Walk the PlankHow it works & interactions with other cards

What Walk the Plank Does

Walk the Plank is a black sorcery that costs two black mana. Its effect is simple but narrow: it destroys a target creature, as long as that creature does not have the Merfolk subtype. It is an effective tool for Midrange or Control decks that need to remove large blockers or utility creatures early in the game.

How it Resolves Step by Step

First, you cast the spell by paying two black mana and choosing a legal target, which must be a creature that is not a Merfolk. Upon resolution, the game checks if the target is still legal. If the creature has gained the Merfolk type or left the battlefield in response, the spell fails to resolve. If the target is still a non-Merfolk creature, it is destroyed and put into its owner's graveyard.

Common Mistakes

The most common error is attempting to target a creature that has multiple types if one of those types is Merfolk; if a creature is a 'Merfolk Wizard,' it is not a legal target. Additionally, remember that Walk the Plank is a sorcery. Unlike instant-speed removal, you cannot use this during your opponent's turn or in response to an attack declaration.

When to Play It

This card is best utilized in the early to mid-game to remove high-value targets that your opponent has spent significant resources on. Because it only costs two mana, it allows you to remove a threat and still have mana available to progress your own board state or hold up other interaction.

Interaction examples

Recovering a Fallen Threat

Reanimate

You cast Walk the Plank to destroy an opponent's non-Merfolk creature, sending it to the graveyard. On your next turn, or later in the same turn, you cast Reanimate targeting that same creature. The creature enters the battlefield under your control, and you lose life equal to its mana value.

Hunting for Answers

Demonic Tutor

If your opponent controls a dangerous non-Merfolk creature but you do not have an answer in hand, you cast Demonic Tutor. You search your library for Walk the Plank and put it into your hand. You then cast Walk the Plank to destroy the creature, effectively using your deck's consistency to solve the board state.

Basic Removal

You target an opponent's creature that does not have the Merfolk type. As the spell resolves, the creature is destroyed and moves to the graveyard. This is a straightforward 1-for-1 trade that uses only two mana.