Winding Constrictor MTG Card
2017-01-20 - Number 140
2019-11-07 - Number 1512
2020-11-12 - Number 216
2024-03-08 - Number 223
2024-03-08 - Number 751
2019-12-02 - Number 309
2020-09-26 - Number AER-140
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Snake |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
If one or more counters would be placed on an artifact or creature you control, that many of those counters plus one are placed on that permanent instead. If you would get one or more counters, you get that many of those counters plus one instead.
Cards like Winding Constrictor
Winding Constrictor stands out in the Magic: The Gathering realm as a powerful asset for counters-focused decks. This snake is similar to other cards that manipulate the proliferation of counters, like Hardened Scales, which also amplifies the number of +1/+1 counters a creature receives. Where Winding Constrictor takes an edge is in its ability not only to affect +1/+1 counters but also to apply its bonus to other types of counters your creatures or you receive, such as energy counters.
Comparisons can be drawn to Corpsejack Menace, which effectively doubles the number of any kind of counters placed on creatures you control. While it offers a more substantial increase than Winding Constrictor, it lacks the latter’s low mana cost and inclusive range for energy counter strategy integration. Another card worth mentioning in this discussion is Pir, Imaginative Rascal. This creature, similar to Winding Constrictor, increases the number of counters you would get, albeit in a more limited scope, applying only to your creatures and not to you as a player.
Ultimately, Winding Constrictor is a versatile card for players looking to enhance their counters game. It presents a unique blend of wide-ranging effects and economic mana cost that positions it as a staple in many competitive decks that rely on counters multiplication.
Cards similar to Winding Constrictor by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Winding Constrictor. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Abzan Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Games: We're Back |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Winding Constrictor is a powerful tool for players looking to get ahead. Its ability amplifies the number of +1/+1 counters or counters of any kind that you would place on an artifact, creature, or player, which essentially gives you more value out of your other cards and interactions within the game.
Resource Acceleration: The steady accumulation of additional counters effectively operates as a form of resource acceleration. By enhancing the growth of your creatures and leveraging the benefits of counter-centric mechanics more rapidly, the card can accelerate your board state, enabling a stronger offensive position or shoring up defenses at a quicker pace.
Instant Speed: While Winding Constrictor itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its passive ability instantly applies whenever relevant effects occur. This means that any instant-speed interactions that involve placing counters on your permanents are automatically more efficient, which can be a decisive advantage in tight game situations.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Winding Constrictor doesn’t demand card discard upon casting, decks utilizing it might require you to pitch cards to synergize with its counter-adding ability. This can lead to diminished hand size and potential resource loss.
Specific Mana Cost: Casting Winding Constrictor mandates a precise blend of mana—one black and one green. This condition pigeonholes it into Golgari decks or those that can accommodate such mana requirements, potentially constraining deck-building options.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although two mana is moderate, in the realm of aggressive strategies, where every turn counts, dedicating your second turn to play Winding Constrictor might not be as impactful as other two-mana plays that could immediately affect the board state.
Reasons to Include Winding Constrictor in Your Collection
Versatility: Winding Constrictor slides effortlessly into various deck archetypes that capitalize on counters. Whether you’re augmenting creatures in a +1/+1 counter deck or ramping up energy counters, its synergy with multiple mechanics makes it a flexible addition to your arsenal.
Combo Potential: The snake amplifies strategies centered around counters, meaning it can turn a modest board state into a threatening one very quickly. Pair it with proliferate effects or any counter-generating cards for an explosive impact on the game.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where counter-centric decks are prominent, Winding Constrictor can provide a significant edge. Its ability to accelerate strategies can be a game-changer, making it a competitive choice for both casual play and more serious deck building.
How to beat
The Winding Constrictor card has become a staple in many MTG decks that dabble in +1/+1 counters and strategies involving energy. It has the unique ability to add an additional counter on creatures and artifacts whenever they would receive a counter, which can quickly escalate the power on the board. This creature is often seen in synergistic decks alongside cards like Walking Ballista or Rishkar, Peema Renegade, which can take full advantage of those extra counters.
Countering this card effectively involves prompt removal or disruption strategies. Removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can address Winding Constrictor before it starts to multiply threats. In addition, since it relies on synergies, preventing those connections with hand disruption tools such as Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek can nip the problem in the bud. Board wipes are also an efficient way to reset the state of play once the constrictor has begun to work its magic, with cards like Wrath of God and Damnation leading the charge.
Understanding Winding Constrictor’s pivotal role in counter-centric decks allows players to anticipate and disable the engine before it becomes overwhelming. Efficient removal and strategic disruption are key to overcoming the value that Winding Constrictor can generate in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Winding Constrictor MTG card by a specific set like Aether Revolt and Mystery Booster, 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 Winding Constrictor 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
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Printings
The Winding Constrictor Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2017-01-20 and 2024-03-08. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-01-20 | Aether Revolt | AER | 140 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Izzy | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1512 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Izzy | |
| 3 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 309 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Crocodile Jackson | ||
| 4 | The List | PLST | AER-140 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Izzy | ||
| 5 | 2020-11-12 | Kaladesh Remastered | KLR | 216 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Izzy | |
| 6 | 2024-03-08 | Fallout | PIP | 223 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Crystal Sully | |
| 7 | 2024-03-08 | Fallout | PIP | 751 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Crystal Sully |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Winding Constrictor has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Winding Constrictor card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-02-09 | If an artifact or creature you control would enter the battlefield with a number of any kind of counters on it, it enters with that many plus one instead. |
| 2017-02-09 | If an effect includes multiple instructions to put one or more counters on an artifact or creature, such as Lifecrafter’s Gift does, Winding Constrictor’s effect applies to each of those instructions. |
| 2017-02-09 | If you control two Winding Constrictors, the number of counters placed on the artifact or creature is the original number plus two. Three Winding Constrictors adds three to the original number, and so on. |
| 2017-02-09 | If you would get counters of multiple kinds at the same time, Winding Constrictor increases the number of each of those kinds of counters by one. The same is true if counters of multiple kinds would be placed on an artifact or creature you control. |
| 2017-02-09 | Winding Constrictor’s effect can’t apply to itself as it’s entering the battlefield or to any other permanent entering the battlefield at the same time as it. |
| 2017-09-29 | If a nonartifact, noncreature permanent (such as a planeswalker) would enter the battlefield with counters on it and become an artifact or a creature on the battlefield due to another card’s effect (such as that of Mycosynth Lattice), Winding Constrictor’s effect will give that permanent another of those counters. |