-1/-1 Counters - Failed MtG Mechanics

Still had more success then +0/+2 counters

Manalogs: “Wizard tries to avoid dimes on pennies design” March of the Machine: exists

The thing you missed with wither is that it bypasses indestructible.

This is not a failed mechanic

I do like the "Failed MTG Mechanics" series, but I want to see the opposite, like "why +1/+1 counters are successful as" as example

I actually miss Wither. It was a cool, unique, and flavorful ability that didn't have the design balance issues around Poison Counters like Infect did.

now you take that back. my scorpion god deck that ive been working on for years can hear you

Actually the first card that mentioned -1/-1 counters was the blue Unstable Mutation from Arabian Nights, which was reprinted in Revised, Fourth and Fifth editions. Consuming Fervor from Amonkhet was red and otherwise identical.

Having been raised into MTG through Amonkhet, I'm a strong supporter of the -1/-1 gameplan. It was the first deck I ever played, trying to get board presence from cards like Nest of Scarabs and Hapatra and then running an artistocrats strategy to churn them into big plays with cards like Voldaren Pariah. Of all it's incarnations, I tend to like placing them as a sort of resource. Cards like Channeler Initiate ask whether you'd prefer an above curve body or a mana-dork for 3 turns. Having a card like Quillspike can turn said counters into potential value. Spinning them around enables cards like Hapatra. I certainly understand that it's basically a Rube Goldberg version of a strategy that would be much better without the mechanic, but that just makes for peak Commander shenanigans.

The new massacre girl was just printed with wither. Not the best timing imo.

For -1/-1s to make sense in a set, your need lots of creatures with low power, and high toughness or indestructible.

Meanwhile, The Scorpion God: (just got a bunch of really neat cards in Murders)

My Scorpion God deck begs to differ. Though, I would enjoy even more support.

I remember Serrated Arrows from Homelands is a powerful card, using -1/-1 counters to remove many annoying small creatures with banding, regenerate, or first strike. The winning deck 'Ernhageddon' uses some of Serrated Arrows cards.

Nice video 😊 I would like to add something important about the mirrodin block. A lot of artifacts had the indestructible ability, that was also one of the reasons they used -1-1 counters, because that was the only way to destroy those creatures, apart from exiling, which was rarely seen back in the days.

Everlasting Torment + Kulrath Knight = opponent doesn't get to have fun "It's better to just destroy a creature." Indestructible creatures exist. There is definitely a place for -1/-1 counters, and I'm glad they exist. I like having those options available to deal with certain threats. Also, Devoted Druid + Immaculate Magistrate + Flourishing Defenses + Umbral Mantle = infinite elves + infinite G. This combo was available within the Lorwyn to Eventide block. It's how I used to overwhelm my opponents with millions of elves.

I never understood why +1 and -1 had to cancel each other out. So many broken loops would be solved if they just kept their counters on

I find videos like this interesting partially because of how the high level play differed from my own casual play as a teen. I remember -1/-1 counters being quite strong because they could take out indestructible creatures. Nothing quite like getting walled by a 0/1 with indestructible. Sure, -X/-X effects worked too, but we didn't always have access to cards that did that and fit within the deck we wanted to build.

I designed a planescwalker based around the -1/-1 counters. It was pretty good and well balance for what standard was at the time. I even had a bit of lore for him. He was an alchemist, but I never really came up with an event that awoke his spark. I did challenge a "friend" to make 1 and play against me, but all he was willing to do was make a 0 mana planeswalker with the +1 effect "You win"

i love your failed mtg mechanic vids!!! i love making custom commanders around the mechanics