Unlicensed Disintegration MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Unlicensed Disintegration offers valuable removal plus damage if you control an artifact, elevating gameplay strategy.
  2. As an instant, it affords crucial timing flexibility, creating opportunities to disrupt opponent tactics.
  3. Highly adaptable, the card is a strong consideration for decks focusing on controlling the game state.

Text of card

Destroy target creature. If you control an artifact, Unlicensed Disintegration deals 3 damage to that creature's controller.

"I'd stand back if I were you."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Unlicensed Disintegration not only eliminates a troublesome creature on the battlefield but also deals 3 damage to the creature’s controller if you control an artifact. This dual-effect offers a swing in card economy, potentially removing an opponent’s key piece while also chipping away at their life total without costing you any additional cards.

Resource Acceleration: Although Unlicensed Disintegration does not directly generate mana or accelerate resources, efficiently using three mana to handle both a creature and deal damage can allow you to maintain pace without falling behind. It effectively removes a potential blocker or attacker, indirectly contributing to your resource narrative by keeping the board clear for your strategies.

Instant Speed: The power to act at instant speed cannot be overstated. Unlicensed Disintegration grants you the flexibility to respond to threats or opponent’s actions during their turn, which can protect your own strategy or disrupt theirs with pinpoint timing. Such versatility in when you can play your cards is a crucial element in gaining and maintaining supremacy on the board.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Unlicensed Disintegration does not have a discard requirement, it’s important for players to consider their hand content before playing removal spells. Running out of options can prove to be a strategic disadvantage later on.

Specific Mana Cost: Unlicensed Disintegration’s casting cost includes black and red mana, which necessitates a commitment to a specific color pair. This can restrict its integration into a variety of decks, particularly those that don’t run a Rakdos (black-red) mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The three-mana cost, featuring both colored and generic mana, may seem steep when compared to other removal spells in MTG. Competing cards may offer similar effects at a lower total cost or provide additional flexibility, potentially making them more appealing choices for deck builders aiming for efficiency.


Reasons to Include Unlicensed Disintegration in Your Collection

Versatility: Unlicensed Disintegration stands out for its ability to fit seamlessly into multiple deck archetypes, particularly those that capitalize on efficient removal spells. With its ability to destroy a creature and potentially deal damage to that creature’s controller, it’s a solid choice in decks that aim to control the board while chipping away at the opponent’s life total.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize well with strategies that involve creature sacrifice or artifact themes. When combined with cards that benefit from creatures dying or dealing direct damage, Unlicensed Disintegration can serve as a pivotal play that turns the tide of the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: Considering its cost-effectiveness and impact on the board state, Unlicensed Disintegration is particularly useful in metas dominated by creature-based strategies. It’s a menace against decks that rely on key creatures to execute their game plan, making it a tactical addition to any collection that aims to stay competitive.


How to beat

Unlicensed Disintegration presents a dual threat in MTG as it not only destroys a creature but also deals direct damage to the creature’s controller if you control an artifact. This makes it a formidable card, particularly in strategies that are heavy on artifacts. To effectively counter it, you need to address both aspects of the card.

Firstly, increasing your creature’s resilience is key. Cards that grant indestructibility or those that can counter a targeted spell help preserve your board. Consider using spells like Heroic Intervention to protect your creatures, or Negate to counter Unlicensed Disintegration outright. Additionally, managing your opponent’s artifact presence reduces the spell’s impact by removing the direct damage component. Naturalize and other artifact removal spells can systematically dismantle their artifact base.

In summary, a robust defense against Unlicensed Disintegration involves a strategy that balances protecting your creatures, countering destructive spells, and limiting the opponent’s artifact advantages. By doing so, you can mitigate the damage and maintain control over the game state.


BurnMana Recommendations

The path to mastery in MTG is lined with cards that blend power and precision, and Unlicensed Disintegration exemplifies such balance. This card stands as a fierce contender in any spell arsenal, striking fear with its creature-targeting destruction and potential for direct damage. It shines in decks pairing artifact synergy with tactical removal, giving players an upper hand in controlling the board. As we dissect its pros, cons, and strategic uses, consider the value it can add to your collection. Enhance your gameplay and navigate the metagame with confidence. Dive deeper with us and refine your strategy for your next victorious clash.


Cards like Unlicensed Disintegration

Unlicensed Disintegration is a notable choice for removal in Magic: The Gathering, sharing a parallel function with Murder. Both cards allow their caster to destroy a creature at instant speed. Unlicensed Disintegration stands out because it offers an additional advantage: if you control an artifact, it also deals 3 damage to that creature’s controller.

Comparatively, Dreadbore presents another alternative by handling not only creatures but planeswalkers as well. However, its sorcery speed renders it less flexible in a tight spot. Terminate is another comparable card that extinguishes creatures without regeneration, yet lacks the potential to inflict direct damage to an opponent.

Assessing these options, Unlicensed Disinstallation holds a strong position among creature removal spells in Magic: The Gathering. It provides a dual-purpose threat, by not only clearing a menacing creature from the board but also chipping away at the opponent’s life total—potentially turning the tide of a game with its additional burn capability.

Murder - MTG Card versions
Dreadbore - MTG Card versions
Terminate - MTG Card versions
Murder - Magic 2013 (M13)
Dreadbore - Return to Ravnica (RTR)
Terminate - Planeshift (PLS)

Cards similar to Unlicensed Disintegration by color, type and mana cost

Fire Covenant - MTG Card versions
Delirium - MTG Card versions
Spontaneous Combustion - MTG Card versions
Backlash - MTG Card versions
Kolaghan's Command - MTG Card versions
Strangling Soot - MTG Card versions
Fires of Undeath - MTG Card versions
Auger Spree - MTG Card versions
Showstopper - MTG Card versions
Bedevil - MTG Card versions
Warhost's Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Fire Covenant - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Delirium - Mirage (MIR)
Spontaneous Combustion - Conspiracy (CNS)
Backlash - Invasion (INV)
Kolaghan's Command - Double Masters 2022 (2X2)
Strangling Soot - Time Spiral Remastered (TSR)
Fires of Undeath - Dark Ascension (DKA)
Auger Spree - Double Masters 2022 (2X2)
Showstopper - Dragon's Maze (DGM)
Bedevil - The Brothers' War Commander (BRC)
Warhost's Frenzy - Dominaria United (DMU)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Unlicensed Disintegration MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Kaladesh, 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 Unlicensed Disintegration and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Unlicensed Disintegration Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2020-11-12. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 644302015normalblackFlorian de Gesincourt
22016-09-30KaladeshKLD 1872015normalblackIzzy
32017-01-01Friday Night Magic 2017F17 52015normalblackFlorian de Gesincourt
42019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 15032015normalblackIzzy
52020-08-07Double Masters2XM 2242015normalblackIzzy
62020-09-26The ListPLST KLD-1872015normalblackIzzy
72020-11-12Kaladesh RemasteredKLR 2112015normalblackIzzy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Unlicensed Disintegration has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2020-08-07 If the target creature is an illegal target by the time Unlicensed Disintegration tries to resolve, the spell won't resolve. It won't deal damage to any player. If the target is legal but not destroyed (most likely because it has indestructible), its controller is dealt 3 damage.
2020-08-07 Whether or not you control an artifact is checked only after the creature is destroyed while Unlicensed Disintegration is resolving. For example, if you destroy a Fairgrounds Warden that exiled your artifact creature, Unlicensed Disintegration deals 3 damage to Fairgrounds Warden's controller.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks