Understanding Exhaust in Magic: The Gathering Explained

Magic: The Gathering takes speed to a whole new level with the Aetherdrift expansion. This fast-paced addition will have players gripping their seats as they race through intense gameplay. Get ready for an exciting new keyword that might just leave you breathless.

That keyword is “exhaust.” Similar to using a nitrous booster, you can only leverage this ability once before it’s done for good. Of course, if you can recast the creature or find a way for it to leave the battlefield and then re-enter, you can reset its exhaust ability. Right now, hold on tight for what is arguably the most thrilling keyword introduced in Magic since monstrosity.

What Is Exhaust?

The exhaust keyword is an activated ability introduced in Aetherdrift. What sets it apart from other activated abilities is that you can only activate it a single time. Once you use the exhaust ability, it cannot be activated again.

Exhaust works somewhat like monstrosity in that it usually involves adding one or more +1/+1 counters to a creature, but this is not the case for every card. For instance, Loot, the Pathfinder does not receive counters when using any of its three exhaust abilities.

Aetherdrift features 28 cards with the exhaust ability, which can be found on either creatures or artifacts.

How To Use Exhaust

You can activate exhaust at any time, placing the activation on the stack just like other activated abilities. This flexibility allows you to respond to your opponents instead of only using it during your own turn.

However, many exhaust abilities are best employed in preparation for an assault. Take Draconautics Engineer, for example; it grants all your other creatures haste when you activate its first exhaust ability. Similarly, Boom Scholar gives your creatures and vehicles trample until the end of the turn.

Most exhaust abilities typically grant one, two, or three +1/+1 counters to the creature that exhausts, providing a quick and significant boost in power. Because these are +1/+1 counters, exhaust can enhance decks designed around utilizing counters effectively.

Best Cards With Exhaust

With numerous cards containing the exhaust mechanic, we’ve highlighted a few notable ones to consider.

Draconautics Engineer

This card provides your team with the crucial haste needed to potentially secure a game-winning turn. The combination of a 4/4 Dinosaur Dragon token and a 3/3 Goblin Artificer allows you to strike with a total of seven power for just seven mana on the turn it enters the battlefield.

Loot, the Pathfinder

Depending on how you play Loot, it can offer three mana, deal three damage, or allow you to draw three cards. While it’s unfortunate that this ability is a one-time use (unless you have a card like Conjurer’s Closet), trading one mana for three cards has historically been a solid deal.

Mindspring Merfolk

Offering the option to pay X mana to draw X cards, this deal is one that most blue wizards would love. Moreover, Mindspring Merfolk fits right into either a merfolk or wizard-themed deck for just one mana, making it an excellent choice.

Redshift, Rocketeer Chief

At two mana for a 2/3 with vigilance, this card packs a punch. Tapping it to produce X mana equal to its power is advantageous, particularly if you can increase Redshift’s power. But dumping your hand into play for 12 mana is incredibly powerful—expect to see this card in many Commander decks.

Sita Varma, Masked Racer

Another good deal at 2/3 for two mana, Sita Varma provides the blue-green team with a one-time X-pump for all your creatures, along with a generous supply of +1/+1 counters for Sita. This card is a solid kill option for green-blue decks.

Winter, Cursed Rider

This card offers the intriguing potential to clear the board by removing artifact cards from your graveyard. Although this isn’t your standard blue/black Commander ability, it’s unique enough for players looking for something fresh. Plus, the artwork is strikingly impressive.