Eternal Scourge MTG Card


Offers card advantage by being a renewable resource when cast repeatedly from exile. Can operate in synergy with exile-focused strategies, increasing deck versatility. Despite resilience, its impact in the game can be mitigated with smart removal tactics.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Eldrazi Horror
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

You may cast Eternal Scourge from exile. When Eternal Scourge becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, exile Eternal Scourge.

"It has latched onto this place like an infestation. All efforts at eradication have proved futile." —Yeter, Trostad villager


Cards like Eternal Scourge

Eternal Scourge presents a unique spot in the Magic: The Gathering creature landscape. When looking at its characteristics, Misthollow Griffin stands out as a direct comparison. Both creatures can be cast from exile, giving players a persistent threat that can be difficult for opponents to permanently deal with. The Griffin, with its flying ability and the ability to be cast for less mana, offers strategic aerial advantages over the ground-bound Eternal Scourge.

Another creature that echoes the resilience of Eternal Scourge is Squee, the Immortal. This legendary creature also shares the ability to be cast from exile and from the graveyard, providing even more flexibility. However, Squee differs with its lower power level, which means it doesn’t pack the same punch on the battlefield as Eternal Scourge. Yet, its lower casting cost can be an advantage in faster-paced decks.

When examining the utility and appeal of Eternal Scourge within Magic: The Gathering, it’s the card’s synergies with exile-focused strategies and its ability to repeatedly enter the fray that solidify its place in the metagame. Its versatility in certain deck archetypes makes it a formidable and adaptable creature choice.

Misthollow Griffin - MTG Card versions
Squee, the Immortal - MTG Card versions
Misthollow Griffin - MTG Card versions
Squee, the Immortal - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Eternal Scourge by color, type and mana cost

Matter Reshaper - MTG Card versions
Cryptolith Fragment // Aurora of Emrakul - MTG Card versions
Farfinder - MTG Card versions
Faceless Agent - MTG Card versions
Skittering Cicada - MTG Card versions
Matter Reshaper - MTG Card versions
Cryptolith Fragment // Aurora of Emrakul - MTG Card versions
Farfinder - MTG Card versions
Faceless Agent - MTG Card versions
Skittering Cicada - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Sultai Food ChainSultai Food Chain LegacyFood ChainLegacy League 2024-05-09
Eldrazi TronEldrazi Tron ModernEldrazi TronModern League 2024-05-02
Skred RedSkred Red ModernSkred2024 Hunter Burton Memorial Open
FoodchainFoodchain LegacyFood ChainLisbon Legacy League 2024 // 3rd Qualifier
EldraziEldrazi ModernEldraziModern League 2023-12-06
Food ChainFood Chain LegacyFood Chain2023 NA Legacy Champs
Rakdos VampiresRakdos Vampires PioneerRakdos VampiresPeasant Pioneer Showdown - A Josh and Pat's MTG Bazaar Sponsored Event

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Eternal Scourge shines as it can repeatedly offer card advantage. This creature can be cast from exile, allowing players to utilize it multiple times throughout a game, effectively bypassing typical one-use limitations and offering ongoing value.

Resource Acceleration: This persistent creature provides strategic resource acceleration by recurring from exile. It complements strategies that benefit from self-exiling mechanisms, thus serving as a perpetual blocker or attacker without additional mana investment after the initial cast.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Eternal Scourge interacts favorably with cards that operate at instant speed. It becomes an immediate persistent threat post-exile when paired with instant-speed exile effects, ready to return to play and keep the opponent on their toes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While not a traditional discard, Eternal Scourge’s main mechanism of being exiled from your hand can feel similar to a discard, especially when facing decks with targeted exile effects. Losing it from your hand without the benefit of recursion can put you at a disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Eternal Scourge requires three generic mana, which on the surface seems flexible, but in practice, makes it less efficient in decks that want to utilize color-specific mana for synergistic plays. Moreover, because it’s not aligned with a color, it misses out on many tribal or color-based support cards.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its unique ability to be cast from exile, Eternal Scourge’s three mana cost for a 3/3 creature does not stack up favorably against other creatures in the same cost bracket that may offer more impactful abilities or enter the battlefield with additional value.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Eternal Scourge offers adaptability in a myriad of deck builds, as it thrives in environments with exile-based synergies and can be cast from exile, making it resilient to certain removal tactics.

Combo Potential: This card can be a key piece in various combos, particularly with cards that exile your own creatures for benefit, allowing Eternal Scourge to be a recurring threat or resource.

Meta-Relevance: Acting as a reliable contender in games where graveyard strategies are prevalent, it interacts favorably within the meta that heavily relies on exile effects, maintaining board presence despite opposing removal strategies.


How to Beat Eternal Scourge

Eternal Scourge presents a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering as a creature that can return from exile to the battlefield. Its resilience can make it a thorn in the side of most conventional removal strategies. To successfully navigate a game against it, players should consider utilizing cards that force opponents to sacrifice creatures, since Eternal Scourge can only return to hand if it’s exiled from the battlefield or graveyard. Thus, effects that don’t exile, such as Liliana of the Veil’s sacrifice ability, bypass its strength.

Another effective strategy involves controlling the game with powerful graveyard hate cards, such as Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void, which remove the option of retrieving Eternal Scourge from exile entirely. This blocks the loop that Eternal Scourge can create, as it never gets the chance to hit the battlefield again. Playing smart and adjusting the usual removal plan to account for its unique properties, including the clever use of board wipes that don’t exile, ensures that this pesky creature doesn’t become an eternal problem on your battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG is an evolving challenge that beckons players to continuously adapt and explore new card interactions. Eternal Scourge is a fine example of a card that offers longevity in play and strategic depth, particularly in decks that capitalize on exile mechanics. Understanding its pros and cons is crucial to optimizing its use in your gameplay. If Eternal Scourge has sparked your interest or you’re seeking further tactics to wield it effectively, we encourage you to delve deeper with us. Discover advanced strategies, synergies, and methods to counter adaptable threats like Eternal Scourge in the MTG arena. Dive in and refine your deck to edge out competition with newfound knowledge.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Eternal Scourge MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon Promos and Eldritch Moon, 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 Eternal Scourge and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Eternal Scourge Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Winona Nelson.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-07-22Eldritch Moon PromosPEMN 7s2015NormalBlackWinona Nelson
22016-07-22Eldritch MoonEMN 72015NormalBlackWinona Nelson
32023-03-21Shadows over Innistrad RemasteredSIR 72015NormalBlackWinona Nelson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Eternal Scourge has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Eternal Scourge card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2016-07-13 Eternal Scourge’s triggered ability only triggers while it’s on the battlefield. For example, Convolute cast targeting Eternal Scourge won’t cause its ability to trigger.
2016-07-13 You must follow the normal timing permissions and restrictions and pay its cost to cast Eternal Scourge from exile.
2016-07-13 You’ll exile Eternal Scourge even if the spell or ability that targets it is countered.