The ability "wither" was introduced in the Shadowmoor expansion set of Magic: The Gathering. A creature with wither deals damage to other creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters. Wither is a very beneficial ability; even if a Magic player cannot kill their opponents' creatures, it is possible to cripple them, making them easier to kill with a subsequent attack.
Common Creature Cards with Wither
Some common creature cards with wither are Cinderbones, a regenerating 1/1 Black Elemental Skeleton costing one Black mana and two colorless mana; Oona's Gatewarden, a 2/1 Black and Blue Faerie Soldier with flying and defender; and Rustrazor Butcher, a 1/2 Red Goblin Warrior with First Strike that costs one Red mana and one colorless mana.
These cards are not expensive to purchase, but their ability to use Wither makes them more powerful than other creatures of similar power and toughness. Cinderbones, for example, can be used to gradually attack and weaken one's opponents; it can be used to attack powerful creatures, leaving a -1/-1 counter, and then be regenerated for another attack on the next turn.
Other Cards that Give Creatures Wither
One enchantment that can be used to give creatures wither is Fists of the Demigod, a Black and Red enchantment costing one Black or Red mana and one colorless mana. It gives any enchanted Black creature +1/+1 and wither.
A good creature card in a Black deck is Corrosive Mentor, a 1/3 Elemental Rogue costing one Black mana and two colorless mana. Corrosive Mentor gives wither to all Black creatures its owner controls. This allows for a potential onslaught of Black creatures with wither.
Taking Advantage of Wither
One good card to have in a deck with many creatures with wither is Blowfly Infestation, a Black enchantment costing one Black mana and two colorless mana. Blowfly Infestation makes the most of the -1/-1 counters on any creatures in play by removing -1/-1 counters from creatures in the graveyard and placing them on creatures in play. One disadvantage of this enchantment, however, is that a player may be required to place -1/-1 counters on their own creatures if no other creatures are available, accidentally doing damage to themselves.
Another card which takes advantage of wither is Kulrath Knight, a 3/3 flying Black and Red creature costing two Black or Red mana and three colorless mana. When Kulrath Knight is in play, creatures other players control cannot attack or block if they have counters on them. Once an opponent's creature is dealt damage by a creature with wither, it will be paralyzed, leaving an opening for future attacks.
Conclusion
Wither is a beneficial ability, but, like all such abilities, it can be turned against a controller. Aside from the aforementioned backfire of Blowfly Infestation, it is also possible for a clever opponent to take control of a powerful creature like Corrosive Mentor or Kulrath Knight, turning it against its owner. Wither is an ability to take advantage of, but also to use carefully.
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