Go for the Throat MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 13 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Go for the Throat offers instant-speed removal for non-artifact creatures, enabling reactive or preemptive plays.
  2. Its low mana cost allows players to maintain other strategies while efficiently disrupting opponents.
  3. While restrictive in some aspects, its versatility and combo potential make it a deck staple.

Text of card

Destroy target nonartifact creature.

Having flesh is increasingly a liability on Mirrodin.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Eliminating a creature from the battlefield can disrupt your opponent’s strategy and effectively reduce their available resources, often leading to a card advantage for you. This removal not only deals with immediate threats but can also pave the way for your creatures to attack unimpeded.

Resource Acceleration: By removing key creatures at a low cost of only two mana, Go for the Throat allows for efficient use of resources. This enables you to develop your board presence while keeping mana available for other spells and actions within the same turn.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Go for the Throat at instant speed offers flexibility, allowing you to respond to threats on your opponent’s turn or remove blockers right before combat. This timing can be crucial in gaining the upper hand during pivotal moments in a match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Go for the Throat does not specifically require a discard, but like any removal spell, using it at the wrong time can mean one less card in hand when facing unforeseen threats later on.

Specific Mana Cost: Go for the Throat’s black mana cost confines it to mono-black or multi-color decks that can produce black mana, possibly restricting its utility compared to more flexible removal spells.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While two mana is not exorbitant, some players may find faster one-mana alternatives like Fatal Push more appealing in a fast-paced game, where mana efficiency is key.


Reasons to Include Go for the Throat in Your Collection

Versatility: Go for the Throat offers broad removal possibilities as it can target the vast majority of creatures found in opponents’ decks. It’s an instant, therefore, it provides flexibility to deal with threats at any time during the game.

Combo Potential: This card seamlessly integrates with strategies that capitalize on destroying creatures, such as enabling morbid triggers or providing fodder for graveyard-based synergies.

Meta-Relevance: Creature-heavy formats significantly increase the value of efficient removal spells like Go for the Throat. Its ability to disrupt opposing plays and neutralize key threats make it a staple consideration for any competitive deck.


How to beat

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, coming up against Go for the Throat can be challenging, especially when it disrupts your creature-based strategies. Notably, it eliminates non-artifact creatures with efficiency, but therein lies the path to countering it. To circumnavigate this removal spell, consider building a deck with a robust artifact creature base. As these are immune to Go for the Throat’s targeting restrictions, they provide a solid defense against this form of single-target removal.

Moreover, using cards with hexproof or protection from black can render Go for the Throat ineffective. These attributes prevent targeting by spells of the color black, thereby safeguarding your creatures on the battlefield. It’s also wise to keep instant-speed spells that can regenerate or grant indestructibility to your creatures. This will allow you to respond to Go for the Throat, preserving your key creatures and maintaining your board presence despite your opponent’s attempt to disrupt your strategy.

Understanding the importance of adapting to removal spells ensures that you stay ahead in the game. Incorporating these tactics against Go for the Throat ensures resilience in your MTG matches, enabling your creatures to withstand this specific threat while you advance your game plan.


BurnMana Recommendations

Strategizing in MTG encompasses more than just the cards in your deck; it’s about understanding their potential and synergies. Go for the Throat epitomizes efficient creature removal, tirelessly working to declutter the battlefield in your favor. Its inclusion in your strategic arsenal is undeniable, especially when you’re devising plans to outmaneuver opponents with creature-heavy decks. With its precision and mana efficiency, this card can often be the difference-maker in a tight match. It’s not only a testament to your tactical acumen but also an enhancement to your collection. Curious to delve deeper and weave this card into your winning formula? We can show you how – learn more and fortify your deck-building skills with us.


Cards like Go for the Throat

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering, Go for the Throat stands out as an efficient creature removal spell. Its direct comparison starts with Doom Blade, a hallmark of black removal that also destroys target nonblack creature at instant speed for the same mana cost. Go for the Throat, however, expands on the targets by allowing players to target any nonartifact creature, giving a broader scope for removal tactics against nonblack creatures.

Another relative in the removal category is Murder, a card that spells doom for any creature without exception. Although Murder offers universality, its higher mana cost can be a drawback compared to the more mana-efficient Go for the Throat. A card that bridges the gap between specificity and universality is Cast Down, able to destroy any nonlegendary creature at the same mana cost as Go for the Throat, providing versatility while still restricting certain high-impact targets.

All these cards serve the vital role of controlling the battlefield, but Go for the Throat often emerges as a preferred choice, balancing cost-efficiency and target range adeptly for players seeking to sharpen their removal strategy in Magic: The Gathering.

Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Murder - MTG Card versions
Cast Down - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - Magic 2010 (M10)
Murder - Magic 2013 (M13)
Cast Down - Dominaria Promos (PDOM)

Cards similar to Go for the Throat by color, type and mana cost

Word of Command - MTG Card versions
Terror - MTG Card versions
Simulacrum - MTG Card versions
Transmutation - MTG Card versions
Headstone - MTG Card versions
Urborg Justice - MTG Card versions
Imps' Taunt - MTG Card versions
Rapid Decay - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Edict - MTG Card versions
Tainted Pact - MTG Card versions
Toxic Stench - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Cast Down - MTG Card versions
Smother - MTG Card versions
Hero's Demise - MTG Card versions
Sickening Shoal - MTG Card versions
Chill Haunting - MTG Card versions
Grim Harvest - MTG Card versions
Dash Hopes - MTG Card versions
Urge to Feed - MTG Card versions
Word of Command - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Terror - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Simulacrum - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Transmutation - Legends (LEG)
Headstone - Homelands (HML)
Urborg Justice - Weatherlight (WTH)
Imps' Taunt - Tempest (TMP)
Rapid Decay - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Diabolic Edict - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Tainted Pact - Odyssey (ODY)
Toxic Stench - Judgment (JUD)
Doom Blade - Magic 2012 (M12)
Cast Down - Commander Legends (CMR)
Smother - Worldwake (WWK)
Hero's Demise - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Sickening Shoal - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Chill Haunting - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Grim Harvest - Coldsnap (CSP)
Dash Hopes - The List (PLST)
Urge to Feed - Crimson Vow Commander (VOC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Go for the Throat MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Friday Night Magic 2011, 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 Go for the Throat and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Go for the Throat Magic the Gathering card was released in 12 different sets between 2011-02-04 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 428782003normalblackDavid Rapoza
22011-01-01Friday Night Magic 2011F11 112003normalblackDavid Rapoza
32011-02-04Mirrodin BesiegedMBS 432003normalblackDavid Rapoza
42017-08-25Commander 2017C17 1142015normalblackDavid Rapoza
52019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 6702015normalblackDavid Rapoza
62020-09-26The ListPLST C17-1142015normalblackDavid Rapoza
72021-09-24Midnight Hunt CommanderMIC 1192015normalblackDavid Rapoza
82022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 762015normalblackDavid Rapoza
92022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 201★2015normalblackNikola Matkovic
102022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 2012015normalblackNikola Matkovic
112022-11-18The Brothers' WarBRO 1022015normalblackKristina Carroll
122023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 2502015normalblackKristina Carroll
132023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 2012015normalblackCaroline Gariba

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Go for the Throat has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

DateText
2011-06-01 If the targeted creature is also an artifact when Go for the Throat tries to resolve, it won't resolve.

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