Withstand MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	2006-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Guildpact
Set code	GPT
Number	21
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ron Spears

Key Takeaways

Withstand protects multiple creatures at once, providing a significant defense against wide-scale attacks.
Its instant speed gives players the upper hand, making tactical responses during crucial moments possible.
Aligning Withstand within a strategic deck can turn defensive plays into game-winning scenarios.

Text of card

Prevent the next 3 damage that would be dealt to target creature or player this turn. Draw a card.

"Defense is as much a part of war as offense, the shield as important a tool as the sword." —Alovnek, Boros guildmage

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Withstand is designed to help you maintain superiority on the battlefield by potentially negating the effects of a devastating spell or combat damage that would otherwise result in a loss of your creatures. Keeping your creatures alive ensures that you maintain card advantage over your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: While Withstand doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration in the form of additional mana or treasure tokens, its primary function helps preserve your resources on the board. Rather than spending mana and cards to play new creatures following a loss, Withstand lets you keep what you already have in play, effectively saving resources.

Instant Speed: The instant speed of Withstand is a crucial aspect of its strategic value. It allows you to wait until the most opportune moment during your opponent’s turn to mitigate the impact of their actions, whether that’s in combat or in response to a spell. This flexibility can catch opponents off guard and turn the tide of the game in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Withstand necessitates you part with a card from your hand, which can be a setback especially when you’re trying to maintain card advantage or are already dealing with a depleted hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Withstand’s mana cost is not only specific but also color-intensive, demanding two white mana. This makes it less flexible and can be a stumbling block for decks that are not predominantly white.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is on the higher side for the effect it provides, Withstand could be overlooked in favor of other options that bring more value or versatility for the same, if not less, mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Withstand is a flexible card that can be incorporated into various deck types. Its ability to prevent damage not only protects your creatures but can also be a key factor in surviving against decks that focus on direct damage.

Combo Potential: This card opens up possibilities for combos with cards that benefit from damage prevention or have abilities triggered by targeting your own creatures. It can be a crucial part of intricate plays that leave your opponents unprepared.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where aggressive strategies are prevalent, Withstand provides a critical defensive measure. Its role in your deck becomes invaluable, allowing you to stave off early threats and secure your position for a late-game win.

How to beat

Withstand is a card that players might encounter in MTG, evoking both curiosity and caution. This instant spell has a unique ability that can disrupt typical combat strategies by preventing damage. Unlike spells that destroy or disable, Withstand is all about endurance and can often flip the script during a critical battle, giving the defender an unexpected advantage.

In order to navigate past Withstand, consider employing effects that don’t rely on combat damage. Cards with abilities such as “destroy target creature,” or “exile target creature” can circumvent Withstand’s protective measures. Additionally, using spells that reduce a creature’s toughness to zero can prove effective as this bypasses damage prevention entirely. Cards with -1/-1 counters, for instance, can serve as a feasible tactic.

Focusing on non-combat strategies might be wise when confronting a deck with Withstand. Exploiting alternative win conditions such as milling, direct life reductions or accumulating poison counters can render Withstand’s defensive capacity irrelevant. When strategizing against such tactics, the versatility of your deck’s mechanics becomes essential, highlighting the importance of balancing a multitude of approaches within your MTG arsenal.

Cards like Withstand

Withstand is a card that offers defensive capabilities in Magic: The Gathering. It’s similar to cards like Gods Willing, which also provides protection for a single creature. However, Withstand expands on this by targeting all your creatures. This card’s broader impact is balanced by its higher casting cost compared to Gods Willing’s single white mana.

Similarly, Rootborn Defenses gives all your creatures indestructible until end of turn and even populates, but it falls in the same mana cost range as Withstand. The choice between these cards hinges on whether the instant speed protect-all option of Withstand outweighs the added populate mechanic of Rootborn Defenses for your strategy.

Another card in the conversation is Make a Stand, which not only renders your creatures indestructible but also gives them a +1/+0 boost until end of turn. This implies an offensive upside but still competes with Withstand’s simplicity and defensive straightforwardness.

In review of these comparisons, Withstand holds its ground in MTG. Its ability to shield all your creatures simultaneously brings a distinct tactical advantage to the table, specifically in formats where board wipes and mass removal spells are prevalent.

Cards similar to Withstand by color, type and mana cost

Ardenvale Tactician // Dizzying Swoop - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Withstand MTG card by a specific set like Guildpact, 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 Withstand and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Withstand has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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