Lay Down Arms MTG Card


Gives an edge by disrupting opponent’s board without losing your own creatures. Can maintain tempo and board progression by negating threats efficiently. Requires white mana, making it a strategic choice especially in a white-focused deck.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Exile target creature with mana value less than or equal to the number of Plains you control. Its controller gains 3 life.

She'll swing a blade all her life, but never again for war.


Cards like Lay Down Arms

Lay Down Arms introduces a tactical shift in creature control within the realm of Magic: The Gathering. It stands shoulder to shoulder with similar cards such as Impeccable Timing which also deals with creatures during combat. However, Lay Down Arms brings to the table an unconditional dismissal, exiling the target creature if its power is 4 or greater, without needing to engage it in battle first.

Another card worthy of discussion is Gideon’s Reproach. This card, much like Impeccable Timing, does damage to a creature engaged in combat. Yet again, Lay Down Arms doesn’t wait for the clash of combat to settle the score. Swords to Plowshares is a classic comparison; it also exiles any creature at an even lower cost, but with the drawback of giving the creature’s controller life equal to its power, a significant downside Lay Down Arms avoids.

To wrap up, Lay Down Arms holds a distinct position among creature removal spells in Magic: The Gathering. Its preemptive strike capability without the need for battle and without the life gain benefit to the opponent gives it a unique edge in player arsenals for controlling the battlefield.

Impeccable Timing - MTG Card versions
Gideon's Reproach - MTG Card versions
Swords to Plowshares - MTG Card versions
Impeccable Timing - MTG Card versions
Gideon's Reproach - MTG Card versions
Swords to Plowshares - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Lay Down Arms by color, type and mana cost

Visions - MTG Card versions
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False Peace - MTG Card versions
Festival of Trokin - MTG Card versions
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Benediction of Moons - MTG Card versions
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Alliance of Arms - MTG Card versions
Wake the Reflections - MTG Card versions
Launch the Fleet - MTG Card versions
Chaplain's Blessing - MTG Card versions
Fragmentize - MTG Card versions
Visions - MTG Card versions
Prophecy - MTG Card versions
False Peace - MTG Card versions
Festival of Trokin - MTG Card versions
Prismatic Wardrobe - MTG Card versions
Empty City Ruse - MTG Card versions
Peach Garden Oath - MTG Card versions
Divine Light - MTG Card versions
Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions
Ritual of Restoration - MTG Card versions
Steelshaper's Gift - MTG Card versions
Benediction of Moons - MTG Card versions
Gaze of Justice - MTG Card versions
Sunlance - MTG Card versions
Oust - MTG Card versions
Alliance of Arms - MTG Card versions
Wake the Reflections - MTG Card versions
Launch the Fleet - MTG Card versions
Chaplain's Blessing - MTG Card versions
Fragmentize - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-White PoisonMono-White Poison StandardMono-White PoisonTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: May 20, 2024
Azorius ControlAzorius Control PioneerAzorius ControlPioneer League 2024-04-09
Mono-White MidrangeMono-White Midrange PioneerMono-White MidrangePioneer League 2024-04-02
Mono-White TokensMono-White Tokens StandardMono-White TokensTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: May 6, 2024
Orzhov MidrangeOrzhov Midrange StandardOrzhov MidrangeTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 22, 2024
WW ModernModern Challenge 32 2024-05-02
Bant ControlBant Control StandardBant ControlPro Tour Thunder Junction
Azorius SoldiersAzorius Soldiers StandardAzorius SoldiersTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 22, 2024
WGWG StandardStandard League 2024-04-22
Abzan MidrangeAbzan Midrange ExplorerThe Pizza Box Open: Explorer

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When resolving Lay Down Arms, you’re effectively removing a creature from your opponent’s board. This potentially swings the balance in card advantage towards you, as you’re using one card to nullify an opponent’s threat without losing a creature in combat.

Resource Acceleration: While Lay Down Arms doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration in the form of additional lands or mana abilities, efficiently handling threats can keep your mana open for other game actions. By using Lay Down Arms at a critical moment, you maintain tempo, potentially allowing you to progress your board state more rapidly than your opponent.

Instant Speed: The instant speed of Lay Down Arms offers the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s strategy during their turn. This timely interruption can give you a significant strategic advantage, especially if it prevents key combat interactions or disrupts synergies reliant on the targeted creature.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Lay Down Arms has no discard requirement, thus retaining your hand strength and avoiding a cost that could set you back, especially during moments when card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Lay Down Arms necessitates white mana, which could potentially restrict its integration into multi-color decks that might not always have the right mana available when it’s most needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that’s more on the expensive side for its effect, there might be times when playing Lay Down Arms could slow your momentum, potentially opening opportunities for your opponent to obtain an advantage.


Reasons to Include Lay Down Arms in Your Collection

Versatility: Lay Down Arms is a handy spell to have in your arsenal due to its broad utility. It can fit seamlessly into various decks including control and tempo formats where removing creatures is key to maintaining the upper hand.

Combo Potential: As a spell with the ability to neutralize a wide array of creatures, Lay Down Arms can be an essential part of combos that clear the board or need to deal with resilient creatures, allowing for smoother execution of your strategy.

Meta-Relevance: Given its efficient cost and effect, Lay Down Arms remains relevant in a constantly shifting meta, particularly in environments where creature-based decks are prevalent, granting you a significant tactical advantage.


How to beat

Lay Down Arms offers a unique challenge on the battlefield of Magic: The Gathering. This card commands respect due to its ability to neutralize the most formidable creatures by removing all their abilities and reducing their power and toughness to 1/1. A key strategy to overcome this potent spell involves maintaining a diverse array of threats in your arsenal. By presenting multiple targets, you diffuse the impact of a single Lay Down Arms cast, as your opponent can only target one creature at a time.

Alternatively, be prepared with counterspells to intercept Lay Down Arms before it diminishes your creature’s prowess. It’s crucial to consider the mana investment needed for such defenses, ensuring you still have enough resources to advance your board state despite your opponent’s attempts to hinder your progress. Lastly, having a plethora of low-cost, high-impact creatures can also lessen the setback caused by Lay Down Arms. These creatures require less investment and therefore represent a smaller loss if transformed into a 1/1, allowing you to maintain an offensive stance in the game.

Employing these tactics forms a comprehensive approach to outmaneuvering an opponent’s Lay Down Arms, enabling players to maintain control and vie for victory in the multifaceted environment of Magic: The Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring Lay Down Arms can significantly influence your in-game decisions, bolstering your defensive tactics and tempo control. As this card ascends in popularity and sees play across various formats, it’s vital to recognize how it can tip the scales in your favor. Discovering the optimal moments for its deployment and synergies within your deck could be the difference between defeat and a masterful win. The MTG landscape is rich with strategies, and knowledge is the key to unlocking its full potential. Dive deeper with us into the intricacies of effective creature removal and enhance your command of the battlefield. Learn more and perfect your deck’s strategy to safeguard your victories against any challenge.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lay Down Arms MTG card by a specific set like The Brothers' War and The Brothers' War, 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 Lay Down Arms and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Lay Down Arms Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-11-18 and 2022-11-18. Illustrated by Liiga Smilshkalne.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-11-18The Brothers' WarBRO 3802015NormalBlackLiiga Smilshkalne
22022-11-18The Brothers' WarBRO 112015NormalBlackLiiga Smilshkalne

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lay Down Arms has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal