Walk the Plank MTG Card


A cost-effective one-for-one removal, pivotal for swinging the board in your favor. Aligns well with mono-black decks due to its specific black mana cost. Despite limitations, it offers broad applicability against non-Merfolk creatures.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Destroy target non-Merfolk creature.

When Captain Thorn adds a new ship to his fleet, he gives the crew a simple choice: follow me, or fall in the sea.


Cards like Walk the Plank

Walk the Plank is a removal option in Magic: The Gathering that solidifies black’s identity for direct and efficient creature removal spells. It’s in line with options such as Doom Blade, another two-mana removal spell that destroys non-black creatures. While Doom Blade’s restrictiveness lies with creature color, Walk the Plank’s limitation concerns creature type, specifically ruling out Merfolk.

Likewise, we have Go for the Throat which exemplifies another targeted removal card. It’s similar to Walk the Plank in mana cost and also has a specific exclusion, this time of artifact creatures, which could be significant in artifact-heavy decks. The value of such targeted removal boils down to the meta and potential creatures faced in gameplay.

In comparing these spells, it becomes clear that while they all have efficient cost-to-effect ratios, each card’s drawback is shaped by the current environment and deck strategy. The ability of Walk the Plank to not discriminate against any color gives it an edge in a multi-colored creature meta, as long as the seas are clear of those slippery Merfolk.

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

Cards similar to Walk the Plank by color, type and mana cost

Drain Life - MTG Card versions
Demonic Tutor - MTG Card versions
Sinkhole - MTG Card versions
Word of Binding - MTG Card versions
Soul Exchange - MTG Card versions
Dry Spell - MTG Card versions
Hymn to Tourach - MTG Card versions
Mind Knives - MTG Card versions
Shattered Crypt - MTG Card versions
Disturbed Burial - MTG Card versions
Death Stroke - MTG Card versions
Exhume - MTG Card versions
Imperial Edict - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Intent - MTG Card versions
Decompose - MTG Card versions
Chainer's Edict - MTG Card versions
Predators' Hour - MTG Card versions
Nausea - MTG Card versions
Stitch Together - MTG Card versions
Hunger of the Nim - MTG Card versions
Drain Life - MTG Card versions
Demonic Tutor - MTG Card versions
Sinkhole - MTG Card versions
Word of Binding - MTG Card versions
Soul Exchange - MTG Card versions
Dry Spell - MTG Card versions
Hymn to Tourach - MTG Card versions
Mind Knives - MTG Card versions
Shattered Crypt - MTG Card versions
Disturbed Burial - MTG Card versions
Death Stroke - MTG Card versions
Exhume - MTG Card versions
Imperial Edict - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Intent - MTG Card versions
Decompose - MTG Card versions
Chainer's Edict - MTG Card versions
Predators' Hour - MTG Card versions
Nausea - MTG Card versions
Stitch Together - MTG Card versions
Hunger of the Nim - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Walk the Plank poses a one-for-one removal setup that can swing the board in your favor by efficiently dispatching an opponent’s creature. This swing can often clear the path for your own creatures, ensuring that you maintain pressure and card benefit on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly related to resource acceleration, the low mana cost of Walk the Plank means you can execute a powerful removal action and still have mana available for other spells or abilities within the same turn, effectively speeding up your game plan and optimizing your turn’s resource distribution.

Instant Speed: Despite being a sorcery, the efficiency and impact of Walk the Plank compensate for its speed by fitting perfectly into your main phase tactics. Although it may not be cast at instant speed, the predictability can be incorporated into your strategy, enabling you to plan your turns with precision.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the considerations when evaluating Walk the Plank is that it doesn’t have a discard requirement, which is a positive aspect; therefore, we will focus on its other inherent limitations.

Specific Mana Cost: Walk the Plank has a mana cost that demands two black mana specifically. This could potentially restrict its inclusion only to mono-black or decks heavily weighted towards black mana, as it may cause mana issues in multicolored decks with a less consistent mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The necessity of paying two mana may seem fair for a removal spell; however, when considering other options in the game, Walk the Plank’s cost could be deemed on the higher side. For instance, there exist various one-mana removal spells that can deal with a wide range of creatures and offer immediate board impact, possibly making these alternatives more appealing for decks aiming for efficiency.


Reasons to Include Walk the Plank in Your Collection

Versatility: Walk the Plank is a robust removal card that can handle most threats your opponents put into play. Its ability to destroy non-Merfolk creatures regardless of size or abilities makes it useful in a range of black-centric decks, from aggressive strategies to more controlling builds seeking to maintain a clear board.

Combo Potential: As a straightforward and cost-effective sorcery, Walk the Plank can be easily integrated into decks that aim to manipulate the graveyard or benefit from casting spells. Sorcery synergy with cards that capitalize upon spells being cast or cards entering the graveyard can turn this into more than just a removal spell.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta teeming with creature-based strategies, having a reliable and affordable creature removal option can be critical. Walk the Plank serves this role admirably, providing an edge when facing down decks that rely heavily on non-Merfolk creatures.


How to Beat Walk the Plank

Walk the Plank is an intriguing removal spell in Magic: The Gathering, standing out with its ability to destroy non-Merfolk creatures. It offers targeted creature elimination for a relatively low mana cost, but with an important limitation. Unlike universal removal spells, Walk the Plank cannot affect Merfolk, providing a strategic consideration for deck builders.

Players can outmaneuver Walk the Plank by using decks with a Merfolk backbone or incorporating key Merfolk into a diversified creature lineup. The restriction opens play to tactics that employ Merfolk synergies and tribal buffs, rendering the spell obsolete against such decks. Additionally, hexproof creatures are another robust defense against targeted spells like Walk the Plank, as it requires a creature to be a valid target.

Considering these strategies, players are encouraged to analyze their meta and anticipate possible removal spells. A well-informed player can effectively nullify the impact of Walk the Plank through strategic deck construction, emphasizing the value of diversity in creature selection and the inclusion of Merfolk or hexproof elements to safeguard against targeted destruction.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving into the depths of MTG strategies with Walk the Plank provides a critical edge in conquering creature-heavy boards. Whether you’re considering its inclusion in black-centric decks or pondering how to protect your squad from its wrath, understanding its pros and cons is key. The mana specificity and sorcery speed are offset by its ability to clear formidable threats efficiently, emphasizing the importance of strategic mana base construction. We encourage you to further dissect its uses and limitations, refine your deck-building skills, and outwit your opponents with informed card choices. Maximize your strategic depth by learning more with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Walk the Plank MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Ixalan, 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 Walk the Plank and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Walk the Plank Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 656662015NormalBlackChristopher Moeller
22017-09-29IxalanXLN 1302015NormalBlackKieran Yanner
32017-09-29Ixalan PromosPXLN 1302015NormalBlackChristopher Moeller
42019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 8202015NormalBlackKieran Yanner
52020-09-26The ListPLST XLN-1302015NormalBlackKieran Yanner

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Walk the Plank has restrictions

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