Retribution of the Ancients MTG Card


Enables strategic creature removal by leveraging +1/+1 counters, ideal for counter-rich MTG decks. Instant speed utility disrupts opponents, elevating tactical play during any turn. Constrained to black mana decks, may not suit every MTG strategy due to specific requirements.
Retribution of the Ancients - Khans of Tarkir
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment
Released2014-09-26
Set symbol
Set nameKhans of Tarkir
Set codeKTK
Number85
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred bySvetlin Velinov

Text of card

, Remove X +1/+1 counters from among creatures you control: Target creature gets -X/-X until end of turn.

Abzan ancestors died to protect their Houses, and they protect them still.


Cards like Retribution of the Ancients

Retribution of the Ancients has carved its own niche in the roster of Magic: The Gathering’s removal cards. When evaluating its mechanics, it’s intriguing to compare it with the likes of Attrition. While Attrition requires sacrificing a creature to destroy a non-black creature, Retribution of the Ancients offers a more flexible approach, costing only a single black mana and the removal of +1/+1 counters from your creatures to weaken or eradicate an opponent’s creature.

Another relevant comparison is to Unspeakable Symbol, which allows players to pay life in exchange for placing +1/+1 counters on creatures. This sets up a symbiotic relationship with Retribution of the Ancients, empowering players to control the battlefield by bolstering their forces before subtracting counters to eliminate threats. Retribution of the Ancients’ scalability makes it a dynamic choice, affording strategic finesse that static destruction spells can’t always offer.

In summation, Retribution of the Ancients grants an impressive level of control, situating it efficiently within the pantheon of targeted removal options. Its unique counter-based mechanic provides tactical flexibility that elevates it above many similar effects, especially in decks that amass and manipulate +1/+1 counters.

Attrition - MTG Card versions
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Cards similar to Retribution of the Ancients by color, type and mana cost

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Vampiric Link - MTG Card versions
Paralyze - MTG Card versions
Unholy Strength - MTG Card versions
Evil Presence - MTG Card versions
Weakness - MTG Card versions
Imprison - MTG Card versions
Thrull Retainer - MTG Card versions
Torture - MTG Card versions
Death Watch - MTG Card versions
Leshrac's Rite - MTG Card versions
Sadistic Glee - MTG Card versions
Sarcomancy - MTG Card versions
Tortured Existence - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Motion Sensor - MTG Card versions
Sicken - MTG Card versions
Darkest Hour - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Reclamation - MTG Card versions
Dread of Night - MTG Card versions
Withering Hex - MTG Card versions
Genju of the Fens - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Link - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: This enchantment offers a sustainable way to manage and control creatures on the battlefield. By utilizing +1/+1 counters, Retribution of the Ancients provides repeatable creature removal, ensuring you maintain superiority in creature count while depleting your opponent’s resources.

Resource Acceleration: While not a direct source of mana acceleration, the card’s low cost and the utility to utilize counters as a resource provide an indirect form of acceleration. It effectively turns any +1/+1 counter into a potential resource for controlling the board, leveraging the counters you accumulate through various game actions.

Instant Speed: The strength of Retribution of the Ancients lies in its ability to act at instant speed. This flexibility allows you to react to threats on the fly, removing them before they can become a problem or respond tactically to an opponent’s actions during their turn, disrupting their strategies and maintaining the upper hand.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The activation of Retribution of the Ancients requires you to remove a +1/+1 counter from a creature you control. For decks that thrive on these counters to power up their creatures, this cost can often set you back more than you gain, especially if you don’t have a steady stream of counters coming in.

Specific Mana Cost: Although it only requires one black mana to cast, this means that the card is likely to be exclusive to black-themed decks or those that run enough mana-fixing to accommodate it. Decks without a black mana source will be unable to use this card effectively, which limits its overall flexibility in deck construction.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its seemingly low casting cost, the real expense comes from its activation. The need to continuously remove +1/+1 counters can mean that you’re investing a lot of resources into an effect that only removes a single creature with toughness equal to the number of counters removed. There are many removal spells in MTG which do not have such recurring costs and can provide immediate and more cost-effective solutions to threats.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Retribution of the Ancients offers a flexible removal option that can be slotted into decks that generate +1/+1 counters. Whether it’s part of a focused counter strategy or just included as a utility card, its capacity to shrink opposing creatures makes it a valuable asset in many game scenarios.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes exceptionally well with mechanics that rely on +1/+1 counters. Imagine pairing it with proliferate mechanisms or creatures that naturally accrue counters. Players can exploit these combinations to control the battlefield by selectively removing threats on command.

Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to disrupt creature-based strategies, Retribution of the Ancients plays an important role in meta-games heavily populated by creature-centric decks. It can serve as a key tool in maintaining board control without committing additional cards from your hand, thereby ensuring a resource advantage.


How to beat

Retribution of the Ancients is a unique enchantment card in MTG with the power to control the board by utilizing +1/+1 counters on your creatures. This card becomes a tool for precision removal, allowing players to manage potential threats by stripping opponents’ creatures of their power. Understanding its reliance on counters is key when strategizing against it.

One way to surpass the card’s ability is by employing creatures that do not depend on counters for their strength. Cards with indestructible or hexproof features can slip past the enchantment’s effect, as Retribution of the Ancients is powerless against them. Additionally, instant-speed removal spells can disrupt your opponent’s strategy by removing a key creature before they have the chance to use the enchantment’s ability.

Moreover, focussing on building a fast-paced aggressive deck that puts pressure early on can overwhelm a strategy built around Retribution of the Ancients. Due to its reactive nature, quick swarms of creatures dilute its effectiveness, outpacing the controlled removal and turning the enchantment into a less threatening presence on the board.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG involves not just playing cards but understanding their depth and potential impact on your game strategy. Retribution of the Ancients is a nuanced card that can tip the scales when used effectively. With its ability to turn +1/+1 counters into versatile tools for board control, it’s an enchantment well worth considering for your deck—especially if you’re already nurturing a counter-heavy strategy. Looking for ways to maximize the utility of every card in your collection? Dive deeper into how to exploit the intricate synergies and implement tactical plays that set you apart from the competition. Let’s unlock the full power of your MTG deck together.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Retribution of the Ancients MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Retribution of the Ancients and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Retribution of the Ancients has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Retribution of the Ancients card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2014-09-20 Once you announce that you are activating the ability of Retribution of the Ancients, no player may take any actions before you pay its costs. Notably, opponents can’t try to remove a creature with counters on it to stop you from paying.