Desert Twister MTG Card
1993-12-17 - Number 46
1994-04-01 - Number 192
1994-04-01 - Number 192
1994-06-21 - Number 192
1995-04-01 - Number 240
1995-04-01 - Number 240
1997-03-24 - Number 288
1999-10-04 - Number 243
2009-09-07 - Number 115
2014-06-16 - Number 203
2014-11-07 - Number 188
2015-11-13 - Number 181
2017-06-09 - Number 100
2019-11-07 - Number 1181
2020-09-26 - Number CMA-100
| Card sets | Released in 15 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Destroy any card in play.
Cards like Desert Twister
Desert Twister is a versatile removal spell hailing from the expansive world of Magic the Gathering. Its broad capability to destroy any target makes it akin to the infamous Vindicate. However,Vindicate enjoys the benefit of a lesser mana cost, which can be pivotal in quicker-paced games. Despite that, Desert Twister is not restricted by color, offering a unique advantage in mono-green decks that might lack diverse removal options.
Taking a glance at another relative, Bramblecrush distinguishes itself by being slightly less expensive mana-wise and still maintains the ability to target noncreature permanents. While it doesn’t share the same level of flexibility as Desert Twister, not being able to target creatures or planeswalkers can be a tradeoff for the reduced cost. On the other end, there’s Beast Within, its ability to target any permanent is temptingly efficient, plus it resolves at instant speed. The downside? It leaves the opponent with a 3/3 creature, quite the departure from Desert Twister’s clean slate approach.
In summary, Desert Twister claims its spot in MTG as a comprehensive solution for any permanent, a rare trait within green’s color pie. Its cost is steep, but its guaranteed answer to threats is invaluable, especially in decks that can accommodate the mana investment.
Cards similar to Desert Twister by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Cleaning the battlefield of any troublesome permanents, Desert Twister offers a decisive swing in control over the game’s progress. By removing key pieces from your opponent’s strategy, you indirectly gain card advantage as their options become limited.
Resource Acceleration: While Desert Twister itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its ability to destroy any land can set your opponent back on their mana curve. This disruption can slow them down significantly, providing you with an indirect form of resource acceleration as you continue to develop your board unimpeded.
Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Desert Twister can be woven seamlessly into your turn’s strategy. Although it’s not at instant speed, the power to dismantle any permanent on the board without targeting restrictions is a tactical element that can prove invaluable at crucial junctures in a match.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Desert Twister requires a relatively color-heavy investment of two green mana, which might restrict it to green-centric or two-color decks, potentially limiting its versatility in a broader range of deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of six mana, this card can be considered quite expensive for its single-target removal effect. Players might find that other removal options available in the MTG universe could provide more cost-effective ways to deal with threats on the board.
Discard Requirement: Although Desert Twister doesn’t require a card to be discarded as part of its casting cost, its high mana requirement could leave a player low on other resources, including the cards in hand, especially if they are ramping up to cast it early in the game.
Reasons to Include Desert Twister in Your Collection
Versatility: Desert Twister is a powerful spell that can seamlessly integrate into various decks due to its ability to destroy any target without any restrictions on card type. Whether it’s pesky permanents or threatening enchantments, Desert Twister offers a solution to remove key pieces from the board.
Combo Potential: In decks that utilize a lands matter theme, Desert Twister can be a game-changer. It can easily be retrieved from the graveyard with certain card abilities, readying it for another round of destruction. This recycling capability enables it to be more than a one-off spell in long, drawn-out games.
Meta-Relevance: While it may not be a staple in every format, Desert Twister’s ability to handle any problematic nonland permanent makes it an excellent sideboard choice against meta-dominant decks that rely on specific artifacts, creatures, or enchantments to win.
How to beat
Desert Twister stands as a versatile destruction tool in the world of Magic: The Gathering, boasting the rare capacity to target any permanent. Unlike spells with a narrower focus, such as Nature’s Claim or Disenchant that restrict their removal to enchantments or artifacts, Desert Twister’s broad scope allows players to eliminate any potential threat regardless of its type.
Overcoming Desert Twister requires a multifaceted approach, beginning with countermagic. Spells like Counterspell or Negate can intercept Desert Twister before it takes effect. Additionally, swiftly applying pressure on the battlefield can force an opponent to use their mana elsewhere, tying up resources that might otherwise be spent on casting a high-cost spell like Desert Twister. Furthermore, one can employ permanents with hexproof or shroud abilities, such as Invisible Stalker or Vine Mare, which inherently evade Desert Twister’s reach.
Ultimately, while Desert Twister is an undeniable force capable of altering the state of the game, a well-structured strategy that prioritizes precautionary plays and resource management can dampen its impact, preserving your key assets from being engulfed by this ubiquitous spell’s grasp.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Desert Twister MTG card by a specific set like Arabian Nights and Revised Edition, 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 Desert Twister 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 Desert Twister Magic the Gathering card was released in 15 different sets between 1993-12-17 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-12-17 | Arabian Nights | ARN | 46 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Susan Van Camp | |
| 2 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 192 | 1993 | Normal | White | Susan Van Camp | |
| 3 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 192 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Susan Van Camp | |
| 4 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 192 | 1993 | Normal | White | Susan Van Camp | |
| 5 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 240 | 1993 | Normal | White | Susan Van Camp | |
| 6 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 240 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Susan Van Camp | |
| 7 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 288 | 1997 | Normal | White | Susan Van Camp | |
| 8 | 1999-10-04 | Mercadian Masques | MMQ | 243 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Kevin Murphy | |
| 9 | 2009-09-07 | Masters Edition III | ME3 | 115 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Susan Van Camp | |
| 10 | 2014-06-16 | Vintage Masters | VMA | 203 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Noah Bradley | |
| 11 | 2014-11-07 | Commander 2014 | C14 | 188 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Noah Bradley | |
| 12 | 2015-11-13 | Commander 2015 | C15 | 181 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Noah Bradley | |
| 13 | 2017-06-09 | Commander Anthology | CMA | 100 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Noah Bradley | |
| 14 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1181 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Noah Bradley | |
| 15 | The List | PLST | CMA-100 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Noah Bradley |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Desert Twister has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |