Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into one of the most explosive and game-winning cards in Magic: The Gathering: Finale of Devastation. This card is an absolute powerhouse, capable of creating some truly devastating combos that can close out games in the blink of an eye. Whether you're a seasoned MTG veteran or just starting out, understanding how to leverage Finale of Devastation can seriously up your game. So, let's break down what makes this card so special and how you can build some killer combos around it.

What Makes Finale of Devastation So Powerful?

Finale of Devastation is a Green X-spell that does two incredible things: it tutors for creatures and buffs them. Let's break down its text:

"Search your library for X creature cards with total converted mana cost X or less, put them onto the battlefield, and shuffle your library. If X is 10 or more, creatures you control get +X/+X and gain haste until end of turn."

First off, the ability to search your library for creatures with a combined mana cost of X and put them directly onto the battlefield is insane. This gives you unparalleled flexibility and the ability to respond to almost any board state. Need a blocker? Grab one. Need more attackers? No problem. Need a specific creature with a unique ability? Finale has you covered.

Secondly, if you dump enough mana into it (X = 10 or more), your creatures get a massive +X/+X buff and gain haste. This is where the "devastation" part really comes into play. Imagine fetching a board full of creatures and then immediately swinging in for lethal damage. It’s the kind of play that leaves your opponents reeling and secures your victory. The combination of tutoring and buffing is what makes Finale of Devastation a combo enabler par excellence.

To truly appreciate Finale of Devastation's power, think about its versatility in different game scenarios. Early game, it can fetch utility creatures to stabilize your board or ramp your mana. Mid-game, it can grab key combo pieces or value creatures to gain an advantage. And late game, it transforms into a game-ending threat, capable of overwhelming your opponent with a sudden, massive wave of hasty attackers. Its ability to scale with your mana makes it relevant at virtually every stage of the game, ensuring it's never a dead card in your hand. This adaptability is a hallmark of truly powerful MTG cards, and Finale of Devastation certainly fits the bill. The card's impact is amplified by its color identity, Green, which is renowned for its ramp and creature-centric strategies. This synergy allows you to consistently generate the large amounts of mana needed to maximize Finale's effect, further cementing its status as a format-defining card. Whether you're playing Commander, Modern, or even Legacy, Finale of Devastation offers a compelling reason to build creature-based decks capable of explosive finishes. In essence, Finale of Devastation is not just a card; it's an engine of possibilities, limited only by your imagination and deck-building skills. Its presence on the battlefield demands respect and careful consideration from your opponents, as it represents the potential for a sudden and overwhelming shift in the game's balance. As we delve into specific combos and strategies, you'll see just how much potential this card holds and how you can harness its power to achieve victory in your own games.

Key Cards to Combo With

To make the most of Finale of Devastation, you need some key enablers and payoffs. Here are a few examples:

• Creature Ramp: Cards like Llanowar Elves, Birds of Paradise, and Fyndhorn Elves help you accelerate your mana to cast Finale for a high value. The faster you can get to X = 10 or more, the better.
• Mana Doublers: Cards like Nyxbloom Ancient or Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger can double or even triple your mana, allowing you to cast an even bigger Finale. Imagine the possibilities!
• Value Creatures: Creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects (ETB) or powerful abilities can create significant value when fetched with Finale. Think Eternal Witness to get back key spells, or * Craterhoof Behemoth* for a massive attack boost.
• Win Conditions: Cards like Craterhoof Behemoth are classic finishers, but you can also use creatures like * Overwhelming Stampede* to Overrun effects to close out the game.

Let’s delve deeper into how these cards synergize with Finale of Devastation to create explosive plays. Creature ramp, such as Llanowar Elves and Birds of Paradise, forms the bedrock of any Finale of Devastation strategy. These one-mana creatures enable you to accelerate your mana production in the early game, allowing you to cast larger and more impactful spells sooner than your opponents. By deploying these ramp creatures in the initial turns, you set the stage for a mid-to-late game surge, where you can unleash a devastating Finale of Devastation with a high X value. The efficiency of these creatures cannot be overstated, as they provide a consistent and reliable means of generating additional mana, ensuring that you're always ahead of the curve in terms of resource availability.

Mana doublers, like Nyxbloom Ancient and Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger, take your mana production to the next level. These cards effectively multiply your available mana, allowing you to cast an even larger Finale of Devastation than would otherwise be possible. With Nyxbloom Ancient tripling your mana and Vorinclex doubling it while simultaneously hindering your opponents' mana production, these cards provide a significant advantage. When combined with creature ramp, mana doublers create a synergistic engine that can generate an obscene amount of mana, enabling you to fetch a horde of creatures with Finale of Devastation and buff them to astronomical proportions. The sheer volume of mana these cards can produce makes them invaluable assets in any Finale of Devastation combo deck.

Value creatures, such as Eternal Witness, add another layer of complexity and versatility to your Finale of Devastation strategy. These creatures offer immediate benefits upon entering the battlefield, providing additional value beyond their mere presence. Eternal Witness, for example, allows you to retrieve key spells from your graveyard, giving you a second chance to cast them and potentially swing the game in your favor. Other value creatures may offer card draw, removal, or other utility effects that can help you stabilize your board, disrupt your opponents' plans, or further advance your own game plan. By fetching these creatures with Finale of Devastation, you not only increase your board presence but also gain access to a suite of powerful abilities that can significantly impact the game's outcome.

Finally, win conditions like Craterhoof Behemoth provide the finishing touch to your Finale of Devastation combo. These creatures offer a game-ending effect, typically by granting your entire team a massive boost to their power and toughness. Craterhoof Behemoth, in particular, is a classic finisher that gives your creatures trample and a significant power boost equal to the total power of all creatures you control. When combined with a board full of creatures fetched with Finale of Devastation, Craterhoof Behemoth can often lead to an Overwhelming Stampede for lethal damage, securing your victory in spectacular fashion. These win conditions provide a clear and decisive path to victory, ensuring that your Finale of Devastation combo is not only impressive but also highly effective at closing out games.

Example Combos

Let's look at some specific combos you can pull off with Finale of Devastation:

Craterhoof Behemoth Combo

1. Ramp your mana using creature ramp and/or mana doublers.
2. Cast Finale of Devastation for X = 10 or more.
3. Fetch Craterhoof Behemoth and a bunch of other creatures.
4. Swing for lethal with a massively buffed and trampling army!

Eternal Witness Value Loop

1. Cast Finale of Devastation for a smaller value, like X = 4 or 5.
2. Fetch Eternal Witness and a few other key creatures.
3. Use Eternal Witness to get back Finale of Devastation from your graveyard.
4. Repeat the process, gradually building up your board and accruing value.

Kiki-Jiki Combo

1. Have Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker on the battlefield.
2. Cast Finale of Devastation for X = 2 or 3.
3. Fetch * Restoration Angel* or similar blink effect.
4. Blink Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker to untap it, then copy Restoration Angel to repeat the blink.
5. Create infinite copies of Restoration Angel or another creature to win the game.

To truly master the Craterhoof Behemoth combo, understanding the nuances of mana ramp and creature selection is paramount. The initial step involves accelerating your mana production using a combination of creature ramp spells like Llanowar Elves and mana doublers like Nyxbloom Ancient. The goal is to generate a substantial mana pool as quickly as possible, enabling you to cast Finale of Devastation for a high X value. As you ramp your mana, be mindful of potential disruptions from your opponents, such as removal spells or counterspells. Protecting your key ramp pieces with cards like Veil of Summer or Heroic Intervention can ensure that your mana engine remains intact.

Once you've amassed a significant amount of mana, the next step is to cast Finale of Devastation for X = 10 or more. When searching your library for creatures, prioritize fetching Craterhoof Behemoth as your primary win condition. In addition to Craterhoof Behemoth, select a diverse array of creatures that can contribute to your overall damage output. Creatures with high power and toughness, as well as those with relevant abilities like trample or vigilance, can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your attack. Consider including creatures that can provide additional utility, such as card draw or removal, to further bolster your board presence.

With Craterhoof Behemoth and a formidable army of creatures on the battlefield, the final step is to swing for lethal damage. Craterhoof Behemoth's ability grants your creatures trample and a significant power boost equal to the total power of all creatures you control. This combination often results in an Overwhelming Stampede that your opponents cannot possibly withstand. Before declaring your attack, carefully assess your opponents' board state and potential blockers. If necessary, use removal spells to clear a path for your attackers and ensure that your attack goes unopposed. With proper planning and execution, the Craterhoof Behemoth combo can be a devastating and reliable way to close out games.

The Eternal Witness value loop offers a more grindy and resilient approach to victory. This combo revolves around repeatedly casting Finale of Devastation to fetch Eternal Witness and other key creatures, gradually building up your board and accruing value over time. The initial step involves casting Finale of Devastation for a smaller value, such as X = 4 or 5. When searching your library for creatures, prioritize fetching Eternal Witness as your primary target. In addition to Eternal Witness, select a few other creatures that can provide immediate value, such as creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects or those that can disrupt your opponents' plans.

Once Eternal Witness is on the battlefield, use its ability to return Finale of Devastation from your graveyard to your hand. This allows you to recast Finale of Devastation in subsequent turns, repeating the process of fetching Eternal Witness and other creatures. Each time you cast Finale of Devastation, you increase your board presence and gain access to a suite of powerful abilities, gradually overwhelming your opponents with value.

To maximize the effectiveness of the Eternal Witness value loop, consider including creatures that can provide additional utility, such as card draw, removal, or mana ramp. Creatures that can generate card advantage, such as Mulldrifter or Coiling Oracle, can help you maintain a steady stream of resources and ensure that you always have options available. Creatures that can remove threats from the battlefield, such as * Reclamation Sage* or Beast Within, can help you control the board and protect your creatures from removal spells. And creatures that can ramp your mana, such as Llanowar Elves or Birds of Paradise, can help you cast larger and more impactful spells sooner.

By repeatedly casting Finale of Devastation and fetching Eternal Witness and other key creatures, you can gradually build up your board and accrue value over time, eventually overwhelming your opponents with a relentless stream of threats and advantages. The Eternal Witness value loop is a versatile and resilient strategy that can adapt to a wide range of game scenarios, making it a valuable tool in any Commander player's arsenal.

Tips and Tricks

• Mana Efficiency: Always try to maximize the value you get from your mana. Plan your turns carefully to ensure you're using your mana as efficiently as possible.
• Board Awareness: Pay close attention to the board state. Know what creatures your opponents have and what threats they represent. This will help you make informed decisions about what to fetch with Finale.
• Graveyard Hate: Be aware of graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void. These can shut down your Eternal Witness loops and other graveyard-based strategies.

To truly master Finale of Devastation, mana efficiency is paramount. Every mana point counts, and optimizing your mana usage can be the difference between a successful combo and a fizzled attempt. Before casting Finale of Devastation, carefully assess your available mana and the potential targets you can fetch from your library. Consider the converted mana costs of the creatures you intend to fetch and ensure that they align with your mana constraints. Avoid overspending mana on creatures that offer marginal value and prioritize those that provide the greatest impact for their mana cost.

Furthermore, be mindful of mana sinks and alternative uses for your mana. If you have excess mana after casting Finale of Devastation, consider activating abilities, casting additional spells, or developing your board in other ways. Mana efficiency extends beyond the act of casting Finale of Devastation itself; it encompasses your overall mana management throughout the game. By making conscious decisions about how to allocate your mana resources, you can maximize your efficiency and gain a competitive edge.

Board awareness is another critical aspect of mastering Finale of Devastation. Pay close attention to the board state and carefully analyze the creatures your opponents control. Identify potential threats, such as creatures with high power and toughness, those with relevant abilities like flying or trample, and those that can disrupt your plans with removal spells or counterspells. By understanding the threats posed by your opponents' creatures, you can make informed decisions about what to fetch with Finale of Devastation.

Consider fetching creatures that can block effectively, remove threats from the battlefield, or provide other forms of interaction. For example, if your opponent controls a large, evasive creature, you may want to fetch a creature with reach or flying to block it. If your opponent controls a problematic permanent, you may want to fetch a creature with an enter-the-battlefield effect that can destroy or exile it. By proactively addressing the threats on the board, you can maintain control of the game and prevent your opponents from overwhelming you with their creatures.

Be prepared to adjust your strategy based on the evolving board state. If your opponents significantly alter their board presence, reassess your options and adapt accordingly. Flexibility is key to success in Magic: The Gathering, and the ability to react to changing circumstances can often determine the outcome of a game.

Conclusion

Finale of Devastation is a game-changing card that can enable some truly epic combos. By understanding its power and how to build around it, you can take your MTG game to the next level. So, get out there, experiment with different combos, and start devastating your opponents! Have fun, and good luck brewing!