Exterminate! MTG Card

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Exterminate enables the player to remove a creature from the game and potentially disrupt the opponent’s board presence. This can lead to a significant advantage, as it limits the resources available to your adversary.

Resource Acceleration: By eliminating a key creature, Exterminate can indirectly accelerate your resources. You may save mana on future turns that would have otherwise been spent managing the threat, thereby allowing you to allocate resources elsewhere.

Instant Speed: The power of Exterminate is greatly amplified by its instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to threats at the most opportune moment. This can catch opponents off guard during combat or in response to them committing a crucial spell, ensuring maximum impact and maintaining the element of surprise.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One notable drawback of Exterminate! is the necessity for the caster to discard a card. This condition can be particularly onerous when a player’s hand is nearly empty or if the cards held are critical for maintaining a strategic advantage in the game. Losing card advantage can set a player back, especially in tight situations where every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Exterminate! has the additional limitation of a specific mana cost required for its casting. This often narrows down the types of decks that can efficiently incorporate this card. If your deck doesn’t consistently generate the correct type of mana, including Exterminate! could ultimately hamper your gameplay rather than providing the tactical removal it’s designed for.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher mana cost than some removal options available in the MTG universe, Exterminate! could be deemed less cost-effective. The mana invested in playing Exterminate! could potentially be used for casting multiple spells or deploying more impactful creatures. It is crucial for players to weigh their options and consider whether the card’s cost aligns with their deck’s pace and strategy.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Exterminate! shines in a variety of decks, particularly those that aim to control the board. Its ability to remove creatures from the field makes it an essential spell in both aggressive and defensive strategies.

Combo Potential: This card offers excellent synergy with strategies that take advantage of creature deaths, such as Grave Pact effects or morbid triggers, amplifying its value beyond a simple removal spell.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment populated with formidable creatures, Exterminate! holds its ground by efficiently dealing with major threats. Its presence can tilt the balance in your favor in a creature-centric meta, making it a timely addition to your arsenal.

How to beat

The key to overcoming Exterminate! lies in its inherent requirement for creature targeting, which only occurs if a creature has a +1/+1 counter. Therefore, the most effective strategy is to either avoid using +1/+1 counters altogether or to incorporate creatures that have hexproof or shroud, making them untargetable by such spells. Another viable tactic is to use instant-speed spells that can remove counters or grant your creatures temporary hexproof as a response. This will render Exterminate! useless and can leave your opponent at a disadvantage, having spent their mana and card without affecting the board state.

It’s essential to anticipate and manage the risks associated with Exterminate! when structuring your deck. Embracing this proactive approach will not only protect your creatures from being removed but also maintain your board presence, providing you with a continued pathway towards victory. Being aware of, and ready for, the card’s capabilities allows you to stay one step ahead of your adversary, ensuring that their attempts to disrupt your gameplay are met with calculated resistance and savvy play.