Vanquish the Weak MTG Card
2017-09-29 - Number 127
2020-09-25 - Number 131
2023-04-21 - Number 129
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Key Takeaways
- Offers card advantage by eliminating threats, shifting game balance favorably for the caster.
- With instant speed and low cost, it enhances strategic play and resource management.
- Essential for decks countering small-to-mid-sized creatures, aligning with tempo strategies.
Text of card
Destroy target creature with power 3 or less.
The clerics known as condemners punish those who do not recognize the righteous authority of the church.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Vanquish the Weak offers a strategic edge by allowing players to remove a crucial threat from the battlefield. This efficient removal tool helps to maintain your lead or regain control of the game, subtly pivoting the balance of card advantage in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: While Vanquish the Weak doesn’t directly provide mana or tokens, its low mana cost facilitates swifter and smoother gameplay. By only costing three mana, it leaves room in your mana pool to develop your board presence or to interact further, accelerating your resource management efficiently.
Instant Speed: The capacity of Vanquish the Weak to interact at instant speed gives players the upper hand. This flexibility ensures that you can navigate through your opponent’s turns with a response ready, making it a formidable tool for disrupting your opponent’s strategy at a moment’s notice.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Vanquish the Weak requires players to have a specific card available to play, which can be restrictive during gameplay. Carrying a card with a discard requirement could potentially lead to a disadvantage, especially when your hand options need to remain flexible.
Specific Mana Cost: This card calls for one black mana in its casting cost. This requirement can limit deck compatibility and may not be ideal for multi-color decks that do not have a strong black mana base. It could impede the casting of the spell at a crucial moment if the necessary mana isn’t available.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three mana to destroy a creature with power 3 or less, Vanquish the Weak might not always provide the best value, especially considering other removal spells in the game with lower mana costs or greater flexibility.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Vanquish the Weak serves as a valuable inclusion in decks that require responsive removal tools. Its ability to target creatures with power 3 or less allows it to be impactful in various game scenarios and against a multitude of creature decks.
Combo Potential: This card can be paired with instant-speed synergies or as part of a strategy that capitalizes on clearing the board. It can enable a smoother gameplay by removing blockers or threats that oppose your combos or board presence.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where small to mid-sized creatures are commonly used, Vanquish the Weak efficiently addresses many of the threats you’ll face. Its low mana cost aligns well with the tempo playstyle, providing a cost-effective solution to maintain control of the game.
How to Beat
Vanquish the Weak is a useful removal spell in MTG, designed to target creatures with power 3 or less. It serves as a key strategy in eliminating early threats or pesky utility creatures that can sway the game’s momentum. Given its instant speed and affordability at three mana, it can be quite the disruption to an opponent’s game plan.
However, there are a few ways to outmaneuver Vanquish the Weak. Firstly, prioritize creatures with a power of 4 or greater; these remain unaffected by the spell. Additionally, consider employing counterspells to protect your key creatures, or use hexproof and indestructible abilities to render Vanquish the Weak ineffective. A well-timed “Blossoming Defense” or “Heroic Intervention” can not only save a creature from destruction but also potentially bait out removal and gain card advantage.
Remember, adaptation to your opponent’s removal spells is crucial in MTG matches. Identifying when to deploy creatures and when to hold back for protection spells can mean the difference between a vanquished creature and an untouchable threat on your battlefield.
Cards like Vanquish the Weak
Vanquish the Weak stands out in the realm of removal spells in Magic: The Gathering, serving as a functional piece for any player looking to control the board. It bears similarity to spells like Dead Weight, which provides a more permanent solution by giving a creature -2/-2 until it leaves the battlefield. While not a direct removal, Dead Weight can effectively neutralize smaller threats permanently.
Comparatively, we look at Grasp of Darkness, another staple in MTG players’ arsenals. It’s a powerful option, offering to give a creature -4/-4 until end of turn. However, with its slightly more demanding color requirement, it isn’t as flexible as Vanquish the Weak. Then there’s Moment of Craving which, like Vanquish the Weak, hinges on giving a creature -2/-2. The added benefit of gaining 2 life with Moment of Craving might be a tipping point for some players, though this comes at the price of being an instant with a lower kill range.
Each of these cards provides unique strategic advantages, but Vanquish the Weak holds its ground with its ability to disrupt opponents by removing creatures with up to 3 power. This fills a niche that is indispensable for those looking to maintain tempo and control over the game.
Cards similar to Vanquish the Weak by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Vanquish the Weak MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan and Zendikar Rising, 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 Vanquish the Weak and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Vanquish the Weak Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-09-29 | Ixalan | XLN | 127 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Palumbo | |
| 2 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising | ZNR | 131 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Bayard Wu | |
| 3 | 2023-04-21 | March of the Machine | MOM | 129 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Gaboleps |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Vanquish the Weak has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
