Stunted Growth MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 266
2008-09-22 - Number 179
2002-06-24 - Number 43642
2002-06-24 - Number 62425
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Target player chooses three cards from his or her hand and puts them on top of his or her library in any order. If that player does not have enough cards in hand, his or her entire hand is put on top of his or her library in any order.
Cards like Stunted Growth
Stunted Growth has carved its niche within the realm of green sorceries in Magic: The Gathering. When assessing its counterparts, we come across cards like Plow Under. Both manipulate the opponent’s resources by interfering with their land. However, Stunted Growth offers flexibility by forcing the target player to choose which three cards get placed on top of their library, potentially stifling key draws. In contrast, Plow Under strictly targets lands, shuffling them into the library, having a more specific, but powerful effect on the opponent’s mana base.
Cultivate stands as another common comparison when discussing card manipulation. Unlike the setback imposed by Stunted Growth, Cultivate enables the controller to accelerate their own land development, a stark difference in utility. Ice Storm, though an older card, serves as an archaic variant, targeting a single land for destruction, a less sweeping but instantaneous disruption.
Through these comparisons, it is clear that Stunted Growth holds a position of strength in its ability not just to delay, but also to coerce strategic decisions from an opponent in Magic: The Gathering, highlighting its unique place in matches that hinge on tempo control.
Cards similar to Stunted Growth by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Stunted Growth places three cards on top of an opponent’s library, effectively setting them back three draws. This disruption can create a significant card advantage for you as the opponent is forced to redraw cards they’ve already played.
Resource Acceleration: While Stunted Growth itself doesn’t accelerate your resources, the tempo loss it inflicts on your opponent can allow you to pull ahead, using this time to develop your board or resources unimpeded.
Instant Speed: Although Stunted Growth is a sorcery, its powerful effect at setting an opponent back can feel as disruptive as an instant-speed interaction. Knowing when to play it is key, often after an opponent has tutored for specific cards or set up their next draws.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Stunted Growth’s playability is sometimes hindered as it necessitates discarding a card. In scenarios where your hand is already depleted, this can present a strategic setback, locking you out of potential game-changing moves or forcing you to lose valuable resources.
Specific Mana Cost: With its particular mana requirement, Stunted Growth demands a significant green mana investment, necessitating three green sources. This specificity can constrain the card’s inclusion to primarily green or green-focused decks, potentially reducing its versatility in multicolored deck builds that can’t reliably meet the mana demand.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Bearing a cost of four mana, including three green, can be steep for the effect it provides—setting back an opponent’s land development. While impactful, the cost-to-effect ratio is subject to scrutiny when matched against other disruption options that might offer a more immediate or lasting disruption for similar or less investment.
Reasons to Include Stunted Growth in Your Collection
Versatility: Stunted Growth slots neatly into any deck aiming to disrupt the opponent’s tempo. Its ability to set an opponent back by forcing them to put cards back on top of their library makes it a formidable tool in a variety of control and midrange decks.
Combo Potential: This card can be a key piece in lock-down strategies combined with cards that force opponents to draw or deny them their draw step. The disruption to their hand and draw mechanics can be game-changing, working seamlessly with cards that capitalize on your opponent’s misfortune.
Meta-Relevance: In metas that rely heavily on precise sequencing and draw consistency, Stunted Growth can severely hamper strategies that require a critical mass of resources or specific combinations. Its ability to hinder an opponent’s development can be the edge you need to outpace and outmaneuver them in competitive play.
How to Beat
Stunted Growth is a card that can pose quite the challenge in MTG. This spell sows frustration as it sets your opponent back by making them place three cards from their hand on top of their library, effectively losing precious turns and momentum. It can derail strategies, especially those that rely on a specific card sequence to execute their game plan.
To weather the storm that Stunted Growth brings, consider diversifying your play. Incorporate cards that allow you to draw more frequently, thus mitigating the effect of losing access to key parts of your hand. Cards with scrying ability can help you ensure that the cards you redraw are beneficial and not mere land cards you’re forced to replay. Moreover, try to play with a robust hand, maintaining a high number of cards whenever possible, so that the impact of Stunted Growth becomes more a nuisance than a catastrophe.
In essence, the key to conquering the setback of Stunted Growth lies in maintaining a card advantage and utilizing deck-manipulation tactics to regain control. By doing so, you’ll demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity, and keep your strategy on track.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Stunted Growth MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Magic Online Promos, 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 Stunted Growth 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
Printings
The Stunted Growth Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 266 | 1993 | Normal | Black | NéNé Thomas | |
| 2 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 43642 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dave Kendall | ||
| 3 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 62425 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Kendall | ||
| 4 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 179 | 1997 | Normal | Black | NéNé Thomas |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Stunted Growth has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |