Xenagos's Scorn MTG Card

Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery
Released	2014-05-25
Set symbol
Set name	Defeat a God
Set code	TDAG
Number	12
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Lucas Graciano

Key Takeaways

Can disrupt opponents by removing threats, crucial for maintaining board control and card utility.
Enables faster gameplay with land acceleration but requires specific mana types, limiting deck diversity.
Works well against prevalent strategies, enhancing control decks but requires careful balancing against its costs.

Text of card

Xenagos Ascended gains trample until end of turn and attacks this turn if able.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When you play Xenagos’s Scorn, the ability to potentially remove a threat from the board can disrupt an opponent’s strategy, effectively giving you an upper hand in card utility and future plays.

Resource Acceleration: By potentially placing lands onto the battlefield through its triggered ability, Xenagos’s Scorn can facilitate a faster development of your resources, setting the stage for more powerful spells or multiple card plays in a single turn.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Xenagos’s Scorn at instant speed means you can adapt to the unfolding game dynamically, using it as both a strategic defense or as a way to maintain momentum by removing an opponent’s key creature or artifact during their turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Xenagos’s Scorn may hamper your hand by requiring you to discard another card as part of its casting cost. This condition could put you at a disadvantage, particularly in moments where maintaining card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: This spell’s casting requirement includes both red and green mana, making it less flexible. It’s primarily suited for Gruul decks or others that can reliably produce both types of mana, potentially restricting its application in more varied deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes three generic and one red mana, Xenagos’s Scorn has a relatively high cost for its effect compared to other disruptive spells in the game. There are alternative cards with lower mana costs or more impactful effects for the same investment, which might be more appealing depending on the deck strategy.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Xenagos’s Scorn possesses the ability to disrupt a wide array of strategies, fitting well in sideboards or main decks focusing on control or tempo.

Combo Potential: This spell’s knack for noncreature disruption can act as a pivotal point for turning the tide of a game, fueling combos by removing key enemy threats or protecting your crucial plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment that heavily features enchantments, artifacts, or planeswalkers, Xenagos’s Scorn offers a timely response to popular permanent types, providing an edge against prevalent deck archetypes.

How to beat

Xenagos’s Scorn can pose a real challenge on the battlefield. This particular card can disrupt strategies and thwart creature-based decks by forcing sacrifices or dealing significant damage. An effective way to outmaneuver its power is by utilizing instant-speed spells that can save or regenerate your key creatures. Try to keep mana open for such responses when you sense the potential casting of Xenagos’s Scorn.

Another tactic is to diversify your threats; don’t overcommit to the board. Going wide with multiple threats can minimize the impact of the forced sacrifice. Also, consider using hexproof or indestructible creatures as they are not vulnerable to Xenagos’s Scorn’s effects. Lastly, counter-spells are your friend. Keep a counterspell ready for when your opponent aims to cast Xenagos’s Scorn, preserving your board presence and turning the tide in your favor.

Remember, flexibility and foresight are the keys when dealing with powerful cards such as Xenagos’s Scorn. Adapt your playstyle accordingly, and you’ll find yourself overcoming its effects and leading your deck to victory.

Cards like Xenagos's Scorn

Xenagos’s Scorn finds its place in the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering’s creature-based control cards. It can be closely compared to cards like Lava Coil, which offers similar creature removal, although it does so with direct damage as opposed to Xenagos’s Scorn’s fighting mechanism. Unlike Lava Coil, Xenagos’s Scorn requires you to have a creature in play to leverage its effect, adding a layer of strategy and risk.

Comparatively, Savage Punch is another notable card that offers a similar effect by having one of your creatures fight another. Yet, Xenagos’s Scorn differentiates itself with its potential to be played at instant speed, offering a surprise element of action during your opponent’s turn. Meanwhile, Savage Punch is limited to your main phase. Then there’s Hunt the Weak, which not only provokes a fight between creatures but also places a +1/+1 counter on your creature, potentially turning the tide of the game.

Considering the swift reaction time and the surprise factor it introduces in matches, Xenagos’s Scorn holds a unique position. It provides players who like to engage with an interactive playstyle a valuable tool, blending creature enhancement with strategic removal and timing.

Cards similar to Xenagos's Scorn by color, type and mana cost

Grown from the Stump - MTG Card versions

Strike the Weak Spot - MTG Card versions

Noxious Hydra Breath - MTG Card versions

Hydra's Impenetrable Hide - MTG Card versions

Swallow the Hero Whole - MTG Card versions

Touch of the Horned God - MTG Card versions

Intervention of Keranos - MTG Card versions

Impulsive Destruction - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Xenagos's Scorn MTG card by a specific set like Defeat a God, 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 Xenagos's Scorn and other MTG cards: