Epic Downfall MTG Card

One-for-one removal like Epic Downfall shapes gameplay by efficiently managing threats on the board. Instant speed removal offers strategic flexibility, enabling players to disrupt opponents’ game plans. Specific targeting requirements encourage careful deck construction and adaptability during matches.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery
Released	2019-10-04
Set symbol
Set name	Throne of Eldraine
Set code	ELD
Number	85
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Eric Deschamps

Text of card

Exile target creature with mana value 3 or greater.

The dragon had a lot of things going through his mind that day. He didn't expect a sword to be one of them.

Cards like Epic Downfall

Epic Downfall stands out in the world of black removal spells in Magic: The Gathering. It shares a functional space with other notable cards like Murder, a staple offering in black’s arsenal, which allows players to destroy any target creature for three mana. What makes Epic Downfall distinctive is its exile component, which bypasses death triggers and graveyard interactions, something Murder doesn’t address. It also only targets creatures with converted mana cost 3 or greater, narrowing its focus but potentially hitting more impactful targets.

Another comparable spell is Ob Nixilis’s Cruelty. Both cards share the exile effect, making them relevant in a metagame filled with recursive threats. Ob Nixilis’s Cruelty brings utility in dealing with any sized creature by doling out -5/-5, which can be beneficial against indestructible threats. However, Epic Downfall boasts a more mana-efficient alternative to exile larger creatures, although it doesn’t provide an answer to smaller ones.

For players valuing precision and cost-efficiency in managing opponents’ battlefields, Epic Downfall may offer a distinct advantage. This card’s targeted exile effect for higher-cost creatures sets it apart from broader removals and fits snugly in strategies that are prepared to handle smaller threats through other means.

Ob Nixilis's Cruelty - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Epic Downfall by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Epic Downfall serves as a one-for-one removal which can effectively deal with your opponent’s key creatures, thus protecting your board state and preserving your hand while impacting theirs.

Resource Acceleration: By removing a crucial creature, it can slow down your opponent’s game plan, providing you an indirect form of resource acceleration as they may need additional turns to rebuild their presence.

Instant Speed: Its ability to exile a creature at instant speed gives you the flexibility to respond to threats during your opponent’s turn, allowing you to better manage your resources while keeping the board clear for your attack phase.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While not directly demanding a discard, the situational use of this card can sometimes cause players to hold onto it longer than desired, effectively being a ‘discarded’ card slot in hand until the perfect target arises.

Specific Mana Cost: Epic Downfall’s strict black mana requirement can prove to be restrictive, often demanding a dedicated mana base or causing strain in multicolored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two black mana, it sits at a somewhat higher bracket for removal spells. In formats where speed is of the essence, this may make it less favorable compared to other lower-cost removal options.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Epic Downfall is a powerful removal option, ideal for dealing with problematic creatures. Its capability to exile target creatures with converted mana cost 3 or greater ensures they don’t come back to haunt your game plan, seamlessly fitting into control or midrange decks that aim to maintain a clear board.

Combo Potential: This card shines in setups that capitalize on opponents’ creatures leaving the field. It may not directly contribute to combos but bolsters strategies that benefit from the absence of opponents’ key creatures, allowing for smoother execution of your win conditions.

Meta-Relevance: Given the persistent presence of formidable creatures in the game, Epic Downfall secures its place as a relevant choice. Its importance grows in environments heavily populated with reanimation strategies or decks that hinge on prominent commanders or creatures, making it a sensible and timely inclusion for competitive play.

How to beat

Epic Downfall, a removal spell in MTG, offers players a targeted exile effect for creatures with converted mana cost 3 or greater. This means it bypasses common indestructible and graveyard-based strategies, making it a robust answer to many of MTG’s formidable creatures. To outmaneuver this card, you must adapt your game plan.

Consider deploying a wider range of creatures with lower converted mana costs, as they will be immune to Epic Downfall’s reach. Utilizing creatures with an array of abilities, such as hexproof or protection from black, can also render Epic Downfall ineffective. Moreover, keeping counterspells or cards that grant your creatures indestructible until the end of the turn can be crucial in shielding them from such targeted removal.

In essence, beating Epic Downfall requires a mix of strategic creature selection and safeguarding key creatures with the appropriate spells. By doing so, you’ll ensure the steadfastness of your board presence against this powerful exile effect, allowing you to maintain the upper hand in your MTG battles.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Epic Downfall MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine, 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 Epic Downfall and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Epic Downfall has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2019-10-04	If a creature on the battlefield has in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0.