Touch of the Void MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 3 |
Rarity | Common |
Type | Sorcery |
Abilities | Devoid |
Released | 2015-10-02 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Battle for Zendikar |
Set code | BFZ |
Number | 134 |
Frame | 2015 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | David Gaillet |
Text of card
Devoid (This card has no color.)Touch of the Void deals 3 damage to target creature or player. If a creature dealt damage this way would die this turn, exile it instead.
Some wounds never heal.
Cards like Touch of the Void
When analyzing Touch of the Void, players quickly discern its kinship with other creature removal spells in Magic: The Gathering. A noticeable parallel is with the card Lava Axe. Both deal a set amount of damage, but Lava Axe hits only players, whereas Touch of the Void offers more flexibility by targeting creatures or players. The versatility it provides can be pivotal in a game.
Inspecting other relatives, there’s Chandra’s Pyrohelix, which shares the same mana cost with Touch of the Void. However, Pyrohelix splits its damage, possibly removing two smaller creatures or pinging a player while softening an enemy creature. Touch of the Void’s singularity lies in its ability to deliver all its damage to one target and its exile effect, eliminating threats permanently. Additionally, we can’t ignore Flame Slash, a cost-effective sorcery, it offers four damage to a creature for a single red mana. Yet, it lacks Touch of the Void’s ability to exile, or to direct damage to players, which limits its scope.
Ultimately, Touch of the Void stands out in MTG’s vast card pool for its damage and exile combination, a duality that strategically aligns with both creature removal and direct player damage tactics.
Cards similar to Touch of the Void by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Touch of the Void does not directly allow you to draw cards, it offers indirect card advantage by eliminating key threats on the board. By dealing 3 damage, it can remove a creature that could have provided your opponent with card advantage over time. Additionally, because it exiles the affected creature if it would die, Touch of the Void prevents any death-triggered abilities that could benefit your opponent, further tipping the scales in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Touch of the Void, as a damage spell, doesn’t offer traditional resource acceleration like adding mana to your pool or reducing casting costs. However, by removing blockers or threats, it accelerates your potential to deal damage directly to your opponent, effectively hastening the pace at which you can reduce their life total and closing games faster.
Instant Speed: Although Touch of the Void operates at sorcery speed, the capacity to strategically cast it during your main phase allows you to clear a path for attackers or respond preemptively to imminent threats. This timing can provide you with a tactical advantage, planning your moves to align with your broader game strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Touch of the Void does not have a discard requirement, players looking to optimize their deck performance should be mindful of the card choices they make. Every card in a deck competes for a valuable slot, so each inclusion needs to contribute to the overall strategy effectively.
Specific Mana Cost: Touch of the Void requires three mana to cast, including one red mana symbol. This specific cost can restrict its adaptability across various deck types, particularly in multi-color decks that may not always have the necessary red mana available at the right time.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana for a single-target removal that deals three damage, Touch of the Void might be considered inefficient compared to other removal options in MTG. Some players may find that other cards provide the same or greater levels of removal for a lower mana investment, which is a critical consideration during deck construction and gameplay.
Reasons to Include Touch of the Void in Your Collection
Versatility: Touch of the Void offers valuable flexibility for decks built around burn strategies. It can serve as a solid removal option or a direct way to chip away at an opponent’s life total.
Combo Potential: With its ability to exile creatures that it deals damage to, this card works well in strategies looking to capitalize on graveyard manipulation or spells that benefit from exile effects.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where creatures are key, Touch of the Void can be a crucial tool for controlling the battlefield and maintaining tempo against creature-heavy decks.
How to beat
Touch of the Void presents a unique challenge as it delivers direct damage and exiles creatures it mortally wounds. To effectively counter this spell, players need a strategic approach. Consider running instant-speed spells that can buff your creatures’ toughness, saving them from the spell’s lethal three damage. Cards with the prowess ability, which gets stronger for every noncreature spell you cast, can outpace Touch of the Void’s damage capacity, especially when combined with protective spells. Moreover, utilizing cards that grant hexproof or indestructible temporarily can nullify Touch of the Void’s impact, securing your creatures’ place on the battlefield.
Counterspells are also a powerful defense against Touch of the Void, providing a straightforward solution to prevent the spell from resolving in the first place. Implementing a sideboard plan that includes these counterspells or protection can pivot the matchup in your favor, allowing your creatures to dodge being exiled and maintaining your board presence. Remember, Touch of the Void’s strength lies in its ability to remove threats permanently, so focus on preserving your creatures’ sustainability to outmaneuver your opponent.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Touch of the Void MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar, 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 Touch of the Void 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 Touch of the Void has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Touch of the Void card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2015-08-25 | A card with devoid is just colorless. It’s not colorless and the colors of mana in its mana cost. |
2015-08-25 | A creature doesn’t necessarily have to be dealt lethal damage by Touch of the Void to be exiled. After being dealt damage, if it would die for any reason that turn, it’ll be exiled instead. |
2015-08-25 | Cards with devoid use frames that are variations of the transparent frame traditionally used for Eldrazi. The top part of the card features some color over a background based on the texture of the hedrons that once imprisoned the Eldrazi. This coloration is intended to aid deckbuilding and game play. |
2015-08-25 | Devoid works in all zones, not just on the battlefield. |
2015-08-25 | If a card loses devoid, it will still be colorless. This is because effects that change an object’s color (like the one created by devoid) are considered before the object loses devoid. |
2015-08-25 | Other cards and abilities can give a card with devoid color. If that happens, it’s just the new color, not that color and colorless. |