Abolish MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Released	2000-06-05
Set symbol
Set name	Prophecy
Set code	PCY
Number	1
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Kev Walker

Key Takeaways

Enables card advantage and strategic plays with its no-mana casting option when discarding a Plains.
Instant speed allows disruption of opponents’ moves, securing your board during their turns.
Demands careful deck construction given its white mana cost and potential card depletion.

Text of card

You may discard a plains from your hand instead of paying Abolish's mana cost. Destroy target artifact or enchantment.

As war raged on, the young mages became more direct in their tactics, often at great cost.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Abolish provides a strategic edge in maintaining card advantage through its unique ability to remove a problem artifact or enchantment without having to allocate mana for the cost at the time of use. This flexibility allows players to use their mana resources more efficiently and ultimately can lead to a more robust hand.

Resource Acceleration: Despite its apparent cost, Abolish can be part of a resource acceleration strategy by allowing players to utilize lands for more pressing needs or to further their board state, all while still keeping up the protection from opposing threats. The ability to cast Abolish by discarding a Plains can be a significant boon when mana is sparse or when a quick reaction is necessary.

Instant Speed: The power of casting spells at instant speed cannot be overstated in MTG. Abolish’s instant nature means that you can respond on the fly to your opponent’s actions during their turn, disrupting their strategies and preserving your own position without skipping a beat, which is crucial in any dynamic MTG match-up.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Abolish necessitates the player to discard another card as part of its casting cost. This stipulation can put players at a disadvantage by depleting their hand, especially in game phases where maintaining card options is critical for strategic flexibility.

Specific Mana Cost: Abolish’s mana cost is specifically white, requiring two white mana sources to play. This constraint can potentially limit its inclusion to decks that are heavily white or have a sufficient mana base to consistently produce two white mana, potentially sidelining it in multi-color deck strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total casting cost of three mana, including the aforementioned two white mana, Abolish may be considered expensive when it comes to instant removal spells. Players might opt for removal spells with a lower mana cost or those that offer additional benefits despite not having the free cast option provided by the discard mechanic.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Abolish offers a flexible answer to a variety of threats, capable of removing pesky artifacts or enchantments. Its instant speed and alternative cost option allow for strategic plays during crucial moments.

Combo Potential: With its ability to dismantle key pieces of opponent’s combos or clear the way for your own to go off uninterrupted, Abolish can be an integral part of a winning strategy.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the prevalence of artifact and enchantment-based strategies in many formats, having Abolish in your collection means you’re well-equipped to handle a wide range of decks you may encounter.

How to beat

Abolish can be a tricky card to face in Magic: The Gathering. This white instant is a staple for its ability to disrupt opponents by removing pesky permanents from the battlefield without paying its mana cost, provided that you discard a Plains card. The zero-cast cost can catch players off guard, especially when resources appear low. However, there are strategies to surpass the hurdles Abolish poses.

First and foremost, consider baiting out the Abolish by playing less critical spells before casting your game-changing ones. It’s also beneficial to monitor your opponent’s Plains count and their hand size. If they’re low on cards, the likelihood of them holding onto Abolish decreases. Another tactic involves utilizing countermagic to protect your key permanents or employing redundancy in your strategy so that losing a single permanent isn’t catastrophic. Additionally, capitalize on the discard cost of Abolish by applying pressure that forces your opponent to deplete their Plains resources, thus minimizing their chances to cast it for free.

Adapting to the presence of Abolish in a match involves a blend of patience, foresight, and tactical precision to ensure that your vital spells and permanents survive. Through defensive planning and careful play, you can navigate around this potent disruption tool.

Cards like Abolish

Abolish is a unique spell in the world of Magic: The Gathering. It’s often evaluated against other white instant speed removal cards. One of its close relatives is Disenchant, which serves a similar purpose, destroying artifacts or enchantments. Unlike Abolish, Disenchant doesn’t offer the alternative cost of discarding a Plains card instead of paying mana, which makes Abolish particularly versatile in a pinch.

Another card that echoes the functionality of Abolish is Forsake the Worldly. This card shares the ability to exile artifacts or enchantments, stepping it up a notch from destruction, preventing any graveyard retrieval. Although it does have Cycling, allowing you to draw a card at the cost of two mana if the removal isn’t necessary. On the downside, Forsake the Worldly lacks the alternative payment option that sets Abolish apart. There is also the consideration of costs—while Forsake the Worldly sits at three mana, Abolish offers more flexible payment methods.

Abolish stands out for its situational adaptability, potentially saving mana or enabling surprise plays. The discard and no-mana option can be highly advantageous, cementing its place in the landscape of MTG artifact and enchantment removal.

Cards similar to Abolish by color, type and mana cost

Ardenvale Tactician // Dizzying Swoop - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Abolish MTG card by a specific set like Prophecy, 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 Abolish and other MTG cards: