Exclusion Mage MTG Card
2018-07-13 - Number 55
2020-07-17 - Number 153
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
When Exclusion Mage enters the battlefield, return target creature an opponent controls to its owner's hand.
Successful battles start with knowing who's worth fighting.
Cards like Exclusion Mage
The Exclusion Mage card is an intriguing addition to the roster of creature spells within Magic: The Gathering that allow you to control the battlefield by returning opponent’s creatures to their hand. Sharing a common functionality with cards like Man-o’-War, Exclusion Mage gives you the power to disrupt your opponent’s strategy by bouncing their creatures back. Nevertheless, while Man-o’-War brings this effect at a lower converted mana cost, Exclusion Mage has the added benefit of being a human wizard, which can be synergistic in decks that capitalize on those creature types.
Unsummon is another card that offers a similar effect for just a single blue mana. However, it’s only a spell and doesn’t provide a body on the board, making Exclusion Mage a more substantial presence in the game. Among other peers is Venser, Shaper Savant, with a similar yet more versatile effect capable of targeting spells. Although Venser comes at a higher cost and is part of a higher power level, Exclusion Mage remains a competitive choice for its efficiency in creature-focused decks.
Assessing the collection of these cards, Exclusion Mage holds its ground by offering both creature removal and board presence, a combination valuable to MTG players seeking to maintain momentum and control in a game.
Cards similar to Exclusion Mage by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Exclusion Mage is a powerhouse when it comes to maintaining the flow of cards in your hand. The ability to return a creature to your opponent’s hand disrupts their board presence, all while you develop your own with a 2/2 body on the field. This can result in a significant swing in card economy, especially if you target creatures that are token-generated or have entered the battlefield through expensive casting costs.
Resource Acceleration: Though Exclusion Mage doesn’t directly provide resources such as mana or treasures, the card effectively acts as resource acceleration by setting your opponent back. Each time you return a key piece of their strategy, they are forced to use mana to replay it, leading to an indirect form of acceleration for you as you can develop your board unimpeded or keep mana open for other strategic moves.
Instant Speed: While Exclusion Mage itself is cast at sorcery speed, its value in returning an opponent’s creature to their hand can be akin to instant-speed disruption, allowing you to reset the board state when it suits your strategy most. It gives you a tempo advantage, as you reinforce your battlefield at a crucial point in the game and potentially leave mana open for other immediate reactions on your opponent’s turn thereafter.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Exclusion Mage doesn’t necessitate a discard from a player’s hand, which for some strategies could be seen as a missed opportunity for synergy with decks that benefit from discarding cards.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost demands both generic and blue mana, making it slightly less flexible for inclusion in multicolor decks where mana consistency is critical.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Exclusion Mage may be considered costly for its bounce effect, especially when stacked against other creatures that offer similar abilities at a lower mana value or with additional benefits.
Reasons to Include Exclusion Mage in Your Collection
Versatility: Exclusion Mage offers a unique advantage by fitting seamlessly into a variety of blue-based decks. Its capability to return an opponent’s creature to their hand can disrupt their board presence and tempo, making it a valuable addition to control and tempo strategies alike.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies that capitalize on enter-the-battlefield (ETB) effects. By combining Exclusion Mage with cards that allow you to recast or bounce your own creatures, you can create powerful repelling effects to gain advantage over the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta swarming with aggressive creature strategies, Exclusion Mage stands as a formidable guardian. Its potential to remove key pieces from the battlefield can shift the tide of the game, making it a timely asset in matches that rely heavily on maintaining a dominant board state.
How to beat
Exclusion Mage is a notable utility creature in Magic: The Gathering. Its strength lies in its ability to return a target creature an opponent controls to its owner’s hand when it enters the battlefield. This can be disruptive to your opponent’s board presence and delay their strategy, but it’s not unbeatable.
To effectively counter Exclusion Mage, consider playing cards with hexproof to shield your creatures from being targeted. Alternatively, cards that enter the battlefield with a creature token can minimize the impact of the bounce effect. Playing instant-speed removal in response to the Mage’s ability will also negate its board reset utility. Lastly, cards that capitalize on being returned to hand or have beneficial effects upon being replayed can turn Exclusion Mage’s ability into an advantage for you instead of a setback.
Despite its potential to upset your plans, being prepared for Exclusion Mage’s play pattern will allow you to maintain tempo and mitigate its disruptive ability, ensuring your path to victory remains clear.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Exclusion Mage MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019 and Jumpstart, 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 Exclusion Mage 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
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Printings
The Exclusion Mage Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-07-13 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Chris Seaman.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 | M19 | 55 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Seaman | |
| 2 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 153 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Seaman |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Exclusion Mage has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |