Languish MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Key Takeaways

  1. Languish provides widespread removal, effectively dealing with swarms of smaller creatures and impacting card advantage.
  2. While powerful, it has a specific mana cost and doesn’t address high-toughness threats, potentially limiting versatility.
  3. Its strategic value in controlling the board makes it a strong option in creature-dense metas and graveyard-based decks.

Text of card

All creatures get -4/-4 until end of turn.

Life is such a fragile thing.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: In the strategic realm of card interplay, Languish shines by bypassing the downsides of single-target removal. With its potential to clear multiple creatures off the board, it bolsters your position by indirectly generating card advantage over your opponent who may lose numerous assets to one of your single spells.

Resource Acceleration: While Languish does not directly contribute to resource acceleration like mana ramp spells, its proficiency lies in leveling the playing field. By resetting the board state when opponents overextend their creature resources, it allows for a recalibration of strategy and a chance to deploy your threats on a cleaner battlefield.

Instant Speed: Despite Languish being a sorcery, its impact is akin to that of an instant-speed wrath effect in certain game scenarios. Post-Languish, the ability to follow up with immediate threats or answers during your main phase can replicate the tempo advantage often granted by instant-speed interactions.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Languish requires both black mana and generic mana, needing a total of four mana (2BB) to cast. This specific mana combination can potentially restrict its inclusion to only certain types of decks that can reliably generate both resources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, Languish might arrive too late in games against aggressive decks that have already established a strong board presence. Additionally, its cost makes it less favorable when compared to other sweepers or board clearing options that might have a lower mana requirement or offer additional benefits.

Board Impact Limitation: While effective at clearing out smaller creatures, Languish only reduces the toughness of creatures by -4/-4. This means it won’t always be able to deal with larger threats on the board, potentially leaving you at a disadvantage against decks with high-toughness creatures.


Reasons to Include Languish in Your Collection

Versatility: Languish is a potent addition to any deck that requires a solid board wipe option. Its ability to reduce the toughness of each creature by -4/-4 allows it to clear a multitude of threats while sometimes keeping your own creatures intact, making it a flexible choice in various strategies.

Combo Potential: This card can be particularly powerful in decks that thrive on graveyard synergy or benefit from having creatures in the graveyard. It can set up combos by filling your graveyard with fodder for subsequent spells or abilities.

Meta-Relevance: In metas dominated by aggressive creature decks, Languish serves as a crucial reset button. It excels in configurations that require regular board control to stabilize and get ahead of opponents specializing in creature-based tactics.


How to beat

Overcoming the challenges posed by the card Languish in Magic: The Gathering requires strategic foresight and a deck that can withstand its sweeping effect. Languish is known for debuffing creatures on the field by reducing their strength and toughness. To navigate around it, consider integrating indestructible creatures into your strategy. Cards that bolster your creatures’ stats or provide them with temporary protection from effects can also be key in outlasting the impact of Languish.

Alternatively, prioritize cards that have enter-the-battlefield effects or death triggers. This way, even if your creatures fall victim to Languish, you’ll still extract value from them. Utilizing graveyard retrieval methods can also turn a seemingly devastating Languish into a mere setback, allowing you to reclaim and redeploy your key creatures. Remember, while Languish can be a formidable obstacle, a well-prepared deck and a tactical approach can turn the tides in your favor.

In conclusion, Languish can be a major turning point in any game of Magic: The Gathering, but with the right combination of resilience, adaptability, and foresight, you can effectively counteract its power and maintain the upper hand.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the art of MTG involves not only understanding individual card strengths but also recognizing their potential within the broader context of your deck and play style. Languish can be a game-changer, deftly clearing the board to give you a strategic advantage. Whether it’s curbing the onslaught from an aggressive opponent or setting the stage for your own creatures to dominate, this card offers a unique blend of versatility and power. Explore the synergies Languish has with your existing cards, and consider how it can enhance your overall strategy. Dive deeper with us and unlock the full potential of your deck, refining your skills to control the board and outmaneuver your adversaries in MTG.


Cards like Languish

Languish is a powerful card in Magic: The Gathering, allowing players to wipe the board of creatures with a potent -4/-4 debuff. It finds kinship with Damnation, which offers a full-scale destruction effect, eliminating all creatures on the battlefield without bias. Languish allows for more surgical precision, giving players the ability to potentially spare key creatures from devastation.

In comparison, we have Ritual of Soot, which strictly targets creatures with converted mana cost 3 or less, acting more like a scalpel than the broadsword that is Languish. Then there’s Toxic Deluge, offering flexibility in determining the extent of its board sweep through life payment, which can be more advantageous than the static effect of Languish in certain strategic scenarios.

To wrap up, while Languish doesn’t always guarantee a cleared board, its cost efficiency and selective range make it an optimal choice for players who seek control over the board without completely resetting the play environment.

Damnation - MTG Card versions
Ritual of Soot - MTG Card versions
Toxic Deluge - MTG Card versions
Damnation - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Ritual of Soot - Guilds of Ravnica Promos (PGRN)
Toxic Deluge - Commander 2013 (C13)

Cards similar to Languish by color, type and mana cost

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Final Strike - MTG Card versions
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Fatal Lore - Alliances (ALL)
Mind Warp - Fifth Edition (5ED)
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Unmask - From the Vault: Lore (V16)
Reprocess - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Befoul - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Mutilate - Warhammer 40,000 Commander (40K)
Extinction Event - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Terisiare's Devastation - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Zombify - Masters 25 (A25)
Cranial Extraction - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Aphetto Dredging - Premium Deck Series: Slivers (H09)
Agonizing Memories - Tenth Edition (10E)
Diabolic Tutor - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Memoricide - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
Massacre - Magic Online Theme Decks (TD0)
All Hallow's Eve - Magic Online Theme Decks (TD0)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Languish MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic Origins 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 Languish and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Languish Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2015-07-17 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 575922015normalblackJeff Simpson
22015-07-17Magic Origins PromosPORI 105s2015normalblackJeff Simpson
32015-07-17Magic OriginsORI 1052015normalblackJeff Simpson
42015-07-17Magic Origins PromosPORI 1052015normalblackJeff Simpson
52016-11-11Commander 2016C16 1142015normalblackJeff Simpson
62018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 672015normalblackJeff Simpson
72018-11-16Game NightGNT 312015normalblackJeff Simpson
82020-07-17JumpstartJMP 2462015normalblackJeff Simpson
92023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 2022015normalblackSean Vo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Languish has restrictions

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

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