Magic: The Gathering – Ingest, Explained

In *Magic: The Gathering* (MTG), “Ingest” is a mechanic introduced with the Eldrazi in the **Battle for Zendikar** set, released in 2015. The mechanic ties thematically to the Eldrazi’s nature as otherworldly beings that consume worlds. It represents their insidious ability to exile parts of their enemies’ libraries, removing them from the game. This mechanic brings a blend of disruption, strategy, and synergy with exile-focused cards, making it a fascinating element of MTG gameplay.

### What Is Ingest?

Ingest is a triggered ability found on some Eldrazi creatures. The keyword reads:

**”Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, that player exiles the top card of their library.”**

This means every time an Eldrazi creature with Ingest successfully damages an opponent, the top card of their library is moved to the exile zone. Unlike the graveyard, cards in exile are much harder to interact with, making them effectively removed from the game unless other cards allow access.

For example:
– **Benthic Infiltrator** (2U)
*Devoid (This card has no color.)*
*Benthic Infiltrator can’t be blocked.*
*Whenever Benthic Infiltrator deals combat damage to a player, that player exiles the top card of their library.*

This card’s unblockability ensures its Ingest ability triggers consistently, making it a cornerstone in decks that capitalize on exiled cards.

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### Thematic and Strategic Elements

Ingest ties directly to the flavor of the Eldrazi as cosmic predators. Mechanically, it supports an exile-focused strategy, often combined with cards that allow you to use exiled cards for value.

#### Key Features of Ingest:
1. **Disruption**: By exiling the top card of an opponent’s library, Ingest disrupts their strategy. It could remove critical pieces like combo cards or mana sources.
2. **Synergy with Exile Effects**: Many cards in the *Battle for Zendikar* block interact with the exile zone. For instance:
– **Processor Eldrazi**: These creatures allow you to return cards from exile to your opponent’s graveyard to trigger powerful effects.
– Example: **Ulamog’s Nullifier** (2UB) can counter a spell by putting two exiled cards from your opponent’s exile into their graveyard.
– **Void Attendant** (2G): Converts exiled cards into Eldrazi Scions, which can ramp your mana.
3. **Pressure and Tempo**: Ingest combines well with evasive creatures, ensuring consistent triggers. Creatures like **Mist Intruder** (1U) use flying to bypass blockers and keep the exile engine running.

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### How to Play with Ingest

Decks that utilize Ingest tend to focus on tempo, control, or synergy with exile effects. Here’s how you can maximize its potential:

1. **Include Evasive Creatures**:
– Cards like **Benthic Infiltrator** and **Mist Intruder** are ideal for reliably triggering Ingest, as their evasive abilities make them difficult to block.

2. **Leverage Processor Eldrazi**:
– Cards like **Wasteland Strangler** (2B) allow you to capitalize on exiled cards, providing removal or other benefits. These synergies turn Ingest from a disruptive mechanic into a game-winning strategy.

3. **Disrupt Opponent’s Game Plan**:
– Ingest is particularly strong against decks that rely on specific cards or combos. For example, milling key pieces of an opponent’s combo deck into exile can cripple their strategy.

4. **Utilize Colorless Synergies**:
– Eldrazi Ingest creatures often have the “Devoid” mechanic, making them colorless even if they have a colored mana cost. This opens up synergy with cards that care about colorless permanents, like **Thought-Knot Seer** and **Reality Smasher**.

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### Weaknesses of Ingest

While Ingest offers unique advantages, it has limitations that players must consider:

1. **Low Immediate Impact**:
– Exiling a single card per trigger can feel underwhelming unless paired with synergistic effects. Without processors or other exile interactions, the mechanic lacks a significant impact on the game state.

2. **Reliance on Combat Damage**:
– Ingest requires creatures to deal combat damage, making it vulnerable to removal or board stalls. Decks with high toughness blockers or abundant removal spells can neutralize its effectiveness.

3. **Card Advantage Concerns**:
– Since Ingest doesn’t directly draw cards or affect the battlefield, it may not provide enough value compared to other aggressive or disruptive mechanics.

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### Legacy and Impact

Although Ingest hasn’t become a dominant mechanic in competitive formats, it introduced new design space and strategies, particularly in exile-focused gameplay. Casual players and fans of the Eldrazi appreciate Ingest for its flavor and its ability to synergize with the broader themes of the *Battle for Zendikar* block.

#### Cards to Watch:
– **Sire of Stagnation** (4UB): Punishes opponents for playing lands by exiling cards from their library and giving you card advantage.
– **Blight Herder** (5): Rewards you for processing exiled cards by creating Eldrazi Scion tokens for ramp.

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### Conclusion

Ingest represents the Eldrazi’s cosmic horror and disruption in *Magic: The Gathering*. By combining exile effects, combat mechanics, and synergy with other Eldrazi abilities, it offers unique strategic opportunities for players. Whether you’re disrupting an opponent’s deck, building a processor-based strategy, or simply enjoying the thematic design, Ingest is a compelling addition to MTG’s mechanics. Its legacy continues in exile-based strategies and remains a favorite for fans of the Eldrazi.