Cleansing Meditation MTG Card


With threshold active, Cleansing Meditation becomes a potent one-sided board wipe that can turn games around. The requirement of seven cards in the graveyard for its full effect makes it situationally strong but not universally reliable. Its ability to rejuvenate your enchantments provides excellent synergy and combo potential in the right deck context.
Cleansing Meditation - Torment
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Threshold
Released2002-02-04
Set symbol
Set nameTorment
Set codeTOR
Number3
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byRon Spears

Text of card

Destroy all enchantments. Threshold Instead destroy all enchantments, then return to play all cards in your graveyard destroyed this way. (You have threshold if seven or more cards are in your graveyard.)


Cards like Cleansing Meditation

Cleansing Meditation is a unique inclusion amongst enchantment removal cards in Magic: The Gathering. Like its counterpart, Tempest of Light, it specifically deals with wiping out enchantments, yet Cleansing Meditation comes with an added twist when you reach Threshold – the ability to potentially rejuvenate your own enchantments. Unlike Tempest of Light, which unconditionally destroys all enchantments without the option of recovery, Cleansing Meditation offers strategic flexibility.

Another similar spell is Patrician’s Scorn, which also clears the board of all enchantments and can potentially be cast for free under the right circumstances. It lacks the recuperative nature of Cleansing Meditation but excels in its potential cost-efficiency. Then consider Austere Command, which allows players to selectively purge enchantments while simultaneously affecting other permanents, giving it a broader scope of influence during a game.

Evaluating Cleansing Meditation against alternatives in enchantment removal reveals its unique position. The card shines in long games where achieving Threshold is feasible, tipping the balance with its dual destruction and restoration capability. As players analyze these options, Cleansing Meditation holds a special appeal for those seeking control with a contingency plan.

Tempest of Light - MTG Card versions
Patrician's Scorn - MTG Card versions
Austere Command - MTG Card versions
Tempest of Light - MTG Card versions
Patrician's Scorn - MTG Card versions
Austere Command - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Cleansing Meditation by color, type and mana cost

Tivadar's Crusade - MTG Card versions
Cleansing - MTG Card versions
Dust to Dust - MTG Card versions
Blinding Light - MTG Card versions
Warrior's Charge - MTG Card versions
Valorous Charge - MTG Card versions
Repentance - MTG Card versions
Bargain - MTG Card versions
Angelic Blessing - MTG Card versions
Virtuous Charge - MTG Card versions
Riding Red Hare - MTG Card versions
Search for Glory - MTG Card versions
Hive Stirrings - MTG Card versions
Kayla's Reconstruction - MTG Card versions
Council's Judgment - MTG Card versions
Kayla's Command - MTG Card versions
Proclamation of Rebirth - MTG Card versions
Marshaling Cry - MTG Card versions
Solemn Offering - MTG Card versions
Excommunicate - MTG Card versions
Tivadar's Crusade - MTG Card versions
Cleansing - MTG Card versions
Dust to Dust - MTG Card versions
Blinding Light - MTG Card versions
Warrior's Charge - MTG Card versions
Valorous Charge - MTG Card versions
Repentance - MTG Card versions
Bargain - MTG Card versions
Angelic Blessing - MTG Card versions
Virtuous Charge - MTG Card versions
Riding Red Hare - MTG Card versions
Search for Glory - MTG Card versions
Hive Stirrings - MTG Card versions
Kayla's Reconstruction - MTG Card versions
Council's Judgment - MTG Card versions
Kayla's Command - MTG Card versions
Proclamation of Rebirth - MTG Card versions
Marshaling Cry - MTG Card versions
Solemn Offering - MTG Card versions
Excommunicate - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cleansing Meditation provides a unique form of card advantage by enabling potential one-sided board wipes. When combined with the threshold mechanic — having seven or more cards in your graveyard — this card can transform a cluttered battlefield to your favor, keeping your creatures safe while removing opponents’ threats.

Resource Acceleration: Although Cleansing Meditation itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, successfully pulling off a threshold-enabled board clear can drastically change the pace of the game. By removing opponents’ mana dorks or utility creatures, you indirectly slow their resource development, potentially gaining a crucial lead in the resource race.

Instant Speed: While Cleansing Meditation is a sorcery, it pairs exceptionally well with spells of instant speed. Casting instant spells before your main phase can help you reach threshold quicker, turning what would be a regular board clear into a one-sided sweep that leaves your board state intact for a strong follow-up during your turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Cleansing Meditation necessitates having threshold — seven or more cards in your graveyard for its bonus effect. Without meeting this requirement, you may not fully capitalize on its potential, making it situationally effective.

Specific Mana Cost: This spell requires two white mana in its casting cost, which can be restrictive. Decks not heavily invested in white mana may find it challenging to cast Cleansing Meditation consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its base effect of simply destroying all enchantments, Cleansing Meditation’s three mana cost is steep compared to other enchantment removal options. Although its secondary effect is powerful, it also hinges on the threshold which might not always be attainable, thereby not justifying the mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Cleansing Meditation is a flexible card that can find a home in numerous styles of decks, particularly those leveraging enchantments to control the gameplay. Its power to wipe the board clean of all non-enchantment permanents allows players to tailor the game to their advantage, providing a clear pathway to victory when set up correctly.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, such as having Threshold, Cleansing Meditation transforms into a game-changer by not only clearing the board but also returning all your enchantments back to play. This synergizes extremely well with cards that have enter-the-battlefield triggers or those that can capitalize on the sudden appearance of multiple enchantments.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame saturated with creature-heavy and artifact-reliant strategies, Cleansing Meditation can offer you a strong silver bullet. It has the potential to reverse the tides of the game, making it a strategic addition to your collection capable of disrupting prevalent deck archetypes.


How to beat

Cleansing Meditation is a unique enchantment removal card within the MTG universe, offering a powerful one-two punch when its threshold condition is met. To effectively counter this white sorcery, players should consider strategies that limit graveyard filling or employ counterspells. For instance, cards like Leyline of the Void can hinder opponents from achieving the threshold by exiling cards before they reach the graveyard.

Additionally, tactical use of instant-speed disruption such as Negate or Dispel can prevent Cleansing Meditation from resolving, circumventing its potential to sweep away an entire battlefield of enchantments. It’s also prudent to maintain a diverse board state with a mix of creatures, artifacts, and enchantments to minimize the impact of any one removal spell. Since Cleansing Meditation shines in enchantment-heavy metagames, adjusting the composition of your deck to reduce reliance on enchantments can diminish its efficacy against you.

Overall, while Cleansing Meditation promises a potent board reset under the right conditions, a well-prepared opponent can navigate around its strengths, ensuring their game plan remains uninterrupted and their key permanents stay in play.


BurnMana Recommendations

Enhance your MTG experience by diving deeper into the synergies and strategies around Cleansing Meditation. This card offers an exciting twist on enchantment removal, emphasizing the importance of threshold in achieving optimal outcomes. Understanding how to build and utilize a deck around this mechanic can be pivotal in both casual and competitive play. If you’re keen to expand your gameplay knowledge or just curious about maximizing the potential of Cleansing Meditation and similar cards, our content is tailored for you. Navigate through the depth of MTG with us and discover ways to refine your deck, outmaneuver opponents, and secure victories.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cleansing Meditation MTG card by a specific set like Torment, 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 Cleansing Meditation and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cleansing Meditation has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-10-04 Auras returning to the battlefield are placed on any legal permanent of your choice. Doing this does not target the permanent. If there is no legal permanent for an Aura, it remains in the graveyard.
2005-08-01 Auras returning to the battlefield can only enchant something that was already on the battlefield. An Enchant Enchantment returning to the battlefield can’t be placed on an enchantment that is also in the process of returning to the battlefield.