Dark Withering MTG Card


Offers card advantage through highly efficient creature removal at instant speed when utilizing its madness cost. Deck versatility is enhanced by Dark Withering’s combo potential with discard or cycling-centered strategies. While powerful, it requires careful deck building to mitigate its mana constraints and reliance on discards.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Madness

Text of card

Destroy target nonblack creature. Madness (If you discard this card, you may play it for its madness cost instead of putting it into your graveyard.)


Cards like Dark Withering

Dark Withering is a unique removal spell in Magic: The Gathering that allows players to dispatch creatures at an efficient cost. This card harkens to other removal spells like Doom Blade, which also offers creature elimination for two mana. Yet, Dark Withering brings a different flavor to the table with its madness cost, presenting an opportunity for players to cast it at a discount if they discard it.

Comparative analysis leads us to consider a card like Murder, a straightforward three-mana spell that can destroy any creature regardless of color. While not as mana efficient as Dark Withering’s madness cost, Murder’s lack of restrictions can be critical in certain matchups. Additionally, there’s Go for the Throat, another standout removal piece costing two mana that targets non-artifact creatures. While similar in mana cost to Dark Withering when its madness ability is used, the lack of color restriction is replaced by a type limitation.

Delving into the full breadth of MTG’s rich tapestry of creature removal, Dark Withering finds its niche through synergy with discard strategies. It’s an invaluable asset for players looking to optimize their spell casting while dealing with opposing threats on the board.

Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Murder - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Murder - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Dark Withering by color, type and mana cost

Spinning Darkness - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Decree - MTG Card versions
Betrayal of Flesh - MTG Card versions
Murderous Spoils - MTG Card versions
Pull Under - MTG Card versions
Haunting Hymn - MTG Card versions
Death Rattle - MTG Card versions
Nemesis Trap - MTG Card versions
Public Execution - MTG Card versions
Grip of Desolation - MTG Card versions
Curtains' Call - MTG Card versions
Eyes of the Beholder - MTG Card versions
Topaz Dragon // Entropic Cloud - MTG Card versions
Merciless Repurposing - MTG Card versions
Spinning Darkness - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Decree - MTG Card versions
Betrayal of Flesh - MTG Card versions
Murderous Spoils - MTG Card versions
Pull Under - MTG Card versions
Haunting Hymn - MTG Card versions
Death Rattle - MTG Card versions
Nemesis Trap - MTG Card versions
Public Execution - MTG Card versions
Grip of Desolation - MTG Card versions
Curtains' Call - MTG Card versions
Eyes of the Beholder - MTG Card versions
Topaz Dragon // Entropic Cloud - MTG Card versions
Merciless Repurposing - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Dark Withering. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Rakdos MadnessRakdos Madness PauperMaster of Pauper - International Pauper Tour - LP Piemonte + LP Canavese

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dark Withering offers the boon of removing an opponent’s creature while potentially having no net loss in card quantity. This is especially beneficial in decks that capitalize on discard strategies, turning a seemingly fair exchange into a lucrative move for the player casting it.

Resource Acceleration: While Dark Withering doesn’t directly accelerate your resources in the traditional sense, its Madness cost can effectively serve as a resource acceleration mechanism. When discarded for an alternative cost, the reduced mana cost allows you to utilize your mana more efficiently, perhaps even enabling the casting of multiple spells in a turn.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of instant-speed removal cannot be overstated. Dark Withering can be cast in response to your opponent’s actions, providing the element of surprise. This disrupts your opponent’s strategy and can shift the tempo of the game in your favor, all while keeping your mana open for other strategic moves until it’s most needed.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One significant drawback of Dark Withering is that to utilize its madness cost effectively, you must be discarding another card. This can lead to potential card disadvantage if you’re not able to capitalize on the discard as part of your overall strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Dark Withering’s casting cost requires black mana. This can be restrictive because it means the card can often only be played in mono-black or multicolor decks that include black. Decks that do not run black mana sources will be unable to use this card.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Without accessing the madness mechanic, Dark Withering’s normal casting cost is somewhat steep for the effect it provides. Destroying a single creature for six mana can be inefficient, especially when compared to other removal spells in the game that are more cost-effective.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Dark Withering can seamlessly integrate into a variety of black-focused decks, particularly those that capitalize on discarding cards as a strategic advantage, making it a utility card with a broad range of applications.

Combo Potential: Its ability to destroy a creature for one black mana when discarded offers incredible synergy with mechanics that involve cycling or discard, enabling potent combos in dedicated decks.

Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of creature-heavy decks in the current meta, having an efficient removal option like Dark Withering provides immediate value, keeping your deck competitive and responsive to threats.


How to beat

Dark Withering is an intriguing removal option in Magic: The Gathering, standing out with its ability to destroy a nonblack creature at a potentially very low cost. The catch here lies in its madness cost, which, when triggered, reduces the mana needed to play it significantly. This card is especially dangerous because it can be a surprise during the discard phase.

To effectively counteract Dark Withering, players should focus on minimizing discard opportunities. This can be achieved by maintaining a lower hand count or employing cards that negate the madness mechanic. Another strategy includes the use of indestructible or hexproof creatures, which are immune to Dark Withering’s destructive capability. Additionally, playing black creatures can also be a workaround since Dark Withering’s constraint does not allow it to target them.

When considering your gameplay against a deck that leverages Dark Withering, remember to anticipate the madness trigger. This means being cautious with effects that force discards. Playing smart and keeping these strategies in mind can make overcoming the challenge of Dark Withering far more feasible.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the strategic depth of Dark Withering and its place in your MTG collection can give you an edge on the battlefield. This card stands out for players leveraging discard mechanics offering surprising creature removal at instant speed. Remember, while Dark Withering has limitations such as requiring black mana, the payoff can be game-changing in the right deck. If you’re curious to further unlock the potential of discard-based strategies or want to refine your removal suite, we encourage you to continue your exploration with us. Expand your playbook and prepare to outmaneuver your opponents every step of the way.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dark Withering MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral and Commander 2019, 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 Dark Withering and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Dark Withering Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2006-10-06 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by Wayne Reynolds.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12006-10-06Time SpiralTSP 1012003NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
22019-08-23Commander 2019C19 1102015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 6122015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
42020-09-26The ListPLST C19-1102015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
52021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 1072015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
62023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 792015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
72023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 3011997NormalBlackWayne Reynolds

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dark Withering has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal