Weight of Spires MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2006-05-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Dissension |
| Set code | DIS |
| Number | 78 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Michael Sutfin |
Key Takeaways
- Efficient removal with Weight of Spires paves the way for card advantage by limiting opponent blockers.
- Instant speed play allows for dynamic responses to threats, crucial for maintaining in-game momentum.
- Its damage scales with nonbasic lands, making it a strategic card in land-heavy metas.
Text of card
Weight of Spires deals damage to target creature equal to the number of nonbasic lands that creature's controller controls.
"Finally, a good use for an Azorius courthouse." —Ghut Rak, Gruul guildmage
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Engaging with the strategic depth of MTG, Weight of Spires offers players an effective removal option. This potent spell isn’t just about damage; it could potentially clear the way for card advantage. With fewer blockers on your opponent’s side, you can press your attacks more effectively, potentially translating into a gain in hand or board presence over time.
Resource Acceleration: Although Weight of Spires doesn’t directly provide mana or treasure, its low casting cost acts as a form of resource acceleration. By efficiently managing your mana to deal with threats, you’re likely to have more resources available for developing your board state or casting other spells. Proper utilization of such cards can drastically speed up your game plan, keeping you ahead of your opponent.
Instant Speed: The versatility of Instant speed spells in MTG cannot be overstated. Weight of Spires joins this dynamic category, offering you the tactical advantage of responding to threats or actions from your opponent on their turn. This reactive capability can prove to be a crucial tipping point in any match, swinging the momentum in your favor by removing a key piece of your opponent’s strategy when they least expect it.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Weight of Spires demands that you discard a card to activate its full potential. This can be a setback when your hand is already depleted or when every card you hold is crucial to your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: The requirement to spend red mana to cast Weight of Spires restricts its inclusion primarily to red-centric decks, which may not always align with your deck-building goals, especially if you prefer a multicolored strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that’s relatively high, this card competes with other impactful plays you could be making at the same point in the game. This can make it a less attractive option when considering the efficiency of your mana investments throughout a match.
Reasons to Include Weight of Spires in Your Collection
Versatility: Weight of Spires is notably flexible and can be included in a broad range of decks. Its ability to deal damage to creatures based on the number of lands an opponent controls makes it a dynamic choice in both early and late-game scenarios.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with land destruction strategies or other cards that can manipulate land counts, allowing for powerful interactions and potentially decisive plays.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where land ramp strategies are prevalent, Weight of Spires shines by turning an opponent’s strength into their weakness, dealing more damage as they seek to outpace you with more lands.
How to beat
Weight of Spires is a unique card that requires strategic approaches to mitigate its high-impact potential in Magic: The Gathering. This red instant speed spell flourishes in decks building around lands, turning them into a damaging tool. When confronting Weight of Spires, it’s crucial to consider the number of nonbasic lands you control, as its entire premise relies on punishing decks heavily utilizing them.
To effectively counteract Weight of Spires, one could opt for a land base comprising mostly basic lands, thus minimizing the spell’s damage capability. Moreover, employing methods to swiftly search and retrieve basic lands from your library strengthens your position against such spells. Shielding oneself with spells that counter instants or ones that grant hexproof or shroud can also be an effective barrier against the might of Weight of Spires.
In short, adjusting your land composition and incorporating protective spells into your arsenal are practical strategies to neutralize the threat posed by Weight of Spires. These adjustments can ensure your deck’s resilience against this particular form of red zone aggression.
Cards like Weight of Spires
Weight of Spires is a unique singular damage spell in Magic: The Gathering, resembling cards like Seismic Spike or Peak Eruption, which both serve as land destruction tools. Weight of Spires brings its distinct flair by inflicting damage equal to the number of nonbasic lands the player controls. Unlike Seismic Spike or Peak Eruption that exclusively target lands and eliminate them from play, Weight of Spires uses the opponent’s land base to potentially deal a significant amount of damage to their creatures.
Another cousin in the MTG family is Roil Eruption, which also plays on the ability to deal damage directly. It dishes out damage at a flexible rate, offering both a basic and kicker cost for additional impact. While Roil Eruption has the flexibility of impacting the opponent directly for either a small or large amount of damage based on mana investment, Weight of Spires’ damage potential is determined by the opponent’s land development, giving it a situational yet powerful edge in the right circumstances.
In the circle of damage spells, Weight of Spires stands out with its reliance on the opponent’s board state, marking its strength in matches against decks that heavily utilize nonbasic lands, and thereby showcasing its niche as a strategic sideboard choice for players in the MTG community.
Cards similar to Weight of Spires by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Weight of Spires MTG card by a specific set like Dissension, 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 Weight of Spires and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Weight of Spires has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |