Pile On

Strategy & Gameplay

Pile On from March of the Machine is a versatile black instant that exemplifies efficient removal with valuable utility, making it an attractive option for players seeking flexible answers to problematic permanents. The card's primary function destroys any target creature or planeswalker, providing the kind of unconditional removal that most constructed formats reward, particularly in matchups where dealing with threats is paramount. What elevates Pile On beyond standard removal is its dual mechanical identity: the convoke ability significantly reduces the casting cost when you have a developed board state, transforming a three-mana removal spell into something castable for just a single black mana when you've tapped three creatures, while simultaneously the surveil 2 mode provides graveyard setup and library filtering that synergizes beautifully with strategies relying on self-mill or graveyard interactions. This makes Pile On particularly attractive in creature-heavy black decks, midrange strategies, and especially in formats where graveyard synergies matter like Pioneer and Modern. The card fits naturally into aggressive black decks that go wide with tokens, into control-oriented strategies that need flexible answers alongside card advantage, and into any graveyard-focused archetype from Dredge to Golgari Midrange variants. With legal availability across nearly every format including Commander, Pioneer, Modern, and Legacy, Pile On offers format-flexible utility for both casual and competitive players seeking a multifaceted answer to the permanent-based threats plaguing their metagames.