Overview of Disintegrate

Card Summary

Disintegrate is a versatile sorcery that deals X damage to any target, providing additional effects when targeting a creature. This removal spell can disrupt opponents' plans and interact with various creatures, making it an essential card in many deck archetypes.

Detailed Card Mechanics and Interactions

Damage and Application

The damage dealt by Disintegrate is applied multiple times, as long as the mana cost is met. This means that even if a creature only takes one point of damage, it will be exiled from the game at the end of the turn if it would die due to the damage.

Creature Removal

When a creature is targeted by Disintegrate, its regeneration abilities are suspended for this turn (R). However, unlike traditional removal spells, creatures won't come back up after the death trigger is checked at the end of combat step. This means that even if a creature survives this turn due to its ability, it won't regenerate unless it regenerates normally.

Strategic Uses, Combos, and Synergies

Removal and Disruption

Disintegrate's removal capabilities make it an effective tool for disrupting opponents' life totals. Its ability to exile a creature when it would die from the damage makes it particularly useful for removing problematic creatures.

• Example: Mono-Red Burn Aggro - In this deck, Disintegrate is used to remove creatures quickly and deal direct damage to the opponent.
• Example: White-Green Life Gain Combo - Here, Disintegrate is paired with other cards to create a combo that kills off an opponent's life total while gaining life through other effects.

Combo Potential

Disintegrate can be combined with other removal spells to clear the board quickly and deal significant damage. This makes it an attractive card in combo decks.

• Example: Day of Judgment - Pairing Disintegrate with Day of Judgment creates a powerful combo that can clear the board efficiently.
• Example: Searing Blood - In this deck, Disintegrate is used to trigger Searing Blood's ability, which deals additional damage to creatures targeted by removal spells.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Aggro and Combo Decks

Disintegrate is a staple in aggressive decks that aim to deal direct damage and take down opponents quickly. Its removal capabilities make it an essential card for these types of decks.

• Example: Mono-Red Burn - In this deck, Disintegrate is used to remove creatures and deal damage to the opponent.
• Example: Boros Aggro - Here, Disintegrate is paired with other removal spells to clear the board quickly.

Control and Midrange Decks

Disintegrate's versatility makes it a great fit for control decks that want to disrupt opponents' plans while still maintaining some life. Its ability to exile creatures when they would die from the damage provides additional value in these types of decks.

• Example: Azorius - In this deck, Disintegrate is used to remove problematic creatures and maintain a life advantage.
• Example: Jeskai Control - Here, Disintegrate is paired with other removal spells to create a combo that disrupts opponents' plans.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

Disintegrate has been featured in several sets across various formats, including:

Modern

In Modern, Disintegrate is commonly played in aggressive decks due to its straightforward removal capabilities. Its versatility makes it an attractive card for players who want to deal direct damage and take down opponents quickly.

• Example: Mono-Red Burn - In this deck, Disintegrate is used to remove creatures and deal damage to the opponent.
• Example: Boros Aggro - Here, Disintegrate is paired with other removal spells to clear the board quickly.

Standard

In Standard, Disintegrate is frequently included in aggro and midrange decks for its effectiveness against creatures. Its ability to exile creatures when they would die from the damage provides additional value in these types of decks.

• Example: Azorius - In this deck, Disintegrate is used to remove problematic creatures and maintain a life advantage.
• Example: Jeskai Control - Here, Disintegrate is paired with other removal spells to create a combo that disrupts opponents' plans.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

Card Advantage

The damage dealt by Disintegrate is considered instant speed. This means that if you cast Disintegrate, the opponent can't use abilities or tap permanents this turn.

• Example: Searing Blood - In this deck, Disintegrate's ability to trigger Searing Blood's ability makes it an attractive card for players who want to deal additional damage to creatures.
• Example: Day of Judgment - Pairing Disintegrate with Day of Judgment creates a powerful combo that can clear the board efficiently.

Triggered Effects

Creatures targeted by Disintegrate trigger their death triggers, but won't get back to health due to its "can't regenerate" clause. This means that even if a creature survives this turn due to its ability, it won't regenerate unless it regenerates normally.

• Example: Goblin Guide - In this deck, Disintegrate is used to remove creatures and prevent them from getting back up.
• Example: Beast Within - Here, Disintegrate's ability to trigger Beast Within's ability makes it an attractive card for players who want to deal additional damage to creatures.

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

The artwork for Disintegrate features a demon-like creature with sharp teeth, which matches the overall aesthetic of destruction and chaos. The card's flavor text reads: "Tears the life from you."

In terms of historical context, Disintegrate was first introduced in 2014 as part of the Khans of Tarkir set. Since then, it has undergone several changes to its mana cost.

Key Points Summary

• Disintegrate deals X damage to any target.
• When a creature is targeted by Disintegrate, it cannot regenerate this turn and will instead be exiled from the game if it would die due to the damage.
• This makes Disintegrate an effective removal spell that can disrupt opponents' plans and interact with various creatures.

Overall, Disintegrate is a powerful card that provides additional value in various deck archetypes. Its versatility makes it an attractive card for players who want to deal direct damage and take down opponents quickly.