Ironwright's Cleansing MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Released | 2016-07-22 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Eldritch Moon |
| Set code | EMN |
| Number | 32 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | John Stanko |
Text of card
Exile target artifact or enchantment.
"Impurities must be pounded out."
Cards like Ironwright's Cleansing
Ironwright’s Cleansing takes its place in the pantheon of removal spells in Magic: The Gathering, offering a unique spin on artifact and enchantment control. Its closest kin on the battlefield might be the esteemed Disenchant, a straightforward solution for dealing with troublesome non-creature permanents. While Disenchant’s strength lies in its lower cost and instant speed, Ironwright’s Cleansing brings a new layer to the strategy, with its additional Exile clause preventing any recurring shenanigans.
Another comparable sentinel is Naturalize, which holds the line at the same mana value as Ironwright’s Cleansing, yet it trades Exile for Destruction. This difference might determine the outcome when facing graveyard-centric decks. Meanwhile, cards like Forsake the Worldly cost more but echo Ironwright’s Exile effect, adding Cycling to their arsenal, allowing for deck filtering when a removal is not immediate.
Evaluating the diverse options reveals that Ironwright’s Cleansing situates itself comfortably among MTG’s removal suite. It stands out particularly where Exile is pivotal to maintaining board superiority against indestructible or regenerative threats.
Cards similar to Ironwright's Cleansing by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ironwright’s Cleansing offers an efficient way to remove artifacts and enchantments while providing the option to draw a card, ensuring that you maintain card velocity and potentially outpace your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: The versatility in its casting cost includes an alternate artifact or enchantment sacrifice, which can be strategically used for resource acceleration by converting nonessential permanents into immediate value or to fuel synergistic effects within your deck.
Instant Speed: As an instant, Ironwright’s Cleansing can be cast at any time, providing the flexibility to respond to threats on the battlefield or to surprise an unprepared opponent, making it a strategically powerful tool during the heat of battle.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Ironwright’s Cleansing comes with a downside; to cast it, you need to discard another card. In scenarios where your hand is already depleted, this requirement can put you at a further disadvantage by forcing you to make tough decisions on what to keep and what to throw away.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Ironwright’s Cleansing is not just any mana, but it demands two specific white mana. This restricts the versatility of the card by making it less compatible with multi-color decks that may struggle to consistently provide the necessary white mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including the stringent two white mana, Ironwright’s Cleansing sits at a higher bracket for its cleansing effect compared to other similar spells. Players often seek lower cost options for similar effects to maintain tempo and efficiency during gameplay, making the mana investment for Ironwright’s Cleansing a point of consideration before including it in your deck.
Reasons to Include Ironwright’s Cleansing in Your Collection
Versatility: Ironwright’s Cleansing offers a flexible answer to artifacts and enchantments, which are common in many game formats. Its ability to be cycled makes it a useful card even when specific removal isn’t necessary.
Combo Potential: This card can play a crucial role in decks that capitalize on cycling or discard mechanics. Pairing it with cards that benefit from cycling can create powerful synergies and unexpected combo opportunities.
Meta-Relevance: With a constantly evolving MTG meta, having accessible options for removal is pivotal. Ironwright’s Cleansing can adapt to a range of decks, making it a timeless addition that can pivot to counter prevalent threats in the competitive scene.
How to beat
Ironwright’s Cleansing is a card that presents a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering. This particular card deals with enchantments and artifacts, enabling players to clear the board of these permanents swiftly. Understanding the dynamic this card introduces to the game is crucial for formulating an effective counterstrategy. One approach to beat Ironwright’s Cleansing involves timing the casting of your critical artifacts and enchantments. Players should wait until they have either a counterspell ready to intercept the Cleansing or until the opponent is out of mana and unable to cast it.
Another tactic is diversifying the threats on your battlefield. Instead of relying heavily on enchantments and artifacts, constructing a deck with a balanced array of creature spells can dilute the impact of Ironwright’s Cleansing. Creatures remain unaffected by its cleansing fire, maintaining your board presence despite the sweep. Additionally, incorporating instant-speed spells or abilities that can regenerate or protect your key permanents from being destroyed could counteract the Cleansing’s effect. This pushes the opponent to think twice before wiping out your artifacts and enchantments.
Focusing on these strategies can significantly diminish the power of Ironwright’s Cleansing in a match, ensuring that you maintain control of the game and edge closer to victory against opponents who depend on it.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ironwright's Cleansing MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon, 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 Ironwright's Cleansing 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ironwright's Cleansing has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |