Castigate MTG Card


Castigate provides card advantage by exiling key opponent threats and revealing hand contents. Acting at sorcery speed, its removal power actually mimics instant speed effectiveness in-game. Its white and black mana requirement limits flexibility but establishes it as an Orzhov staple.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Target opponent reveals their hand. You choose a nonland card from it and exile that card.

"We have no need for military might. We wield two of the sharpest swords ever forged: Faith in our left hand, Wealth in our right." —Vuliev of the Ghost Council


Cards like Castigate

Within Magic: The Gathering, Castigate holds its own as a distinct choice for players aiming to disrupt their opponents’ plans. It mirrors other hand disruption spells like Thoughtseize or Duress, but Castigate’s unique position emerges from its ability to exile a nonland card from the opponent’s hand, preventing any form of retrieval. This is a subtle yet impactful difference from Thoughtseize, which allows the target card to remain in the graveyard—a potential resource for the opponent.

Conversely, we look at Inquisition of Kozilek, which shares the concept of hand disruption without the exile effect. It’s more restrictive in targeting, focusing only on cards with converted mana cost 3 or less. Castigate’s lack of such limitations gives it an intriguingly broad scope of influence. Lastly, Tidehollow Sculler brings a similar exile mechanic to the battlefield. However, this creature-based approach differs from Castigate’s one-shot event, providing a tangible body that can apply pressure or block while also holding onto the exiled card.

Analyzing their angles and uses, it’s clear that Castigate represents a powerful choice for players looking to sustain control and diminish opponents’ resources in Magic: The Gathering, especially for those who value the permanence of the exile effect.

Thoughtseize - MTG Card versions
Duress - MTG Card versions
Inquisition of Kozilek - MTG Card versions
Tidehollow Sculler - MTG Card versions
Thoughtseize - MTG Card versions
Duress - MTG Card versions
Inquisition of Kozilek - MTG Card versions
Tidehollow Sculler - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Castigate by color, type and mana cost

Death Grasp - MTG Card versions
Gerrard's Verdict - MTG Card versions
Damn - MTG Card versions
Blot Out the Sky - MTG Card versions
Can't Stay Away - MTG Card versions
Conjurer's Ban - MTG Card versions
Humiliate - MTG Card versions
Rite of Oblivion - MTG Card versions
Shadow Summoning - MTG Card versions
Shrouded Shepherd // Cleave Shadows - MTG Card versions
Soul Search - MTG Card versions
Death Grasp - MTG Card versions
Gerrard's Verdict - MTG Card versions
Damn - MTG Card versions
Blot Out the Sky - MTG Card versions
Can't Stay Away - MTG Card versions
Conjurer's Ban - MTG Card versions
Humiliate - MTG Card versions
Rite of Oblivion - MTG Card versions
Shadow Summoning - MTG Card versions
Shrouded Shepherd // Cleave Shadows - MTG Card versions
Soul Search - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Castigate. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Orzhov ControlOrzhov Control PauperLiga Gacha de Pauper 2024 - Etapa 3
B/W MidB/W Mid Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Rogue DecklistsRogue Decklists PauperPestilenceNacional Pauper 2023

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Castigate not only lets you look at an opponent’s hand but also select a nonland card to exile. This not only deprives your opponent of a key card but also gives you valuable information about their possible plays, providing a significant advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While Castigate itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its ability to remove a potential threat from the opponent’s hand can indirectly accelerate your game plan by disrupting their strategy.

Instant Speed: Castigate operates at sorcery speed, but its impact on the game is akin to that of an instant. It allows you to surgically remove an opponent’s best response or threat, effectively setting them back and smoothing the way for your strategy to unfold without interruption.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Castigate allows you to target an opponent’s hand to discard a nonland card, it requires that you have the card in hand to play. This can be a drawback if you’re faced with tough decisions about resource management, especially in the early game when each card in hand is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Castigate requires both white and black mana to cast, which could be a limitation for decks not running a black and white, or Orzhov, mana base. This specificity restricts the flexibility of the card and can impede its incorporation into a variety of decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While a two-mana cost is generally considered moderate, in the realm of discard spells, it’s on the higher end. Early game plays are often critical, and Castigate’s cost can be a setback when you need to be efficient with your mana expenditure, potentially missing the opportunity to develop your board at the same time.


Reasons to Include Castigate in Your Collection

Versatility: Castigate is a flexible card that can be slotted into numerous deck archetypes, particularly those looking for hand disruption. Its ability to pluck nonland cards ensures it’s useful in various matchups.

Combo Potential: With the information gained from your opponent’s hand, Castigate can be a wonderful enabler for decks that exploit the opponent’s weaknesses or set up their own combos by removing key pieces from the opposition’s arsenal.

Meta-Relevance: In metas dominated by combo or control decks, the foresight provided by Castigate is incredibly impactful. It disrupts intricate strategies that rely on specific cards, giving you an edge in the game.


How to beat

Understanding the dynamics of disruption spells is essential when facing cards such as Castigate in Magic: The Gathering. This particular card has the potential to derail your game plan by allowing your opponent to look at your hand and exile a nonland card. To navigate around this, ensure you have a diverse hand that can recover from losing key pieces. Utilize instant-speed spells and abilities to change your hand composition in response to Castigate being cast. This can diminish its impact and sustain your strategic reserves.

Moreover, including cards in your deck that thrive from the graveyard or can be cast from it can also help. Since Castigate exiles the card, it acts as a safeguard against recursion strategies, but having alternatives that benefit from – or are immune to – graveyard interactions limits the disadvantage. Lastly, be mindful of the timing when playing against decks that contain disruption—playing your crucial spells when the opponent is tapped out or unable to cast Castigate can be a deciding factor in maintaining your tempo and leading you to victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Castigate MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Arena League 2006, 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 Castigate and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Castigate Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2006-01-01 and 2006-02-03. Illustrated by Darrell Riche.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 351762003NormalBlackDarrell Riche
22006-01-01Arena League 2006PAL06 62003NormalBlackDarrell Riche
32006-02-03GuildpactGPT 1062003NormalBlackDarrell Riche

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Castigate has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal