Withering Boon MTG Card


Withering Boon disrupts opponents, denying their creature-based strategies and potential card advantage. Casting at instant speed, it provides surprise and flexibility in countering threats within black decks. Demands consideration of life total and hand resources, influencing its strategic deployment.
Withering Boon - Mirage
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Released1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set nameMirage
Set codeMIR
Number152
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byRobert Bliss

Text of card

Pay 3 life: Counter target summon spell.

"Life for life: this is the immutable law." —Panya, Granger Guildmage


Cards like Withering Boon

The unique nature of Withering Boon sets it apart in the realm of black instant spells in Magic: The Gathering. It allows black deck players to navigate an area typically reserved for blue or white decks — counteracting creature spells. While not a pure counter spell like Cancel, which negates any spell, Withering Boon specifically targets creatures and comes with a life cost.

Comparing it to Dash Hopes, another black spell with a countering ability, Withering Boon offers certainty by paying life rather than relying on an opponent’s choice. Dash Hopes gives the opposing player the option to let the counter effect happen or lose 5 life, potentially bypassing the counter if life totals allow. The intriguing Funeral Charm offers versatility with its three choices, but none that counter creatures directly. Then consider Malakir Rebirth, providing protection and reanimation rather than countering, yet another strong play within black’s instant speed repertoire.

Ultimately, Withering Boon shines with its unexpected interruption in creature-centric strategies, carving a unique identity within MTG’s black magic arsenal. Its intrinsic trade-off between life points and control plays a vital role in evaluating its use strategically in game play.

Cancel - MTG Card versions
Dash Hopes - MTG Card versions
Funeral Charm - MTG Card versions
Cancel - MTG Card versions
Dash Hopes - MTG Card versions
Funeral Charm - MTG Card versions

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Withering Boon presents an unconventional advantage, given its unique ability to counter creatures. This disrupts opponents’ plans and prevents their potential card advantage, setting you ahead in the match.

Resource Acceleration: Although Withering Boon does not directly accelerate resources, its low mana cost allows for efficient use of mana reserves, keeping pace with faster decks and preserving resources for crucial game moments.

Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of Withering Boon is its key strength. It grants you the flexibility to respond to threats immediately, effectively countering creature spells without warning and maintaining the element of surprise over your opponent.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Withering Boon doesn’t explicitly require a discard, but playing it means one less card in hand, potentially reducing your options later.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands one black mana, which confines it to black-inclusive decks, potentially limiting its flexibility compared to colorless or multicolored alternatives.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing two mana, including black, is significant when compared to other instant-speed interaction pieces in the game – making it a less appealing choice when mana efficiency is critical.


Reasons to Include Withering Boon in Your Collection

Versatility: Withering Boon offers a unique twist as black’s answer to creature threats, typically a blue or white domain. Its ability to counter creature spells makes it an unexpected and flexible card for various black decks, often catching opponents off guard.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize well with decks that utilize spells with life payment as part of their strategy. It can also play a pivotal role in decks that capitalize on death triggers or graveyard interactions.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where creature-heavy decks are prominent, Withering Boon can serve as a valuable tool. Its instant speed allows you to disrupt key plays, making it a strategic addition to maintain competitiveness in your matches.


How to beat

Withering Boon is a unique spell in the realm of Magic the Gathering, offering black decks a rare instant-speed creature countermeasure. Unlike blue spells, which dominate this space with counters such as Counterspell and Mana Leak, Withering Boon provides an alternative for those fleeting moments when preventing a creature’s entrance to the battlefield is crucial—even at the cost of some life.

Navigating around Withering Boon involves strategic patience and foresight. One method is by baiting it out with a less crucial creature, ideally when your opponent is low on mana, tempting them to use their spell prematurely. Additionally, since Withering Boon requires the player to pay life, timing your threats when their life total is critical can dissuade its use. Finally, leveraging spells that can’t be countered, such as Supreme Verdict or creatures with the uncounterable ability, can effectively nullify Boon’s impact on those essential plays.

Understanding the landscape of creature interactions and the rarity of black counterspells, a well-timed play can make all the difference against opponents relying on Withering Boon for protection. Anticipating its use and countering its conditions are key to maintaining the upper hand, keeping pivotal creatures in play, and steering the game toward victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

MTG players know that strategy can make or break a game. With cards like Withering Boon, you add a layer of finesse to your black-inclusive decks, giving you the power to surprise and subdue opponents by countering creature spells as they come. Whether you’re fortifying your deck against meta-dominant creature-heavy strategies or looking for that unanticipated play that turns the tide, learning more about such unique cards is imperative. Dive deeper into MTG tactics, discover synergies, and enhance your collection. Your next victory could hinge on such strategic choices. Let’s explore together and triumph in the MTG arena.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Withering Boon MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Withering Boon and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Withering Boon has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Withering Boon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2005-11-01 The payment of 3 life is an additional cost of casting the spell.
2008-04-01 A “creature spell” is any spell with the type Creature, even if it has other types such as Artifact or Enchantment. Older cards of type Summon are also Creature spells.