Delete MTG Card


Removing cards with Delete swings the game by disrupting opponent strategies and gaining card advantage. Instant speed Deletion offers tactical control, allowing for impactful plays at critical moments. However, using Delete requires balancing resource sacrifice with overall strategic gains.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Delete deals X damage to each nonartifact creature and each player.

"You will be deleted."


Cards like Delete

Delete, a card known for its pinpoint removal prowess, stands in a competitive field with other removal spells. It draws a parallel to cards like Doom Blade which straightforwardly destroys a nonblack creature. While Doom Blade is cost-efficient, Delete broadens the target range by potentially reaching creatures with protection from black.

Cast Down is another comparable card, with the advantage of an instant-speed play, which can surprise an opponent. Cast Down, however, is limited to nonlegendary creatures, whereas Delete is not bounded by such restrictions. Then consider Go for the Throat, an effective killer of nonartifact creatures that shares Delete’s two-mana cost. The absence of any creature-type limitations with Delete, however, offers a more comprehensive solution.

Assessing Delete alongside its peers, it holds a strong position in a Magic player’s arsenal, providing flexibility and dependability. Its broad application against various creature threats makes it an essential consideration for decks aimed at maintaining control over the battlefield.

Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Cast Down - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Cast Down - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Delete by color, type and mana cost

Scent of Cinder - MTG Card versions
Spitting Earth - MTG Card versions
Fanning the Flames - MTG Card versions
Strategy, Schmategy - MTG Card versions
Disorder - MTG Card versions
Warrior's Oath - MTG Card versions
Tribal Flames - MTG Card versions
Breath of Darigaaz - MTG Card versions
Volcanic Hammer - MTG Card versions
Incendiary Flow - MTG Card versions
Embereth Shieldbreaker // Battle Display - MTG Card versions
Nahiri's Lithoforming - MTG Card versions
Mizzium Mortars - MTG Card versions
Burning Wish - MTG Card versions
Mana Seism - MTG Card versions
Yamabushi's Storm - MTG Card versions
Face to Face - MTG Card versions
Pyroclasm - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sleigh Ride - MTG Card versions
Hurly-Burly - MTG Card versions
Scent of Cinder - MTG Card versions
Spitting Earth - MTG Card versions
Fanning the Flames - MTG Card versions
Strategy, Schmategy - MTG Card versions
Disorder - MTG Card versions
Warrior's Oath - MTG Card versions
Tribal Flames - MTG Card versions
Breath of Darigaaz - MTG Card versions
Volcanic Hammer - MTG Card versions
Incendiary Flow - MTG Card versions
Embereth Shieldbreaker // Battle Display - MTG Card versions
Nahiri's Lithoforming - MTG Card versions
Mizzium Mortars - MTG Card versions
Burning Wish - MTG Card versions
Mana Seism - MTG Card versions
Yamabushi's Storm - MTG Card versions
Face to Face - MTG Card versions
Pyroclasm - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sleigh Ride - MTG Card versions
Hurly-Burly - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Deleting a MTG card from play can be a huge swing in card economy, especially when targeting cards that have the potential to generate value over time or those that require multiple resources to be dealt with otherwise.

Resource Acceleration: Efficiently removing key pieces from your opponent’s strategy can effectively set them back turns, allowing you to accelerate your own board state without contention and establish a more dominant presence.

Instant Speed: The ability to delete a card at instant speed gives players the flexibility to disrupt their opponents during the most opportune moments, whether it’s in the middle of combat or in response to an opposing threat being played, providing a form of tactical advantage and control over the game’s pacing.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Like some cards with powerful effects, a Delete MTG card often comes with the condition that requires discarding another card from your hand. In matches where every card in hand counts, the necessity to forfeit additional resources to activate a card’s potential can place you at a disadvantage, especially if you’re struggling to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Operating a Delete card typically involves a precise mana structure, which could include multiple mana of a particular type. This limitation may challenge deck building, as it constrains the card’s inclusion to decks that can reliably produce the needed mana, reducing its flexibility across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Delete cards can carry a hefty investment of mana relative to their impact on the game. When looking to maintain tempo or when resources are tight, employing a card with a high cost-to-effect ratio might not be the most resourceful choice given that other cards may offer similar or better functionality at a lower mana commitment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Delete can be a key piece in decks that aim to control the board. Its ability to target and remove specific threats allows for strategic planning and execution, making it adaptable to numerous game scenarios.

Combo Potential: When synergized with cards that benefit from graveyard manipulation or casting spells from opponents’ libraries, Delete opens up diverse combo routes that can completely alter the tide of a game.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where certain cards or strategies become dominant, having Delete in your arsenal ensures you have a direct answer to neutralize these threats and maintain competitive strength in your matches.


How to beat

Delete is a potent removal card that comes into play in Magic: The Gathering when dealing with troublesome creatures on the battlefield. Its straightforward nature allows a player to remove a threat for a minimal cost, making it quite the surprise for opponents not prepared for sudden card removals.

To effectively counteract Delete, consider utilizing cards that grant your creatures indestructibility or utilize effects that can regenerate them. Diversifying threats also ensures that the loss of any single creature does not cripple your board presence. Spells like Sheltering Light or Selfless Spirit offer protection against single-target removal such as Delete, keeping your key creatures safe and maintaining pressure on your opponent.

Moreover, baiting out removal with less critical creatures can pave the way for more significant threats to land safely on the board. In the end, the key to overcoming a card like Delete lies in smart deck building and strategic play, maintaining resilience against removal while advancing your game plan.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Delete MTG card by a specific set like Doctor Who and Doctor Who, 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 Delete and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Delete Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-10-13 and 2023-10-13. Illustrated by Steve Argyle.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 3812015NormalBlackSteve Argyle
22023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 6862015NormalBlackSteve Argyle
32023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 812015NormalBlackSteve Argyle
42023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 9722015NormalBlackSteve Argyle

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Delete has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal