Depopulate MTG Card


Depopulate can swing games, offering tactical board sweeping and enabling control over creature-dominant situations. Discarding a card and specific mana requirements may limit Depopulate’s inclusion in some MTG deck archetypes. Resilient to metagame shifts, Depopulate remains a competitive choice for versatile and adaptable MTG strategies.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Each player who controls a multicolored creature draws a card. Then destroy all creatures.


Cards like Depopulate

Depopulate is a distinct tactical card that stands out in the roster of board clear cards in Magic: The Gathering. It finds its peers in cards like Wrath of God, one of the oldest and most iconic ways to reset the battlefield by destroying all creatures. Depopulate, much like its counterpart, does not target specific creature types, making it universally effective. Yet, it carves its niche with a cycling ability, allowing for strategic flexibility if not immediately needed.

Cyclonic Rift is another powerful reset tool, often used to bounce all nonland permanents of opponents, though at a higher mana cost and usually during the endgame. Unlike Cyclonic Rift’s instant speed, Depopulate works at sorcery speed, requiring more predictive play. Day of Judgment is a less costly alternative, mirroring Depopulate’s creature elimination without the cycling option, making it a more straightforward, albeit less versatile, choice.

Ultimately, Depopulate holds its ground in the category of creature control spells in Magic: The Gathering, leveraging the cycling ability for added late-game adaptability and ensuring its favored status among players valuing versatility and board control.

Wrath of God - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Day of Judgment - MTG Card versions
Wrath of God - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Day of Judgment - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DomainDomain StandardDomainStandard Challenge 64 2024-05-12
Azorius ControlAzorius Control StandardAzorius ControlStandard Challenge 32 2024-05-11

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Depopulate provides a strategic advantage by potentially reshaping the battlefield. When played smartly, it can neutralize multiple threats at once, leaving your opponent at a significant disadvantage and opening the door for you to take control of the game.

Resource Acceleration: Although Depopulate doesn’t directly create resources, it can indirectly lead to acceleration by disrupting the opponent’s development. Clearing the way of blockers or potential threats can pave the path for your creatures to attack successfully, possibly disrupting your opponent’s mana base if they rely on creatures for mana, thereby accelerating your path to victory.

Instant Speed: The instant-speed nature of Depopulate allows savvy players to wait for the opportune moment to wipe the board during an opponent’s turn. This can lead to a more efficient use of mana and can catch an opponent off-guard, potentially wasting their turn and giving you a significant tempo boost going into your own turn. Additionally, the surprise factor of an instant-speed board clear can also disrupt intricate combat strategies or end-of-turn plays that the opponent might be setting up.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Depopulate necessitates a card discard from your hand upon casting. This can be particularly cumbersome when your hand is already dwindling, forcing you to forgo potentially crucial plays or strategies in the pipeline.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting requirement that includes both white and generic mana, Depopulate may not seamlessly fit into every deck archetype. Those running multicolored decks or ones with a less consistent mana base may find it challenging to cast Depopulate when needed without the right mana optimization.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Depopulate’s effectiveness is evaluated against its mana cost, which could be deemed steep for its effect. Players might consider this a drawback, especially when seeking more impactful plays or balancing curve considerations in deck construction. Alternative cards with lower casting costs might accomplish similar board impact, potentially relegating Depopulate as a less optimal choice.


Reasons to Include Depopulate in Your Collection

Versatility: Depopulate offers a unique flexibility to control the battlefield. It can clear the board in games where creatures have become a dominant presence, resetting the state of play to your advantage.

Combo Potential: This card is a functional piece in strategies that rely on creature removal for triggering death-related abilities or benefiting from opponents’ creatures being swept away. It can be particularly effective in decks that exploit graveyard mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: As gameplay often cycles through periods where aggressive creature decks are prevalent, the option to cast a mass removal spell like Depopulate ensures that your deck remains competitive. Its role in maintaining a level playing field in such meta environments cannot be overstated.


How to beat

Depopulate is a card that can dramatically swing the course of a match in MTG. It’s designed to disrupt opponents by clearing the battlefield of creatures, making it a potentially game-changing play. When faced with Depopulate, the goal is to anticipate its cast and keep the board impact to a minimum. Employing strategies such as holding back key creatures in your hand or placing value in other permanent types like enchantments and artifacts, which remain unaffected by Depopulate, can mitigate the impact.

It’s also wise to have creature cards with undying or persist abilities, ensuring they return to the battlefield even after Depopulate has resolved. Moreover, using instant-speed spells that create creature tokens or flash creatures that can be played on an opponent’s turn greatly reduces the window of vulnerability. Lastly, maintaining a diverse hand ready to redeploy threats post-Depopulate ensures a swift recovery and maintains pressure on your opponent, putting you back in control of the game.

By analyzing the characteristics of Depopulate and incorporating counterstrategies into your gameplay, you can reduce its dominance on the battlefield and maintain an advantageous position against opponents wielding this powerful wipe card in MTG.


BurnMana Recommendations

As we’ve delved into the strategic nuances of Depopulate and its implications for the MTG metagame, it becomes evident that this card offers both intriguing opportunities and some challenges. Harnessing its full potential requires a thoughtful approach to deck construction and play style. Potentially game-altering, Depopulate aligns with certain deck archetypes better than others, making it a card worth considering for its versatility and the strategic depth it brings to the table. If you’re eager to explore the myriad ways in which Depopulate can reshape your gameplay and elevate your MTG experience, we invite you to deepen your understanding. Join the conversation and discover how to make Depopulate an integral part of your winning strategy.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Depopulate MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Streets of New Capenna, 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 Depopulate and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Depopulate Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2022-04-29 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by Jokubas Uogintas.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 997812015NormalBlackJokubas Uogintas
22022-04-29Streets of New CapennaSNC 4062015NormalBlackJokubas Uogintas
32022-04-29Streets of New CapennaSNC 102015NormalBlackJokubas Uogintas
42022-04-29Streets of New Capenna PromosPSNC 10s2015NormalBlackJokubas Uogintas
52022-04-29Streets of New Capenna PromosPSNC 10p2015NormalBlackJokubas Uogintas

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Depopulate has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal