The Pit MTG Card


Enhances card advantage and can significantly alter gameplay with strategic draws. Instant speed allows reactive plays, keeping opponents uncertain. Demands specific mana colors, posing a challenge in deck integration.
The Pit - March of the Machine Commander
RarityCommon
TypePlane — The Abyss
Released2023-04-21
Set symbol
Set nameMarch of the Machine Commander
Set codeMOC
Number63
Frame2015
LayoutPlanar
BorderBlack
Illustred byDave Kendall

Text of card

When you planeswalk to The Pit, each player creates their choice of a 3/3 white Angel creature token with flying or a 6/6 black Demon creature token with flying, trample, and "At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice another creature. If you can't, this creature deals 6 damage to you." Whenever chaos ensues, each player sacrifices a nonartifact creature.


Cards like The Pit

The Pit MTG card taps into the archetype of powerful creature removal spells that are a staple in Magic: The Gathering. This card echoes the abilities of other notorious removal spells like Terror, which eliminates a non-artifact, non-black creature at a low cost. Yet, The Pit distinguishes itself with the versatility to target and possibly eliminate a wider range of creatures, unlike Terror.

Doom Blade is another parallel, offering the capability to destroy a non-black creature at an instant speed and for a similar mana investment. The Pit, however, does not share the color restrictions of Doom Blade, making it potentially more flexible in a diverse metagame. Go for the Throat is also worth mentioning as it can dispatch any non-artifact creature. Although The Pit does not always guarantee a creature removal as Go for the Throat does, it offers a wider net that can affect artifact creatures as well.

Evaluating these comparisons, The Pit card may not always deliver the certainty of removal which specific spells provide, but it makes up for this with its broader target selection, standing out among removal spells for players who value flexibility and control.

Terror - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Terror - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to The Pit by color, type and mana cost

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The Fourth Sphere - MTG Card versions
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The Eon Fog - MTG Card versions
Feeding Grounds - MTG Card versions
Celestine Reef - MTG Card versions
Stairs to Infinity - MTG Card versions
Horizon Boughs - MTG Card versions
Tember City - MTG Card versions
Mirrored Depths - MTG Card versions
The Great Forest - MTG Card versions
Sea of Sand - MTG Card versions
Izzet Steam Maze - MTG Card versions
Cliffside Market - MTG Card versions
Agyrem - MTG Card versions
Sokenzan - MTG Card versions
Raven's Run - MTG Card versions
Velis Vel - MTG Card versions
Academy at Tolaria West - MTG Card versions
Naar Isle - MTG Card versions
Minamo - MTG Card versions
The Fourth Sphere - MTG Card versions
Pools of Becoming - MTG Card versions
The Eon Fog - MTG Card versions
Feeding Grounds - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Pit provides a significant boost to your hand by allowing you to delve into your deck, potentially drawing into powerful options or key combo pieces that can change the tide of the game.

Resource Acceleration: One of the underrated aspects of The Pit is its potential to escalate your resources. By potentially discarding cards with graveyard synergies, you’re effectively setting the stage for a broader range of strategic plays in subsequent turns.

Instant Speed: The ability to play The Pit at instant speed gives players the flexibility to react to an opponent’s actions. Whether it’s a surprise block or disrupting a carefully laid plan, being able to activate its effects on demand keeps opponents on their toes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Pit card necessitates discarding as part of its casting cost, which can be a setback if you’re already managing a dwindling hand size or you’re banking on a particular strategy that requires holding onto specific cards.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise blend of mana colors to play, which may not seamlessly integrate into all deck archetypes. Deck-builders have to consider the mana base carefully to ensure they can meet the cost consistently throughout the game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing its abilities against others available in the game, The Pit’s mana cost is on the higher side. This aspect can affect the pace of your gameplay, especially when you’re trying to maintain a curve or competing against decks that operate on lower-cost spells and effects for quick wins.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Pit offers flexibility in deckbuilding, slotting into multiple strategies with ease. It serves as an efficient solution to threats, fitting into any deck that emphasizes interaction with opponents’ resources.

Combo Potential: As a card that can disrupt your opponent’s game plan, The Pit works well when combined with strategies aiming to control or deny critical plays, setting up for your own combo finish.

Meta-Relevance: Within a game environment where creature-heavy decks or ones that rely on key nonland permanents are prominent, The Pit becomes an invaluable tool in maintaining board superiority and advancing your position.


How to beat

The Pit is a card that has emerged as a significant challenge for many players in Magic: The Gathering. To successfully counter this card, it’s crucial to be proactive in managing your battlefield presence. Good strategies include employing cards that offer hexproof to your creatures, preventing The Pit from targeting them. Moreover, having instant-speed removal can be a game-changer by disrupting combos or key plays centered around The Pit.

It’s also beneficial to apply pressure with an aggressive creature strategy, thereby restricting the opportunities for your opponent to utilize The Pit effectively. Controlling the flow of the game through card advantage and selective counterplay ensures that The Pit does not dominate the match. Lastly, consider using graveyard hate cards, which can neutralize The Pit’s potential from recurring out of the graveyard, making it a less formidable threat in the long run.

By prioritizing protective measures, removals, and offensive strategies, you can successfully navigate the challenge posed by The Pit and keep your opponent on their toes in your Magic: The Gathering duels.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase The Pit MTG card by a specific set like March of the Machine Commander, 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 The Pit and other MTG cards:

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Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-04-14 To resolve the first ability, starting with you and proceeding in turn order, each player chooses which creature token they’re creating. Then all creature tokens are created and enter the battlefield at the same time.