Top 10 Most Popular Magic: The Gathering Instants
Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is full of iconic spells that define games, and Commander is one of the best formats to showcase their impact. Instant spells are the backbone of any successful deck, offering versatility and answers when the stakes are high. Here, we’ll explore ten of the most essential utility spells in the format, breaking down what makes them indispensable tools for players of all skill levels.
10. Anguished Unmaking
This instant-speed removal spell is an all-purpose answer, exiling any nonland permanent. While losing three life can sting, it’s a small price to pay for permanently dealing with major threats like planeswalkers, enchantments, or indestructible creatures. Anguished Unmaking’s flexibility makes it a staple in decks that value control and adaptability.
9. Generous Gift
Generous Gift lets you destroy any permanent—lands, creatures, planeswalkers, or enchantments—for just three mana. The trade-off is giving your opponent a 3/3 Elephant token, but that’s often a minor drawback compared to removing a game-changing card. Its flexibility makes it a go-to option for white-inclusive decks.
8. Cyclonic Rift
Few cards can change the game like Cyclonic Rift. At its base cost, it’s a simple bounce spell, but when overloaded, it returns every nonland permanent your opponents control to their hands. It’s a devastating one-sided reset that fits perfectly into control or tempo decks, making it one of the most impactful spells in Commander.
7. Heroic Intervention
Heroic Intervention is a lifesaver, granting all your permanents hexproof and indestructible until end of turn. Whether countering a board wipe or protecting key pieces, it’s a green staple that ensures your board remains intact when it matters most. It’s an excellent tool for any green deck looking to maintain pressure or stave off disaster.
6. Assassin’s Trophy
As a versatile removal option, Assassin’s Trophy can destroy any permanent at instant speed, although it does give the controller a basic land in return. The trade-off is worth it for the ability to handle any threat, from troublesome lands to powerful planeswalkers. Its efficiency makes it a top-tier choice for decks that run green and black.
5. Chaos Warp
Chaos Warp is red’s answer to almost anything. It shuffles a permanent back into its owner’s library, and while the randomness of what they reveal can be risky, the ability to deal with enchantments, planeswalkers, and indestructible creatures makes it a Commander favorite. Its unpredictability is a perfect fit for red’s chaotic flavor.
4. Beast Within
Beast Within is another versatile green staple, destroying any permanent at instant speed and replacing it with a 3/3 Beast token. Like Generous Gift, the drawback is minor compared to the threat you remove. Its ability to deal with nearly any problem makes it a go-to card in green decks.
3. Counterspell
The classic Counterspell is a Commander staple for a reason. Its ability to counter any spell for just two blue mana makes it efficient and reliable. Whether shutting down game-winning combos or protecting your key plays, Counterspell remains one of the most iconic and impactful spells in Magic’s history.
2. Path to Exile
Path to Exile is one of the most efficient creature removal spells in the game. For a single white mana, it exiles a creature, allowing its controller to search for a basic land. The drawback is negligible compared to its ability to deal with problematic creatures permanently. Path to Exile is a Commander staple that fits seamlessly into almost any deck running white.
1. Swords to Plowshares
Swords to Plowshares is the ultimate single-target removal spell, exiling a creature for just one mana. Its controller gains life equal to the creature’s power, but the ability to permanently remove a major threat at such a low cost makes it an auto-include in any deck with white mana. Its efficiency and power are unmatched.
Closing Thoughts
The beauty of Commander lies in its diversity, and these Instant spells are proof of the power and creativity the format offers. Whether you’re looking to disrupt your opponents, protect your board, or swing the game in your favor, these cards are invaluable tools that can fit into a wide variety of strategies. Which of these spells do you rely on in your decks?
This article uses information from EDHREC, a widely used resource among MTG players for its comprehensive statistics and insights on Commander trends and strategies.