Soul Sear MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2020-07-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Core Set 2021 |
| Set code | M21 |
| Number | 160 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Mathias Kollros |
Text of card
Soul Sear deals 5 damage to target creature or planeswalker. That permanent loses indestructible until end of turn.
There was no witty retort, no confident boast to accompany the attack. There was only pain.
Cards like Soul Sear
Soul Sear stands out in the realm of creature removal within Magic: The Gathering. When we look at cards like Lightning Strike or Searing Spear, we notice the similarities in delivering an immediate impact by dealing damage to a target. Each card deals 3 damage to any target, able to remove smaller creatures from the battlefield swiftly. However, Soul Sear offers a unique angle by providing additional utility—it not only deals 5 damage, which is a significant increase over the aforementioned cards, but it also ensures that if that creature would die this turn, it’s exiled instead. This feature is particularly powerful as it bypasses graveyard-based strategies and prevents creatures from returning to the board.
Another card that comes close in comparison is Lava Coil, which also exiles creatures it destroys. While Lava Coil does 4 damage for two mana, Soul Sear offers the potential to remove even larger threats, albeit at a higher mana cost. While both spells serve as efficient removal tools, Soul Sear’s ability to target creatures with higher toughness can be a deciding factor in its favor.
Despite the crowded field of removal spells in Magic: The Gathering, Soul Sear shines with its blend of high damage and exile effect, carving a niche for itself in the right deck.
Cards similar to Soul Sear by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Soul Sear. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Izzet Control | Pioneer | Izzet Control | Pioneer League 2023-12-14 |
| Mono-Red Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Soul Sear doesn’t directly let you draw cards, it effectively removes a critical creature from your opponent’s side, which can impede their card economy and indirectly contribute to your card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Though Soul Sear doesn’t offer traditional resource acceleration, it aids in preserving your resources by dealing with large threats efficiently. This allows you to better allocate mana in subsequent turns, accelerating your game plan.
Instant Speed: Soul Sear’s ability to be cast at instant speed provides flexibility, enabling you to react swiftly to threats during your opponent’s turn and maintain the element of surprise, keeping open various lines of play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Soul Sear lacks this particular downside, allowing players to hold onto valuable cards in their hand.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires both red and generic mana, potentially restricting its inclusion in multicolored decks that may not reliably produce red mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of two and a red, there are alternative removal options available that may be cast for less—critical in fast-paced matchups.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Soul Sear provides a powerful removal spell that can find a place in a wide array of red-centric or multicolored decks. Its ability to deal damage not only to creatures but also planeswalkers, makes it a flexible option in any collection.
Combo Potential: With its capability to deal 5 damage to a single target, Soul Sear works well in conjunction with cards that benefit from destroying creatures or damaging opponents’ permanents. It can clear the way for your creatures to attack or interact with abilities that trigger off spell casting.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where formidable creatures or planeswalker threats are commonplace, a card like Soul Sear can be the key to turning the tide. It’s particularly potent against indestructible creatures, as it outright removes them from the game bypassing their damage negation.
How to beat
Soul Sear has emerged as a pivotal removal spell in the MTG realm, known for its prowess to decimate creatures with its piercing damage and an added blow to indestructible entities. As an instant that deals five points of damage to a target creature or planeswalker, it confirms a kill on most mid-game threats. The card also strips away indestructibility— a rare yet crucial element of this spell that can turn the tides by eliminating otherwise resilient foes.
Countering Soul Sear demands strategic play. Prioritize spells that grant hexproof or protection from red to shield your forces from its reach. Diversify your threats to lessen the impact of single-card removal or deploy counterspells as a direct response when opponents attempt to cast. Tempo can also be a key—swarm the board with creatures to dilute the effectiveness of one-for-one removal like Soul Sear. Moreover, keep an eye out for the occasions when an opponent might be setting up mana for this spell and adjust your offense accordingly. Outmaneuvering Soul Sear includes understanding not just the card itself but also the rhythm and methodology of your adversary’s playstyle.
At the end of the day, a card like Soul Sear is formidable but not unbeatable. With careful deck construction and reading the battlefield accurately, you can ensure your key pieces aren’t easily seared away by this fiery instant.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Soul Sear MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2021, 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 Soul Sear 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Soul Sear has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Soul Sear card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-06-23 | Soul Sear can target a creature or planeswalker that doesn't have indestructible. |