In the world of Magic The Gathering (MTG), understanding how to manage and remove enchantments like Pacifism is crucial for players looking to maintain board control and strategic advantage. Pacifism is a widely used enchantment that prevents a creature from attacking or blocking, effectively neutralizing it. While Pacifism can be a strong defensive tool for your opponent, knowing the ways to get rid of it allows you to reclaim your creature’s functionality and potentially turn the game in your favor. This topic explores various strategies, card types, and mechanics that can help MTG players remove Pacifism efficiently.
Understanding Pacifism
Pacifism is a white enchantment that targets a creature, preventing it from attacking or blocking. It is commonly played in white-based decks because it is inexpensive and highly effective for slowing down aggressive strategies. Knowing the mechanics of Pacifism is the first step in determining how to remove it effectively during a game.
How Pacifism Works
- Pacifism enchants a creature and continuously prevents it from attacking or blocking as long as the enchantment remains on it.
- The enchantment does not destroy or reduce the creature’s power or toughness, meaning the creature can still be targeted by removal or other spells.
- Pacifism is color-specific, primarily found in white spells, and is commonly played in formats like Standard, Modern, Commander, and Draft.
Direct Enchantment Removal
The most straightforward way to get rid of Pacifism is through cards that specifically target enchantments. MTG has a wide array of removal spells designed to destroy or exile enchantments.
White Enchantment Removal
White decks often include spells that can destroy enchantments, including Pacifism. Examples include
- DisenchantA classic spell that destroys target artifact or enchantment, effective against Pacifism.
- Return to DustAllows you to exile one or two nonland permanents, offering flexibility in removing multiple threats.
- Revoke ExistenceSpecifically exiles target artifact or enchantment, preventing any graveyard-based recursion.
Black or Multicolor Removal
While white typically has the strongest access to enchantment removal, black and other colors can also interact with Pacifism
- NaturalizeGreen removal that destroys target artifact or enchantment.
- Chaos WarpA red card that shuffles a permanent into its owner’s library, which can remove Pacifism indirectly.
- Krosan GripGreen instant that destroys target artifact or enchantment and cannot be countered.
Targeted Creature Effects
Another approach to getting rid of Pacifism involves targeting the creature that is enchanted. Some cards allow you to remove enchantments attached to creatures or return the creature to its owner’s hand.
Disenchant Creature Attachments
Some spells or abilities can specifically remove enchantments from creatures
- UnenchantDestroys an enchantment, including Pacifism, without harming the creature.
- Seal of CleansingWhite instant that destroys target artifact or enchantment.
- Reclamation SageA creature that can destroy a target artifact or enchantment when it enters the battlefield.
Returning or Exiling the Creature
If removing the enchantment directly is not an option, targeting the creature itself may be effective
- Path to ExileExiles a creature, taking Pacifism off the battlefield temporarily.
- UnsummonReturns a creature to its owner’s hand, removing Pacifism with it.
- Flicker EffectsCards likeCloudshifttemporarily exile the creature and bring it back, effectively removing Pacifism.
Preventing Pacifism in Advance
In addition to removing Pacifism, another strategic approach is preventing it from being played or reducing its effectiveness. Some creatures or enchantments have hexproof, shroud, or protection from white, which makes them immune to Pacifism.
Hexproof and Shroud
- Hexproof creatures cannot be targeted by opponents’ spells or abilities, including Pacifism.
- Shroud provides a similar effect, protecting creatures from any spells, preventing enchantments from being attached.
- ExamplesGladecover Scout(hexproof) orAvacyn, Angel of Hope(protection abilities) in certain formats.
Protection from White
Creatures with protection from white cannot be enchanted by white spells like Pacifism. This strategy is particularly effective in white-heavy formats
- Protection abilitiesPrevent Pacifism from ever attaching, making your key creatures immune.
- Cards likeAkroma, Angel of Wrathwith protection from white can dominate against Pacifism-based strategies.
Combining Strategies
Often, the most effective approach to dealing with Pacifism involves combining direct removal, creature-targeting, and preventive strategies. For example, you might use a Reclamation Sage to destroy Pacifism while also deploying a creature with hexproof to prevent future threats. Combining multiple approaches increases your flexibility and ensures that Pacifism does not permanently hinder your board state.
Deck Construction Tips
- Include multiple enchantment removal spells to ensure consistency.
- Use creatures with hexproof or protection to safeguard key threats.
- Incorporate flicker effects to temporarily remove problematic enchantments.
- Consider multicolor options for flexible removal spells that can handle various threats.
Getting rid of Pacifism in MTG requires a combination of knowledge, strategy, and appropriate card choices. Understanding how Pacifism works allows players to choose from direct enchantment removal, targeting enchanted creatures, or employing preventive strategies like hexproof or protection abilities. By carefully constructing your deck and using removal spells and abilities strategically, you can neutralize Pacifism’s impact and maintain control of the battlefield. Whether through white enchantment removal, green or red alternatives, or clever creature interactions, MTG players have multiple tools to ensure Pacifism does not compromise their game plan. Mastering these techniques enhances your overall gameplay, improves board control, and ensures that your creatures can continue to attack, block, and influence the game as intended.