First introduced in October 2019, Magic: The Gathering's Pioneer constructed format has been steadily growing over the past couple of years. Unfortunately, the initial release of the format coincided with the explosion of the COVID pandemic. However, as the effects of the pandemic wane, Pioneer is more and more common at local game stores across the globe.
For those unfamiliar with Pioneer, it's a constructed format that includes cards from Return to Ravnica forward. This smaller card pool has led to some claiming that it is in some ways "the new Modern", especially considering how much Modern has changed with the release of sets like Modern Horizons. All that being said, let's take a look at the best removal the format has to offer.
8 March Of Otherworldly Light
March of Otherworldly Light has proven to be good thanks to its flexibility in dealing with artifacts, creatures that need to be exiled, and enchantments. It's often difficult for decks to have mainboard answers to enchantments, but March solves all of that. The card's heavy play in Standard also points to its viability.
Furthermore, the ability to discard white cards from your hand in order to pay for this card's effect makes it even more versatile. While this kind of card disadvantage might seem bad at first glance, once you consider that Force of Will is played in any eternal deck running blue, it becomes clear that having this option is incredible.
7 Fiery Impulse
Admittedly, Fiery Impulse is really only worth playing in a spell-heavy deck. However, a Lightning Bolt that can only target creatures is still an incredible card that would see play in all kinds of decks, were it not for the spell requirement.
Additionally, a one mana spell dealing two damage is still reliable for removing most early aggressive plays. If you plan on constructing an Izzet deck or another build that contains somewhere near 30 instants and sorceries, Fiery Impulse is a sure-fire inclusion.
6 Lightning Strike
Of course, more aggressive builds really do want the option to go up top with their removal spells. While there are cards like Wizard's Lightning and Fiery Temper that do a great imitation of Lightning Bolt, Lightning Strike doesn't require any specific conditions as far as your deck building goes.
Consequently, Lightning Strike is the most reliable removal spell for anyone interested in building an aggressive deck. After all, there aren't many better feelings in Magic than top decking a burn (direct damage) spell to finish off your opponent just in the nick of time.
5 Reckless Rage
Like Fiery Impluse, Reckless Rage is an incredible removal spell that only works in a specific build. In this case, the deck in question is Boros Aggro. This deck includes creatures that grow when targeted by your own spells. As a result, what would normally be an additional cost of dealing two damage to a creature you control becomes a boon instead.
In case you're questioning how good this card might be, take a look at what happened to its price. Copies of Reckless Rage are now going for around $5 when just a month ago you could pick them up for 50 cents a piece.
4 Fateful Absence
Fateful Absence is a reliable answer to Planeswalkers that doesn't cost you a spot in your deck for removing creatures. Control decks need to be able to answer every type of card an opponent might lay down against them. Consequently, it can be difficult to fit all the answers you need into your sixty.
That's where removal spells that can hit multiple types of targets come in handy. Fateful Absence does leave behind a clue that your opponent can sacrifice to draw an additional card. However, it costs them mana to do so, and a Control build will eventually outdraw most opponents anyway.
3 Portable Hole
This artifact has turned out to be way better than anyone might have originally imagined. Artifact cards that act as removal are very uncommon, so it's equally uncommon that an opponent will have an answer to one.
That being said, Kolaghan's Command is very much legal in Pioneer, even though it doesn't seem to be seeing much play at the moment. Only time will tell if Portable Hole becomes so prevalent that it starts seeing mainboard answers. However, judging by how good this artifact has been, it's only a matter of time. For now, take full advantage of it.
2 Dreadbore
Dreadbore is the Rakdos (red/black) equivalent of Fateful Absence. However, it's a much better card thanks to the fact that it doesn't provide your opponent a clue token.
Of course, it does require that you have access to both red and black mana, but that's not a difficult cost to pay when you've got access to all the lands available in Pioneer.
1 Fatal Push
It's no coincidence that Rakdos Midrange is the most dominant meta deck in Pioneer and features both of the best removal spells in the format. Fatal Push hits just about any creature you can imagine being up against in the first two turns of the game.
As the game progresses, you can trigger its revolt clause to make it a one mana answer to threats that cost as much as four mana. That's simply an incredible mana advantage to provide any deck with. Only time will tell if Rakdos Midrange can keep its spot at the top of the Pioneer pile, but judging from its access to the best removal spells in the format, it's not going anywhere any time soon.