Excoriate MTG Card
2014-02-07 - Number 10
2017-06-16 - Number 5
2019-11-07 - Number 99
2020-09-26 - Number E01-5
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Exile target tapped creature.
The demon had flown past the reach of Erebos's whip but not the point of the sun god's spear.
Cards like Excoriate
Excoriate carves its niche in the realm of creature removal spells in MTG. Sharing common ground with the likes of Pacifism, Excoriate also neutralizes threats by preventing the target creature from doing further harm. While Pacifism is an enchantment that allows the creature to remain on the battlefield, albeit inactive, Excoriate takes a more direct approach, exiling the creature only if it’s tapped.
Comparatively, we have Swords to Plowshares, a spell celebrated for its efficiency. It exiles any target creature at a lower cost and without the prerequisite of it being tapped, plus the exiled creature’s controller gains life equal to its power. Condemn is another card that offers a similar outcome but focuses on targeting attacking creatures, thereby putting it into the deck’s library rather than exiling. This difference could be pivotal in a game where your opponent relies on retrieving cards from the graveyard.
In essence, when evaluating removal options, Excoriate offers a specific form of control that situates it between the various conditional and unconditional removal spells available in Magic: The Gathering, marked by its unique requirement of dealing with tapped creatures.]]>
Cards similar to Excoriate by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Excoriate excels at removing threats, allowing you to maintain a strategic upper hand. While it doesn’t let you draw cards, the elimination of a creature can equate to card advantage by negating your opponent’s previously spent resources.
Resource Acceleration: Although Excoriate doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, by removing a blocker it can potentially clear the way for your creatures to get through and deal damage, indirectly contributing to potential resource gains through combat success.
Instant Speed: Excoriate operates at sorcery speed, allowing for strategic planning during your main phase. While not an instant, understanding its timing is crucial to maximize its potential, creating opportunities to remove key threats before they can impact the game further.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One notable drawback of Excoriate is that it doesn’t necessitate a discard, but it does have a specific requirement that the targeted creature must be tapped to be exiled. This means the card is conditionally effective and might linger in your hand until an opponent’s creature becomes tapped.
Specific Mana Cost: Excoriate requires a precise mana configuration to cast—three generic and one white mana. This can present a challenge in multicolored decks that may struggle with generating the necessary white mana on demand.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of four, Excoriate’s exile effect could be considered costly, especially when comparing it with other removal spells that might offer a lower mana cost or additional flexibility. Given the pace of many matches, the card’s cost efficiency can be a deterrent to including it in a deck.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Excoriate boasts the flexibility to be included in various white-based decks, offering reliable removal that can shift the tide of battle. Its ability to take out tapped creatures ensures that it fits perfectly not only in control strategies but also in more aggressive builds that need to clear the way for their attackers.
Combo Potential: As a piece of a puzzle in a synergistic deck, Excoriate can work wonders. It pairs effortlessly with tap-down effects, enabling you to neutralize potential blockers or threats consistently. This synergistic approach can significantly enhance the efficacy of your control mechanisms.
Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment where creature-based strategies are prevalent, having access to spot removal like Excoriate can be crucial. It targets the common threat of tapped creatures—an occurrence that’s almost guaranteed in every match—making it a staple sideboard card when facing decks that rely heavily on combat tricks or creatures that must attack each turn.
How to beat
Excoriate, a notable removal spell in Magic: The Gathering, presents a challenge with its ability to exile tapped creatures. Directly comparable to other removal spells like Swords to Plowshares, Excoriate stands out by requiring the target creature to be tapped. This limitation may seem constraining, but it’s also what defines the tactical approach needed when facing it.
To successfully navigate against Excoriate, prioritize keeping crucial creatures untapped, especially if your opponent has mana available for casting it. Additionally, instants that can untap your creatures, such as Twiddle or Act of Treason, which can temporarily take control and utilize an opponent’s creature itself, become valuable in this scenario.
Reflecting on these strategies, it’s evident that while Excoriate is a force to be reckoned with, its full potential is kept in check by maintaining vigilance over the tapped status of your creatures, thus allowing for decisive plays and maintaining control over the battlefield dynamics.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Excoriate MTG card by a specific set like Born of the Gods and Archenemy: Nicol Bolas, 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 Excoriate 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 Excoriate Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2014-02-07 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Johann Bodin.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014-02-07 | Born of the Gods | BNG | 10 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin | |
| 2 | 2017-06-16 | Archenemy: Nicol Bolas | E01 | 5 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 99 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | E01-5 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Excoriate has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |