Desolation Twin MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost10
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Eldrazi
Power 10
Toughness 10

Key Takeaways

  1. A single play of Desolation Twin can instantly double your threats on the battlefield.
  2. It complements resource ramp strategies, allowing for an earlier than expected play.
  3. Instant-speed deployment options can surprise opponents, offering strategic flexibility.

Text of card

When you cast this spell, create a 10/10 colorless Eldrazi creature token.

"With precise coordination and enough blood spilled, one can be driven off, even brought down. But two . . . that's a lot of blood." —Munda, ambush leader


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Summons not just one, but two powerhouse creatures onto the battlefield, doubling your board presence in a single play. This makes Desolation Twin a prime example of immediate card advantage, as you effectively receive two threats for the price of one.

Resource Acceleration: Although Desolation Twin doesn’t directly provide mana acceleration, it synergizes well with decks built around resource acceleration strategies. Deploying this card in a ramp deck can lead to an explosive play much earlier than your opponent is prepared for, potentially changing the tide of the game.

Instant Speed: While Desolation Twin is not an instant spell itself, it can be brought into play at instant speed through various means such as flash enablers. This tactic, while situational, can surprise opponents by introducing a massive creature during their turn or at the end of their turn, ready to attack on your next phase.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Desolation Twin doesn’t directly ask you to discard cards, its steep mana cost may pressure you to use other cards in your hand prematurely to survive until you can cast it.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Desolation Twin demands a large amount of colorless mana, specifically ten. This heavy requirement can be challenging in multicolored decks that focus on various mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost to summon Desolation Twin stands at a towering ten mana. Even though its effect of creating a 10/10 creature token is potent, there are alternative creatures and spells which can be played earlier or offer more immediate board impact.


Reasons to Include Desolation Twin in Your Collection

Versatility: Desolation Twin’s ability to create a 10/10 creature token provides a robust presence on the board, making it a solid inclusion in ramp decks or those that capitalize on high-powered creatures.

Combo Potential: This card offers interesting synergies, particularly in decks that are designed around token generation or sacrifice mechanics. Its ability to create an additional massive token can be exploited with the right combinations to devastating effect.

Meta-Relevance: Given that it’s a high-cost creature, Desolation Twin is a sleeper card that can tip the scales in a game that extends into the later turns. It can also serve as a deterrent in metas dominated by single-target removal, as eliminating one creature still leaves another formidable threat on the field.


How to Beat

Desolation Twin, a powerful creature in Magic: The Gathering, presents a daunting challenge whenever it hits the battlefield, effectively doubling your troubles with its token generation ability. To effectively deal with this colossal card, having removal spells in your arsenal is crucial. Efficiently timed removals, such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade, can target the original Desolation Twin before the token copy becomes an issue. Board wipes like Wrath of God are also an excellent strategy, clearing both the Twin and its token in a single stroke.

Counter strategies are equally effective against Desolation Twin, as they prevent the twin threat from ever becoming a reality. Counterspell or Negate can be used in anticipation, negating the high mana investment of your opponent. If the tokens do manifest, consider leveraging sacrifice effects—forcing the opponent to sacrifice creatures can bypass the Twin’s considerable size. Edict effects like Diabolic Edict or Liliana of the Veil can be particularly effective in this scenario.

Don’t let the fear of facing two 10/10 creatures intimidate you. With the right planning and card choices, you can ensure that Desolation Twin’s appearance is a fleeting one in your MTG matches.


BurnMana Recommendations

Gaining mastery over MTG isn’t just about the cards; it’s about the choices and strategies that come with them. With Desolation Twin, you’re looking at a capable powerhouse that can significantly influence the battlefield. Its potential for board presence and synergies with token-centric and ramp strategies can be a game-changer in your matches. Understanding the strengths, weaknesses, and interplay with similar cards is key for leveraging this behemoth effectively. If you’re eager to refine your deck-building skills and take advantage of cards like Desolation Twin, dive deeper with us. Expand your knowledge and strengthen your gameplay with insights from dedicated MTG enthusiasts.


Cards like Desolation Twin

Desolation Twin is a powerful force in MTG, known for its ability to create a massive presence on the battlefield. It’s similar to other high-mana creatures like Ulamog’s Crusher, which also demands immediate attention due to its sheer power and Annihilator ability. Yet, Desolation Twin has the distinct advantage of producing a token replica of itself, essentially offering two 10/10 creatures for the price of one. This twin effect is not mirrored by Ulamog’s Crusher or other comparable high-cost creatures.

Diving into other similar cards, we also have Serra Avatar, which plays with life totals and can become a colossal threat in its own right. However, the Avatar lacks the immediate pressure of adding another massive creature to the field. Then we find Phyrexian Processor, a card that can create large Minion token creatures. Like Desolation Twin, the Processor can summon sizeable tokens, but it requires an additional cost of life to do so and requires an initial investment before it starts producing creatures.

When considering the potential for overwhelming board presence and the value you get from a single card, Desolation Twin stands out. It delivers undeniable impact, giving players a commanding advantage with its ability to instantly double the threat level.

Ulamog's Crusher - MTG Card versions
Serra Avatar - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Processor - MTG Card versions
Ulamog's Crusher - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)
Serra Avatar - Urza's Saga (USG)
Phyrexian Processor - Urza's Saga (USG)

Cards similar to Desolation Twin by color, type and mana cost

Kozilek, the Great Distortion - MTG Card versions
Kozilek, Butcher of Truth - MTG Card versions
Spawnsire of Ulamog - MTG Card versions
Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger - MTG Card versions
Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger // Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger - MTG Card versions
Flayer of Loyalties - MTG Card versions
Kozilek, the Great Distortion - Commander Masters (CMM)
Kozilek, Butcher of Truth - Double Masters 2022 (2X2)
Spawnsire of Ulamog - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)
Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger - Commander Masters (CMM)
Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger // Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Flayer of Loyalties - Commander Masters (CMM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Desolation Twin MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar Promos and 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 Desolation Twin and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Desolation Twin Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2015-10-02 and 2021-04-23. Illustrated by Jack Wang.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-10-02Battle for Zendikar PromosPBFZ 6s2015normalblackJack Wang
22015-10-02Battle for ZendikarBFZ 62015normalblackJack Wang
32019-08-23Commander 2019C19 602015normalblackJack Wang
42019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 42015normalblackJack Wang
52020-09-26The ListPLST BFZ-62015normalblackJack Wang
62021-04-23Commander 2021C21 822015normalblackJack Wang

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Desolation Twin has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

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