Best MTG Duskmourn Removal Spells for Draft and Standard

Removal spells play an integral role within a Magic: The Gathering deck, especially within the Limited Twilight: House of Terrors Design and sealed formats. Here are the best removal spells to watch out for and include in your main deck for Pre-publication.

The Twilight: House of Terrors set is packed with removal spells in all MTG colors. Most are best within Limited play for Draft and Prerelease, while a few are worthy of inclusion in a Constructed main deck. Listed alphabetically, here are some of the best Twilight Mourning Removal Spells. Additional spells may be added after I participate in the MTG Arena Early Access Event.

Beastie Beatdown

Beastie Beatdown is a two-drop removal spell that you probably won’t be playing in the early stages of a match. It’s a bite spell with Sorcery speed, which is a slight disadvantage. However, if you have Delirium activated, the creature that bites gains two +1/+1 counters, which offsets its Sorcery speed.

The Traitor’s Deal

Fit straight into the RB Twilight Mourning Draft archetype is Betrayer’s Bargain. The two-drop Instant requires an additional payment to cast, sacrificing a creature, Enchantment, or two mana. Sacrifice is the main theme of the RB archetype, allowing you to banish a creature with five or less toughness for two mana.

Drag to the roots

Drag to the Roots is the signpost card for the BG Draft archetype that synergizes with Delirium. With four or more types, MTG cards in your graveyard isn’t hard to achieve, especially in the mid-game stages of a match. With Delirium activated, Drag to the Roots only costs two mana and destroys all non-land permanents. Now that’s value!

To exorcise

Because Delirium is a prominent mechanic within the Twilight Mourning Limited meta, banishment spells like Exorcise are increasing in value. The two-drop is at Sorcery speed. But it will banish a creature with power four or greater, or any Artifact of Enchantment. Enchantments are also prominent in Twilight MourningThat’s why I recommend using the main deck Exorcise during Draft and Prerelease events.

Final revenge

RB seems like a strong removal based archetype. Final Vengeance is a Sorcery speed card, but only costs one mana. You banish any target creature when Final Vengeance is cast, as long as you sacrifice a creature or Enchantment.

Go away

Two blue pips is a slight disadvantage in Limited on the Instant Get Out spell. However, the fact that you have two modes to choose from makes up for it. The spell counters creatures and enchantments, or you can use it to return up to two creatures and/or enchantments to your hand. For Tempo and Control builds, Get Out is a high-quality piece of removal.

Live or die

Live or Die is an expensive five-drop removal for a creature. Instant speed provides value, along with the modal options. Being able to destroy a creature or return it to the battlefield is a good value in Black. Live or Die isn’t strong enough for Standard, but should perform well in Twilight Mourning Preliminary version.

Nowhere to run

Nowhere to Run is one of my favorites Twilight Mourning Uncommon removal cards. It has Enchantment synergy, which prevents opponents from using Ward or protection spells. It has Flash, which gives it Instant Speed, and removes creatures with a power of three or less. Opponents that aren’t creatures still have Ward.

Pyroclasm

Aggro decks be warned: Pyroclasm wants to destroy your board before it can accelerate. Pyroclasm is a great Uncommon removal spell in Standard and should do just fine in Limited. But I expect it to see more play in Standard to counter Selesnia Rabbit and Mono-Red Aggro decks.

woken from sleep

White removal cards usually target tapped creatures for two mana, which is what Seized from Slumber does. But the Instant can also be cast as a five-drop if you’re targeting a creature that isn’t tapped. Seized from Slumber is a solid Limited card, but it won’t see play in Standard.

Sheltered by ghosts

The design of Sheltered by Ghosts is neat and I think it will do well in both Limited and other MTG formats. The versatile Aura enchants your creature, granting it +1/+0 and Ward Two. But it also permanently banishes a non-land upon entering the battlefield. All for just two mana. Don’t skip Sheltered by Ghosts.

Caught in the screen

Trapped in the Screen is a standard White removal design for three mana as Enchantment. But Trapped in the Screen is different because it has Ward Two, which gives you more time before an opponent can try to MTG Enchantment.

You can the Twilight: House of Terror removal cards during Prerelease events starting September 20th.