Grand Abolisher MTG Card


Ensures turn security and indirect card advantage by neutralizing opponent disruptions during your turn. Restricts mana base flexibility in multi-colored decks due to specific white mana costs. Offers tactical superiority, making it a coveted asset in any MTG player’s collection.
Card setsReleased in 10 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Cleric
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

During your turn, your opponents can't cast spells or activate abilities of artifacts, creatures, or enchantments.

"Your superstitions and mumblings are useless chaff before my righteousness."


Cards like Grand Abolisher

Grand Abolisher is a unique creature that offers a significant tactical advantage for Magic: The Gathering players. Like other cards that limit opponent’s actions, Grand Abolisher stands out by preventing opponents from casting spells or activating abilities during your turn. A similar card, Dosan the Falling Leaf, has an ability that also restricts the timing of spell casts but applies to all players, not just your opponents. This difference can be crucial in many game scenarios.

Ethersworn Canonist is another card that imposes restrictions on spell casting, limiting players to only one nonartifact spell per turn. While it doesn’t offer the blanket security of Grand Abolisher during your turn, the Canonist extends its influence throughout each cycle of turns. Rule of Law operates on a similar axis, enforcing a one-spell-per-turn rule without favoring either player. Its enchantment type offers more durability against creature removal but lacks the immediate board presence of a creature.

Analyzing these cards reveals Grand Abolisher’s unique position within Magic: The Gathering’s control pieces, enabling players to execute their strategy without disruption during their most critical phase of the game and tipping the scales in their favor at pivotal moments.

Dosan the Falling Leaf - MTG Card versions
Ethersworn Canonist - MTG Card versions
Rule of Law - MTG Card versions
Dosan the Falling Leaf - MTG Card versions
Ethersworn Canonist - MTG Card versions
Rule of Law - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Grand Abolisher by color, type and mana cost

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White Knight - MTG Card versions
Soul Shepherd - MTG Card versions
Soltari Monk - MTG Card versions
Talon Sliver - MTG Card versions
Keeper of the Light - MTG Card versions
Faith Healer - MTG Card versions
Angelic Page - MTG Card versions
Avenger en-Dal - MTG Card versions
Spirit Weaver - MTG Card versions
Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions
Stoneforge Mystic - MTG Card versions
Drannith Magistrate - MTG Card versions
Leonin Lightscribe - MTG Card versions
Silver Knight - MTG Card versions
Longbow Archer - MTG Card versions
Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions
Flumph - MTG Card versions
Cloudreach Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Samite Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Firewalker - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Grand Abolisher. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Abzan Amalia ComboAbzan Amalia Combo PioneerAbzan Amalia ComboPioneer Challenge 64 2024-04-19
Amalia ComboAmalia Combo PioneerAbzan Amalia ComboReCQ - Pioneer - SCG CON Atlanta - Saturday - 1:00 pm (Bronze)
Cephalid BreakfastCephalid Breakfast LegacyCephalid Breakfast2023 Asia Legacy Championship
Hammer TimeHammer Time ModernHammer TimeModern Preliminary 2023-12-26 (1)
Jeskai ComboJeskai Combo ModernJeskai End Turn$20K RCQ (Top 4) - Modern - SCG CON Cincinnati - Saturday - 10:00 am
Mono-White ComboMono-White Combo Vintage2023 NA Vintage Champs

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Grand Abolisher itself does not directly allow you to draw additional cards, it ensures that during your turn, your plays are unhindered. This security translates to an indirect card advantage as it prevents your opponents from using their cards to disrupt your strategy.

Resource Acceleration: Grand Abolisher isn’t a card that offers typical resource acceleration like ramp or artifact production; however, it accelerates your game plan by giving you the peace of mind to deploy your resources without fear of interaction. This paves the way for efficient use of your mana and spells during your own turns.

