Hey guys! Artifacts in Magic: The Gathering can be super powerful, right? Sometimes, they can even become a real pain if you don't have the right answers in your deck. That's where artifact removal comes in! Think of it as your deck's way of saying, "Not today!" to those game-winning artifacts your opponent is relying on. In this guide, we're going to dive deep into some of the best cards for destroying artifacts in MTG. Whether you're facing down a pesky [[Sol Ring]] in Commander or trying to dismantle a complex artifact combo in Modern, knowing your removal options is key to staying competitive. So, let's get started and explore the top artifact removal cards that can save the day!

Why Artifact Removal is Crucial

Okay, so why exactly is artifact removal so important? Well, artifacts are permanents that can provide all sorts of advantages, from mana ramp and card draw to powerful abilities and game-ending combos. Leaving these threats unchecked can quickly lead to a loss. Imagine your opponent drops an early [[Thran Dynamo]] – suddenly, they're way ahead on mana. Or maybe they assemble a devastating combo with [[Krark-Clan Ironworks]]. Without artifact removal, you're basically handing them the win! Artifact removal spells are your emergency brakes, allowing you to disrupt your opponent's plans and regain control of the game. They can also act as proactive measures, preventing your opponent from ever establishing a dominant board state. Playing artifact removal is not just about answering threats; it's about controlling the flow of the game.

Furthermore, the prevalence of artifacts in various formats makes artifact removal a necessary inclusion in most sideboards, if not the main deck. In Commander, for example, artifact-heavy strategies are incredibly common, making cards like [[Swords to Plowshares]] (while technically creature removal, often targeting artifact creatures) and [[ ডিসইনচান t]] invaluable. In Modern and Legacy, certain decks rely heavily on artifacts for mana acceleration or combo potential, making artifact removal a strategic advantage. Even in Standard, key artifacts can define the meta, such as powerful equipment or game-winning vehicles. Considering how diverse artifacts are and how impactful they can be, having a well-rounded removal package is crucial for any competitive MTG player. It is also important to note that flexibility is key. Some artifact removal spells can target other permanent types, such as enchantments, creatures, or lands, making them useful in a wider range of situations. Investing in versatile removal options enhances your ability to adapt to different matchups and unforeseen threats, maximizing your chances of success in any game.

Top Artifact Removal Cards

Alright, let's get to the good stuff – the cards themselves! I've broken them down by color and included some all-star colorless options, so you've got a well-rounded arsenal to choose from.

White

White is known for its efficient and versatile removal spells, often exiling permanents rather than simply destroying them. This can be especially relevant against artifacts that have graveyard recursion abilities or trigger powerful effects upon being destroyed. White's artifact removal is generally unconditional, meaning it can target any artifact regardless of its color or abilities. Here are a few key players:

• [[ ডিসইনচান t]]: An absolute classic and a staple in white decks. For just two mana, you can destroy any artifact or enchantment. Its simplicity and efficiency make it a must-have in any format where artifacts are prevalent.
• [[Swords to Plowshares]]: While primarily a creature removal spell, Swords to Plowshares is incredibly versatile. It can target artifact creatures, effectively removing them from the board while granting your opponent a small life boost. The low mana cost and instant speed make it a valuable tool in a variety of situations.
• [[Declaration in Stone]]: This spell exiles one or more creatures that share a name, which can be extremely effective against token-based artifact strategies or decks that rely on multiple copies of a specific artifact creature. The downside is that your opponent gets a clue token, but the exile effect often outweighs the drawback.

Blue

Blue typically doesn't destroy artifacts directly but prefers to counter them or temporarily remove them from the battlefield. While blue may not have as many dedicated artifact removal spells as white or green, its control-oriented approach can be just as effective in disrupting artifact-based strategies. Blue is a master of tempo, using bounce spells and countermagic to keep your opponent off balance and prevent them from establishing a dominant board state. Here are a couple of ways blue deals with artifacts:

• [[Counterspell]]: The quintessential blue counterspell. Preventing an artifact from ever resolving is often better than destroying it after it's already on the battlefield. Counterspell can shut down key artifact plays and disrupt your opponent's strategy before it even gets started.
• [[Blink of an Eye]]: This versatile spell can bounce an artifact back to your opponent's hand, disrupting their tempo and forcing them to recast it. The added option to draw a card makes Blink of an Eye a valuable tool for maintaining card advantage while dealing with problematic artifacts.
• [[Cyclonic Rift]]: Overloaded, this spell bounces all nonland permanents your opponents control, including artifacts. It's a powerful way to reset the board and gain a significant advantage, especially in Commander where you're dealing with multiple opponents.

