Eliminate MTG Card


Efficient cost and instant speed make Eliminate a versatile threat-remover in various MTG formats. Demands specific mana and a discard, which can limit its inclusion in some MTG deck builds. Competes with similar removal spells, but stands out for its ability to target planeswalkers.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Destroy target creature or planeswalker with mana value 3 or less.

"Cruelty? No. This is necessity." —Kaervek


Cards like Eliminate

Eliminate is a potent spell in Magic: The Gathering when it comes to removing threats off the board. It shares the spotlight with other single-target removal spells like Fatal Push, which can potentially take out larger creatures if a permanent with four or more mana value has left the battlefield this turn. However, Eliminate has the broader utility of also targeting planeswalkers, a niche that Fatal Push does not cover.

Heartless Act is another noteworthy competitor in the realm of creature removal. It’s flexible, allowing the removal of creatures without counters or the stripping of all counters from a target creature. While it doesn’t hit planeswalkers, its two mana cost for either mode makes it a rival. Conversely, Cast Down operates in a similar two-mana cost zone but is restricted by its inability to target legendary creatures, which Eliminate can effortlessly handle.

Assessing the overall effectiveness, Eliminate’s ability to target both creatures and planeswalkers with a low mana cost positions it as a versatile and powerful card in decks that require efficient and precise removal tools.

Fatal Push - MTG Card versions
Heartless Act - MTG Card versions
Cast Down - MTG Card versions
Fatal Push - MTG Card versions
Heartless Act - MTG Card versions
Cast Down - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Eliminate by color, type and mana cost

Simulacrum - MTG Card versions
Word of Command - MTG Card versions
Terror - MTG Card versions
Transmutation - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Edict - MTG Card versions
Headstone - MTG Card versions
Soul Rend - MTG Card versions
Shallow Grave - MTG Card versions
Wicked Reward - MTG Card versions
Assassin's Blade - MTG Card versions
Urborg Justice - MTG Card versions
Imps' Taunt - MTG Card versions
Rapid Decay - MTG Card versions
Tainted Pact - MTG Card versions
Toxic Stench - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Cast Down - MTG Card versions
Smother - MTG Card versions
Hero's Demise - MTG Card versions
Simulacrum - MTG Card versions
Word of Command - MTG Card versions
Terror - MTG Card versions
Transmutation - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Edict - MTG Card versions
Headstone - MTG Card versions
Soul Rend - MTG Card versions
Shallow Grave - MTG Card versions
Wicked Reward - MTG Card versions
Assassin's Blade - MTG Card versions
Urborg Justice - MTG Card versions
Imps' Taunt - MTG Card versions
Rapid Decay - MTG Card versions
Tainted Pact - MTG Card versions
Toxic Stench - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Cast Down - MTG Card versions
Smother - MTG Card versions
Hero's Demise - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Eliminate. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free formWeekday Night Magic
Mono-Black RampMono-Black Ramp GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Mono-Black MidrangeMono-Black Midrange GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League
Esper ControlEsper Control GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Orzhov Death & TaxesOrzhov Death & Taxes GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Dimir TinkerDimir Tinker VintageBlue TinkerVintage Challenge 32 2024-02-03
Dimir Tainted PactDimir Tainted Pact OtherThe Arena Coliseum - Timeless Trials $1K #001
Sultai MidrangeSultai Midrange OtherThe Arena Coliseum - Timeless Trials $1K #001
Dimir ControlDimir Control GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When considering the prowess of Eliminate, it’s important to acknowledge how this assists in the control of the battlefield. Being able to remove a threat while maintaining cards in hand creates a significant advantage, keeping your options broad and your resources plentiful.

Resource Acceleration: Although Eliminate doesn’t directly generate additional resources in the traditional sense of mana production, the sheer efficiency of its casting cost allows for greater versatility and speed in resource allocation. This efficient use can be pivotal in overtaking the game tempo, ensuring you can develop your board while disrupting your opponents.

