Fevered Convulsions MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Enchantment
Released	1997-10-14
Set symbol
Set name	Tempest
Set code	TMP
Number	136
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jeff Miracola

Key Takeaways

Fevered Convulsions allows precise board control by placing -1/-1 counters on creatures at instant speed.
The card is resource-intensive and demands specific mana, potentially challenging for diverse decks.
Despite costs, its versatility in counter strategies makes it a powerful control tool in MTG.

Text of card

o Bo B: Put a -1/-1 counter on target creature.

"Tell me again why you failed to capture Gerrard, you worthless pile of spine." —Volrath, to Greven

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Fevered Convulsions offers repeatable control over the board by placing -1/-1 counters on creatures. This ongoing threat can indirectly lead to card advantage as it forces opponents to deal with or lose their creatures.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana, Fevered Convulsions can be viewed as an investment in mana that pays off by weakening enemy forces over time. This streamlined use of resources can lead to a more dominant position on the battlefield.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Fevered Convulsions at instant speed gives you the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s strategy during their turn. Timing the placement of -1/-1 counters can alter combat outcomes or remove key abilities dependent on creature size, keeping you one step ahead.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Fevered Convulsions requires a discard to activate its ability, which may not always be optimal for your hand and strategy, especially if your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: The activation of its ability necessitates two specific mana types (one black and one generic mana), potentially creating a hurdle for multicolor decks that might struggle to consistently produce the required mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering its initial casting cost of four mana, along with the additional cost to use its ability, Fevered Convulsions can be quite mana-intensive compared to other options, potentially slowing down your game pace and limiting your ability to play other cards in the same turn.

Reasons to Include Fevered Convulsions in Your Collection

Versatility: Fevered Convulsions offers a level of control that can be integrated into various deck strategies, particularly in black-centric or counter-heavy decks that aim to manipulate and weaken opposing creatures.

Combo Potential: This card excels when combined with other pieces that benefit from, or contribute to, placing counters on creatures. Pairing it with proliferate mechanics or cards that trigger upon counter placements can lead to powerful synergies.

Meta-Relevance: In environments dominated by creature-based strategies, Fevered Convulsions acts as a recurring threat that can disrupt your opponent’s board state, making it a potent inclusion in sideboards or main decks looking to maintain board control.

How to Beat Fevered Convulsions

Fevered Convulsions presents an intriguing challenge in Magic: The Gathering, allowing players to put -1/-1 counters on creatures for a recurrent mana investment. This card can gradually weaken your board presence or eliminate key creatures, disrupting your strategy. To effectively counteract Fevered Convulsions, prioritizing the removal of this enchantment is essential.

One effective measure is to use enchantment removal cards like Disenchant or Naturalize, which can directly target and destroy Fevered Convulsions. Inclusion of such cards in your deck ensures you have a response when faced with this pesky enchantment. Additionally, players can outpace Fevered Convulsions by developing a faster, more aggressive strategy that overwhelms an opponent before they can establish control with their enchantment.

Lastly, undervalued strategies like Hexproof or Indestructible creatures can prove invaluable against Fevered Convulsions. These creatures are immune to its effect, allowing you to maintain board presence and pressure. By anticipating and preparing for this enchantment, you can safeguard your creatures and maintain the upper hand in your MTG matches.

Cards like Fevered Convulsions

Fevered Convulsions is a unique enchantment card offering control players a repeatable way to place -1/-1 counters on creatures. Its closest relatives include Torture, which also provides a repeating mechanism to weaken creatures but only offers -1/-0 each time. Unlike Fevered Convulsions, Torture is a lower-cost enchantment but lacks the stacking potential of -1/-1 counters that can outright eliminate creatures over time.

Contagion Clasp is another akin card, allowing a one-time placement of -1/-1 counters on target creature when it enters the battlefield, with a Proliferate ability that can be activated later. While it also interacts with counters, it isn’t as flexible as Fevered Convulsions, which can repeatedly target and affect the battlefield turn after turn without additional mana investments post-activation.

Considering the strategic implications, Fevered Convulsions provides MTG control players with a persistent threat to their opponent’s creatures. It may come with a higher initial investment and activation cost, but the versatility and potential for continuous board impact make it a tool that can define long-term advantage in creature-heavy matchups.

Cards similar to Fevered Convulsions by color, type and mana cost

Chains of Mephistopheles - MTG Card versions

Tribute to Horobi // Echo of Death's Wail - MTG Card versions

Aphemia, the Cacophony - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fevered Convulsions MTG card by a specific set like Tempest, 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 Fevered Convulsions and other MTG cards: