Essence FilterHow it works & interactions with other cards

What it Does

Essence Filter gives you a choice between two modes when you cast it. You can either destroy every single enchantment on the battlefield or destroy only the enchantments that are not white. This allows you to selectively wipe out your opponents' boards while potentially sparing your own white enchantments or those of a teammate.

How it Resolves Step by Step

First, as you cast Essence Filter, you choose which of the two modes you are using. Second, players have an opportunity to respond with spells or abilities. Finally, as the spell resolves, the game checks the current enchantments on the battlefield and destroys them according to the mode chosen. If an enchantment has protection from green or is indestructible, it will not be destroyed.

Common Mistakes

A common error is forgetting that this spell affects all players, including yourself. If you choose the first mode, even your own enchantments will be destroyed. Additionally, remember that a multicolored enchantment that is both white and another color counts as a white enchantment, so it would survive the second mode.

When to Play It

This card is best utilized in decks that either don't rely on enchantments or specifically use white enchantments. Because it is a sorcery, it cannot be used as a combat trick, but it serves as an excellent tool for breaking a 'stasis' or removing multiple utility enchantments at once.

Interaction examples

Setting Up the Mana

CultivateFarseek

To cast Essence Filter reliably, you need three mana, two of which must be green. You can use Farseek to search for a land type you need or Cultivate to ensure you have the mana base ready by turn three to clear the board.

Clearing the Path

If your opponent has played several nonwhite enchantments like Rhystic Study or Necropotence, you cast Essence Filter choosing the 'nonwhite' mode. All those enchantments are moved to the graveyard while any white enchantments remain untouched.