The Destruction of PraxisHow it works & interactions with other cards

Harnessing Land Diversity

This spell calculates the value of X based on how many lands you control with different names at the moment the spell resolves. Unlike cards that care about basic land types, The Destruction of Praxis looks at the actual printed name of the card. If you control a Swamp, a Blood Crypt, and a Takenuma, Abandoned Mire, X will be 3. If you control two Swamps, they only count as one unique name toward the total.

The Resolve Phase

When The Destruction of Praxis resolves, the game first checks the number of uniquely named lands you control. It then applies a -X/-X penalty to every creature currently on the battlefield. Finally, if X is 6 or more, you create two 2/1 red Klingon Warrior creature tokens. Because the tokens are created after the -X/-X effect is applied, they do not receive the penalty and are ready to attack immediately thanks to haste.

Strategic Implementation

Common mistakes often involve miscounting lands or timing. Remember that this effect does not target, so creatures with Hexproof or Shroud will still be affected by the -X/-X. However, if a creature enters the battlefield after the spell has finished resolving, it will not have the penalty. To maximize the 'Strange new worlds' ability, ensure you have at least six distinct land names to generate your tokens and pressure the opponent.

Interaction examples

Establishing Board Presence

The Destruction of Praxis

If you control a Swamp, Mountain, Command Tower, Exotic Orchard, Reliquary Tower, and Bojuka Bog, X is 6. All creatures get -6/-6 until end of turn. Since X is at least 6, you then create two 2/1 red Klingon Warrior tokens. These tokens are unaffected by the debuff because they entered the battlefield after the -X/-X effect was established.

Comparing Board Wipes

The Destruction of PraxisDamnation

Unlike Damnation, which destroys creatures, The Destruction of Praxis uses a toughness reduction. This means it can bypass Indestructible. While Damnation is a flat cost, The Destruction of Praxis scales with your land variety, potentially dealing with massive threats while providing you with two hasty attackers if your land count is diverse enough.

Managing the Graveyard

The Destruction of PraxisLiving Death

If you cast Living Death after The Destruction of Praxis, the creatures brought back from the graveyard will not have the -X/-X penalty, as it was a one-time effect that applied only to creatures on the battlefield when the sorcery resolved. Using Praxis first to clear the board and then Living Death to bring your own creatures back is a devastating sequence.