Complete Commander Removal Guide: The Best Removal in Every Color
2025-10-05
Complete Commander Removal Guide: The Best Removal in Every Color
Removal wins games. The best creatures, combos, and strategies mean nothing if you can't answer threats. This guide covers the best removal in every color with real examples, prices, and strategic advice.
Prices from our nightly TCGplayer cache as of October 2025.
Why Removal Matters in Commander
The Removal Philosophy
Commander is multiplayer. Three opponents = three times the threats. You need answers.
Typical game:
- Opponent 1: Combo deck (needs instant speed interaction)
- Opponent 2: Creature deck (needs board wipes)
- Opponent 3: Enchantress (needs enchantment removal)
You need: Versatile removal that handles everything.
How Much Removal to Run
Recommended: 10-12 removal spells per deck
Breakdown:
- 3-4 creature removal
- 2-3 artifact/enchantment removal
- 2-3 board wipes
- 2-3 counterspells (if in blue)
- 1-2 planeswalker removal
Too little: You die to unanswered threats
Too much: You run out of threats yourself
Balance is key!
Types of Removal
1. Spot Removal
Targets one permanent. Efficient, flexible.
Examples: Swords to Plowshares, Beast Within, Terminate
When to use: Remove immediate threats
2. Board Wipes
Destroys everything. Resets the game.
Examples: Wrath of God, Blasphemous Act, Cyclonic Rift
When to use: Behind on board, need to stabilize
3. Counterspells
Stops spells before they resolve. Blue's specialty.
Examples: Counterspell, Swan Song, Arcane Denial
When to use: Stop combos, protect your board
4. Exile Effects
Removes cards from the game. Beats recursion.
Examples: Swords to Plowshares, Path to Exile, Anguished Unmaking
When to use: Against graveyard decks
5. Sacrifice Effects
Forces opponents to sacrifice. Beats hexproof/shroud.
Examples: Fleshbag Marauder, Crackling Doom, Liliana of the Veil
When to use: Against voltron/hexproof strategies
White Removal: The Master
White has the best creature removal in the format.
Best Spot Removal
1. Swords to Plowshares (~$1.50)
Search for Swords to Plowshares ā
Why it's #1:
- ONE mana
- Exiles any creature
- Instant speed
- Life gain doesn't matter in Commander
Verdict: Run in every white deck. Period.
2. Path to Exile (~$2)
Why it's #2:
- ONE mana
- Exiles any creature
- Instant speed
- Land ramp is negligible
Verdict: Run both Swords and Path!
3. Generous Gift (~$0.75)
Why it's versatile:
- {2}{W} = exile ANY permanent
- Instant speed
- Hits creatures, artifacts, enchantments, planeswalkers, lands
- 3/3 elephant is worth it
Verdict: White's catch-all answer. Essential!
Best Board Wipes
1. Wrath of God (~$8)
Why it's classic:
- {2}{W}{W} = destroy all creatures
- Can't be regenerated (stops old-school tricks)
- Clean, simple, effective
Budget option: Day of Judgment (~$1.50) does same thing!
2. Austere Command (~$5)
Search for Austere Command ā
Why it's flexible:
- {4}{W}{W} = destroy creatures/enchantments/artifacts based on CMC or type
- Can save your stuff!
- Political tool (choose what to save)
- One-sided potential
Verdict: Best modal board wipe in Commander.
3. Farewell (~$15)
Why it's premium:
- {4}{W}{W} = exile creatures/artifacts/enchantments/graveyards (choose)
- Exiles = beats recursion
- Flexible modes
- Recent print = available
Verdict: Expensive but worth it for graveyard metas.
White's Weaknesses
ā Can't remove enchantments (needs artifact/enchantment removal or generic exile)
ā Can't ramp (white's biggest problem)
ā
Best creature removal (makes up for weaknesses)
Find more white removal ā "White removal spells under $5"
Blue Removal: Counterspells & Bounce
Blue doesn't destroy - it prevents or resets.
Best Counterspells
1. Counterspell (~$1)
Why it's essential:
- {U}{U} = counter any spell
- Unconditional
- Two mana = efficient
- Recently reprinted = cheap
Verdict: Run in every blue deck.
2. Swan Song (~$8)
Why it's powerful:
- {U} = counter instant/sorcery/enchantment
- ONE mana!
- Gives 2/2 bird (worth it)
- Stops combos cold
Verdict: Best one-mana counter in Commander.
3. Arcane Denial (~$2.50)
Why it's political:
- {1}{U} = counter spell
- Opponent draws 2 cards
- You draw 1 card
- Makes friends!
Verdict: Card draw makes up for giving opponent cards.
Best Bounce Effects
1. Cyclonic Rift (~$30)
Why it's format-defining:
- {6}{U} overload = bounce all non-land permanents opponents control
- INSTANT SPEED
- One-sided
- Wins games on the spot
Budget option: Evacuation (~$1.50) bounces everything including yours.
2. Pongify (~$0.50)
Why it's efficient:
- {U} = destroy target creature
- Gives 3/3 ape
- ONE mana!
- Blue's creature removal
Verdict: Blue's Swords to Plowshares (sort of). $0.50!
3. Reality Shift (~$0.50)
Why it's strong:
- {1}{U} = exile creature
- Instant speed
- Gives 2/2 manifest (random card face-down)
- Blue exile effect!
Verdict: Blue's best creature removal. $0.50!
Blue's Weaknesses
ā Can't destroy permanents (blue doesn't "destroy")
ā
Best counter magic (prevents problems)
ā
Bounce resets board (temporary but powerful)
Find more blue removal ā "Blue removal and counterspells"
Black Removal: Kill Everything
Black destroys creatures efficiently and cheaply.
Best Spot Removal
1. Go for the Throat (~$1)
Search for Go for the Throat ā
Why it's efficient:
- {1}{B} = destroy target nonartifact creature
- Two mana
- Instant speed
- Cheap!
Caveat: Doesn't hit artifact creatures (minor issue).
2. Hero's Downfall (~$1.50)
Search for Hero's Downfall ā
Why it's versatile:
- {1}{B}{B} = destroy creature or planeswalker
- Instant speed
- Hits planeswalkers!
- Unconditional
Verdict: One of black's best.
3. Terminate (~$0.75)
Why it's perfect:
- {B}{R} = destroy creature (can't regenerate)
- Two mana
- Instant speed
- Exiles in practice (can't regenerate = old wording)
Verdict: Best Rakdos removal. $0.75!
Best Board Wipes
1. Toxic Deluge (~$18)
Why it's premium:
- {2}{B} = pay X life, all creatures get -X/-X
- Kills EVERYTHING (indestructible, hexproof, protection)
- Three mana!
- Bypass protections
Verdict: Best black board wipe. Worth the price.
2. Damnation (~$25)
Why it's good (but overpriced):
- {2}{B}{B} = destroy all creatures
- Black's Wrath of God
- Can't be regenerated
Budget option: Crux of Fate (~$2) is similar!
3. Black Sun's Zenith (~$2)
Search for Black Sun's Zenith ā
Why it's flexible:
- {X}{B}{B} = all creatures get -X/-X
- Scales to board state
- Shuffles back (reusable!)
- Kills indestructible
Verdict: Budget Toxic Deluge. $2!
Black's Weaknesses
ā Can't destroy artifacts/enchantments (needs colorless or splash)
ā
Best creature removal (tied with white)
ā
Sacrifice effects (beats hexproof)
Find more black removal ā "Black removal and board wipes"
Red Removal: Burn & Chaos
Red destroys artifacts and uses damage-based removal.
Best Spot Removal
1. Chaos Warp (~$1.25)
Why it's amazing:
- {2}{R} = shuffle any permanent into deck
- RED CAN HIT ENCHANTMENTS!
- Instant speed
- Replacement is randomized (usually worse)
Verdict: Red's best catch-all. Run in every red deck!
2. Vandalblast (~$1.50)
Why it's format-defining:
- {R} = destroy one artifact
- {4}{R} overload = destroy ALL artifacts opponents control
- One-sided!
- Wins artifact-heavy metas
Verdict: Essential red removal. $1.50!
3. Abrade (~$0.50)
Why it's flexible:
- {1}{R} = destroy artifact OR deal 3 damage to creature
- Modal!
- Instant speed
- Two modes = always useful
Verdict: Red's most flexible removal. $0.50!
Best Board Wipes
1. Blasphemous Act (~$2)
Search for Blasphemous Act ā
Why it's incredible:
- {8}{R} normally
- Costs {1} less per creature on board
- Often costs {R}!
- 13 damage kills almost everything
Verdict: Best red board wipe. Auto-include. $2!
2. Chain Reaction (~$1.50)
Why it's effective:
- {2}{R}{R} = deals X damage to each creature (X = creatures on board)
- Scales to board state
- Wipes wide boards
- Budget-friendly
Verdict: Budget Blasphemous Act. $1.50!
Red's Weaknesses
ā Struggles with enchantments (Chaos Warp is only answer)
ā
Best artifact removal (Vandalblast MVP)
ā
Cheap board wipes (Blasphemous Act!)
Find more red removal ā "Red removal and artifact destruction"
Green Removal: Universal Answers
Green destroys anything - at a cost.
Best Spot Removal
1. Beast Within (~$0.50)
Why it's perfect:
- {2}{G} = destroy ANY permanent
- Instant speed
- Hits creatures, artifacts, enchantments, planeswalkers, LANDS
- 3/3 beast is negligible
Verdict: Green's best removal. Run in every green deck. $0.50!
2. Krosan Grip (~$0.75)
Why it's powerful:
- {2}{G} = destroy artifact or enchantment
- Split second (can't be countered!)
- Stops combo responses
- Guaranteed to resolve
Verdict: Best anti-combo tech. $0.75!
3. Nature's Claim (~$0.50)
Why it's efficient:
- {G} = destroy artifact or enchantment
- ONE MANA!
- Instant speed
- Life gain doesn't matter
Verdict: Green's most efficient removal. $0.50!
Best Board Wipes
Green doesn't really do board wipes, but:
1. Ezuri's Predation (~$3)
Search for Ezuri's Predation ā
Why it's unique:
- {5}{G}{G}{G} = create X 4/4 beasts (X = creatures opponents control)
- Beasts fight opponent creatures
- Often one-sided!
- Leaves you with army
Verdict: Green's only real board wipe. Expensive mana but strong.
Green's Weaknesses
ā No true board wipes (green doesn't "destroy all")
ā
Best catch-all removal (Beast Within hits anything!)
ā
Artifact/enchantment removal (Nature's Claim, Krosan Grip)
Find more green removal ā "Green removal and permanent destruction"
Colorless & Multicolor
Best Colorless Removal
1. Spine of Ish Sah (~$0.50)
Search for Spine of Ish Sah ā
Why it's useful:
- {7} = destroy any permanent when it enters
- Returns to hand when it leaves
- Repeatable!
- Colorless = fits any deck
Verdict: Expensive mana but works in colorless decks. $0.50!
2. Meteor Golem (~$0.25)
Why it's flexible:
- {7} = destroy nonland permanent when it enters
- Also a 3/3 body
- Blink synergies
- Budget
Verdict: Creature-based removal for colorless decks. $0.25!
Best Multicolor Removal
1. Anguished Unmaking (~$3)
Search for Anguished Unmaking ā
Why it's premium:
- {1}{W}{B} = exile any nonland permanent
- Instant speed
- Hits ANYTHING
- Pay 3 life (worth it)
Verdict: Best Orzhov removal. Run in every WB deck. $3!
2. Assassin's Trophy (~$8)
Search for Assassin's Trophy ā
Why it's powerful:
- {B}{G} = destroy any permanent
- Two mana!
- Instant speed
- Land ramp is worth it
Verdict: Best Golgari removal. Two mana hits anything! $8.
Building Your Removal Package
Sample Removal Package (Any Deck)
Spot Removal (4):
- Best removal in your colors (Swords, Beast Within, etc.)
- At least 2 at instant speed
- Mix creatures and other types
Board Wipes (2-3):
- 1-2 creature wipes
- 0-1 artifact/enchantment wipe
- One-sided > symmetrical
Flexible Removal (3-4):
- Removal that hits multiple types (Generous Gift, Beast Within)
- Instant speed preferred
- Exile effects for graveyard metas
Counterspells (2-3 if blue):
- 1-2 unconditional counters
- 1 one-mana counter
- Protection counters (Swan Song, Negate)
Total: 10-12 removal spells
Color-Specific Packages
White/Black
Strengths: Best creature removal, exile effects
Package:
- Swords to Plowshares
- Path to Exile
- Go for the Throat
- Anguished Unmaking
- Wrath of God
- Merciless Eviction
Weakness: Enchantment removal (add Generous Gift!)
Blue/Green
Strengths: Counterspells + catch-all removal
Package:
- Counterspell
- Swan Song
- Beast Within
- Krosan Grip
- Nature's Claim
- Cyclonic Rift
Weakness: Board wipes (add Pongify for creatures)
Red/White
Strengths: Artifacts + creatures covered
Package:
- Swords to Plowshares
- Chaos Warp
- Vandalblast
- Generous Gift
- Wrath of God
- Blasphemous Act
Weakness: Enchantments (Chaos Warp + Generous Gift handle it)
When to Use Removal
Early Game (Turns 1-4)
Hold it! Save removal for actual threats.
Exception: Turn 1 Sol Ring or Mana Crypt ā remove immediately.
Mid Game (Turns 5-8)
Remove:
- Value engines (Rhystic Study, Smothering Tithe)
- Combo pieces
- Commander that threatens you
Save:
- Board wipes for later
- Counterspells for combo turns
Late Game (Turns 9+)
Remove everything! Use all your removal. Someone's about to win.
Priority:
- Combo pieces
- Game-winning threats
- Commanders about to kill you
Political Removal
Removal is political. Use it wisely:
Make Deals
"I'll remove that Rhystic Study if you don't attack me."
Remove Threats to the Table
"This combo kills all of us. I'm countering it."
Don't Be the Villain
Don't remove everything just because you can. Make friends!
Conclusion
Every deck needs 10-12 removal spells. Mix spot removal, board wipes, and flexible answers. Prioritize instant speed and exile effects.
Key Takeaways:
- White + Black: Best creature removal
- Blue: Best counterspells
- Red: Best artifact removal
- Green: Best catch-all removal (Beast Within!)
- Colorless: Exists but expensive
Build your removal package:
- Find removal in your colors ā "Removal spells in [your colors]"
- Browse removal cards ā
- Build your deck ā
Don't lose to unanswered threats. Run removal! š“āØ
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