Final Judgment MTG Card
2005-02-04 - Number 4
2020-09-26 - Number BOK-4
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Remove all creatures from the game.
"The clashing warriors turned to face O-Kagachi, the greatest kami, and their sigh of awe was their last breath." —*Great Battles of Kamigawa*
Cards like Final Judgment
Final Judgment stands out as a unique board clear option within Magic: The Gathering. It sits alongside other powerful removal spells such as Wrath of God or Damnation, which also serve to reset the battlefield. What sets Final Judgment apart is its capacity to exile all creatures rather than simply destroy them. This bypasses indestructible abilities and nullifies potential reanimation tactics, something that Wrath of God and Damnation can’t circumvent.
Another closely related spell is Merciless Eviction, which also exiles, yet it grants more control by offering a choice between different types of permanents to be exiled. Although it’s more flexible, Merciless Eviction comes with a higher mana cost and lacks the singular focus on creatures that Final Judgment offers. Finally, Day of Judgment is a more cost-efficient creature removal, but without the exile component, it leaves the door open for potential graveyard strategies which Final Judgment firmly closes.
When evaluating these cards on the axis of creature elimination, Final Judgment provides a definitive answer against decks that capitalize on indestructible creatures or those that benefit from graveyard interactions, making it a worthy consideration for players looking to fortify their control strategies in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Final Judgment by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Final Judgment provides a sweeping solution to clear the battlefield of creatures, setting up the potential for significant card advantage. By removing all creatures, you can regain control even if you’re facing an overwhelming board state from your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources, the mass removal Final Judgment offers can indirectly accelerate your game plan. By resetting the board, it effectively buys time for you to deploy your resources and strategies without the pressure of opposing creatures.
Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Final Judgment can’t be cast at instant speed, but it compensates with its thorough effect. Unlike some removal spells that operate on a smaller scale or with conditions, the decisive nature of this card can equate to the tactical advantage often provided by instant speed interactions, making it a strategic play during your turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One critical hurdle players face with Final Judgment is its requirement for a card discard upon casting. This can often put you at a disadvantage, especially when your hand is already depleted, making it essential to judiciously consider your card economy before playing.
Specific Mana Cost: Final Judgment demands a heavy white mana commitment, which can be restrictive. This specificity necessitates a deck heavily skewed towards white mana sources, potentially limiting the card’s inclusion to mono-white or two-color builds where white is predominant.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment of six mana for a board wipe is significant, particularly when other lower-cost options might be available. While Final Judgment offers the robust ability to exile creatures, ensuring they don’t return from the graveyard, its higher mana cost requires players to wait longer to clear the board, which could be detrimental in fast-paced games.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Final Judgment offers a unique solution for players dealing with troubling creatures. Its ability to remove all creatures from the game dodges indestructibility and regeneration, making it a suitable choice for a variety of control and combo decks.
Combo Potential: This card can synergize with graveyard strategies by ensuring that creatures do not end up in the graveyard, thus preventing opponents from reanimating them. Additionally, it can be a setup for cards that benefit from having a clear board or for those that count the number of cards exiled.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based decks are dominant, Final Judgment serves as a perfect reset button. Its ability to exile can be crucial against decks that rely on their creatures’ abilities to return to the battlefield or utilize graveyard synergies.
How to beat
Final Judgment is a powerful card in Magic: The Gathering that can have a significant impact on the game by exiling all creatures. This sweeping effect can reset the board and change the course of play, putting control decks at an advantage. To effectively counteract Final Judgment, players must adopt strategies that minimize the card’s impact. Deploying creatures with hexproof can render them immune to being exiled by such spells. Alternatively, playing cards that regenerate or return creatures from the graveyard to the hand or battlefield can quickly replenish your army after a board clear.
Another practical approach is to prioritize playing noncreature spells or creatures that leave tokens or other benefits when they leave the battlefield. Timing is also critical; you might want to bait out a Final Judgment with less impactful creatures before playing your stronger ones. In a bigger picture, playstyles that emphasize spells, enchantments, or planeswalkers instead of creature-heavy strategies can naturally diminish the effectiveness of Final Judgment, ensuring you maintain pressure on the battlefield despite mass removal tactics employed by your opponent.
Ultimately, while Final Judgment can turn the tide of a match, strategic deck-building and thoughtful in-game decisions can help players anticipate, circumvent, and recover from the potentially devastating effects of this MTG card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Final Judgment MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers of Kamigawa and The List, 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 Final Judgment 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 Final Judgment Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2005-02-04 and 2005-02-04. Illustrated by Kev Walker.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2005-02-04 | Betrayers of Kamigawa | BOK | 4 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 2 | The List | PLST | BOK-4 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Final Judgment has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |