Smite the Monstrous

Creature Size Grades

"We usually define “small” as a combined power and toughness of 4 or less."Does this mean that large creatures are a combined 8 or more? White usually can kill critters with power 4 or greater (Blade Banish and Smite the Monstrous for reference), which is the evidence I see for this. Is the following chart correct?Small Creatures: Combined P/T of 4 or lessMedium Creatures: Combined P/T of 5-7Large Creatures: Combined P/T of 8 or greater

That is our basic size grades.

Blade Banish Creatures Smite the Monstrous White

White's Creature Removal

"White can destroy any creature, so a subset is allowable." White doesn't get "destroy/exile target creature" though; there has to be a catch. White has had Undead Slayer in the past which exile a zombie, skeleton or vampire, and I think the asker was asking if that's still considered acceptable. For "monstrous" creatures, White has Smite the Monstrous which cares about power rather than creature type; I'm assuming that effect is still in pie.

White has many “Destroy/exile target creature” spells. They’re usually at uncommon or higher and usually four or more mana, but they exist.

Creatures Destroy Mana Question Marks Skeleton Smite the Monstrous Spells The Exile Zone Uncommons Undead Slayer Vampire White Zombie

Brontodon's Power Issue

Why does Belligerent Brontodon have 4 power if it's always going to be dealing damage equal to its toughness?

Because there are spells that are about power. For example, will Smite the Monstrous destroy it?

Belligerent Brontodon Destroy Smite the Monstrous Spells

White Removal Philosophy

How do you feel about white removal like Smite the Monstrous? I know you like white's answers to either have answers, or have "you messed with me" flavor, but Reprisal goes back to Alliances.

White gets a little of “take down the big guy”. I’m not a giant fan of it but know it exists. Something going far back is not evidence necessarily though that it should be there.

Alliances Flavor Giant Giant Fan Reprisal Smite the Monstrous Take Down White

White's Mechanic Philosophy

Since White's answers have answers, does that mean we'll see more mine bearer and soul tithe, and less Smite or Smite the Monstrous?

Not all of R&D see eye to eye with me on my take on white so there is more smiting in white than would be if I had total say.

Eye Eye to Eye Mine Bearer Smite the Monstrous Soul Tithe White

Appreciating Divine Verdict

Time to be positive! Sure, "Smite" or "Smite the Monstrous" weren't in Theros (or just aren't so far- two more sets in this block), but we got Divine Verdict, and that's pretty awesome! Thanks Maro!

Smite the Monstrous was problematic in a set where things become monstrous.

Divine Verdict Mark Rosewater Smite the Monstrous Theros

Vanquish vs Smite

Maro, why did you guys decide to put in Vanquish the Foul instead of reprinting Smite the Monstrous? The flavor was perfect, and it was a LOT more useful, as it cost two less, and was an instant instead of a sorcery, plus it was common instead of uncommon, at the tradeoff of scry 1. It also provides a much more usable answer to huge creatures, which so far seems to be rather difficult.

As always I will start by stating that I am not a developer. It’s quite possible Smite the Monstrous was more powerful than the slot they were trying to fill. Remember that each color has to be balanced powerwise which means the most powerful version cannot always be used.

Card Printing Colors Creatures Flavor Instants Mark Rosewater Not a developer Reprints Scry Smite the Monstrous Sorceries Uncommons Vanquish the Foul

Limited vs Constructed Design

I would like to know why in Innistrad the designers decided on Smite the Monstrous over Reprisal. Reprisal has never been a powerful tournament card. It does not make sense to me.

The card was costed not for constructed but for limited.

Constructed Innistrad Limited Reprisal Smite the Monstrous

White's Punishment Removal

You were recently asked about White removal, but you missed out my favourite type! What's the deal with so much "punishment" removal in White recently? I love cards like Rebuke (NO ATTACKING OR YOU DIE LOL) and Smite the Monstrous (NO BEING HUGE OR YOU DIE LOL), and I'm very happy to see more of them lately. Is there a specific reason for White getting so much punishment removal recently, or is White on Innistrad annoying "just because"? Thanks :)

Yes, another type of white removal is what R&D calls “Don’t mess with me or my boys”. This is the Federation style of defense. I can’t do anything until you attack me but then it’s all fair game.

Attacking Innistrad Rebuke Smite the Monstrous White