Last Breath MTG Card

Last Breath removes creatures, disrupting opponent strategy without losing card quality. Instant speed casting grants flexibility to your game, timing removal precisely. Exiling creatures with Last Breath can synergize with specific deck strategies.

Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
1999-10-04 - Number 27

Shadowmoor (SHM)
2008-05-02 - Number 11

Theros (THS)
2013-09-27 - Number 22

Double Masters 2022 (2X2)
2022-07-08 - Number 15

Card sets	Released in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant

Text of card

Remove target creature with power 2 or less from the game. Its controller gains 4 life.

"The River flows. My soul returns."

Cards like Last Breath

Last Breath stands out in the realm of removal spells in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often compared to other white removal options like Sunlance, which similarly deals 3 damage to a creature, but is restricted to nonwhite creatures. Last Breath, on the other hand, can target any creature with 2 or less power, offering a broader range of utility. Unlike Sunlance, Last Breath can also exile the targeted creature, preventing any death-related abilities from triggering.

Another comparable card is Swords to Plowshares, a classic piece of removal that also exiles. While Swords to Plowshares can exile any creature regardless of power, it does give the creature’s controller life equal to that creature’s power, which can be a significant downside. Last Breath restricts this life gain to a moderate 4 life, a trade-off that can be more palatable in a tight match.

Wrapping up, in the vast arsenal of removal spells in Magic: The Gathering, Last Breath carves a niche for itself by being a versatile and manageable option for dealing with small threats, balancing its exiling capability with a minor boon to the opponent.

Swords to Plowshares - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Last Breath by color, type and mana cost

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Last Breath. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

Name	Format	Archetype	Event
Caw-Gates	Pauper	Caw-Gates	Pauper League 2024-04-01
Azorius Control	Pauper	Azorius Control	Pauper Qualifier 2024-03-02
Cawgate	Pauper	Caw-Gates	Awesome Pauper

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Last Breath may not directly allow you to draw cards, it effectively removes a creature from the field, potentially disrupting your opponent’s plans and preserving your card quality on the board.

Resource Acceleration: Last Breath doesn’t provide traditional mana acceleration, but by eliminating early threats for a low cost, it keeps your resources undisturbed for future game turns. This lets you accelerate into more impactful plays unimpeded.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Last Breath at instant speed gives you the versatility to react in the middle of combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn, maintaining full control over the timing and strategy of your plays.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In the wider pantheon of MTG strategy, the need to discard can be a double-edged sword. While Last Breath doesn’t require a discard itself, when your hand is depleted, having to use it can mean missing out on playing a more impactful spell.

Specific Mana Cost: Last Breath’s white mana cost confines it to white or multicolor decks. Players running decks without white mana may find this card restrictive and unsuitable for their strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Two mana for a removal spell might not seem too steep, but in MTG’s competitive landscape, where efficiency is key, Last Breath’s cost and the limitation of hitting creatures with power 2 or less could be seen as a drawback. Other removal spells might offer greater flexibility or additional benefits for a similar, or even lower, mana investment.

Reasons to Include Last Breath in Your Collection

Versatility: Last Breath is not restricted to a single deck archetype, proving to be a useful tool in both aggressive and control decks. Its ability to exile target creature with 2 or less power offers a straightforward solution to deal with early threats or problematic utility creatures.

Combo Potential: Besides its primary function, Last Breath can be utilized in decks that capitalize on exile effects. It can synergize with cards that track exiled creatures, adding an extra dimension to your overall strategy.

Meta-Relevance: In formats where small creatures make up the bulk of the competitive landscape, Last Breath shines as an efficient removal option. Its relevance can fluctuate with the meta, but having it in your collection means you are always prepared for creature-based strategies that rise in popularity.

How to Beat

Last Breath is a key piece of control in many Magic: The Gathering decks, with the ability to remove pesky creatures with 3 or less power. While it may seem like a straightforward removal spell, understanding the nuances can turn the tide of the game. The spell not only exiles the targeted creature, preventing graveyard-reliant decks from utilizing their resources, but it also provides your opponent with 4 life points which can be a notable drawback in tight matches.

To effectively counter Last Breath, consider utilizing creatures with a power of 4 or greater. This simple tactic takes your key creatures out of its reach. Moreover, employing spells or abilities that grant hexproof or indestructible to your creatures will nullify Last Breath’s effect. Lastly, be mindful of your opponent’s mana; a well-timed play when they are low on white mana could be your window to safely deploy your important threats.

Adapting to the presence of removal spells like Last Breath is crucial, whether by crafting your deck to have resilient threats or by strategizing your plays to outmaneuver your opponent’s attempts to stabilize. Mastery over such interactions will develop your prowess in the game and leave your opponents second-guessing their removal strategies.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Last Breath MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques and Shadowmoor, 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 Last Breath and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Last Breath Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1999-10-04 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1999-10-04	Mercadian Masques	MMQ	27	1997	Normal	Black	DiTerlizzi
2	2008-05-02	Shadowmoor	SHM	11	2003	Normal	Black	Thomas Denmark
3	2013-09-27	Theros	THS	22	2003	Normal	Black	Nils Hamm
4	2022-07-08	Double Masters 2022	2X2	15	2015	Normal	Black	Christina Davis

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Last Breath has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Last Breath card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2013-09-15	If the creature is an illegal target when Last Breath tries to resolve, it won't resolve and none of its effects will happen. Its controller won't gain 4 life.