Banishing Slash MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 2 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Sorcery |
Released | 2022-02-18 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty |
Set code | NEO |
Number | 3 |
Frame | 2015 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Josu Hernaiz |
Text of card
Destroy up to one target artifact, enchantment, or tapped creature. Then if you control an artifact and an enchantment, create a 2/2 white Samurai creature token with vigilance.
"In the name of Kyodai, begone!"
Cards like Banishing Slash
Banishing Slash finds its niche within the realm of instant-speed removal spells in Magic: The Gathering. When drawing parallels, Swords to Plowshares is a classic example that similarly exiles a creature at instant speed. While Swords to Plowshares is more cost-efficient at only one white mana, it does provide the creature’s controller with life points equal to its power, a downside not present in Banishing Slash.
Path to Exile is another card that serves a similar purpose, offering immediate removal in exchange for allowing the opponent to search for a basic land card and put it onto the battlefield. This can potentially accelerate your opponent’s mana resources, a trade-off not taken when using Banishing Slash. On the other hand, Banishing Slash requires you to control a modified creature to be effective, which can be seen as a restrictive condition compared to the unconditional nature of Path to Exile.
In weighing the pros and cons, Banishing Slash offers a balance between power and conditionality amongst creature removal spells. It carves out its space by avoiding direct advantages to opponents while demanding specific deck-building considerations to maximize its potential.
Cards similar to Banishing Slash by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Banishing Slash. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mono-White Control | Standard | Mono-White Control | Standard League 2023-11-23 | |
Bant Control | Standard | Bant Control | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: March 4, 2024 | |
Azorius Control | Standard | Azorius Control | The Pizza Box Open: Standard | |
WB | Standard | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 19, 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Banishing Slash can be a key player in swinging the board in your favor by potentially removing a threat and drawing a card if you’ve cast another spell this turn, thus not putting you behind in terms of card economy.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or treasures, the potential to eliminate an opposing mana dork or an artifact used for acceleration can hinder your opponent’s resource development, giving you an edge on the battlefield.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of Banishing Slash being an instant means that you can navigate your turns more effectively, responding to threats or making pivotal plays on your opponent’s turn, allowing for more dynamic gameplay and strategic depth.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Banishing Slash demands you to let go of another card, which could be taxing when your hand is dwindling and each card’s value is at its peak.
Specific Mana Cost: This spell’s white mana cost necessitates a dedicated white mana source, potentially limiting its inclusion in multicolor decks that can’t consistently provide white mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost positioned at the higher end of the spectrum for its effects, players may find alternative removal cards that provide a similar outcome without such a hefty mana investment.
Reasons to Include Banishing Slash in Your Collection
Versatility: Banishing Slash is a card that shines in its ability to adapt to various gameplay situations. Whether you’re ahead or behind, it can serve as a removal or a way to push through the final points of damage.
Combo Potential: The instant nature of Banishing Slash allows it to synergize with cards that care about spell casting, such as prowess creatures or cards that trigger upon casting your second spell each turn, enhancing your overall strategy.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by creature-based strategies, having an efficient removal spell like Banishing Slash can be the key to victory. It keeps you relevant and competitive by handling significant threats on the board swiftly.
How to beat
Banishing Slash is known in Magic: The Gathering circles for its potential to turn the tide of battle with its spot removal prowess. It allows a player to exile an attacking or blocking creature, contributing to clear pathways for your own offensive moves or disrupting your opponent’s strategies.
Countering Banishing Slash effectively requires strategic forward-thinking. Including instant-speed hexproof options within your deck can foil Banishing Slash by rendering your key creatures immune to targeted spells at critical moments. Similarly, utilizing cards that can regenerate or grant indestructible status provides resilience against such removal attempts. It’s not just about the creatures themselves; certain counterspells or defensive instants, played with precise timing, can neutralize Banishing Slash before it claims its target, ensuring your forces remain on the board to press the advantage.
Remember, maintaining a keen awareness of open mana and potential threats in your opponent’s hand could be the difference between a devastating loss or a clever counter-play. By incorporating these tactics, players can confidently challenge the disruption that Banishing Slash brings to the table and secure victory in their Magic: The Gathering encounters.
BurnMana Recommendations
Delving deep into the intricacies of Magic the Gathering can unveil tactics and strategies that redefine your gameplay experience. Banishing Slash offers a blend of removal potency and card interaction that can shift the tides of any match. Whether you’re crafting a new deck or refining an existing one, understanding the dynamics of such versatile spells can arm you with the edge needed to outmaneuver opponents. For more insights on optimizing your MTG arsenal and embracing the full potential of your card selections, we invite you to join us in unraveling the secrets to becoming a formidable adversary on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Banishing Slash MTG card by a specific set like Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, 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 Banishing Slash and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
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- MTG Mint Card
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Banishing Slash has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Standard | Legal |
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Future | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Explorer | Legal |
Brawl | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Banishing Slash card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2022-02-18 | If you control an artifact that is also an enchantment as Banishing Slash resolves, you will create a Samurai token. |
2022-02-18 | You may cast Banishing Slash without choosing a target. If you do, and you control both an artifact and an enchantment as it resolves, you'll just create a Samurai token. However, if you do choose a target and that target is an illegal target as Banishing Slash tries to resolve, Banishing Slash won't resolve and none of its effects will happen. The illegal target won't be destroyed and you won't create a Samurai token. |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.