Bane of Bala Ged MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Eldrazi
Power 7
Toughness 5

Key Takeaways

  1. Its attack triggers allow for significant control over the opponent’s board by exiling two permanents.
  2. With ramp strategies, it hits the board sooner than expected, upping the pressure significantly.
  3. Non-instant abilities still force opponents to play defensively, anticipating its potential impact.

Text of card

Whenever Bane of Bala Ged attacks, defending player exiles two permanents he or she controls.

The continent of Bala Ged was ravaged by massive Eldrazi of Ulamog's lineage, its lush jungles and cascading rivers reduced to dust.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Bane of Bala Ged is an Eldrazi powerhouse that can single-handedly alter the tide of a game. Although it does not directly allow you to draw cards, its ability to exile two permanents owned by a defending player whenever it attacks can quickly deplete your opponent’s resources. This can lead to significant card advantage as your adversary is forced to sacrifice crucial pieces from their board state.

Resource Acceleration: In a deck built around ramping, Bane of Bala Ged benefits immensely as it can come out much faster than its seven mana cost would suggest. When combined with lands that generate multiple mana or artifacts that tap for additional resources, this leviathan can hit the battlefield early and start decimating your opponent’s defenses promptly.

Instant Speed: While Bane of Bala Ged does not have an ability that operates at instant speed, its mere presence can impact opponents’ actions similar to an instant. Knowing that an attack could lead to significant permanent loss, adversaries may have to delay their plans or keep mana open to respond, which indirectly grants you an advantage as they play on your terms, trying to prepare for the impending annihilation Bane of Bala Ged can bring to their board state.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Bane of Bala Ged requires a specific alignment of mana resources, making it exclusively playable in decks with ample colorless mana production.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring seven mana to cast, this creature can be cumbersome to bring into play, especially in faster matches where lower-cost creatures might dominate the battlefield.

Discard Requirement: The card itself doesn’t have a discard requirement, but its high mana cost might force players to discard other cards for hand size limits or as a strategic choice to reach enough lands early in the game.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Bane of Bala Ged is a unique inclusion in any ramp or Eldrazi-centric deck. Its ability to exile two permanents upon attacking makes it a formidable offensive tool in various match scenarios.

Combo Potential: This colorless creature can seamlessly integrate with decks that capitalize on annihilator-like effects. Its ability pairs well with cards that manipulate combat phases or untap creatures, allowing for multiple attack phases and devastating board control.

Meta-Relevance: Given the Eldrazi’s robust nature and the swingy state of many casual metas, Bane of Bala Ged can be a particularly disruptive threat. It’s capable of overturning board states that favor permanent-heavy strategies, making it a considerable asset.


How to beat

Bane of Bala Ged presents an imposing challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering with its potential to exile two permanents whenever it attacks. Despite its power, effective strategies exist to neutralize this Annihilator proxy. Condition-based removal spells like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares can dispatch it before its impact is felt, transforming threats into opportunities.

Counterspells are also a key tactic, ensuring that Bane of Bala Ged never touches the board. Tempo plays, such as bounce spells or instant-speed removal, offer agility to combat it during combat or end steps. Deploying chump blockers or creatures with the deathtouch attribute can serve as deterrents, forcing opponents to re-evaluate their attack strategy.

Overall, while the Bane of Bala Ged requires a measure of respect for its game-altering exiling ability, a prepared player can implement these measures to overcome and maintain control of the game. Adaptability and preemptive action are the cornerstones of defeating such a formidable creature.


BurnMana Recommendations

The Bane of Bala Ged is a formidable presence in any MTG match, often acting as a warping force on the battlefield. Its potential to strip opponents of their valuable resources can dramatically shift the playing field in your favor. When considering this card’s place in your lineup, think about the ramp potential and strategic impact it holds. Understanding both the strengths to exploit and vulnerabilities to guard against ensures you’re prepared for every encounter. Dive deeper with us into the world of MTG strategy where analyzing and incorporating cards like Bane of Bala Ged could become the linchpin of your winning deck composition.


Cards like Bane of Bala Ged

Bane of Bala Ged is an imposing presence on the battlefield, evocative of the classic annihilator ability associated with the Eldrazi in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to exile two permanents owned by the defending player whenever it attacks harkens back to the formidable power of Ulamog’s Crusher. While the Crusher demands an immediate answer due to its annihilator mechanic, Bane of Bala Ged offers a non-optional exile that skirts around indestructible defenses.

Deceiver of Form shares traits with Bane of Bala Ged by virtue of being in the Eldrazi family and impacting the battlefield in unique ways. It may not forcibly exile cards, but it can transform your entire board, presenting a different but equally game-altering challenge. Then there’s Eldrazi Conscription, an Aura that transforms a regular creature into a monstrous threat akin to Bane of Bala Ged with its additional annihilator ability. While not a creature itself, it confers a slice of the Eldrazi’s threatening presence to other creatures.

Assessing the role these cards play, Bane of Bala Ged stands out in decks tailored to exploit its exile ability, cementing its niche as a compelling option for players looking to destabilize their opponent’s board with repeated attacks.

Ulamog's Crusher - MTG Card versions
Deceiver of Form - MTG Card versions
Eldrazi Conscription - MTG Card versions
Ulamog's Crusher - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)
Deceiver of Form - Oath of the Gatewatch (OGW)
Eldrazi Conscription - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)

Cards similar to Bane of Bala Ged by color, type and mana cost

Ruin Processor - MTG Card versions
Deceiver of Form - MTG Card versions
Ruin Processor - Battle for Zendikar (BFZ)
Deceiver of Form - Oath of the Gatewatch Promos (POGW)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bane of Bala Ged MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar and Commander Masters, 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 Bane of Bala Ged and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Bane of Bala Ged Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2015-10-02 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Chase Stone.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-10-02Battle for ZendikarBFZ 12015normalblackChase Stone
22023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 8022015normalblackChase Stone

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bane of Bala Ged has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2015-08-25 If Bane of Bala Ged attacks a planeswalker, the defending player may exile that planeswalker. Bane of Bala Ged will still be attacking and may be blocked as normal. If it’s not blocked, it won’t deal combat damage.
2015-08-25 If the defending player controls only one permanent, that permanent will be exiled.
2015-08-25 The permanents are exiled before blockers are chosen.

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