Wither
| Wither | |
|---|---|
| Keyword Ability | |
| Type | Static |
| Introduced | Shadowmoor |
| Last used | Murders at Karlov Manor |
| Reminder Text | Wither (This deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters.) |
| Storm Scale | 7[1] |
| Statistics |
26 cards  30.8%  26.9%  11.5%  3.8%  3.8%  7.7%  3.8%  7.7%  3.8% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| keyword:"Wither" | |
Wither is a keyword ability introduced in Shadowmoor.[2][3] It was also featured in Eventide.
Description
Damage dealt to a creature by a source with wither isn't marked on that creature. Rather, it causes that many -1/-1 counters to be put on that creature.
Wither is primary in black and red, and secondary in green.[4]
Wither returned by proxy with Infect in Scars of Mirrodin block and was considered and rejected for Amonkhet.[5]
Wither made a cameo appearance in Murders at Karlov Manor on Massacre Girl, Known Killer, which is unusual given how Wither has not been used since 2008.
Rules
From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- Wither
- A keyword ability that affects how an object deals damage to a creature. See rule 702.80, “Wither.”
From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- 702.80. Wither
- 702.80a Wither is a static ability. Damage dealt to a creature by a source with wither isn’t marked on that creature. Rather, it causes that source’s controller to put that many -1/-1 counters on that creature. See rule 120.3.
- 702.80b If an object changes zones before an effect causes it to deal damage, its last known information is used to determine whether it had wither.
- 702.80c The wither rules function no matter what zone an object with wither deals damage from.
- 702.80d Multiple instances of wither on the same object are redundant.
Rulings
- Wither's effect applies to any damage, not just combat damage.
- The -1/-1 counters remain on the creature indefinitely. They won't be removed if the creature regenerates or the turn ends.
- Since damage from a source with wither is real damage, it follows all the other rules for damage. It can be prevented or redirected. When it's dealt, it will cause lifelink and other similar abilities to trigger.
- If the source of the damage is still on the battlefield at the time that damage is dealt, its characteristics are checked to see if it has wither. If the source has left the battlefield by then, its last known information is used.
- Damage from sources with wither affects players and planeswalkers normally.
Examples
Example
Sickle Ripper 
Creature — Elemental Warrior
2/1
Wither (This deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters.)
Cards that grant Wither
Creatures
- Corrosive Mentor
(black creatures you control)
Enchantments
- Fists of the Demigod (as long as enchanted creature is black)
Artifacts
Plane card that grants Wither
- Raven's Run (all creatures)
Trivia
- Wither was featured as rules card 6 of 6 in the Shadowmoor set and 6 of 8 in the Eventide set.
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2022-04-18). "If infect is a 7, and poison is a 5, where is wither on the storm scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (April 14, 2008). "Shadowmoor than Meets The Eye, Part III". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Magic Arcana (May 14, 2008). "Wither Art Cues". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 16, 2019). "What colours are primary, secondary and tertiary in Wither?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Dave Humpherys (April 4, 2017). "Developing Amonkhet". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
External links
- A Planeswalker's Primer for Shadowmoor 2: Wither (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube.