Anthem of Rakdos MTG Card

It offers a substantial damage increase, fueling aggressive strategies while controlling your opponent’s board. Operating at sorcery speed allows strategic setup for maximum impact during your combat phase. Requires careful hand management and selective deck building due to its discard and mana demands.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Enchantment
Abilities	Hellbent
Released	2006-05-05
Set symbol
Set name	Dissension
Set code	DIS
Number	102
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ralph Horsley

Text of card

Whenever a creature you control attacks, it gets +2/+0 until end of turn and Anthem of Rakdos deals 1 damage to you. Hellbent As long as you have no cards in hand, if a source you control would deal damage to a creature or player, it deals double that damage to that creature or player instead.

Cards like Anthem of Rakdos

Anthem of Rakdos is an intriguing card in the realm of MTG enchantments that can dramatically change the pace of gameplay. Notably, it draws a parallel with cards such as Gaea’s Anthem, which provides a static power boost to your creatures without the additional risk. Where Anthem of Rakdos diverges is in its conditional power spike that depends on the player having hellbent status – having no cards in hand.

Another card worth comparing is Rakdos Ascendancy, which offers both a power boost and additional abilities to your creatures. Though it doesn’t require an empty hand, it does tie the boost to your creatures’ attacking, thus promoting an aggressive playstyle akin to Anthem of Rakdos without the downside. Lastly, we have Fervor – while it doesn’t directly increase power or toughness of your creatures like Anthem of Rakdos, it gives them haste, enabling immediate action upon entering the battlefield.

Overall, while each of these cards has distinct advantages and playstyles, Anthem of Rakdos stands out for players willing to embrace its high-risk, high-reward nature that rewards an aggressive, hand-emptied strategy. It exemplifies the daring spirit of the Rakdos guild in MTG.

Cards similar to Anthem of Rakdos by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Anthem of Rakdos aids in maintaining card flow. It can enhance the damage output of your creatures, potentially clearing the board of opposing threats and making each draw more impactful as you capitalize on a weakened opponent.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly contributing to mana production, the Anthem of Rakdos can amplify the effects of damage-dealing spells and creatures, effectively reducing the resources your opponent has at their disposal while accelerating your own offensive capabilities.

Instant Speed: The Anthem of Rakdos operates at sorcery speed, which is key for setting up your turn without alerting your opponent. This allows you to maximize its benefits by playing creatures pre-combat and ensuring your game plan goes uninterrupted once you have developed your board.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Anthem of Rakdos necessitates discarding a card which can prove to be a setback when your hand is already dwindling and each card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana needed to cast this card is quite exacting, demanding both red and black mana which can indeed restrict its integration in a variety of decks that might thrive without stringent mana requirements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing a total of five mana, including three that must be black or red, makes this card a heavier investment than others, potentially slowing down your game tempo in crucial early to mid-game phases where mana efficiency is key.

Reasons to Include Anthem of Rakdos in Your Collection

Versatility: Anthem of Rakdos offers dynamism to any deck that relishes in the theater of spectacle and damage. With its ability to amplify damage while provoking a sacrifice only under certain conditions, it paves multiple pathways for player creativity.

Combo Potential: This card shines by enhancing the impact of each strike you deal, allowing for explosive turns when combined with other damage-dealing cards. It’s the perfect fit for Rakdos decks that aim to close out games swiftly through aggressive combat strategies.

Meta-Relevance: As decks often revolve around fast-paced, high-damage output or direct player damage strategies, including Anthem of Rakdos could give you a significant edge. It aligns well with the need for assertive gameplay and can be a game-changer in the right meta, especially one filled with creature-heavy opponents.

How to beat

Anthem of Rakdos is a potent force in the world of Magic: The Gathering, bolstering your creatures’ power while dealing damage to you for casting spells. To tackle this card effectively, consider implementing control strategies that limit its impact. One of the first steps is removing the card directly from play; tools like Disenchant or Naturalize are perfect for this task, as they can destroy the enchantment at a low cost.

Another approach is to focus on outpacing your opponent before the Anthem of Rakdos can turn the tides. Aggressive decks that apply pressure early on can race against the potential damage boost the enchantment gives. Additionally, life gain strategies can help mitigate the self-inflicted damage that comes with using the Anthem, while counterspells ensure it never hits the battlefield in the first place.

In essence, beating Anthem of Rakdos requires balancing proactive aggression with reactive answers. By keeping these tips in mind and your gameplay flexible, you’ll enhance your chances of victory against this challenging enchantment.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Anthem of Rakdos MTG card by a specific set like Dissension, 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 Anthem of Rakdos and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Anthem of Rakdos has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2006-05-01	If a source you control would deal damage to multiple creatures and/or players simultaneously, all of that damage is doubled.
2006-05-01	If damage that would be dealt to a player or creature is affected by both Anthem of Rakdos and a damage prevention effect, that player or that creature’s controller chooses the order to apply the effects. In most cases that player will want to prevent damage, then double what’s left.
2006-05-01	The first ability triggers once for each creature you attack with. If you attack with three creatures, for example, they’ll each get +2/+0 and you’ll be dealt 3 damage.
2006-05-01	The hellbent ability doubles the damage dealt to you by Anthem of Rakdos itself.