Dismantle MTG Card

Dismantle can grant card advantage by disrupting opponent’s plans and gaining an information edge. Acting at instant speed, it provides flexibility and tactical depth to reactive gameplay strategies. Despite its utility, the necessity to discard and specific mana cost can sometimes be limiting.

Darksteel (DST)
2004-02-06 - Number 57

Double Masters (2XM)
2020-08-07 - Number 123

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery

Text of card

Destroy target artifact. If that artifact had counters on it, put that many +1/+1 counters or charge counters on an artifact you control.

"If only the living were so easily salvaged." —Memnarch

Cards like Dismantle

In the realm of creature control, Dismantle is an intriguing card that offers a removal option for Magic: The Gathering players. Its closest relatives include Shatter, a straightforward spell that destroys target artifact without any additional effects. Dismantle, however, ups the ante by not only dispatching artifacts but also allowing a peek into the future by scrying. This scry ability provides a strategic advantage much like Abrade, which also offers versatility in choosing between dealing damage to a creature or destroying an artifact.

Comparing Dismantle to Ancient Grudge is another interesting angle. With Grudge, the focal point is its flashback ability, providing a second shot at artifact destruction. This recurrence capability is a strong gameplay twist absent in Dismantle. In contrast, Dismantle’s scry feature affords players the foresight to potentially smooth out future draws, which might outweigh the need for Grudge’s flashback in certain deck builds.

Considering the alternatives, Dismantle holds its own as a solid choice for players seeking to strategically manage both the board and their upcoming draws. This blend of immediate impact and future planning gives Dismantle a unique standing among artifact removal spells in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Dismantle by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: The effect of Dismantle allows you to systematically dismantle your opponent’s strategy by forcing them to discard a card. This disrupts their hand, giving you an information edge and potentially hindering their future plans, ultimately resulting in card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: If you’re using a strategy focused on making use of your graveyard, Dismantle can work as a catalyst. By selectively discarding certain cards, you can accelerate your game plan, converting your graveyard into a resource reservoir that can be exploited for strategic gains.

Instant Speed: Dismantle’s instant speed is a tactical tool in your arsenal. It can be cast at the most opportune moments during your opponent’s turn, allowing you to react in real time to their plays. This flexibility can be game-changing, letting you disrupt their moves while keeping your mana untapped for urgent actions or bluffs.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the trade-offs when casting Dismantle is the necessity to discard a card. This can put players at a significant disadvantage, particularly when their hand is already depleted, or the game situation requires every card to count towards a strategic play.

Specific Mana Cost: Dismantle comes with a specific mana cost that may not align with every deck type. For those running multicolored decks, the inclusion of Dismantle might necessitate a more complex mana base or could be an obstacle in streamlined two-color builds that prioritize efficiency over flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With cards continuously evolving and new sets bringing more options, Dismantle’s mana cost might appear steep compared to alternative removal spells or disruptive options. Savvy players often evaluate the cost-to-effect ratio closely, and Dismantle might be overlooked for cards that deliver a more immediate or impactful result for the same, or less, investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Dismantle proves its value by seamlessly fitting into artifact-centric and red storm decks. Its ability to remove counters and deal damage gives it a multi-purpose role in various strategic plays.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes with numerous counter-based cards and strategies. Combining it with proliferate mechanics or doubling counters before Dismantle’s activation could yield significant benefits.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where modular creatures or charge counter artifacts are prevalent, Dismantle offers a tailored solution to dismantle opponent’s strategies while empowering your own board state.

How to beat

Dismantle is an intriguing option for disrupting opponents in Magic: The Gathering. This card positions itself in the realm of removal spells, capable of effectively neutralizing threats by stripping away enhancements and stirring up a player’s strategic plans. Comparatively, cards such as Naturalize also serve the purpose of removing artifacts or enchantments, yet Dismantle adds a layer by converting the destruction into a potential advantage for its caster.

The technique to overcoming Dismantle lies in timing and resource distribution. Smart play involves baiting out the Dismantle with less critical spells or deploying cards that can self-multiply, leaning on the understanding that Dismantle can only target one artifact or enchantment at a time. Moreover, by diversifying one’s threats across different card types, you can ensure that the impact of such single-target disruption is minimized.

Ultimately, resilience is key. Dismantle, while potent, is but one tool in an opponent’s arsenal. By anticipating it and planning your plays with alternatives, you maintain the upper hand, able to swiftly recover and counteract the temporary setback, keeping your strategy well-oiled and in motion.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dismantle MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel and Double 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 Dismantle and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Dismantle Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2004-02-06 and 2020-08-07. Illustrated by Brian Snõddy.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2004-02-06	Darksteel	DST		57	2003	Normal	Black	Brian Snõddy
2	2020-08-07	Double Masters	2XM		123	2015	Normal	Black	Brian Snõddy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dismantle has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2020-08-07	Dismantle targets only the artifact that will be destroyed. When Dismantle resolves, you choose which type of counters you want and choose an artifact you control to put them on. No player make take actions between the time you make this choice and the time counters are on the artifact.
2020-08-07	If the target artifact is an illegal target by the time Dismantle tries to resolve, the spell won't resolve. You won't put any counters on an artifact. If the target is legal but not destroyed (most likely because it has indestructible), you do put counters on an artifact.
2020-08-07	It doesn't matter what kind of counters the destroyed artifact had on it, only how many. If an artifact had five fuse counters and two trap counters on it, you put seven +1/+1 counters or seven charge counters on an artifact.
2020-08-07	You can put +1/+1 counters on a noncreature artifact. They won't do anything unless the artifact becomes a creature, at which time they'll add to the creature's power and toughness.