Decompose MTG Card
2001-10-01 - Number 128
2003-08-07 - Number pk128sb
2013-03-15 - Number 20
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Remove up to three target cards in a single graveyard from the game.
"Sheesh! How am I supposed to make a decent living around here?" —Cabal grave robber
Cards like Decompose
Decompose is an intriguing entry in the realm of graveyard manipulation within the universe of Magic: The Gathering. It’s akin to cards such as Cremate, which also interacts with the graveyard by allowing you to exile a target card. Decompose offers a unique twist by giving the option to exile up to three target cards from a single graveyard, making it a more versatile choice in multi-card scenarios.
Looking at another relative, Nihil Spellbomb offers a different approach to graveyard control. While it doesn’t target specific cards like Decompose, it has the added benefit of potentially clearing an entire graveyard at once, plus the advantage of drawing a card if you expend a black mana. Then there’s Scarab Feast, which shares Decompose’s sniping prowess by exiling up to three cards, but with the added flexibility of cycling to draw a card, though it lacks the capability to target noncreature cards unlike Decompose.
Examining the range and nuances of these interactions reveals Decompose’s solid position in targeted graveyard disruption strategies within Magic: The Gathering, particularly for its focused exiling capabilities and efficiency against creature-based decks.
Cards similar to Decompose by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Decompose offers a window into strategic play, letting you delve into your graveyard to exhume creatures that once called the battlefield home. The flexibility of targeting different cards means you continually refresh your hand, thus keeping the upper hand in card advantage against your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: By efficiently utilizing your graveyard as a resource, Decompose has the potential to accelerate your game plan. Returning creatures to your hand can be pivotal, providing you the fodder for casting potent spells or for summoning more formidable forces to the field without dipping into your mana pool.
Instant Speed: The speed of magic matters, and Decompose’s instant speed is its silent strength. It allows you to respond to the evolving game on the fly, capitalizing on the element of surprise. This means you can wait until the most opportune moment, such as the end of your opponent’s turn, to set up your next strategic move without interrupting your own flow of play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: As part of its casting cost, Decompose requires you to discard a card from your hand. The forced discard can be detrimental when you’re trying to maintain a strong hand for subsequent turns, potentially burning through valuable resources that could be critical to your game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: Decompose demands a precise combination of black mana to cast. This specificity narrows its flexibility and dictates that your deck must be tailored or at least compatible with the black mana color pie, potentially limiting the card’s inclusion to only certain archetypes or mono-black builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost of casting Decompose may be relatively high when considering other options available within the realm of MTG. There are alternative spells that either remove creatures from the game for less mana or offer additional benefits alongside the creature destruction, providing a potentially greater return on investment for the mana spent.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Decompose stands out as a flexible card, easily sliding into graveyard-centric decks or those that need to disrupt an opponent’s strategy by selectively removing creatures and enchantments from their graveyard for their gain.
Combo Potential: This card opens up possibilities for combinations, notably with decks that benefit from siphoning resources from the graveyard or triggering death-related abilities, further expanding your tactical depth.
Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of graveyard strategies in certain metagames, having Decompose at your disposal ensures you’re equipped to handle decks that rely heavily on their graveyard, making it a strategic choice for the current landscape.
How to beat
Decompose presents an interesting challenge for Magic: The Gathering players. This black sorcery allows its caster to target up to one enchantment card and up to two creature cards in a single player’s graveyard, and exile them. This can be a disruptive play, particularly in formats where graveyard strategies are key. To effectively counter this, ensure you have cards that grant graveyard protection or shuffle your graveyard back into your library. Cards like Elixir of Immortality or Loaming Shaman can help you maintain graveyard control and mitigate Decompose’s potential impact.
It’s also beneficial to diversify your strategy beyond heavy reliance on the graveyard. Consider employing alternative win conditions that don’t hinge on graveyard interactions. This allows you to stay ahead of opponents who may be packing Decompose or similar graveyard hate within their decks. Keep backup plans in place, such as resilient creatures that can return to the battlefield from the graveyard or those that benefit when other creatures are exiled.
Stand vigilant and flexible in your gameplay. By anticipating the presence of Decompose and adjusting your strategy accordingly, you can minimize the disruption to your deck and maintain a strong position on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Decompose MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey and World Championship Decks 2003, 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 Decompose 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Decompose Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2013-03-15. Illustrated by Tony Szczudlo.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-10-01 | Odyssey | ODY | 128 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Tony Szczudlo | |
| 2 | 2003-08-07 | World Championship Decks 2003 | WC03 | pk128sb | 2003 | Normal | Gold | Tony Szczudlo | |
| 3 | 2013-03-15 | Duel Decks: Sorin vs. Tibalt | DDK | 20 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Tony Szczudlo |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Decompose has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |