Pacifism MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 36 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant

Key Takeaways

  1. Pacifism allows efficient mana allocation by neutralizing creatures without spending additional resources.
  2. As an enchantment, it sets the stage for instant-speed plays, retaining mana for other strategies.
  3. While effective, its specific mana requirement and two-mana cost may limit flexibility.

Text of card

Enchanted creature cannot attack or block.

For the first time in his life, Grakk felt a little warm and fuzzy inside.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Pacifism is a classic example of removing threats without having to trade cards. While not providing direct draw, it essentially nullifies an opponent’s creature, counting as a virtual card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Rather than offering traditional mana ramp, Pacifism aids in resource acceleration by allowing you to allocate your mana more efficiently. You can focus your resources on other strategies rather than spending them on dealing with an opponent’s creature outright.

Instant Speed: While Pacifism itself is an enchantment played at sorcery speed, it is often a setup for instant-speed plays. By neutralizing a threat, you’re able to keep mana open for additional responses during the opponent’s turn or at the end of their turn.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Pacifism includes a specific color requirement of one white mana, potentially restricting its integration in multi-colored decks or those with a limited white mana base.

Discard Requirement: While Pacifism does not have a discard requirement itself, it can trigger a need to discard other cards due to hand size limits after drawing excessive amounts of cards, especially in control-based decks looking to maintain card advantage.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When assessed against other removal options, Pacifism’s two-mana cost might be inefficient in fast-paced games where cheaper alternate spells could be more effective at managing threats on the battlefield.


Reasons to Include Pacifism in Your Collection

Versatility: Pacifism is a classic piece of the puzzle that slots into multiple deck archetypes. Its simple yet effective ability to neutralize a key creature without removing it outright gives you control without inciting hostility during multiplayer games.

Combo Potential: This enchantment synergizes with cards that benefit from enchantments or target incapacitated creatures. By combining Pacifism with sacrifice effects or enchantment synergies, players can craft clever strategies to gain advantage.

Meta-Relevance: In environments with dominant creature-based strategies, Pacifism shines by taking high-priority threats out of the equation. Its relevance in altering the battlefield dynamics makes it a mainstay in many sideboards and tailored meta decks.


How to beat

Pacifism is a well-known enchantment that has long-established its place in the arsenal of control strategies in MTG. As a card that can neutralize the threat of a powerful creature without removing it from the battlefield, its impact is clear. Its ability to shut down attackers and blockers alike makes it a simple yet effective tool for slowing down your opponent’s game plan.

To overcome the hindrance posed by Pacifism, players can employ various strategies. One of the most straightforward is enchantment removal. Spells like Naturalize or Disenchant can directly target and destroy Pacifism, freeing your creature to rejoin the fray. In green and white decks, these spells are common and efficient answers. Another tactic is to use bounce spells such as Unsummon to return the affected creature to your hand, thereby removing the enchantment indirectly. This can be a temporary setback, but it also provides an opportunity to replay the creature and use it again.

Lastly, considering the card’s limitations is key. Pacifism does not prevent activated or triggered abilities, meaning creatures with utility beyond combat can still be valuable even when pacified. Assessing when to play around Pacifism and when to aggressively remove it will significantly influence the outcome of your match against this classic MTG card.


BurnMana Recommendations

With its dual nature as both an obstacle and an opportunity, Pacifism remains a classic control card that should be on every MTG player’s radar. Its ability to negate a creature’s combat roles can be a game-changer, shifting the tide of battle in your favor. Whether used as a standalone measure or as part of a synergistic setup to outmaneuver opponents, it’s a card that prompts savvy deck construction and strategic foresight. To fully harness its potential and circumvent its constraints, join us to delve deeper into tactics, deck compatibility, and alternative solutions that make Pacifism a unique piece in every collection.


Cards like Pacifism

Pacifism is a classic control spell in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, known for its straightforward ability to neutralize opponents’ creatures without destroying them. A close comparator is Arrest, which also stifles a creature’s power to attack or block. Yet Arrest goes further, preventing the abilities of the subdued creature from being activated, offering a slightly higher level of control at the cost of an additional mana.

Another card worth mentioning is Claustrophobia. Like Pacifism, Claustrophobia effectively takes a creature out of combat by tapping it and preventing it from untapping during its controller’s untap step. Although confined to blue mana, Claustrophobia can be considered a parallel in blue decks to Pacifism’s white mana control.

Assessing the range of creature control spells in Magic: The Gathering highlights Pacifism’s enduring popularity. It strikes a balance between cost and effect that makes it a consistent choice for players seeking to pacify without triggering abilities that respond to creature destruction.

Arrest - MTG Card versions
Claustrophobia - MTG Card versions
Arrest - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Claustrophobia - Innistrad (ISD)

Cards similar to Pacifism by color, type and mana cost

Blessing - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: White - MTG Card versions
Island Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Crusade - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Blue - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Artifacts - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Red - MTG Card versions
Energy Storm - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Black - MTG Card versions
Ward of Lights - MTG Card versions
Gossamer Chains - MTG Card versions
I'm Rubber, You're Glue - MTG Card versions
Absolute Grace - MTG Card versions
Seal of Cleansing - MTG Card versions
Absolute Law - MTG Card versions
Sacred Ground - MTG Card versions
Earnest Fellowship - MTG Card versions
Hypochondria - MTG Card versions
Soulcatchers' Aerie - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Green - MTG Card versions
Blessing - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Circle of Protection: White - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Island Sanctuary - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Crusade - Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Tezzeret (DDF)
Circle of Protection: Blue - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Circle of Protection: Artifacts - Renaissance (REN)
Circle of Protection: Red - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Energy Storm - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Circle of Protection: Black - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Ward of Lights - Mirage (MIR)
Gossamer Chains - Visions (VIS)
I'm Rubber, You're Glue - Unglued (UGL)
Absolute Grace - Urza's Saga (USG)
Seal of Cleansing - World Championship Decks 2000 (WC00)
Absolute Law - World Championship Decks 2000 (WC00)
Sacred Ground - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Earnest Fellowship - Odyssey (ODY)
Hypochondria - Torment (TOR)
Soulcatchers' Aerie - Judgment (JUD)
Circle of Protection: Green - Eighth Edition (8ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pacifism MTG card by a specific set like Mirage and Tempest, 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 Pacifism and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Pacifism Magic the Gathering card was released in 31 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by 8 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11996-10-08MirageMIR 321997normalblackRobert Bliss
21997-10-14TempestTMP 341997normalblackAdam Rex
31998-10-12Urza's SagaUSG 271997normalblackRandy Gallegos
41999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 331997normalwhiteRobert Bliss
51999-11-12Battle Royale Box SetBRB 481997normalwhiteRobert Bliss
62001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 291997normalwhiteEric Peterson
72001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 29★1997normalblackEric Peterson
82002-10-07OnslaughtONS 471997normalblackMatthew D. Wilson
92003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 33★2003normalblackRobert Bliss
102003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 332003normalwhiteRobert Bliss
112004-09-01World Championship Decks 2004WC04 gn33sb2003normalgoldRobert Bliss
122005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 312003normalwhiteRobert Bliss
132005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 31★2003normalblackRobert Bliss
142005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL G532003normalwhiteRobert Bliss
152005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL G422003normalwhiteRobert Bliss
162007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 31★2003normalblackRobert Bliss
172007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 312003normalblackRobert Bliss
182009-04-10Duel Decks: Divine vs. DemonicDDC 172003normalblackMatthew D. Wilson
192009-07-17Magic 2010M10 222003normalblackRobert Bliss
202010-07-16Magic 2011M11 232003normalblackRobert Bliss
212011-07-15Magic 2012M12 282003normalblackRobert Bliss
222012-07-13Magic 2013M13 242003normalblackRobert Bliss
232013-07-19Magic 2014M14 252003normalblackRobert Bliss
242014-12-05Duel Decks Anthology: Divine vs. DemonicDVD 172015normalblackMatthew D. Wilson
252015-03-27Dragons of TarkirDTK 292015normalblackMark Zug
262015-05-06Tempest RemasteredTPR 222015normalblackAdam Rex
272016-06-10Eternal MastersEMA 232015normalblackRobert Bliss
282018-03-16Masters 25A25 282015normalblackRobert Bliss
292018-06-08BattlebondBBD 1012015normalblackRobert Bliss
302019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 322015normalblackJesper Ejsing
312019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 1912015normalblackJesper Ejsing
322020-04-24Ikoria: Lair of BehemothsIKO 252015normalblackKev Walker
332020-07-17JumpstartJMP 1252015normalblackJesper Ejsing
342020-08-13Arena Beginner SetANB 162015normalblackJesper Ejsing
352020-09-26The ListPLST M20-322015normalblackJesper Ejsing
362023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 192015normalblackEric Peterson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pacifism has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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