The Power and Versatility of Solitude

As a staple in Modern and Commander, Solitude has proven itself to be a game-changing card in various deck archetypes. With its ability to exile other creatures, provide life gain, and offer an alternative casting method with Evoke, Solitude is a valuable addition to any white or artifact-heavy deck.

Immediate Interaction and Life Gain

Solitude's flash ability allows for immediate interaction with the board, making it an excellent choice for token generators, combo decks, or tempo-oriented strategies. The Lifelink effect also provides a steady stream of life gain, making Solitude a valuable asset in longer games. This synergy between flash and life gain enables players to disrupt opponents while maintaining board presence.

Exiling Creatures: A Game-Changer

The main draw of Solitude lies in its ability to exile other creatures upon entering the battlefield. This can be used to:

• Clear the board of problematic creatures, creating space for your own creatures to shine
• Exile powerful tokens or threats, neutralizing their impact on the game state
• Remove opposing planeswalkers, giving you a significant advantage in combat and life gain
• Create an overwhelming advantage by generating life from exiled creatures

When a creature is exiled, its controller gains life equal to its power. This effect can be particularly potent when combined with other life-gaining sources, such as Aegisaur or Conclave Cavalier, creating an insurmountable advantage.

Evoke Ability: Alternative Casting Method

Solitude also has an Evoke ability, allowing it to be cast for 2W if a white card is exiled from hand. This provides an additional way to cast the creature without having to pay its full mana cost, making it easier to integrate into more budget-conscious decks or those with limited resources.

Deck Archetypes and Strategic Uses

Solitude excels in various deck archetypes:

• Token Generation: Solitude's ability to exile creatures is particularly potent when combined with token generators like Serra Ascendant, Agrus Kos, the Cowl Beast, or Thraben Vigilante. This can create a swarm of small creatures that overwhelm opponents.
• Combo Decks: The flash and Evoke abilities make Solitude an excellent fit for combo decks looking to accelerate into more expensive spells. Pair it with cards like Liliana, the Last Hope or Eldrazi Disintegrator for explosive results.
• Tempos and Midrange: Solitude's life gain and exile ability make it a valuable addition to tempo-oriented decks that focus on disrupting opponents while maintaining board presence.

Some key combinations include:

• Solitude + Serra Ascendant: Exile the Serra Ascendant, gaining 5 life, and then use its token generation to create an army of small creatures.
• Solitude + Agrus Kos, the Cowl Beast: Clear the board with Solitude, and then generate a new wave of tokens with Agrus Kos.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Solitude can fill various roles in a deck:

• Aggro: Use Solitude's flash ability to clear the board and maintain tempo.
• Control: Combine Solitude's exile ability with more controlling elements, like counterspells or removal spells, to secure the game.
• Combo: Integrate Solitude into combo decks that rely on rapid acceleration.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

Solitude has seen play in various formats:

• Modern: Solitude has been a staple in Modern for several years, providing a reliable way to clear the board while generating life.
• Commander: The Evoke ability makes Solitude an attractive choice for Commander decks, where it can be cast multiple times per game.

In competitive play, Solitude is often considered a high-impact card due to its versatility and raw power. Players typically aim to include multiple copies in their deck to maximize the benefits of its abilities.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

When resolving Solitude's ability, the following rules apply:

• Exiling a creature still allows it to trigger any other effects or abilities that depend on its existence.
• If a creature is exiled while Solitude is in play, its controller gains life equal to its power at the time of exile.

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

The artwork for Solitude features an elemental spirit emerging from a swirling vortex. The flavor text hints at the ancient, mystical beings that inhabit the plane of Zendikar.

Solitude's design is often attributed to Mark Rosewater's goal of creating more "delicate" and nuanced creatures in Magic: The Gathering. By providing a balance between power and complexity, Solitude has become a beloved card among players.

Summary of Key Points

• Flash and Evoke: Solitude provides flash and an alternative casting method with Evoke.
• Life Gain and Exile: The ability to exile creatures while generating life is a game-changing combination.
• Combo Potential: Pair Solitude with combo cards like Liliana, the Last Hope or Eldrazi Disintegrator for explosive results.
• Format Viability: Solitude has seen play in Modern and Commander, with potential applications in other formats.

Conclusion

Solitude is a powerful and versatile creature that offers a wealth of strategic opportunities. Its unique combination of flash, Evoke, life gain, and exile makes it an attractive choice for various deck archetypes. Whether you're building a combo deck or a more controlling strategy, Solitude's impact on the board can be a game-changer.