Eliminate MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 2 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Instant |
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.
Cards similar to Eliminate by color, type and mana cost
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.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Decklist | Free form | Weekday Night Magic | ||
Mono-Black Ramp | Gladiator | Gladiator Games: We're Back | ||
Mono-Black Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | ||
Esper Control | Gladiator | Gladiator Games: We're Back | ||
Orzhov Death & Taxes | Gladiator | Gladiator Games: We're Back | ||
Dimir Tinker | Vintage | Blue Tinker | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-02-03 | |
Dimir Tainted Pact | Other | The Arena Coliseum - Timeless Trials $1K #001 | ||
Sultai Midrange | Other | The Arena Coliseum - Timeless Trials $1K #001 | ||
Dimir Control | Gladiator | Gladiator 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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- 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 Eliminate Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-07-03 and 2021-04-23. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2020-07-03 | Core Set 2021 | M21 | 395 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Cold | |
2 | 2020-07-03 | Core Set 2021 | M21 | 97 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Cold | |
3 | 2021-04-23 | Strixhaven Mystical Archive | STA | 30 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Rovina Cai | |
4 | 2021-04-23 | Strixhaven Mystical Archive | STA | 93 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Karuta Shiki |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Eliminate has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Explorer | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |
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. |