Carbonize MTG Card
2003-05-26 - Number 83
2016-06-10 - Number 122
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Carbonize deals 3 damage to target creature or player. That creature can't be regenerated this turn. If the creature would be put into a graveyard this turn, remove it from the game instead.
Cards like Carbonize
Carbonize is a notable participant in the realm of removal spells in MTG. It serves a role that’s akin to other burn spells such as Lightning Bolt – a well-known classic that deals three damage to any target. However, Carbonize has a distinctive feature in that it prevents the targeted creature from regenerating, ensuring its demise. Lightning Bolt doesn’t offer this, and it is also more versatile due to its ability to target players as well.
In the same conversation stands Searing Spear; another comparable burn spell that inflicts three damage at the same mana cost. Although it lacks the anti-regeneration clause, it compensates by having the flexibility to target creatures or players. Then there is Flame Slash, appealing for its cost-effectiveness, offering four damage to a creature for a single red mana. However, it doesn’t come with instant speed, limiting its use to your own turn.
Taking into account the nuances and effects of different burn options, Carbonize holds a significant place within MTG spells. Especially when ensuring a creature not only takes damage but is thoroughly eliminated without a chance to bounce back.
Cards similar to Carbonize by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Carbonize deals damage while also setting up potential card advantage by sending creatures straight to exile if they would die, ensuring that recurring or graveyard-triggered abilities don’t come into play.
Resource Acceleration: Though Carbonize doesn’t directly increase your mana pool, eliminating key creatures can accelerate your board presence by diminishing opponents’ resources and paving the way for your threats.
Instant Speed: Carbonize’s ability to be played at instant speed gives you the versatility to respond during your opponent’s turn, disrupting their strategy and maintaining the element of surprise.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In the case of Carbonize, there is no discard requirement which can streamline gameplay for players who are focused on maintaining hand advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Carbonize demands a combination of generic and red mana, which means it perfectly slots into red-themed decks, but might be less convenient for multicolored deck strategies that need to carefully manage their mana resources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Carbonize delivers a solid instance of damage, the three mana cost (one generic, two red) is a significant investment, especially when you’re aiming to manage multiple threats on the board. Other spells may provide similar effects with a lower mana investment or additional benefits, which could be a more mana-efficient choice in fast-paced games.
Reasons to Include Carbonize in Your Collection
Versatility: Carbonize is a flexible removal spell that can eliminate a wide array of creature threats, which makes it a utility card in various red-centered decks. Its ability to handle creatures with toughness up to 3 as well as its exile effect upon destruction ensures that the problem doesn’t come back from the graveyard.
Combo Potential: The damage dealt by Carbonize can trigger synergies with cards that benefit from direct damage or spells cast, fitting into strategies that might utilize spell-slinging or direct damage to achieve victory.
Meta-Relevance: This card shines in metas with a lot of aggro decks, where prompt removal of creatures can be crucial. Its exile component also makes it relevant against graveyard-based strategies, a common theme that is resilient to many other forms of creature removal.
How to beat
Understanding how to navigate around Carbonize is crucial for MTG players who often find themselves facing this fiery spell. Recognized for its capacity to deal 3 damage to any target and exile it if it were to perish, Carbonize is efficient at removing creatures from the game permanently. This denies graveyard-based strategies from capitalizing on death triggers or resurrection.
To effectively handle Carbonize, one strategy is to use counter spells to prevent it from resolving. Additionally, giving your creatures indestructible status or increasing their toughness beyond 3 can save them from being exiled. Deploying creatures with abilities like hexproof or shroud can also prevent them from becoming targets in the first place. Moreover, running instant-speed spells that can regenerate or blink your creatures can outmaneuver Carbonize’s intentions.
Keeping these tactics in mind can significantly bolster your defense against Carbonize. In essence, it’s about smart deck building and timing your responses aptly to safeguard your creature assets. Being prepared and aware of cards such as Carbonize allows players to maintain control of the board and sustain their strategy effectively throughout the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Carbonize MTG card by a specific set like Scourge and Eternal Masters, 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 Carbonize and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Carbonize Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2003-05-26 and 2016-06-10. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2003-05-26 | Scourge | SCG | 83 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Alex Horley-Orlandelli | |
| 2 | 2016-06-10 | Eternal Masters | EMA | 122 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lake Hurwitz |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Carbonize has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Carbonize card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-06-08 | The targeted creature can’t be regenerated and is exiled if it would die no matter why it would die this turn. It doesn’t have to be destroyed because of the damage Carbonize deals to it. |