Shrink MTG Card


Strategically weakens opponents’ creatures at instant speed, affecting combat outcomes favorably. Dual mana requirement and discard cost limit its versatility and deck compatibility. Retains competitive edge in creature-heavy metas and can be crucial in combos.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Target creature gets -5/-0 until end of turn.

"Do not fear adversity. Let your courage be your strength." —Onatah, Anaba Shaman


Cards like Shrink

Shrink is a unique tactical spell in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, with the peculiar ability to drastically reduce a target creature’s power. It shares a basic goal with cards like Turn to Frog, which also serves to neutralize formidable creatures. Where Shrink differs markedly is its singular focus on diminishing power, whereas Turn to Frog transforms a creature, completely altering its characteristics and reducing both power and toughness to just one.

Analogous to Shrink is the spell Humble. Both cards are intended to temporarily weaken a threat, making it less dangerous during a critical turn. Humble, though, is broader, removing all abilities from the target creature in addition to changing its power and toughness to 0/1. Shrink, despite being narrower in effect by only affecting power, remains an instantaneous reaction, enabling deft in-battle adjustments.

Considering these options, Shrink finds its niche in tactical flexibility, offering significant power reduction at an instant’s notice for just one mana. Its specialized nature provides players with precise control in combat, illustrating its relative value in Magic: The Gathering’s wide array of creature debuffing spells.

Turn to Frog - MTG Card versions
Humble - MTG Card versions
Turn to Frog - MTG Card versions
Humble - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Shrink by color, type and mana cost

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Natural Selection - MTG Card versions
Berserk - MTG Card versions
Giant Growth - MTG Card versions
Lifelace - MTG Card versions
Crumble - MTG Card versions
Sandstorm - MTG Card versions
Seedling Charm - MTG Card versions
Choking Vines - MTG Card versions
Crossbow Ambush - MTG Card versions
Crop Rotation - MTG Card versions
Worldly Tutor - MTG Card versions
Gaea's Might - MTG Card versions
Reclaim - MTG Card versions
Serene Sunset - MTG Card versions
Sprout - MTG Card versions
Gather Courage - MTG Card versions
Nature's Claim - MTG Card versions
Prey's Vengeance - MTG Card versions
Autumn's Veil - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Casting Shrink can disrupt your opponent’s strategy by temporarily minimizing the threat of a large creature. This can subtly shift the card balance in your favor as your opponent will have to expend more resources to recover from the reduced power of their creature.

Resource Acceleration: Although Shrink does not directly provide resource acceleration, by lowering a creature’s power, it can pave the way for your creatures to attack successfully, potentially leading to accelerated board presence and damage output against your opponent.

Instant Speed: Shrink’s instant speed gives you the flexibility to wait until the most strategic moment, potentially during the combat phase, to weaken an opponent’s creature. This can turn the tides of battle or protect your life total by reducing incoming damage at a critical time.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Shrink demands you pitch another card from your hand, potentially draining your resources when you’d prefer to preserve your options.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both blue and green mana, Shrink can be a tricky fit in decks that don’t run this color combination, limiting its versatility across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For this spell’s ability to reduce a single creature’s power, the cost can feel steep, especially when you consider other spells that might lower power or even remove threats for a comparable investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Shrink is a classic card that provides a flexible response to different threats on the battlefield. Its ability to reduce an opponent’s creature’s power to a minimal can be crucial in both offensive and defensive scenarios, making it a staple for decks that need to manage opponent’s creatures without heavy removal.

Combo Potential: The card’s utility doesn’t stop at minimizing creature threats; it can also be a key component in combos. It pairs well with cards that capitalize on power reductions or trigger upon targeting creatures, enhancing decks centered around intricate play interactions.

Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to disrupt combat maths and buff outsize creatures, Shrink maintains relevance, especially in a creature-heavy meta. It’s a silver bullet against decks that rely on buffing creatures for game-winning swings, ensuring your collection remains up-to-date and competitive.


How to beat

Shrink is a unique inclusion in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, serving as an effective tool for temporarily weakening a formidable creature. This green spell has its greatest impact in combat scenarios, making a towering adversary suddenly more manageable. However, like any card, Shrink has its vulnerabilities and can be outmaneuvered. Ensuring victory against a player wielding Shrink involves strategic creature selection and timing. Opting for creatures with high toughness can negate the impact of Shrink, maintaining a substantial defense even when power is reduced.

Piloting a deck with versatility in response options also provides an edge. Instant-speed spells that bolster your creature’s power or provide indestructible status can flip the script on a Shrink attempt during combat. Consider including cards like Blossoming Defense that offer a power boost and protection simultaneously. Another effective strategy is to leverage the stack, casting spells in response to Shrink that can negate or diminish its effect. By understanding the intricacies of combat and stack interaction, you can properly prepare to handle Shrink, thereby preserving your board’s integrity and maintaining the upper hand in battle.


Where to buy

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

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Printings

The Shrink Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1995-10-01 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Liz Danforth.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11995-10-01HomelandsHML 97b1993NormalBlackLiz Danforth
21995-10-01HomelandsHML 97a1993NormalBlackLiz Danforth
31997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 3261997NormalWhiteLiz Danforth
42008-09-22Masters Edition IIME2 1751997NormalBlackLiz Danforth

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shrink has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal