Smite the Monstrous MTG Card
2011-09-30 - Number 33
2013-09-06 - Number 29
2014-09-26 - Number 24
2015-10-02 - Number 49
2020-09-25 - Number 42
2002-06-24 - Number 55769
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Destroy target creature with power 4 or greater.
Though the old holy wards and roadside shrines have begun to fail, faith in Avacyn still holds true power.
Cards like Smite the Monstrous
Smite the Monstrous is a targeted removal option that has found its niche within Magic: The Gathering’s vast arsenal of creature control spells. Much like Reprisal, Smite the Monstrous shines in its ability to dispatch large threats on the battlefield. However, unlike Reprisal, which requires the creature to have a power of 4 or greater, Smite the Monstrous increases that threshold, focusing solely on creatures with power 4 or greater, which can be both a boon and a limitation depending on the situation.
Another card worth comparing is Crushing Canopy, offering a dual utility in dealing with creatures with flying as well as pesky enchantments. While Canopy’s flexibility can be advantageous, Smite the Monstrous’ lower mana cost and the fact that it is not limited to creatures with flying make it more efficient against ground-based leviathans. Then there’s Condemn, trading instant speed for the specific condition of attacking creatures and a unique effect—tucking the creature away on the bottom of its owner’s library instead of destroying it.
Ultimately, each of these cards serve the purpose of keeping daunting creatures at bay, yet Smite the Monstrous stands out when dealing with towering monsters that threaten to dominate the game, offering a straightforward and cost-effective solution within the white mana spell repertoire.
Cards similar to Smite the Monstrous by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While not directly providing card draw, Smite the Monstrous enables strategic removal of threats, often taking out a key creature that your opponent could have used as a card advantage engine. Removing a high-threat target could effectively stifle your opponent’s strategy, indirectly contributing to your card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: This card may not directly accelerate your resources in the form of mana or tokens, but by removing costly creatures from the battlefield, it can prevent your opponent from leveraging big mana investments, ultimately preserving your own resources for critical plays.
Instant Speed: The instant speed of Smite the Monstrous offers the flexibility to respond on your opponent’s turn, enabling you to navigate through their attacks and eliminate their heavy-hitters in combat or at the end of their turn, keeping your mana open for other strategic moves during your own turns.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Smite the Monstrous requires you to have the card in hand without any discard option providing flexibility. This can be cumbersome when you’re aiming to optimize hand usage and maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Smite the Monstrous has a white mana requirement in its casting cost which may not align well with multicolored decks or those that lean towards other colors. This constraint can limit the card’s versatility across various deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of 3 colorless and 1 white mana, Smite the Monstrous can be considered costly, especially when there are alternative removal spells available that either cost less or offer additional benefits alongside removing a threat.
Reasons to Include Smite the Monstrous in Your Collection
Versatility: This card is a flexible option for any deck that anticipates going up against large creatures. Its ability to destroy a creature with power 4 or greater can be a game changer in a tight matchup.
Combo Potential: Smite the Monstrous can easily slot into strategies that look to control the board, setting up scenarios where you can take out key threats and push through your own combat phase successfully.
Meta-Relevance: Given that the current gameplay often includes sizable creatures in various deck builds, having this removal tool at your disposal ensures readiness against a range of potential threats and secures its position as a meta-relevant card.
How to beat
Smite the Monstrous is a potent tool for dealing with large threats on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Known for its ability to destroy creatures with power 4 or greater, it’s a spell that can turn the tide of a game when colossal monsters loom large. However, understanding its limitations can be key to outmaneuvering it. Keeping powerful creatures with a power of 3 or less in your deck ensures they remain safe from this removal. Additionally, utilizing cards with indestructible or hexproof abilities can effectively render Smite the Monstrous useless, as it cannot target or destroy such well-protected creatures.
Moreover, playing creatures with built-in resilience such as regeneration or the ability to return from the graveyard can mitigate the impact of Smite the Monstrous, ensuring that even if they are targeted, they won’t be gone for good. Tactics involving counterspells can also be employed to prevent Smite the Monstrous from resolving, maintaining your game plan and preserving your board presence.
Players can successfully work around the limitations of Smite the Monstrous, crafting strategies that leverage its specificity. With thoughtful deck construction and gameplay, this formidable card can be rendered less intimidating, allowing players to march towards victory undeterred.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Smite the Monstrous MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Innistrad, 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 Smite the Monstrous and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Smite the Monstrous Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2020-09-25. Illustrated by 4 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 55769 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | ||
| 2 | 2011-09-30 | Innistrad | ISD | 33 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jason Felix | |
| 3 | 2013-09-06 | Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters | DDL | 29 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jason Felix | |
| 4 | 2014-09-26 | Khans of Tarkir | KTK | 24 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | |
| 5 | 2015-10-02 | Battle for Zendikar | BFZ | 49 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jakub Kasper | |
| 6 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising | ZNR | 42 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Izzy |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Smite the Monstrous has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |