Cower in Fear MTG Card


Gains battlefield advantage by weakening multiple creatures simultaneously, enhancing combat outcomes. Instant speed allows for unexpected plays, disrupting opponents and maintaining tactical control. Mana specificity and potentially high cost can limit its applicability across various decks.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Creatures your opponents control get -1/-1 until end of turn.

"You will fully understand fear when you discover it is the final thing you put your faith in." —Nicol Bolas


Cards like Cower in Fear

Cower in Fear is a unique spell in MTG that offers a twist on creature debuffing mechanics. When compared to other spells in the black mana suite like Gruesome Discovery or Shrivel, we see where it carves its niche. While Gruesome Discovery targets creatures directly for removal, Cower in Fear affects all creatures your opponent controls, giving it a potential edge in multiplayer games or against token strategies.

Another similar card worth mentioning is Infest, which also reduces the power and toughness of creatures. While Infest hits harder with a fixed -2/-2, it’s not as flexible as Cower in Fear, which can be cast at instant speed, allowing for surprise combat tricks or end-of-turn plays. However, Infest’s ability to potentially kill creatures rather than just weaken them offers a more permanent solution.

In evaluation, Cower in Fear is a versatile card that fits well into MTG strategies that require timing and adaptability. Its potential to shift the tide of battle during your opponent’s turn sets it apart from sorcery speed alternatives, providing subtle yet significant control over the board state.

Gruesome Discovery - MTG Card versions
Shrivel - MTG Card versions
Infest - MTG Card versions
Gruesome Discovery - MTG Card versions
Shrivel - MTG Card versions
Infest - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Cower in Fear by color, type and mana cost

Spoils of Evil - MTG Card versions
Dark Banishing - MTG Card versions
Stench of Decay - MTG Card versions
Carrion - MTG Card versions
Sick and Tired - MTG Card versions
Corpse Dance - MTG Card versions
Bone Harvest - MTG Card versions
Slay - MTG Card versions
Hapato's Might - MTG Card versions
Afflict - MTG Card versions
Dismember - MTG Card versions
Body Count - MTG Card versions
Reaping the Graves - MTG Card versions
Execute - MTG Card versions
Kill! Destroy! - MTG Card versions
Sudden Death - MTG Card versions
Footbottom Feast - MTG Card versions
Fevered Strength - MTG Card versions
Hideous End - MTG Card versions
Corpse Lunge - MTG Card versions
Spoils of Evil - MTG Card versions
Dark Banishing - MTG Card versions
Stench of Decay - MTG Card versions
Carrion - MTG Card versions
Sick and Tired - MTG Card versions
Corpse Dance - MTG Card versions
Bone Harvest - MTG Card versions
Slay - MTG Card versions
Hapato's Might - MTG Card versions
Afflict - MTG Card versions
Dismember - MTG Card versions
Body Count - MTG Card versions
Reaping the Graves - MTG Card versions
Execute - MTG Card versions
Kill! Destroy! - MTG Card versions
Sudden Death - MTG Card versions
Footbottom Feast - MTG Card versions
Fevered Strength - MTG Card versions
Hideous End - MTG Card versions
Corpse Lunge - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cower in Fear offers the strategic edge of weakening multiple opponent creatures in one fell swoop. This can lead to beneficial trades on the battlefield or even clearing the way for your own attackers, effectively providing a shift in card advantage as you mitigate potential threats without losing card resources yourself.

Resource Acceleration: While Cower in Fear itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, its cost-effective nature means you can deploy this spell while still advancing your board position with other cards. It’s a tempo-friendly option that keeps your hand fluid and your mana open for further development.

Instant Speed: The instant nature of Cower in Fear allows for surprise interactions during combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn. This flexibility can catch an adversary off guard, disrupting their calculated plays and maintaining your own strategic leverage throughout the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Cower in Fear requires you to have a card in hand that may not be beneficial in the moment to play. Holding onto it for the right moment could impact your ability to keep other options open.

Specific Mana Cost: This card has a specific mana cost that includes black mana, which can restrict its inclusion to decks that run these colors, potentially limiting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that may be considered high for its effect, Cower in Fear competes with a range of other cards that can provide similar or better results for less investment.


Reasons to Include Cower in Fear in Your Collection

Versatility: Cower in Fear showcases its adaptability by seamlessly integrating into decks that aim to disrupt opponent strategies. Its ability to weaken an entire squadron of creatures with a single card makes it a tactical choice against decks that swarm the field.

Combo Potential: This card thrives in combinations where reducing the power of creatures synergizes with other effects like board wipes or damage-dealing spells. Strategically timing Cower in Fear can set up game-changing plays, tipping the scales in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where creature-based aggro decks are prevalent, having Cower in Fear in your arsenal provides a counterbalance to those strategies. It acts as a potent sideboard card that can be swapped in to gain an edge during pivotal matches, keeping those aggressive decks at bay.


How to beat

Cower in Fear is a potent spell that disrupts the battlefield by weakening all creatures your opponents control. When facing this card in Magic: The Gathering, you’re up against a temporary but significant reduction in enemy creature power. To navigate through this challenge, it’s crucial to focus on creature resilience and versatility. Prioritize playing creatures with high toughness to withstand the -1/-1 effect or those with abilities that provide a buffer, such as indestructible or hexproof. Counterspells can also serve as a direct line of defense, by preventing Cower in Fear from ever taking effect.

Another effective strategy is to utilize instant-speed spells and abilities that can bolster your creatures in response to the card being played. This way, you can counteract the debuff and maintain a strong presence on the battlefield. Moreover, consider incorporating cards that can quickly replenish your creature base or those that benefit from, or are immune to, decreases in power. By building a deck with these elements in mind, you can create a robust answer to the temporary setback posed by Cower in Fear and maintain the upper hand in your matches.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cower in Fear MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2013 and Modern Masters 2017, 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 Cower in Fear and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Cower in Fear Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2012-07-13 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Nils Hamm.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-07-13Magic 2013M13 842003NormalBlackNils Hamm
22017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 622015NormalBlackNils Hamm
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 6042015NormalBlackNils Hamm
42020-09-26The ListPLST MM3-622015NormalBlackNils Hamm

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cower in Fear has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2017-03-14 Cower in Fear affects only creatures your opponents control at the time it resolves. It won’t affect creatures that come under their control later in the turn.