Illumination
Instant
Counter target artifact or enchantment spell. Its controller gains life equal to its mana value.
- CMC
- 2
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- W
- Rarity
- uncommon
- Set
- Mirage
- Price
- $0.76
- EDHREC rank
- #17673
Illumination destroys an artifact or enchantment but hands your opponent life equal to that permanent's mana cost — a real concession against expensive targets where you'd rather have unconditional removal. It's a narrow slot that better white options have outclassed for years.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | not legal |
| pioneer | not legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | not legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
In Commander, Illumination sits at the bottom of the removal pile — white has access to Disenchant, Destroy Evil, and Wear // Tear, none of which gift opponents life totals. Legacy and Vintage allow it but would never run it; efficient cantripping or free alternatives make Illumination invisible in those formats. Oathbreaker is legal but faces the same problem: the life payment is a real cost when you're targeting a high-CMC permanent in a multiplayer or high-powered game.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.76 bulk tier
At $0.76, Illumination is bulk — the price reflects its playability accurately. Don't expect movement; better white removal is cheaper and more plentiful, so demand stays flat.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.