Instant Speed: The capability to dispatch creatures and planeswalkers at instant speed cannot be overstated. It offers the tactical flexibility to act during an opponent’s turn, removing newly cast threats before they can be utilized. This reactive power ensures you’re always a step ahead, ready to dismantle your opponent’s strategy at precisely the right moment.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When it comes to casting Eliminate in your game, you’re not just tapping mana; you’re also required to discard another card from your hand. This condition can set you back, especially when your options are already dwindling and every card in hand counts towards potential late-game comebacks or complex strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: Eliminate demands a precise blend of mana – one black and one generic. For players running multi-colored decks, this can sometimes present a roadblock. Matching the mana requirement may not always align with the fluid mana base of certain deck builds, making Eliminate a situational removal rather than a universally dependable one.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Eliminate carries a mana cost that may be seen as steep for its specific kill conditions. It can eliminate creatures or planeswalkers with a converted mana cost of three or less, but if you’re targeting smaller threats, there may be other removal options that are more cost-efficient. Given the fast-paced nature of some matches, finding the balance between cost and impact is crucial, and sometimes Eliminate doesn’t hit that sweet spot.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Eliminate is a powerful tool in any player’s arsenal due to its ability to deal with an opponent’s threats at a very low mana cost. Its instant speed allows for surprising plays, making it adaptable to various in-game situations.

Combo Potential: While not a combo enabler itself, Eliminate supports combo decks by efficiently handling opposing creatures or planeswalkers that could disrupt your strategy. It effectively clears the way for your combos to unfold.

Meta-Relevance: Given its cost-effectiveness and utility, Eliminate features prominently in sideboards and main decks across different formats. It shines in a meta filled with aggressive creature decks or where low-cost planeswalkers are prevalent, maintaining its spot as a relevant choice.


How to beat

The card Eliminate carves out its role within the realm of Magic: The Gathering through its targeted removal capability. This removal spell stands out with its low mana cost and the ability to dispatch creatures and planeswalkers with converted mana cost three or less. Not to space on the battlefield is safe when Eliminate can easily disrupt early game plays and plans by removing key pieces from the field.

When facing Eliminate, one effective strategy is to deploy creatures or planeswalkers with a higher converted mana cost, thus rendering this card ineffective against your more valuable assets. Players might also consider employing hexproof or indestructible creatures to sidestep Eliminate’s targeted removal. Additionally, instant-speed spells that counter removal or protect your permanents can be a hard counter to Eliminate, ensuring your game state remains unaffected.

Ultimately, navigating through the challenges presented by cards like Eliminate requires a careful game plan and adaptive strategies. Crafting a deck that either operates above its threshold or that can protect its key components will diminish the impact of such targeted removal spells in MTG.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG means being adept at both offense and defense, and cards like Eliminate play a key role in maintaining control. Their ability to tilt the scales mid-battle can be the edge you need. However, when constructing your deck, consider the pros and cons we’ve discussed. Think about how Eliminate fits into your overall strategy and the current metagame. Embrace its efficiency but be aware of its constraints. There’s much more to explore within the strategic depths of MTG, and we’re here to guide you through. Join BurnMana for essential insights and up your gaming prowess today.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Eliminate MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2021 and Core Set 2021, 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 Eliminate and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Eliminate Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-07-03 and 2021-04-23. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 3952015NormalBlackChris Cold
22020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 972015NormalBlackChris Cold
32021-04-23Strixhaven Mystical ArchiveSTA 302015NormalBorderlessRovina Cai
42021-04-23Strixhaven Mystical ArchiveSTA 932015NormalBorderlessKaruta Shiki

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Eliminate has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-06-23 If a creature or planeswalker on the battlefield has in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0.
2020-06-23 The mana value of a token that isn't a copy of another object is 0. A token that is a copy of another object has the same mana cost as that object.