Scour from Existence MTG Card


Scour from Existence - Battle for Zendikar
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2015-10-02
Set symbol
Set nameBattle for Zendikar
Set codeBFZ
Number13
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byClint Cearley

Key Takeaways

  1. Removes any permanent, disrupting opponents and skewing advantage your way.
  2. Instant speed casting allows for tactical plays and board control.
  3. Colorless nature makes it a versatile addition to any deck.

Text of card

Exile target permanent.

"Our people and our very lands disappear as if they never were. We no longer fight for glory, or honor. We battle now for the right to exist." —General Tazri, allied commander


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Scour from Existence provides a critical opportunity to remove any troublesome permanent, which in turn can disrupt opponents’ strategies and tilt the scales in your favor. This utility lends itself to a form of indirect card advantage, by negating the value of the opponent’s key cards.

Resource Acceleration: Although Scour from Existence does not accelerate resources in the traditional sense, it is a valuable tool for decks that ramp up mana quickly. In these decks, its relatively high mana cost becomes less of a hindrance, allowing these decks to utilize their resources to affect the board even in the late game.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Scour from Existence at instant speed is one of its significant strengths. This flexibility allows you to wait until the most opportune moment to exile a threat, potentially in response to an opponent’s actions, creating a substantial shift in the game’s momentum.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Scour from Existence doesn’t impose a discard requirement on the player, which is a subtle advantage it holds over some removal spells that do. This attribute helps preserve your hand, maintaining your options for later turns.

Specific Mana Cost: An upside to Scour from Existence is its colorless nature, allowing it to fit into any deck without the need for specific color mana, thereby not restricting it to particular color-aligned decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a steep seven mana requirement for a single target exile effect, Scour from Existence tends to lag behind other removal spells in terms of mana efficiency. Given the tempo of most games, its high cost can be prohibitive, necessitating careful deck construction and strategy to leverage its unconditional removal power effectively.


Reasons to Include Scour from Existence in Your Collection

Versatility: Scour from Existence offers universal removal, capable of exiling any troublesome permanent that otherwise might evade common forms of destruction or counterspells, thus it can be a catch-all answer in any deck that can afford its cost.

Combo Potential: While not a combo piece in itself, Scour from Existence can clear the way of potential blockers or remove pieces that are crucial to an opponent’s combo, enabling your own strategy to succeed without interruption.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where indestructible or regenerative permanents prevail, Scour from Existence provides a reliable solution. It shines in formats like Commander, where exile effects are critical for dealing with high-impact cards.


How to beat

Scour from Existence provides players with a versatile tool for dealing with troublesome permanents on the battlefield. As a colorless instant, it fits into any deck and can be a game-changer when facing down a diverse range of threats. The key to overcoming this card lies in predicting when your opponent has the resources to use it. At seven mana, it’s a costly removal option. Pacing your threats and not overextending onto the board can mitigate the impact Scour from Existence can have.

Additionally, it’s critical to maintain a counterspell or two in hand if you’re able to run blue. This allows you to protect your most important permanents from being exiled. For non-blue decks, having redundant copies of vital cards or utilizing regenerative/recurrent creatures can help you bounce back from a Scour from Existence play. In essence, balancing the resources and keeping pressure on your opponent without overcommitting will help you maintain an advantage even if one of your permanents gets exiled.

Despite its high cost, always be cautious of Scour from Existence as it can change the course of the game, but with strategic play and cautious resource management, you can ensure that its effect on the game is minimal and your path to victory remains clear.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the art of MTG revolves around the thoughtful selection of cards, like the nuanced Scour from Existence. Every card choice can shift the dynamics of play, and understanding the pros and cons of such powerful spells is critical for game success. Scour from Existence adds a layer of defense to your deck, ready to eliminate any threat at a moment’s notice. For players eager to harness this level of control, it’s important to factor in the implications on your deck’s mana curve and overall strategy. Stay ahead of the game and explore more insights to amplify your MTG prowess. Dive into our detailed discussions and boost your deck with strategic card choices for triumphant gameplay.


Cards like Scour from Existence

Scour from Existence provides a unique solution for players needing universal removal. Comparable to cards like Universal Solvent, both serve as versatile answers to threats on the board. Scour from Existence comes with a high mana cost, but it compensates with the ability to exile any problematic permanent without any restrictions. Universal Solvent, though cheaper to cast, also demands mana to activate its ability and only destroys, rather than exiles.

Another card worth considering is Oblivion Ring, a lower-cost alternative that can exile any nonland permanent. However, it’s not as foolproof as Scour from Existence – the exiled card can return if Oblivion Ring leaves play. This aspect can play a key role in games where permanence of removal is crucial. Meanwhile, Karn Liberated offers a similar exile effect in a planeswalker package. Karn’s ability to exile is repeatable, yet its starting loyalty and vulnerability to direct attacks contrast with Scour’s one-time, unconditional use.

Evaluating these alternatives highlights the situational strengths of Scour from Existence when an unanswerable threat must be removed unequivocally. Its straightforward nature and guarantee of removal make it a card to consider in decks that can afford its cost.

Universal Solvent - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Karn Liberated - MTG Card versions
Universal Solvent - Aether Revolt (AER)
Oblivion Ring - Lorwyn (LRW)
Karn Liberated - New Phyrexia (NPH)

Cards similar to Scour from Existence by color, type and mana cost

Desecrate Reality - MTG Card versions
Desecrate Reality - Commander Masters (CMM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Scour from Existence 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 Scour from Existence and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Scour from Existence has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

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