Executioner's Capsule MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact

Key Takeaways

  1. Offers targeted creature removal, offering a strategic edge in controlling the board state.
  2. Activation cost requires black mana, posing a challenge for multicolor deck integration.
  3. Artifact synergy and meta relevance make it a versatile card for various decks.

Text of card

, , Sacrifice Executioner's Capsule: Destroy target nonblack creature.

There is always a moment of trepidation before opening a message capsule, for fear of the judgment that might be contained within.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Executioner’s Capsule offers a trade of one card for a targeted creature removal, potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategy and maintaining the balance of power in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly accelerating resources, the low casting cost of Executioner’s Capsule allows players to quickly set up their board presence without significant investment, keeping mana available for other essential plays.

Instant Speed: While Executioner’s Capsule activation is not at instant speed, it can be activated at the end of the opponent’s turn, mimicking instant-speed interaction to efficiently manage threats and optimize turn progression.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While there’s no direct discard required to use Executioner’s Capsule, its single-shot nature means you’re effectively discarding it upon activation, reducing your on-board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: Executioner’s Capsule’s activation cost necessitates black mana, potentially limiting its seamless inclusion in multicolored decks that may struggle with color fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although its initial cast is cheap, the combined total to cast and activate Executioner’s Capsule is three mana. In a game where tempo is key, using three mana to remove a single creature might not always be the most mana-efficient play, especially when there are cards that could deal with multiple threats for a similar or lower cost.


Reasons to Include Executioner’s Capsule in Your Collection

Versatility: Executioner’s Capsule offers removal options for black decks or any deck utilizing artifact synergies. It can easily fit into a variety of decks that need targeted removal for creatures.

Combo Potential: As an artifact, this card plays well with strategies that capitalize on artifacts being played or sacrificed. It can be a key piece in recurring artifact strategies, utilizing mechanics such as “Reanimate” or “Sacrifice” to provide continuous control over the board.

Meta-Relevance: Executioner’s Capsule gains value in metas where creatures play a central role in winning matches. Its low cost makes it a smart addition that provides an answer to many threats without disrupting your own pace of play.


How to Beat

When facing off against an Executioner’s Capsule, it’s essential to recognize its influence on the battlefield. This unassuming artifact offers its controller the ability to remove a nonblack creature from play, potentially disrupting your game plan. To counteract this, consider diversifying your threats. Including hexproof or indestructible creatures in your deck can render the Capsule’s ability ineffective, leaving it as nothing more than a dormant artifact on the field.

Another avenue is using enchantment or artifact removal cards that can easily dispose of the Capsule before it becomes a menace. Green and white decks often have an array of options, such as Naturalize or Disenchant, to eliminate problematic artifacts directly. Speed is of the essence; act quickly before your opponent sets up their removal strategy. Also, try baiting the Capsule’s activation with a less crucial creature, paving the way for your more significant threats to enter the battlefield unimpeded.

Finally, employing counterspells can be a decisive tactic. Blue mages can keep their counters ready for the moment their opponent opts to activate the Capsule, using spells like Negate to ensure their key creatures remain untouchable. By utilizing these strategies, you can effectively neutralize the threat of Executioner’s Capsule and maintain the upper hand in your matches.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into strategic MTG gameplay with the fascinating dynamics of Executioner’s Capsule. Perfect your deck’s balance by incorporating removals that offer flexibility and artifact synergies. The Capsule’s potential in controlling the board makes it a strong contender for various deck builds. If you’re intrigued by the tactical advantages a well-placed Executioner’s Capsule can bring to your game, or looking for ways to counteract it in your opponent’s play, we’re here to provide in-depth analysis and clever deck-building tips. Enhance your expertise and assemble a collection that stands the test of time. Join our community and gain insights to refine your MTG strategy.


Cards like Executioner's Capsule

The Executioner’s Capsule shines in the realm of artifact-based removal in Magic: The Gathering. It shares common ground with the likes of Shriekmaw, albeit with a distinct advantage of being noncreature. While Shriekmaw can also target nonblack creatures for removal, Executioner’s Capsule’s permanence on the field allows for a more strategic and flexible elimination.

Another peer in the removal category is Go for the Throat, a spell renowned for its efficiency in dealing with creatures apart from artifact ones. Executioner’s Capsule, however, edges out with its artifact nature, offering synergies in decks that capitalize on artifacts. Similarly, Doom Blade is a classic quick removal option, but it’s limited by its inability to hit black creatures, an area where the Capsule does not discriminate.

Ultimately, between the variety of removal tools available, Executioner’s Capsule holds its niche as a reusable and tactical piece in decks that prioritize artifact dynamics alongside creature control. Its capacity to stand on the battlefield until the right moment offers a unique tactical depth within Magic: The Gathering’s arsenal of removal cards.

Shriekmaw - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Shriekmaw - Lorwyn (LRW)
Go for the Throat - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)
Doom Blade - Magic 2010 (M10)

Cards similar to Executioner's Capsule by color, type and mana cost

Vorpal Sword - MTG Card versions
Egon, God of Death // Throne of Death - MTG Card versions
Sphere of Annihilation - MTG Card versions
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Vector Asp - MTG Card versions
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Augmenting Automaton - MTG Card versions
Corrupted Key - MTG Card versions
Witch's Cauldron - MTG Card versions
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Clay Revenant - MTG Card versions
Vat of Rebirth - MTG Card versions
Dross Skullbomb - MTG Card versions
Bloodthorn Flail - MTG Card versions
Lead Pipe - MTG Card versions
Vorpal Sword - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms (AFR)
Egon, God of Death // Throne of Death - Kaldheim Promos (PKHM)
Sphere of Annihilation - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)
Necrogen Spellbomb - Mirrodin (MRD)
Vector Asp - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
Nihil Spellbomb - Starter Commander Decks (SCD)
Hex Parasite - New Phyrexia (NPH)
Augmenting Automaton - Aether Revolt (AER)
Corrupted Key - Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2021 (CMB2)
Witch's Cauldron - Commander Masters (CMM)
Mind Carver - Zendikar Rising (ZNR)
Bag of Devouring - Forgotten Realms Commander (AFC)
Reaper's Talisman - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms (AFR)
Blood Fountain - Innistrad: Double Feature (DBL)
Clay Revenant - The Brothers' War (BRO)
Vat of Rebirth - Phyrexia: All Will Be One (ONE)
Dross Skullbomb - Phyrexia: All Will Be One (ONE)
Bloodthorn Flail - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan (LCI)
Lead Pipe - Ravnica: Clue Edition (CLU)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Executioner's Capsule MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara and Modern Masters, 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 Executioner's Capsule and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Executioner's Capsule Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2008-10-03 and 2022-11-18. Illustrated by Warren Mahy.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-10-03Shards of AlaraALA 752003normalblackWarren Mahy
22013-06-07Modern MastersMMA 832003normalblackWarren Mahy
32016-11-11Commander 2016C16 1092015normalblackWarren Mahy
42019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 6502015normalblackWarren Mahy
52020-08-07Double Masters2XM 922015normalblackWarren Mahy
62020-09-26The ListPLST C16-1092015normalblackWarren Mahy
72022-11-18The Brothers' War CommanderBRC 1041997normalblackWarren Mahy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Executioner's Capsule has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2008-10-01 The only difference between a colored artifact and a colorless artifact is, obviously, its color. Unlike most artifacts, a colored artifact requires colored mana to cast. Also unlike most artifacts, a colored artifact has a color in all zones. It will interact with cards that care about color. Other than that, a colored artifact behaves just like any other artifact. It will interact as normal with any card that cares about artifacts, such as Shatter or Arcbound Ravager.

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