PillageHow it works & interactions with other cards

Dual-Purpose Destruction

Pillage allows you to choose between destroying a land or an artifact. This flexibility makes it a valuable tool in many red decks, as it can disrupt an opponent's mana base early in the game or remove a critical noncreature threat later on. Because it targets, you must select the permanent you wish to destroy as you cast the spell.

The No-Regeneration Clause

One of the most important aspects of Pillage is the text 'It can't be regenerated.' When Pillage resolves, if the target is still legal, it is destroyed immediately. Any regeneration shields that may have been applied to the permanent are ignored, and the permanent is put into its owner's graveyard without the possibility of being saved by a regeneration effect.

Resolution Step-by-Step

First, you cast Pillage by paying its mana cost of one generic and two red mana, choosing a target artifact or land. Second, players have an opportunity to respond with spells or abilities. Third, if the target is still legal, Pillage resolves: the permanent is destroyed and cannot be regenerated. If the target is no longer legal when Pillage tries to resolve, the spell does not resolve and none of its effects happen.

Strategic Timing

As a sorcery, Pillage can only be played during your main phase when the stack is empty. Use it to eliminate key obstacles before you move to your combat phase, or to cut off an opponent's access to a specific color of mana to prevent them from casting spells on their own turn.

Interaction examples

Clearing the Path for Mana

Jeska's Will

If your opponent controls a land that provides extra mana or utility, you can cast Pillage to destroy it. Once the land is gone, you can follow up by casting Jeska's Will to generate a large amount of red mana based on the cards in your opponent's hand, ensuring they have fewer resources to fight back with.

Hand Refills and Resource Denial

Wheel of Fortune

You can use Pillage to destroy a key artifact your opponent just played. After stripping them of that resource, you can cast Wheel of Fortune to force everyone to discard their hands and draw seven new cards. This combination effectively removes a specific threat while cycling your hand for more answers.

Targeting Artifact Lands

If an opponent controls a permanent that is both an artifact and a land, Pillage can target it regardless of which type you are focusing on. Even if the opponent tries to use a regeneration ability on that permanent in response, Pillage's effect will bypass the shield and destroy the permanent anyway.