Purge MTG Card


Purge offers card advantage by selectively eliminating opponent’s threats at instant speed. It requires careful hand management due to the discard requirement, impacting resource retention. Versatility and meta-relevance make Purge a worthy addition to specific control decks.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Destroy target artifact creature or black creature. It can't be regenerated.

For the first and last time, the horrific creature experienced terror.


Cards like Purge

Purge stands out in the realm of creature removal cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its comparability lies with cards like Dark Banishing and Terror, which also navigate the field of removing threatening creatures. Purge, however, has the unique angle of targeting only black or red creatures, giving it a narrower but more specialized removal criteria. This specificity can be a strategic advantage, letting players eradicate key threats without wider repercussions.

Another card to consider in conjunction with Purge is Celestial Purge, offering the removal of not only creatures but any black or red nonland permanents, granting a broader scope of eradication at instant speed. While it comes at a higher mana cost, the wider range and flexibility can be crucial in certain game states. Moreover, the instant pace of Celestial Purge provides an element of surprise and response not afforded by Purge’s sorcery speed.

When evaluating removal options within Magic: The Gathering, Purge is seen as a sideboard tool, well-suited for targeted elimination in specific metagames. Its ability to precisely handle particular creature threats makes it a valuable card under the right circumstances.

Dark Banishing - MTG Card versions
Terror - MTG Card versions
Celestial Purge - MTG Card versions
Dark Banishing - MTG Card versions
Terror - MTG Card versions
Celestial Purge - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Purge by color, type and mana cost

Disenchant - MTG Card versions
Divine Offering - MTG Card versions
Alabaster Potion - MTG Card versions
Invulnerability - MTG Card versions
Remedy - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Shield - MTG Card versions
Samite Ministration - MTG Card versions
Shield Wall - MTG Card versions
Life Burst - MTG Card versions
Shelter - MTG Card versions
Equal Treatment - MTG Card versions
Aura Extraction - MTG Card versions
Raise the Alarm - MTG Card versions
Test of Faith - MTG Card versions
Echoing Calm - MTG Card versions
Dawn Charm - MTG Card versions
Graceful Reprieve - MTG Card versions
Last Breath - MTG Card versions
Angelsong - MTG Card versions
Rest for the Weary - MTG Card versions
Disenchant - MTG Card versions
Divine Offering - MTG Card versions
Alabaster Potion - MTG Card versions
Invulnerability - MTG Card versions
Remedy - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Shield - MTG Card versions
Samite Ministration - MTG Card versions
Shield Wall - MTG Card versions
Life Burst - MTG Card versions
Shelter - MTG Card versions
Equal Treatment - MTG Card versions
Aura Extraction - MTG Card versions
Raise the Alarm - MTG Card versions
Test of Faith - MTG Card versions
Echoing Calm - MTG Card versions
Dawn Charm - MTG Card versions
Graceful Reprieve - MTG Card versions
Last Breath - MTG Card versions
Angelsong - MTG Card versions
Rest for the Weary - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Purge enables you to selectively remove key threats from the battlefield, often leading to a shift in board presence and card advantage in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Although Purge isn’t directly linked to resource acceleration, by efficiently removing a high-cost creature or planeswalker, it helps preserve your resources for other strategic plays.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Purge at instant speed provides flexibility, allowing you to disrupt your opponent’s plays during their turn and keep up the pace of controlling the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Purge compels players to discard a card which can be detrimental during gameplay, especially in scenarios where maintaining hand advantage is critical.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a fixed combination of white mana, potentially constraining its playability to decks that are predominantly white or have sufficient mana-fixing capabilities.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card’s utility may not always justify its four mana cost, as there may be alternative options for creature removal or exile effects that are more cost-effective or versatile.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Purge is a card that can seamlessly integrate into a variety of decks. It is particularly useful for those that require removal tools to deal with problematic multicolored cards on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: Given its ability to exile any multicolored creature or enchantment, Purge can serve as a key piece in control strategies, allowing players to dismantle their opponent’s combos or key cards.

Meta-Relevance: As the MTG landscape often fluctuates with multicolored cards gaining prominence, Purge remains a relevant sideboard option to counter such strategies effectively.


How to beat

Purge is an intriguing element in Magic: The Gathering, offering a strategic approach to removing bothersome nonartifact creatures. The card’s strength lies in its precision removal, taking down problematic creatures that can’t be destroyed by normal means. In addition, it has the added benefit of flexibility, capable of targeting both black and red creatures which are commonly encountered in various MTG decks.

To effectively counter Purge, it’s essential to diversify the types of threats in your deck. Relying on a mix of creatures, not just those vulnerable to Purge, such as artifact creatures or non-black and non-red creatures, can reduce the card’s impact on your game. Moreover, considering the card’s sorcery speed, you have the opportunity to plan and play around it, saving your most critical creatures for a time when it’s safer, or using instant-speed spells that can protect or regenerate your key creatures.

Strategically deploying creatures with hexproof or shroud can also shield you from Purge’s grasp, ensuring your formidable creatures remain on the battlefield to continue pressuring your opponent. By anticipating this removal card and purposefully constructing your deck, you can overcome the challenge Purge poses and maintain the upper hand in your matches.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Purge MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel and World Championship Decks 2004, 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 Purge and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Purge Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2004-02-06 and 2011-05-14. Illustrated by Pete Venters.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12004-02-06DarksteelDST 122003NormalBlackPete Venters
22004-09-01World Championship Decks 2004WC04 gn12sbb2003NormalGoldPete Venters
32011-05-14Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New PhyrexiaTD2 282003NormalBlackPete Venters

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Purge has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal