Extinguish All HopeHow it works & interactions with other cards

Divine Selection

When Extinguish All Hope resolves, it checks every creature currently on the battlefield for the enchantment type. Any creature that is not an enchantment is destroyed and put into its owner's graveyard. This includes tokens, artifact creatures, and standard creatures, provided they don't have that crucial extra type line.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, the spell is cast and put onto the stack. When it resolves, the game identifies all creatures on the battlefield. It then filters these into two groups: those that are enchantments and those that are not. All creatures in the 'nonenchantment' group are destroyed simultaneously. Note that indestructible creatures will survive this process, even if they aren't enchantments.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is assuming that a creature with an Aura attached to it counts as an enchantment creature; it does not. The creature itself must have 'Enchantment' printed on its type line or have gained it through another effect. Additionally, remember that this spell destroys rather than exiles, so 'dies' triggers will still occur for every creature sent to the graveyard.

Strategic Timing

Because this spell costs six mana, it is often a mid-to-late game play. Use it when you have established a board of enchantment-heavy threats, such as Theros-block Gods or creatures with Bestow, to create a one-sided wipe that clears the way for a lethal attack.

Interaction examples

Managing the Graveyard

Living Death

If you cast Extinguish All Hope to clear the board, your nonenchantment creatures enter the graveyard. If an opponent follows up with Living Death, those destroyed creatures will return to the battlefield while any enchantment creatures you managed to save will be sacrificed.

Dealing with Large Boards

Blasphemous Edict

In a multiplayer game with many creatures, you might face a choice. While Blasphemous Edict can be cast for just one black mana if thirteen creatures are present, it forces you to sacrifice your own units regardless of their types. Extinguish All Hope costs more mana but ensures your enchantment creatures remain to pressure your opponents.