Shed Weakness MTG Card

Instantly strengthens creatures for low mana cost, altering combat dynamics and frustrating opponents’ tactics. Specializes in removing -1/-1 counters which enhances its utility in specific deck strategies. Limited by green mana dependency, it thrives in green-centric and synergistic two-color decks.

Amonkhet (AKH)
2017-04-28 - Number 185

Ultimate Masters (UMA)
2018-12-07 - Number 181

Shed Weakness - Amonkhet Remastered (AKR)

Amonkhet Remastered (AKR)
2020-08-13 - Number 216

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant

Text of card

Target creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn. You may remove a -1/-1 counter from it.

To prepare for the Trial of Strength, nagas shed their old skin—and with it their scars, their doubts, and their fears.

Cards like Shed Weakness

Shed Weakness is an intriguing instant card that allows players to bolster their creatures quickly in battle. It is akin to other pump spells like Giant Growth, which offers a more substantial boost to power and toughness with a +3/+3 increase. However, Shed Weakness has the added benefit of removing a -1/-1 counter from the creature it targets, giving it an edge in scenarios where counters are part of the equation.

On a slightly different note, we consider cards like Titanic Growth. It provides an even larger increase with +4/+4, but unlike Shed Weakness, Titanic Growth lacks any additional effects related to -1/-1 counters. However, it can turn the tide during combat scenarios by surprising opponents with a significant power boost. Mutagenic Growth is another instant in this comparison that also costs two life instead of mana, offering an immediate +2/+2 boost. While it doesn’t remove -1/-1 counters, it’s a perfect choice for a quick, cost-free increase.

To sum up, Shed Weakness stands out among its counterparts for its unique counter-removal ability, catering to players facing off against strategies that utilize -1/-1 counters. Its role in MTG is to provide not only a strength enhancement but also a way to recover from specific debilitating effects, embodying both offense and defensive capabilities in one package.

Cards similar to Shed Weakness by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shed Weakness can be a key component in maintaining momentum during gameplay by allowing a creature to overpower opponents’ threats, potentially leading to favorable trades or direct damage. This can indirectly contribute to card advantage by preserving your creatures on the board.

Resource Acceleration: Although Shed Weakness doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, it is a low-cost spell that can accelerate your board presence. By spending just one green mana to remove a -1/-1 counter and giving a creature an additional +2/+2, you’re efficiently using your resources to create a more threatening stance with minimal investment.

Instant Speed: The instant nature of Shed Weakness gives you the flexibility to react during combat or in response to an opponent’s actions. It allows you to surprise an adversary by boosting a creature’s power and toughness, potentially altering the outcome of battles or foiling an opponent’s removal strategy.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Shed Weakness doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, it’s often played in strategies that require maximizing graveyard resources. This can lead players to discard valuable cards with the intention of later leveraging them, potentially reducing in-hand options.

Specific Mana Cost: Shed Weakness requires a single green mana to play. This specificity necessitates a deck with a reliable green mana base, which might limit the card’s inclusion to green-centric or two-color decks over more varied mana base builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Shed Weakness has a relatively low individual cost, in a fast-paced game, the need to hold up mana for such situational combat tricks could be a tactical downside. Some players might prefer investing their mana into developing their board or other more consistently impactful plays.

Reasons to Include Shed Weakness in Your Collection

Versatility: Shed Weakness is a solid option for any MTG player looking to bolster their creatures against removal or during combat. Its low mana cost makes it a flexible play in fast-paced decks or as a quick response during intricate battles.

Combo Potential: It can be the key in numerous combos, especially in decks that revolve around +1/+1 counters. By removing a -1/-1 counter, you may transform a seemingly weak creature into a formidable threat or even enable an unexpected win condition.

Meta-Relevance: With a constantly shifting MTG landscape, having efficient and inexpensive spells could make all the difference. Shed Weakness can quickly turn the tides of a match, making it a valuable tool in a diversity of meta environments where speed and efficiency are pivotal.

How to Beat Shed Weakness

Shed Weakness is a quick way for players to remove pesky -1/-1 counters and boost a creature’s strength in combat. This card can be particularly tricky when an opponent uses it as a surprise element to turn the tide of a battle. To counter this, having instant-speed removal options is key. Cards such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can efficiently dispose of the bolstered creature before the buff takes effect.

Timing is crucial when dealing with combat tricks like Shed Weakness. By holding back removal until the opponent commits to a play, you conserve resources and gain more control over the pacing of the game. Always be wary of open mana from an opponent who might be holding a card like this. In a pinch, bouncing the creature back to their hand with a card like Unsummon can be a sound move, as it forces them to reinvest mana to replay it, slowing down their strategy.

Ultimately, understanding the potential of combat tricks and holding onto those key pieces of interaction will ensure you’re prepared to handle the surprises that Shed Weakness brings to the battlefield.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shed Weakness MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Ultimate Masters, 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 Shed Weakness and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Shed Weakness Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Christine Choi.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2017-04-28	Amonkhet	AKH	185	2015	Normal	Black	Christine Choi
2	2018-12-07	Ultimate Masters	UMA	181	2015	Normal	Black	Christine Choi
3	2020-08-13	Amonkhet Remastered	AKR	216	2015	Normal	Black	Christine Choi

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shed Weakness has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal