Reduce to Ashes MTG Card

Exiling creatures with Reduce to Ashes disrupts graveyard recoveries, giving red decks an edge. The five mana cost demands a strategic mana base but ensures the removal of larger threats. Its sorcery speed requires proper turn planning, aligning with the user’s game tempo.

Reduce to Ashes - Shadows over Innistrad (SOI)

Shadows over Innistrad (SOI)
2016-04-08 - Number 176

Core Set 2020 (M20)
2019-07-12 - Number 155

Reduce to Ashes - Arena Beginner Set (ANB)

Arena Beginner Set (ANB)
2020-08-13 - Number 83

Reduce to Ashes - Ravnica: Clue Edition (CLU)

Ravnica: Clue Edition (CLU)
2024-02-23 - Number 145

Card sets	Released in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery

Text of card

Reduce to Ashes deals 5 damage to target creature. If that creature would die this turn, exile it instead.

Previously the training center for cathars, the Elgaud Grounds are now used by the Lunarch Inquisition to punish those considered to be heretics.

Cards like Reduce to Ashes

Reduce to Ashes serves as a functional piece in the toolbox of removal options within Magic: The Gathering. It shares the common goal of eliminating creatures with cards like Flames of the Firebrand. Both can deal with threats on the board; however, Reduce to Ashes has a defining feature. When it dispatches a creature, it exiles it, preventing any form of graveyard retrieval, a trait Flames of the Firebrand lacks.

Another card to consider is Lava Coil. Comparable in its exile effect, Lava Coil manages to perform a similar function at a cheaper cost of two mana and also removes creatures from the game. However, its damage is capped at four, which means Reduce to Ashes has the upper hand in dealing with larger creatures, providing its five damage for five mana.

Weighing in the effectiveness of these spells, it’s evident that while Reduce to Ashes might not be the most mana-efficient removal option available, its power to permanently handle larger creatures makes it a card worth considering in decks that require a more definitive answer to resilient threats on the battlefield.

Flames of the Firebrand - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Reduce to Ashes by color, type and mana cost

Explosive Revelation - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Reduce to Ashes allows you to deal with a threat and also take care of potential afterlife abilities or other death triggers by exiling the creature upon destruction. This translates to a form of card advantage by mitigating the opponent’s potential gains from creature death.

Resource Acceleration: While Reduce to Ashes doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, removing a key creature can indirectly speed up your game plan by clearing the path for your own creatures to attack or by taking out a potential blocker.

Instant Speed: Although Reduce to Ashes is a sorcery, being aware of its interaction timings is critical. Planning your turns to include five mana for a removal spell can dictate the pace and potentially alter your opponent’s plays, gearing the game towards a tempo that benefits your strategy.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While many spells in MTG simply need mana to be cast, certain cards require additional sacrifices, like discarding. Reduce to Ashes doesn’t have a discard cost, but it’s important for players to be aware of such requirements in deck building as they can influence the flow of the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Reduce to Ashes necessitates a specific blend of mana, including both generic and red. This composition means that in multicolored decks, you’ll need to ensure a reliable source of red mana to cast it, which can sometimes be a complication if the deck is mana-strained or the game situation does not allow for the correct mana generation.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For five mana, Reduce to Ashes can be somewhat costly when alternatives are considered. Given that MTG is a game where efficiency can often dictate the pace and outcome of matches, the comparison of mana costs for similar effects becomes critical. Players may find that other removal spells offer more flexibility or additional benefits for the same or lower investment, making Reduce to Ashes a less desirable choice in certain deck types or strategies.

Reasons to Include Reduce to Ashes in Your Collection

Versatility: Reduce to Ashes is a solid removal option, fitting into red decks that need to handle larger creatures. Its ability to exile the creature upon successful destruction means it can be a game-changer against decks that rely on graveyard strategies.

Combo Potential: Although not a combo piece in the traditional sense, the card’s ability to clear the board can pave the way for your own combos by removing potential blockers or threats from your opponent.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where formidable creatures can swing the tide, Reduce to Ashes remains relevant as a direct and effective way to deal with large threats, ensuring your deck isn’t outmatched on the battlefield.

How to beat

Reduce to Ashes presents itself as a straightforward solution for dealing with creatures of your adversaries in MTG. This removal spell certainly earns its place by offering the ability to not only destroy a creature but to also ensure that it cannot be regenerated by exiling it if it dies. However, it comes with a significant mana investment, making it less flexible compared to other removal spells.

When facing off against Reduce to Ashes, the key is to deploy threats that outpace the mana curve burn spells traditionally exploit. Efficiently costed creatures or those with hexproof can safely navigate the constraints of this five-mana sorcery. Cards like Blossoming Defense provide a proactive solution to shield your most valued creatures, while Dive Down also serves a similar purpose. Furthermore, countering this spell with Negate or other counterspell options disrupts your opponent’s removal plans and preserves your board presence.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of Reduce to Ashes in a game hinges on timing and the tactical deployment of resources by its user. By applying astute strategies and incorporating protective measures, this potentially game-turning card can be successfully managed, keeping your creatures safe and your board state robust.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Reduce to Ashes MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Core Set 2020, 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 Reduce to Ashes and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Reduce to Ashes Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Jason A. Engle.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2016-04-08	Shadows over Innistrad	SOI	176	2015	Normal	Black	Jason A. Engle
2	2019-07-12	Core Set 2020	M20	155	2015	Normal	Black	Jason A. Engle
3	2020-08-13	Arena Beginner Set	ANB	83	2015	Normal	Black	Jason A. Engle
4	2024-02-23	Ravnica: Clue Edition	CLU	145	2015	Normal	Black	Jason A. Engle

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Reduce to Ashes has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Alchemy	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2019-07-12	The replacement effect of Reduce to Ashes will exile the target creature if it would die this turn for any reason, not just due to lethal damage.