Waste Not MTG Card


Waste Not transforms discards into card draws, black mana, or zombies, enhancing your gameplay and resources. The card’s efficiency depends on discard-enabling cards, making it somewhat situational and less versatile. It’s crucial in numerous strategies, especially in metagames where hand disruption is prevalent.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

Whenever an opponent discards a creature card, put a 2/2 black Zombie creature token onto the battlefield. Whenever an opponent discards a land card, add to your mana pool. Whenever an opponent discards a noncreature, nonland card, draw a card.

Designed by the Magic community


Cards like Waste Not

Waste Not stands as a unique enchantment within MTG for harnessing opponents’ discards. It shares design space with cards like Megrim, which also capitalizes on opponents discarding cards. However, Waste Not provides more versatility by offering different benefits depending on the card type discarded, ranging from creating zombie tokens, adding black mana, to drawing extra cards.

Liliana’s Caress follows a similar punishing theme as Waste Not, dealing damage with each discard. Where Waste Not is a build-around card offering a variety of rewards, Liliana’s Caress zeroes in on depleting opponents’ life totals. Conversely, Geth’s Grimoire allows players to draw whenever opponents discard a card, yet it lacks the direct impact on board state that Waste Not provides with its token generation.

Ultimately, Waste Not holds a distinctive position for its interactive gameplay modifier, changing the way players approach discarding tools while engaging in MTG’s strategic battles. It’s a strategy enabler that encourages inventive deck construction to fully exploit the potential gains from each discarded card an opponent makes.

Megrim - MTG Card versions
Liliana's Caress - MTG Card versions
Geth's Grimoire - MTG Card versions
Megrim - MTG Card versions
Liliana's Caress - MTG Card versions
Geth's Grimoire - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Waste Not by color, type and mana cost

Bad Moon - MTG Card versions
Fear - MTG Card versions
Warp Artifact - MTG Card versions
Deathgrip - MTG Card versions
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Leshrac's Sigil - MTG Card versions
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Dance of the Dead - MTG Card versions
Dark Privilege - MTG Card versions
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Oath of Ghouls - MTG Card versions
Despondency - MTG Card versions
Yawgmoth's Edict - MTG Card versions
Dying Wail - MTG Card versions
Insubordination - MTG Card versions
Mourning - MTG Card versions
Chains of Mephistopheles - MTG Card versions
Tribute to Horobi // Echo of Death's Wail - MTG Card versions
Bad Moon - MTG Card versions
Fear - MTG Card versions
Warp Artifact - MTG Card versions
Deathgrip - MTG Card versions
Animate Dead - MTG Card versions
Blight - MTG Card versions
Seizures - MTG Card versions
Leshrac's Sigil - MTG Card versions
Lim-Dûl's Hex - MTG Card versions
Dance of the Dead - MTG Card versions
Dark Privilege - MTG Card versions
Enfeeblement - MTG Card versions
Oath of Ghouls - MTG Card versions
Despondency - MTG Card versions
Yawgmoth's Edict - MTG Card versions
Dying Wail - MTG Card versions
Insubordination - MTG Card versions
Mourning - MTG Card versions
Chains of Mephistopheles - MTG Card versions
Tribute to Horobi // Echo of Death's Wail - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Waste Not. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Rakdos TransmogrifyRakdos Transmogrify PioneerRakdos TransmogrifyPioneer Super Qualifier 2024-05-04
Mono-Black DiscardMono-Black Discard PioneerMono-Black DiscardPioneer Super Qualifier 2024-05-04
Mono-Black MidrangeMono-Black Midrange PioneerMono-Black MidrangePioneer Challenge 32 2024-05-05
Rakdos MidrangeRakdos Midrange PioneerRakdos MidrangePioneer Super Qualifier 2024-05-04

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Waste Not maximizes potential card gains as it allows you to draw a card whenever an opponent discards a creature card. This mechanic ensures you’re frequently refilling your hand, keeping pressure on your opponent by maintaining card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: This card excels in converting opponent’s losses into your gains by generating two black mana for each land card they discard. This burst of resource acceleration can be pivotal in outpacing your opponents by deploying threats or answers ahead of the curve.

Instant Speed: Although Waste Not itself is not an instant, it synergizes exceptionally well with cards that force opponents to discard at instant speed. By integrating it with your instant-speed discard spells, you create opportunities to disrupt your opponents on their turn while strengthening your position with additional resources or cards.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Waste Not hinges on your opponents discarding cards, which may not always be consistent. Without a reliable way to force discards, its effectiveness is substantially reduced.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both black mana in its casting cost, Waste Not can be restrictive, fitting primarily in mono-black or certain multicolor decks, potentially limiting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing two mana might seem reasonable, but given that its value is entirely dependent on the often unpredictable discard mechanic, it may consume resources that could be allocated to more immediately impactful plays.


Reasons to Include Waste Not in Your Collection

Versatility: Waste Not provides a diverse range of benefits, making it a card that fits seamlessly into various deck archetypes. Whether running a discard-focused strategy or just needing an edge in card advantage, this card is a useful inclusion that can adapt to numerous game scenarios.

Combo Potential: The ability to create zombies, add black mana, or draw cards when an opponent discards, opens up myriad combo possibilities. It synergizes particularly well with cards that force your opponent to discard, therefore amplifying the effectiveness of those strategies and potentially leading to game-winning interactions.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where opponents’ hand disruption is a common tactic, Waste Not leverages that environment to your advantage. As the game evolves and different strategies come into play, the relevance of a card like Waste Not often increases, making it a smart choice for staying competitive.


How to beat

Confronting the prowess of the Waste Not card in Magic: The Gathering offers a strategic challenge worth understanding. This dark enchantment rewards the controller for opponents discarding cards, turning their loss into your gain. But clever adversaries can maneuver through this seemingly inevitable advantage. Effective strategies involve minimizing involuntary discarding through targeted removals or enchantment destruction spells. By keeping your hand size in check and employing cards that offer protection or the ability to discard at your own volition, you can sidestep Waste Not’s treacherous benefits.

Another countermeasure lies in the realm of proactive deck construction, featuring cards that limit the capabilities of discard mechanics such as Leyline of Sanctity or cards like Elixir of Immortality which can reshuffle your graveyard back into your deck. Decks strong in counter spells or hand replenishment ensure that Waste Not’s potential is underplayed, reducing the card advantage it can provide. Facilitating a game plan that emphasizes resilience and self-determined discard choices is crucial in dulling the edge of a Waste Not based strategy.

Ultimately, the success of sidestepping the pitfalls presented by Waste Not lies in meticulous deck building and a strategic approach to the tempo of gameplay, guaranteeing that your adversary’s attempts to capitalize on discards are thwarted.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the strategic depth of MTG often leads to discovering potent cards like Waste Not, which exemplify the synergy between strategy and card utility. Understanding the advantages it brings through card draw, resource acceleration, and instant-speed synergy positions you to extract more value in your matches. However, its dependency on opponent discards and the need for deck cohesion call for a sophisticated approach to deck building. If you’re intrigued by the prospects of turning your foes’ losses into your gain and mastering the nuances of a discard-focused playstyle, we encourage you to dive deeper. Connect with fellow enthusiasts and expand your MTG acumen by embracing the multifaceted capabilities of Waste Not. Let us guide you through integrating this dynamic card into your collection and strategies for an enriched gaming experience.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Waste Not MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2015 and Commander 2016, 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 Waste Not and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Waste Not Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2014-07-18 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-07-18Magic 2015M15 1222015NormalBlackMatt Stewart
22016-11-11Commander 2016C16 1172015NormalBlackMatt Stewart
32019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 12992015NormalBorderlessMark Riddick
42020-03-12Historic Anthology 2HA2 102015NormalBlackMatt Stewart
52023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine: Enchanting TalesWOT 382015NormalBorderlessBenjamin Ee
62023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine Art SeriesAWOE 702015Art seriesBorderlessBenjamin Ee

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Waste Not has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal