Chill to the Bone MTG Card


Chill to the Bone excels in creature removal, often determining the battle’s outcome with instant speed flexibility. While demanding a card discard, its unique snow synergy enhances certain MTG deck strategies. Key to overcoming it includes using indestructible or hexproof creatures, and strategic graveyard recovery.
Chill to the Bone - Coldsnap
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2006-07-21
Set symbol
Set nameColdsnap
Set codeCSP
Number52
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJim Murray

Text of card

Destroy target nonsnow creature.

"Thick hides and layered armor won't help when I freeze you from the inside out." —Heidar, Rimewind master


Cards like Chill to the Bone

Chill to the Bone is a unique addition to the pool of removal spells in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often weighed against classics such as Doom Blade, a spell known for outright destroying a target nonblack creature at the cost of a mere two mana. Although both spells excel in eliminating threats, Chill to the Bone introduces an icy twist with its ability to turn a creature into a snow creature before attempting to destroy it. This nuanced approach can interact favorably with cards that benefit from snow permanents on the battlefield.

In the realm of conditional removal, we can also look at Cast Down which destroys a nonlegendary creature for the same cost. This spell offers a broader range of targets compared to the color-restricted Doom Blade, but doesn’t provide the synergy with snow permanents that Chill to the Bone does. Then there’s Go for the Throat which eliminates any nonartifact creature. Each of these spells has its situational advantages, but the chilling effect of Chill to the Bone may offer additional synergies for decks focused around snow mechanics.

In essence, Chill to the Bone manages to carve out its niche within the variety of removal options available, particularly shining in decks that capitalize on the interactions and advantages of snow-based cards and strategies in Magic: The Gathering.

Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Cast Down - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Cast Down - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Chill to the Bone by color, type and mana cost

Sewers of Estark - MTG Card versions
Feast or Famine - MTG Card versions
Nocturnal Raid - MTG Card versions
Slaughter - MTG Card versions
Snuff Out - MTG Card versions
Death Bomb - MTG Card versions
Psychotic Haze - MTG Card versions
Insidious Dreams - MTG Card versions
Hagra Mauling // Hagra Broodpit - MTG Card versions
Hostile Negotiations - MTG Card versions
Baleful Mastery - MTG Card versions
Death Pulse - MTG Card versions
Irradiate - MTG Card versions
Burden of Greed - MTG Card versions
Shriveling Rot - MTG Card versions
Hideous Laughter - MTG Card versions
When Fluffy Bunnies Attack - MTG Card versions
Tendrils of Corruption - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Trap - MTG Card versions
Makeshift Mannequin - MTG Card versions
Sewers of Estark - MTG Card versions
Feast or Famine - MTG Card versions
Nocturnal Raid - MTG Card versions
Slaughter - MTG Card versions
Snuff Out - MTG Card versions
Death Bomb - MTG Card versions
Psychotic Haze - MTG Card versions
Insidious Dreams - MTG Card versions
Hagra Mauling // Hagra Broodpit - MTG Card versions
Hostile Negotiations - MTG Card versions
Baleful Mastery - MTG Card versions
Death Pulse - MTG Card versions
Irradiate - MTG Card versions
Burden of Greed - MTG Card versions
Shriveling Rot - MTG Card versions
Hideous Laughter - MTG Card versions
When Fluffy Bunnies Attack - MTG Card versions
Tendrils of Corruption - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Trap - MTG Card versions
Makeshift Mannequin - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Chill to the Bone provides card advantage by efficiently removing an opponent’s creature from the game. Removing threats while maintaining your own board presence can tip the scales in your favor during a match.

Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration in the traditional sense of adding mana. However, by removing key threats, it can indirectly accelerate your game plan by keeping the way clear for your creatures to attack and reducing the need to cast additional removal spells.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Chill to the Bone can be cast at any time, providing flexibility and allowing you to react to your opponent’s moves. This element of surprise can disrupt your opponent’s strategy, especially if they are not anticipating their creature to be targeted during their turn or in response to an action.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Chill to the Bone demands that you discard a card to cast it, which can be costly. Being forced to give up another card reduces hand size, potentially putting you at a disadvantage in longer games with this additional resource cost.

Specific Mana Cost: This spell’s mana cost requires a precise combination of black and red mana. Such specificity can make it challenging to fit into multicolor decks that do not strongly feature both of these colors, therefore restricting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is more substantial than some other removal spells in MTG, Chill to the Bone might be seen as an inefficient choice. Players often favor spells that maximize mana economy, and the cumulative cost here could lead players to opt for lower-cost alternatives to maintain tempo against opponents.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Chill to the Bone provides a flexible removal option, suitable for a variety of deck styles. Its ability to target and destroy creatures tackle a broad spectrum of threats that you may encounter in the game.

Combo Potential: As a removal spell, Chill to the Bone can be a key component in control or midrange combos. It can pave the way for your own strategy by removing blockers or threats that stand in your path toward victory.

Meta-Relevance: In a game meta that’s creature-heavy or where creature-based strategies are prevalent, having Chill to the Bone in your arsenal ensures you’re equipped to disrupt your opponent’s game plan effectively.


How to beat

Chill to the Bone is a potent removal spell in Magic: The Gathering, particularly effective against creatures that lack the fortitude to withstand its icy grip. To outmaneuver this frigid enchantment, consider employing creatures with the Indestructible attribute. Since Indestructible creatures are not affected by destruction effects, they remain untouched by Chill to the Bone’s deadly touch.

An alternative strategy involves the use of Hexproof or Shroud abilities, which shield your creatures from being directly targeted by such spells. Another effective tactic is to keep counter spells in hand, allowing you to negate Chill to the Bone before it resolves. A different approach is to use cards that can quickly recover creatures from the graveyard, undercutting the loss inflicted by Chill to the Bone’s removal prowess.

Ultimately, while Chill to the Bone may pose a chilling threat to the battlefield, an array of strategic plays and creature abilities can efficiently counteract its menacing effect, ensuring your creatures can withstand the coldest of attacks.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Chill to the Bone MTG card by a specific set like Coldsnap, 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 Chill to the Bone and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Chill to the Bone has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal