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
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. 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.

History

Wither returned by proxy with Infect in Scars of Mirrodin block and was considered and rejected for Amonkhet.

R&D currently thinks that -1/-1 counters just don’t lead to the most dynamic play environments as they tend to grind down the board. However, cameo appearances for wither are fine. For example, it appeared for the first time since 2008 in Murders at Karlov Manor on Massacre Girl, Known Killer.

Rules

From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (July 30, 2024—Bloomburrow)

Wither

A keyword ability that affects how an object deals damage to a creature. See rule 702.80, “Wither.”

From the Comprehensive Rules (July 30, 2024—Bloomburrow)

• 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 abilities that trigger on damage to trigger, and if the creature has lifelink, its controller will gain life.
• 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

• Blight Sickle - Equipment

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.

External links

• A Planeswalker's Primer for Shadowmoor 2: Wither (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube.