With the spoiling today of Scour from Existence, it got me thinking about the importance of colorless removal cards like this that can fill a particular role in an EDH deck where a certain color combination wouldn't otherwise be able to handle a certain class of permanents. I have found that having colorless creature removal in mono-green and enchantment removal for red or black can be invaluable, especially in slower metas where the casting cost of such cards becomes less of an issue.
Scour from Existence seems pretty legit. Being an Instant and Exiling the target gives it some definite street cred where other options of a similar cost fall short. It all depends on whether you want to compare this to Desert Twister or Vindicate with regards to mana cost, but you can't deny that they didn't a least try to make this playable in Commander.
So which colorless removal cards do you run and do you plan on running Scour from Existence in your Commander decks? I find myself often using the following:
Duplicant - Especially in decks that can recur it, but in mono-green this is one of the best ways to ensure that you can almost always take out some problematic critter.
Spine of Ish Sah - The same cost as Scour from Existence. It's Sorcery speed versus being an Instant and it doesn't Exile, but being reusable in the right deck has made this an all-star for me.
Karn Liberated - The Karnfather can be a beast of removal getting you two cards if you can protect it and more if you can buy enough time to +4 it. Exile here also makes a big difference.
Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre - You really need to be able to generate a ton of mana to get to 11, but once you do Ulamog becomes a real possibility. Black decks revolving around Cabal Coffers and Green ramp decks usually have less problems getting to 11 and Ulamog ends up being a great "removal spell" tacked onto a 10/10 Indestructible Annihilator...
Unstable Obelisk - A relatively recent addition to the party that I've added to a lot of decks but I'm still not 100% sold on it. It's great that it can also be used as a mana rock, but that flexibility has a downside in that your removal becomes on an-board trick. But if you hold it back, it then becomes a 10 mana removal spell...
So I know there are more options out there such as Liquimetal Coating in a deck full of artifact removal, and I know there are plenty of colorless sweepers out there such as Nevinyrral's Disk and Oblivion Stone, but does anyone else look to skirt the edges of the color pie looking for answers to problem permanent types?
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The only reason mono-green runs Duplicant is because they can effectively tutor for and recur it. Same for red and Spine (and to a lesser extent, Duplicant). Nobody runs Desert Twister, and this is slightly more expensive, despite exiling at instant speed.
Scour from Existence isn't really that good of a card. The instant speed is rarely going to be relevant, because keeping up 7 mana is kind of telegraphing you have some kind of play (or you're playing it off the top).
I will say it's generally better than Karn unless you have some plan in mind to protect him when you're building your deck.
Heck, for 3 more mana (Ceaseless Hunger/Newlamog) you get to exile two permanents with uncounterability and a conditional body (that can be recurred). I don't see this card making huge waves outside of budget decks, or decks that can somehow really abuse the instant speed/card type.
I think I will be running this in my Kruphix, God of Horizons. Keeping up mana isn't that big of a deal, and U/G struggles with threats on the boards, usually.
I think it is a major consideration for mono G, B, and R that aren't glass canon combos. Those colors all have weak spots in their control suite and can die to permanents they can't interact with. Colorless control is kind of a requirement in those decks to get around things and in EDH generating lots of mana isn't always hard. Mono G can easily pull this ramp and many red decks have artifact synergy which is known for ramping just as hard, if not harder. Mono black struggles, but it's still on the table to think of if certain enchantments shut you off.
Mostly I think mono Red with Daretti wants this card. They can afford the mana and it's a nice spot removal without having to blow the board. all the time. Cuz Stony Silence pretty much turns that deck off and having instant speed means you get a chance to float all them mana rocks before it resolves.
The only reason mono-green runs Duplicant is because they can effectively tutor for and recur it. Same for red and Spine (and to a lesser extent, Duplicant). Nobody runs Desert Twister, and this is slightly more expensive, despite exiling at instant speed.
Scour from Existence isn't really that good of a card. The instant speed is rarely going to be relevant, because keeping up 7 mana is kind of telegraphing you have some kind of play (or you're playing it off the top).
I will say it's generally better than Karn unless you have some plan in mind to protect him when you're building your deck.
Heck, for 3 more mana (Ceaseless Hunger/Newlamog) you get to exile two permanents with uncounterability and a conditional body (that can be recurred). I don't see this card making huge waves outside of budget decks, or decks that can somehow really abuse the instant speed/card type.
I think I will be running this in my Kruphix, God of Horizons. Keeping up mana isn't that big of a deal, and U/G struggles with threats on the boards, usually.
Kruphix seems like the perfect place for it. All that colorless mana and pplenty of reasons to want an Instant due to Prophet of Kruphix and Seedborn Muse.
The only reason mono-green runs Duplicant is because they can effectively tutor for and recur it. Same for red and Spine (and to a lesser extent, Duplicant). Nobody runs Desert Twister, and this is slightly more expensive, despite exiling at instant speed.
Scour from Existence isn't really that good of a card. The instant speed is rarely going to be relevant, because keeping up 7 mana is kind of telegraphing you have some kind of play (or you're playing it off the top).
I will say it's generally better than Karn unless you have some plan in mind to protect him when you're building your deck.
Heck, for 3 more mana (Ceaseless Hunger/Newlamog) you get to exile two permanents with uncounterability and a conditional body (that can be recurred). I don't see this card making huge waves outside of budget decks, or decks that can somehow really abuse the instant speed/card type.
I run Desert Twister in RG Wort and Riku. The ability to destroy a creature is something that green lacks. Sure, there's plenty of fight cards around, but how are you supposed to answer someone's creature after a boardwipe without playing an even bigger creature and then using a fight mechanic?
I think Riku and Melek will get the most use out of Scour from Existence. Creature destruction is the one thing RUG lacks the most and being able to exile any permanent instead of destroy is pretty worth it.
Defintely going to run it in Toshiro, where I can get some free flashback. There're enough troublesome enchantments in my meta that having an extra answer is gonna be handy.
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I think spell slinger generals that can copy or recur instants will be happy to have this over any of the current options. It does wonders with cards like Melek, Izzet Paragon and Riku of the Two Reflections. It might actually be strongest in a blue base, where it can be tutored and recurred by cards like Mystical Tutor and Call to Mind.
Not a fan but there are arguments for it in decks suffering from a slice of the color pie's inability to deal with a permanent type. I don't think you should ever be reduced to running a 7 mana 1-for-1 without some other synergy backing it.
I think spell slinger generals that can copy or recur instants will be happy to have this over any of the current options. It does wonders with cards like Melek, Izzet Paragon and Riku of the Two Reflections. It might actually be strongest in a blue base, where it can be tutored and recurred by cards like Mystical Tutor and Call to Mind.
I think spell slinger generals that can copy or recur instants will be happy to have this over any of the current options. It does wonders with cards like Melek, Izzet Paragon and Riku of the Two Reflections. It might actually be strongest in a blue base, where it can be tutored and recurred by cards like Mystical Tutor and Call to Mind.
I couldn't see an argument for playing it outside of the archetypes you mentioned... I could see an argument for it in those you did mention, but couldn't see myself actually playing it anywhere
I'll run it in Yeva when I get around to rehauling her list (this set has been good to her) and conceivably if I ever get around to building a mono-red deck it might wind up there. Past that, it'll probably be a card I more admire than play but I do personally like it a lot; the art looks wonderful in the frame and I hope to see a printing sans flavor text someday for full austerity.
7 mana seems too expensive for this ability. Karn Liberated wins games and I would rather sweep the board via All is Dust than trade 1 for 1 for that much mana.
In terms of spot removal, creatures are a problem in my mono green deck and I would much rather run Brittle Effigy at 5 than the Scour that costs 7.
Its just too expensive and the deck I have runs much more cheaper options.
The only reason mono-green runs Duplicant is because they can effectively tutor for and recur it. Same for red and Spine (and to a lesser extent, Duplicant). Nobody runs Desert Twister, and this is slightly more expensive, despite exiling at instant speed.
Scour from Existence isn't really that good of a card. The instant speed is rarely going to be relevant, because keeping up 7 mana is kind of telegraphing you have some kind of play (or you're playing it off the top).
I will say it's generally better than Karn unless you have some plan in mind to protect him when you're building your deck.
Heck, for 3 more mana (Ceaseless Hunger/Newlamog) you get to exile two permanents with uncounterability and a conditional body (that can be recurred). I don't see this card making huge waves outside of budget decks, or decks that can somehow really abuse the instant speed/card type.
I run Desert Twister in RG Wort and Riku. The ability to destroy a creature is something that green lacks. Sure, there's plenty of fight cards around, but how are you supposed to answer someone's creature after a boardwipe without playing an even bigger creature and then using a fight mechanic?
I think Riku and Melek will get the most use out of Scour from Existence. Creature destruction is the one thing RUG lacks the most and being able to exile any permanent instead of destroy is pretty worth it.
Of course, you're listing generals with the ability to copy spells (well, at least Riku). I'm sure in Riku it'll pull its money's worth, and blue has the ability to tutor out instants. That's what I was saying, though; Riku's one of those decks that can abuse the card type.
7 mana seems too expensive for this ability. Karn Liberated wins games and I would rather sweep the board via All is Dust than trade 1 for 1 for that much mana.
In terms of spot removal, creatures are a problem in my mono green deck and I would much rather run Brittle Effigy at 5 than the Scour that costs 7.
Its just too expensive and the deck I have runs much more cheaper options.
I'm surprised you praise Karn so highly. He more than likely -3s and dies unless you have the right protection.
The fact that its colorless removal is a good selling point. You won't have to worry about protections like creatures equipped with swords of x and y.
Even so, its too slow for my taste unless its in a deck that naturally generates lots of mana. Kruphix is a good example.
Nobody runs Desert Twister, and this is slightly more expensive, despite exiling at instant speed.
I've seen several mono-green decks (generally Azusa or Sasaya) run Desert Twister, although Tornado tends to be more popular since it can be used several times.
Nobody runs Desert Twister, and this is slightly more expensive, despite exiling at instant speed.
I've seen several mono-green decks (generally Azusa or Sasaya) run Desert Twister, although Tornado tends to be more popular since it can be used several times.
Outside of 1v1 builds, I feel Desert Twister is pretty bad in Azusa or Sasaya. 1-for-1 removal is relatively poor in green decks that already focus on playing 60+ lands.
I'm pleased to see that wizards has finally printed 'enough' of this effect. My latest deck is Kuon, Ogre Ascendant pox, and it currently runs Spine + Obelisk. I'd definitely squeeze in Karn if I can get ahold of one, but I'm not interested in Scour. Still, I'm glad to have the option, and glad to not feel pressured to play trash like Gate to Phyrexia.
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Nobody runs Desert Twister, and this is slightly more expensive, despite exiling at instant speed.
I've seen several mono-green decks (generally Azusa or Sasaya) run Desert Twister, although Tornado tends to be more popular since it can be used several times.
Outside of 1v1 builds, I feel Desert Twister is pretty bad in Azusa or Sasaya. 1-for-1 removal is relatively poor in green decks that already focus on playing 60+ lands.
1-for-1 removal is pretty bad for any multiplayer deck, but we run them anyway because sometimes there's a threat that just has to be answered.
Nobody runs Desert Twister, and this is slightly more expensive, despite exiling at instant speed.
I've seen several mono-green decks (generally Azusa or Sasaya) run Desert Twister, although Tornado tends to be more popular since it can be used several times.
Outside of 1v1 builds, I feel Desert Twister is pretty bad in Azusa or Sasaya. 1-for-1 removal is relatively poor in green decks that already focus on playing 60+ lands.
1-for-1 removal is pretty bad for any multiplayer deck, but we run them anyway because sometimes there's a threat that just has to be answered.
It's more acceptable in builds that have the card advantage and quality to ensure that they can overcome the inherent disadvantage of 1-for-1 removal. Azusa and Sasaya are decks that have both low card quality and card advantage (you're running 60-80 lands and no good draw), so 1-for-1 removal is especially bad.
i think exile IS relevant though.. sure, the spine of ish sah is recurable, unstable obelisk taps for mana and all that, but this EXILES. it gets rid of all indestructible niggles, regenerators, undying/persist things. thats gotta be something worth giving a second look in. the 7 mana is a bit harsh though, but i wouldn't be against paying the 6 for desert twister in a mono-green deck that really needs the board control, so i doubt 1 more would be that different.
It is a bad patch for the colors it is a patch for, and the people who can fork it or copy it will be excited to play with it. Everyone else will ignore it.
Scour from Existence seems pretty legit. Being an Instant and Exiling the target gives it some definite street cred where other options of a similar cost fall short. It all depends on whether you want to compare this to Desert Twister or Vindicate with regards to mana cost, but you can't deny that they didn't a least try to make this playable in Commander.
So which colorless removal cards do you run and do you plan on running Scour from Existence in your Commander decks? I find myself often using the following:
Duplicant - Especially in decks that can recur it, but in mono-green this is one of the best ways to ensure that you can almost always take out some problematic critter.
Spine of Ish Sah - The same cost as Scour from Existence. It's Sorcery speed versus being an Instant and it doesn't Exile, but being reusable in the right deck has made this an all-star for me.
Karn Liberated - The Karnfather can be a beast of removal getting you two cards if you can protect it and more if you can buy enough time to +4 it. Exile here also makes a big difference.
Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre - You really need to be able to generate a ton of mana to get to 11, but once you do Ulamog becomes a real possibility. Black decks revolving around Cabal Coffers and Green ramp decks usually have less problems getting to 11 and Ulamog ends up being a great "removal spell" tacked onto a 10/10 Indestructible Annihilator...
Unstable Obelisk - A relatively recent addition to the party that I've added to a lot of decks but I'm still not 100% sold on it. It's great that it can also be used as a mana rock, but that flexibility has a downside in that your removal becomes on an-board trick. But if you hold it back, it then becomes a 10 mana removal spell...
So I know there are more options out there such as Liquimetal Coating in a deck full of artifact removal, and I know there are plenty of colorless sweepers out there such as Nevinyrral's Disk and Oblivion Stone, but does anyone else look to skirt the edges of the color pie looking for answers to problem permanent types?
EDIT: Added image of card due to card tags not yet updated.
Scour from Existence isn't really that good of a card. The instant speed is rarely going to be relevant, because keeping up 7 mana is kind of telegraphing you have some kind of play (or you're playing it off the top).
I will say it's generally better than Karn unless you have some plan in mind to protect him when you're building your deck.
Heck, for 3 more mana (Ceaseless Hunger/Newlamog) you get to exile two permanents with uncounterability and a conditional body (that can be recurred). I don't see this card making huge waves outside of budget decks, or decks that can somehow really abuse the instant speed/card type.
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Mostly I think mono Red with Daretti wants this card. They can afford the mana and it's a nice spot removal without having to blow the board. all the time. Cuz Stony Silence pretty much turns that deck off and having instant speed means you get a chance to float all them mana rocks before it resolves.
I forgot that Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger was spoiled for this set as well...
Kruphix seems like the perfect place for it. All that colorless mana and pplenty of reasons to want an Instant due to Prophet of Kruphix and Seedborn Muse.
I run Desert Twister in RG Wort and Riku. The ability to destroy a creature is something that green lacks. Sure, there's plenty of fight cards around, but how are you supposed to answer someone's creature after a boardwipe without playing an even bigger creature and then using a fight mechanic?
I think Riku and Melek will get the most use out of Scour from Existence. Creature destruction is the one thing RUG lacks the most and being able to exile any permanent instead of destroy is pretty worth it.
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I don't see this. Why would you Mystical Tutor for Scour from Existence instead of Chaos Warp, Cyclonic Rift, Devastation Tide, Beast Within, Reality Shift, etc.? I can't see myself playing Scour from Existence outside of mono-R, mono-B, and colorless - maybe mono-G, but probably not.
I couldn't see an argument for playing it outside of the archetypes you mentioned... I could see an argument for it in those you did mention, but couldn't see myself actually playing it anywhere
In terms of spot removal, creatures are a problem in my mono green deck and I would much rather run Brittle Effigy at 5 than the Scour that costs 7.
Its just too expensive and the deck I have runs much more cheaper options.
Of course, you're listing generals with the ability to copy spells (well, at least Riku). I'm sure in Riku it'll pull its money's worth, and blue has the ability to tutor out instants. That's what I was saying, though; Riku's one of those decks that can abuse the card type.I'm surprised you praise Karn so highly. He more than likely -3s and dies unless you have the right protection.
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Even so, its too slow for my taste unless its in a deck that naturally generates lots of mana. Kruphix is a good example.
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