Black

Black often destroys artifacts as a secondary effect of its creature removal spells or through sacrifice effects. Black's removal suite is generally more conditional than white's, often requiring a sacrifice or having specific targeting restrictions. However, black also offers powerful discard spells that can disrupt your opponent's hand and prevent them from ever casting their key artifacts in the first place. Here are a few notable options:

• [[Feed the Swarm]]: While not strictly artifact removal, this spell can destroy enchantments, which can be crucial for dealing with artifact-enchantment hybrids or enchantments that support artifact strategies. Its versatility makes it a valuable inclusion in black decks.
• [[Geth's Verdict]]: This edict effect forces each opponent to sacrifice a creature, which can be useful for dealing with artifact creatures or forcing your opponent to sacrifice a valuable non-artifact creature to protect their artifacts.

Red

Red is known for its destructive and impulsive nature, and its artifact removal is no exception. Red spells often deal damage to artifacts or destroy them outright, sometimes with added benefits like dealing damage to the artifact's controller. Red's artifact removal is generally fast and efficient, making it ideal for aggressive strategies that want to quickly eliminate threats and maintain tempo. Here are a few fire-flavored options:

• [[Shatter]]: A simple and direct artifact destruction spell. For just two mana, you can destroy any artifact. While it lacks the versatility of some other options, its efficiency makes it a solid choice for red decks that need reliable artifact removal.
• [[Vandal Blast]]: This card is a powerhouse in Commander, especially when overloaded. For a single red mana, it destroys one artifact. But if you pay the overload cost, it destroys all artifacts your opponents control, leaving your own artifacts untouched. It's a game-winning play in many situations.
• [[Abrade]]: This flexible card can either deal 3 damage to a creature or destroy an artifact. Its versatility makes it a valuable inclusion in red decks, allowing you to adapt to different threats as needed.

Green

Green is the color of natural balance, and that extends to dealing with artifacts. Green often uses naturalize effects to destroy artifacts and enchantments, reflecting its focus on maintaining harmony with the natural world. Green's artifact removal is generally efficient and versatile, often coming with additional benefits like drawing cards or gaining life. Here are some of the best ways for green to handle artifacts:

• [[Naturalize]]: The quintessential green artifact and enchantment removal spell. For just two mana, you can destroy any artifact or enchantment. Its simplicity and efficiency make it a staple in green decks.
• [[ ডিসইনচান t]]: As mentioned earlier, ডিসইনচান t is a powerhouse in any color that can play it, including green. Its ability to destroy any artifact or enchantment for just two mana makes it an invaluable tool for dealing with a wide range of threats.
• [[Bane of Progress]]: This creature destroys all artifacts and enchantments when it enters the battlefield, growing larger for each permanent destroyed. It's a powerful way to reset the board and gain a significant advantage, especially against artifact-heavy strategies.

Colorless

Colorless artifact removal is essential for decks that lack access to the colors with the best removal options. These cards can fit into any deck, providing a universal answer to problematic artifacts. Colorless options are particularly valuable in Commander, where players often have diverse color identities and need flexible solutions to deal with a wide range of threats. Here are some of the top colorless artifact removal spells:

• [[Universal Solvent]]: This artifact allows you to pay mana and tap it to destroy any permanent. Its flexibility makes it a valuable inclusion in decks that need a catch-all answer to problematic permanents.
• [[Oblivion Stone]]: This powerful artifact can destroy all nonland permanents, including artifacts, at the cost of two mana. It's a symmetrical effect, but you can use it strategically to reset the board and gain an advantage.
• [[Spine of Ish Sah]]: This big, clunky artifact comes down and blows up something. When it goes to the graveyard, you get it back in your hand. Good value, especially if you need recurring artifact hate.

Budget-Friendly Options

Don't worry, you don't need to break the bank to have decent artifact removal! Here are some effective and affordable options:

• [[ ডিসইনচান t]]: Still a great choice and usually very cheap.
• [[Naturalize]]: Another classic that won't hurt your wallet.
• [[Shatter]]: Simple and effective for red decks.
• [[Metallic Rebuke]]: A slightly conditional counterspell that can be mana-efficient in artifact-heavy decks

Tech Choices and Considerations

• [[Collector Ouphe]]: Shuts down artifact abilities. Great against artifact-heavy decks.
• [[Stony Silence]]: Similar to Collector Ouphe, but an enchantment.
• [[Null Rod]]: Another way to shut down artifact abilities.
• [[Mycosynth Lattice]] + [[Vandalblast]]: An expensive but game-winning combo that turns all permanents into artifacts and then destroys them.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it – a comprehensive look at some of the best artifact removal cards in MTG! Remember, the right removal spell can be the difference between victory and defeat. Evaluate your meta, consider your deck's colors and strategy, and choose your removal wisely. Good luck, and happy gaming!