Make Obsolete MTG Card

Can offer a tactical edge by weakening multiple creatures at instant speed during crucial moments. Limited by a specific mana requirement and the handicap of discarding a card which affects hand size. Remains a utility card in certain metas, especially against decks that rely on numerous creature tokens.

Kaladesh (KLD)
2016-09-30 - Number 89

Make Obsolete - Kaladesh Remastered (KLR)

Kaladesh Remastered (KLR)
2020-11-12 - Number 97

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant

Text of card

Creatures your opponents control get -1/-1 until end of turn.

Yesterday's marvels are today's antiques.

Cards like Make Obsolete

Make Obsolete is an intriguing piece within the repertoire of debuff spells in Magic: The Gathering. It finds its kin in cards like Electrickery, which also deals 1 damage to each creature the opponent controls. Make Obsolete nudges ahead by giving creatures a -1/-1 till the end of the turn instead of dealing damage, potentially circumventing indestructible creatures or those with damage prevention.

When stacked against Shrivel, another card that imposes -1/-1 to all creatures, the appeal of Make Obsolete becomes apparent, costing an additional black mana yet enabling an instant-speed response. This grants the user the flexibility to disrupt during the opponent’s turn. Additionally, we have Festering March, which can not only give -1/-1 to opponent creatures but also comes with the possibility of reusability thanks to its cycling feature. Despite this, its higher mana cost makes it less nimble compared to the swiftness of Make Obsolete.

Through careful comparison of effects and tactical advantages, Make Obsolete holds its ground as a decent choice in the array of creature debuff spells in Magic: The Gathering, especially for players seeking instant-speed interaction in their decks.

Cards similar to Make Obsolete by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Make Obsolete offers a subtle form of card advantage by diminishing the effectiveness of an opponent’s creatures. While it doesn’t draw you cards directly, weakening a wide range of creatures can easily turn the tide of a game, offering you an upper hand.

Resource Acceleration: While Make Obsolete doesn’t provide traditional resource acceleration, it can indirectly accelerate your board presence by negating the need to play multiple removal spells. This allows you to use your resources more efficiently elsewhere.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Make Obsolete at instant speed is a tactical advantage. It allows you to wait until the most opportune moment during your opponent’s turn, perhaps in response to a combat trick or after they have committed to an all-out attack, leading to potent surprise plays that can cripple an opponent’s strategy.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Make Obsolete demands the player to discard a card, which could deplete your hand and reduce future play options.

Specific Mana Cost: This card comes with a black mana cost which makes it exclusive to decks running black mana, potentially limiting its versatility in a multi-colored deck.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that might be considered steep for its effect, there could be more cost-effective alternatives capable of dealing with creatures or influencing the board state.

Reasons to Include Make Obsolete in Your Collection

Versatility: Make Obsolete provides a unique advantage in being able to weaken an entire opponent’s suite of creatures with just one card, a trait that can be effectively utilized in various deck types, particularly those that struggle against swarm tactics.

Combo Potential: Though not a combo card in the traditional sense, Make Obsolete can synergize with cards that capitalize on reduced creature power, setting the stage for board wipes or enabling one-sided combat tricks that can swing the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s heavy on token generation or reliant on creature buffs, Make Obsolete serves as a preemptive answer, potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategies and allowing for significant tactical shifts during matches.

How to beat

Make Obsolete presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its instantaneous ability to debuff opponents’ creatures. When facing this card, timing is crucial—being aware of your opponent’s mana availability and potential for casting can greatly influence your combat strategies.

One effective strategy is to prioritize removal spells or instant-speed tricks to counteract the -1/-1 effect. This way, creatures on your board can survive the turn, reducing the overall impact of Make Obsolete. Additionally, playing around this card could involve holding back on overextending your creature plays, keeping a watchful eye on opportune moments to deploy your threats post-debuff.

By carefully navigating your plays and managing your resources, the edge Make Obsolete gives to your opponent can be mitigated. Keeping your board position resilient and adaptable is key to outlasting and defeating the effects of this specific obstacle within the game’s intricate landscape.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Make Obsolete MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Kaladesh Remastered, 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 Make Obsolete and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Make Obsolete Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2020-11-12. Illustrated by Darek Zabrocki.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2016-09-30	Kaladesh	KLD		89	2015	Normal	Black	Darek Zabrocki
2	2020-11-12	Kaladesh Remastered	KLR		97	2015	Normal	Black	Darek Zabrocki

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Make Obsolete has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Commander	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2016-09-20	The set of creatures affected by Make Obsolete is determined as the spell resolves. Creatures your opponents begin to control later in the turn and noncreature permanents that become creatures later in the turn won't get -1/-1.