Removal

Removal is a spell or ability that is used to remove permanents or spells from play permanently, either by putting the permanent in the graveyard or by exiling it, or any other place that the creature cannot return from. Removal is the most common type of answer to permanents other than the blocking of attacking creatures.

Commonly removal means one of six effects:

• Effects that destroy the permanent, such as Doom Blade or Naturalize.
  • Deathtouch included, though only done through combat.
• Effects that can deal damage to a creature, such as Lightning Bolt.
• Effects that can reduce a creature's toughness, such as Last Gasp.
• Effects that exile a permanent, such as Swords to Plowshares.
• Effects that force the permanent's controller to sacrifice it, such as Cruel Edict.
• Effects that move (tuck) the creature to a generally inaccessible place, such as Bant Charm.

In Limited formats, "removal" tends to have a looser definition, as creatures abilities are typically not as significant in comparison to being a good size for combat. In addition to the aforementioned effects, there are some further types which are Aura-based:

• Auras that prevent attacking or blocking (known as a "pacifism") such as Arrest or Faith's Fetters.
• Auras that prevent a permanent from untapping, such as Waterknot or Unquenchable Thirst.
• Auras that reduce power to an insignificant number, such as Illusory Wrappings or Slimebind.
• Auras that prevent the damage the enchanted creature would deal, such as Ghostly Possession or Defang.
• Auras that outright removes the card type of creature and replaces it with a different permanent type, on One With The Stars, Imprisoned In The Moon, Minimus Containment and Swift Reconfiguration.