Instant Speed: Grand Abolisher’s abilities shape the pace of the game more than the card operates at instant speed. By restricting opponents’ actions during your turn, you effectively dictate the tempo, ensuring that your instant-speed plays are secure, and your plans proceed without interruption.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Grand Abolisher does not require card discard as part of its casting, it’s a factor to consider when strategizing how to protect it on the field since its utility can make it a target for your opponent’s removal actions.

Specific Mana Cost: Grand Abolisher requires two white mana to cast. This can be restrictive for multi-colored decks needing flexibility in their mana base. Its dependency on white mana can make it less accessible for decks that do not heavily feature Plains or produce white mana easily.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two white mana, while not expensive, it’s not cheap either. When compared to other two-mana creatures, Grand Abolisher does not impact the board upon entry, potentially making it less favorable in aggressive strategies that seek immediate board presence or tempo advantage.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Grand Abolisher fits seamlessly into a variety of white-based decks, its ability to safeguard your turn makes it a solid inclusion, particularly in Commander games where securing your strategy against instant speed interaction is crucial.

Combo Potential: This card excels in combinations that require undisturbed execution of combos. By ensuring opponents can’t cast spells during your turn, Grand Abolisher is the key to executing your win conditions without interruption.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s rich with counterspells and disruptive instant speed tricks, Grand Abolisher gains significant value, acting as a shield for your plays and allowing you to navigate the battlefield on your terms.


How to Beat Grand Abolisher

Grand Abolisher poses a unique challenge for players in Magic: The Gathering, with its ability to dictate the flow of the game by granting its controller exclusive permissions during their turn. To tip the scales back in your favor, direct removal spells on your turn can clear the way. Cards like Path to Exile or Murder offer clean solutions, letting you get back in control. Additionally, wait for a window when the Abolisher is summoning sick or when you have instant-speed interaction that doesn’t target, such as board wipes or global debuffs.

Counterplay is also strategic before Grand Abolisher hits the battlefield. Counterspells are crucial; a well-timed Mana Leak or Dovin’s Veto can prevent the Abolisher from ever becoming an issue. Lastly, forcing your opponent to act on their own turn with cards like Vendilion Clique or instant-speed threats can limit the Abolisher’s effectiveness. Successfully navigating around the constraints of Grand Abolisher will assure your strategy and spells can be executed unhindered.

Ultimately, while Grand Abolisher aims to restrict your in-game moves, effective timing and selecting the right answers can dismantle this strategy and pave your way to victory in your Magic: The Gathering matchups.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving deeper into the strategic world of MTG can be a game-changer, especially when it comes to optimizing your deck. Grand Abolisher can be a pivotal addition, providing a safeguard during your critical turns and enabling your game plan to proceed without disruption. Whether it’s boosting your control deck’s defenses or ensuring your combo plays go off without a hitch, this card has proven its worth in various scenarios. Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your MTG gameplay? We invite you to continue learning and integrating cards like Grand Abolisher to turn the tides of battle in your favor, one turn at a time.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Grand Abolisher MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2012 and Commander 2014, 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 Grand Abolisher and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Grand Abolisher Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2011-07-15 and 2024-04-19. Illustrated by 5 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-07-15Magic 2012M12 192003NormalBlackEric Deschamps
22014-11-07Commander 2014C14 742015NormalBlackEric Deschamps
32017-06-16Archenemy: Nicol BolasE01 122015NormalBlackEric Deschamps
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 12852015NormalBlackRandy Vargas
52023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 4602015NormalBlackEric Deschamps
62023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 272015NormalBlackEric Deschamps
72023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 6252015NormalBorderlessRichard Kane Ferguson
82024-04-19The Big ScoreBIG 672015NormalBlackAurore Folny
92024-04-19The Big ScoreBIG 22015NormalBlackAurore Folny
102024-04-19The Big ScoreBIG 322015NormalBorderlessDavid Astruga

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Grand Abolisher has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Grand Abolisher card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2011-09-22 Grand Abolisher doesn’t affect triggered abilities or static abilities.
2011-09-22 Grand Abolisher doesn’t stop your opponents from activating abilities of artifact, creature, or enchantment cards in zones other than the battlefield (like cycling abilities, for example).