until end of turn instead.
Erigan cried out in pain as a hideous weakness settled into his bones.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ray of Enfeeblement offers a targeted solution to neutralize high-power creatures temporarily, providing a strategic edge without losing card economy. This can be instrumental in controlling the board and maintaining parity or superiority in the number of effective cards in play.
Resource Acceleration: At just one black mana to cast, this card is a cost-effective tool, allowing players to utilize their mana efficiently. By keeping resource investment to a minimum, players can accelerate their game plan, deploying more threats or answers in the same turn alongside Ray of Enfeeblement.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Ray of Enfeeblement at instant speed offers players tactical flexibility. It can disrupt an opponent’s combat phase, serve as a surprise blocker remover, or be used in response to buffs targeting an opponent’s creature. This flexibility ensures that players can react to threats in real-time and on their own terms.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Ray of Enfeeblement doesn’t force a discard, enabling players to retain their hand while weakening an opponent’s creature. This quality makes the card advantageous in situations where preserving resources is critical.
Specific Mana Cost: Demanding a single black mana, Ray of Enfeeblement is easily accommodated into decks with a black mana base, making it versatile for those running black or multicolored decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Priced at just one mana, this card bills itself as a cost-effective solution for diminishing the power of targeted creatures, positioning itself favorably in contrast to spells with higher mana demands for similar effects.
Reasons to Include Ray of Enfeeblement in Your Collection
Versatility: Ray of Enfeeblement offers flexibility as it can be slotted into any black deck due to its low mana cost. It’s optimal for weakening opponents’ creatures, making it easier to manage threats on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: This card works well within decks that capitalize on -1/-1 counters or destruction effects. Paired with cards that punish damaged creatures, it can become a tool for removing key threats efficiently.
Meta-Relevance: Against decks that rely heavily on white creatures or those buffed with enchantments, Ray of Enfeeblement can serve as an essential sideboard card, providing an edge in matches where minimizing your opponent’s offensive capabilities is crucial.
How to beat
Ray of Enfeeblement is an intriguing card that offers strategic value to players with its ability to weaken target creatures. Much like a precise strike to diminish an opponent’s forces, this card delivers a temporary yet impactful blow. Clear similarities can be drawn to other spells like Dead Weight, which also serves to reduce a creature’s power, though Ray of Enfeeblement does so at instant speed, providing flexibility during combat phases.
However, while the potential to curb an imposing creature’s strength can be a turning point, there exist methods to mitigate its effects. Players might consider including robust hexproof creatures in their arsenal to circumvent this spell’s influence or utilizing counterspells to prevent its casting altogether. Additionally, spells with the capability to grant indestructibility temporarily or permanently can protect a creature from the enfeebling ray, maintaining battlefield presence and combat effectiveness.
Ultimately, understanding and preparing for the encounter against Ray of Enfeeblement is key. With proper strategy and countermeasures, players can ensure their creatures remain potent and continue their conquest unimpeded on the battlefield of Magic: The Gathering.
Cards like Ray of Enfeeblement
In the realm of MTG, Ray of Enfeeblement stands out as a specialized tool for weakening creatures. Its key feature allows it to give a significant debuff to a targeted white creature for one black mana. Comparison to similar cards like Dead Weight becomes intriguing. Dead Weight, used for similar purposes, gets attached to a creature as an aura, providing a persistent decrease to that creature’s power and toughness.
Another card, Blight Sickle, can be likened to Ray of Enfeeblement due to its ability to weaken creatures. However, Blight Sickle is an artifact that equips to a creature, thereby repeatedly decreasing the power of opposing creatures it blocks or is blocked by. Furthermore, Festering Wound is an aura that incrementally damages a creature at upkeep, differing from Ray of Enfeeblement’s immediate impact.
With these points of comparison, it becomes clear that Ray of Enfeeblement is uniquely efficient at managing enemies’ white creatures instantaneously. This quick response can be pivotal in combat scenarios, setting it apart from slower, albeit more persistent alternatives within the MTG universe.
Cards similar to Ray of Enfeeblement by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ray of Enfeeblement MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, 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 Ray of Enfeeblement and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Ray of Enfeeblement has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |