Primitive Justice MTG Card

Alliances (ALL)
1996-06-10 - Number 77

Primitive Justice - Masters Edition IV (ME4)

Masters Edition IV (ME4)
2011-01-10 - Number 130

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery

Key Takeaways

Artifact removal and card draw with Primitive Justice create opportunities for turning the game to your favor.
Mana surge from resolved counters propels your game, allowing early casting of significant spells.
Discarding for tactical play could be costly, particularly when strategic options are already limited.

Text of card

Destroy target artifact. Destroy a target artifact for each o1o R you pay in addition to the casting cost. Destroy a target artifact and gain 1 life for each o1o G you pay in addition to the casting cost.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Primitive Justice offers a strategic edge by enabling players to potentially eliminate a problematic artifact and gain a card in the process. Efficient removal paired with a drawing mechanism can turn the tide in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Upon resolution, Primitive Justice may provide additional mana resources depending on the number of counters on it. This mana surge can be pivotal in advancing your board state or casting significant spells earlier than usual.

Instant Speed: The versatility of instant speed enhances Primitive Justice’s value. This timing means you can disrupt your opponent’s strategy during their turn, and even better, it can be a surprise element that they might not anticipate, giving you a critical advantage in the duel.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging in the tactical play of Primitive Justice requires the player to discard another card, which could prove costly when your hand is already scarce in strategic options.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana arrangement to be played, leaning heavily on green mana resources, thereby potentially limiting its incorporation into multi-colored or flexible mana base decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher mana investment when compared to similar effects from other cards, players may find the cost-benefit ratio of Primitive Justice less attractive, especially in fast-paced games where efficiency is key.

Reasons to Include Primitive Justice in Your Collection

Versatility: Primitive Justice offers broad utility for deck builders, applying its effects in a range of strategies from control to ramp decks. It can serve as a key component for adjusting to complex board states and maintaining a competitive edge.

Combo Potential: As a card with flexible uses, Primitive Justice can synergize with cards that capitalize on permanent removal or benefit from the sacrifice mechanic. It can be a linchpin in intricate combo chains, turning the tides of gameplay with its multifaceted interactions.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where artifact or enchantment permanents are prevalent, Primitive Justice gains considerable value. It can be an efficient answer to top-tier threats, making it a relevant choice for players striving to remain at the forefront of the ever-evolving MTG landscape.

How to Beat Primitive Justice

Primitive Justice presents a unique challenge for players on the battlefield. As a card that offers counter play through destroying artifacts or enchantments and providing mana acceleration, understanding its strengths and weaknesses is key. To effectively navigate around this card, it is crucial to limit the number of artifacts and enchantments on the field, reducing the card’s impact and potential mana gain.

Additionally, employing instant-speed removal or counterspells can disrupt the timing of Primitive Justice, ensuring that the opponent cannot capitalize on its effects. Timing the deployment of your own valuable artifacts and enchantments is also vital. By playing these cards when the opponent is less likely to have Primitive Justice in hand, or when they are low on mana and cannot afford its casting cost, can mitigate its disruptive capabilities. Hence, strategy and foresight into the opponent’s deck and potential plays are essential in overcoming the challenges posed by Primitive Justice.

Ultimately, with smart play and calculated decision-making, this card’s effects can be rendered less potent, allowing players to maintain control over the game’s flow and their own powerful permanents.

Cards like Primitive Justice

Primitive Justice is a unique red and green spell in Magic: The Gathering, and its comparison to similar cards reveals its distinct place in the game. Fall of the Hammer, similar in its direct damage application, stands out as an alternative. However, Fall of the Hammer lacks Primitive Justice’s scalability with the number of creatures sacrificed to increase damage output.

Another card worth considering is Hull Breach. This card also provides a versatile option to destroy either an artifact or enchantment, much like Primitive Justice. Nevertheless, Hull Breach doesn’t offer the same potential for widespread destruction or the aspect of damage that can be customized by sacrificing additional creatures.

In the broader picture, Primitive Justice can be seen as a strategic asset for players looking to balance destruction with the choice of affecting multiple targets. Although it does not operate at instant speed, its ability to remove multiple threats in one fell swoop grants it a unique tactical advantage in certain deck builds within Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Primitive Justice by color, type and mana cost

Picnic Ruiner // Stolen Goodies - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Primitive Justice MTG card by a specific set like Alliances and Masters Edition IV, 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 Primitive Justice and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Primitive Justice Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1996-06-10 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Anthony S. Waters.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1996-06-10	Alliances	ALL		77	1993	Normal	Black	Anthony S. Waters
2	2011-01-10	Masters Edition IV	ME4		130	1997	Normal	Black	Anthony S. Waters

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Primitive Justice has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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