Blood Rites MTG Card
2004-10-01 - Number 159
2013-11-01 - Number 101
2020-09-26 - Number C13-101
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
, Sacrifice a creature: Blood Rites deals 2 damage to target creature or player.
"The threat of the kami was made worse by the blood rituals of the ogres, who freed terrifying oni to wander Kamigawa unhindered." —*Observations of the Kami War*
Cards like Blood Rites
Delving into the strategic depths of Magic: The Gathering, Blood Rites presents itself as a noteworthy card within the realm of sacrificial abilities. Its comparable counterparts include the card Goblin Bombardment, which shares the ability to sacrifice a creature for direct damage to any target. While both cards convert creatures into damage, Blood Rites requires an additional mana investment to activate, positioning it as a more mana-intensive option.
Another card that echoes the essence of Blood Rites is Barrage of Expendables. Much like Blood Rites, it allows a player to sacrifice a creature for an effect—though the damage is restricted to targeting creatures or players only. Barrage of Expendables boasts a lower activation cost but lacks the flexibility found in Blood Rites which can target any target, including planeswalkers.
When pitted against these similar cards, Blood Rites stands out for its potential to affect planeswalkers, adding a layer of versatility in player strategy within the complex landscape of Magic: The Gathering. Its value emerges in scenarios where mana resources are plentiful, enabling repeated uses that can decisively impact the game’s outcome.
Cards similar to Blood Rites by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Blood Rites offers a constant outlet for card utility. By turning each creature you control into potential damage, you ensure that no card goes unused, even in the face of imminent removal or board wipes.
Resource Acceleration: Utilizing the creatures you sacrifice for Blood Rites’ effect can be seen as a form of resource acceleration. It enables you to convert creatures that may be otherwise immobilized by summoning sickness or control effects into immediate impact on the game state.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Blood Rites at instant speed allows for strategic plays that can disrupt the opponent’s calculations. Whether it’s removing a blocker in the midst of combat or finishing off a weakened opponent unexpectedly, the timing of this card’s ability adds another layer of depth to your gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Blood Rites obliges players to discard a card, a possible setback when your hand is already depleted or if you need to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both red and generic mana to activate, Blood Rites demands dedication to red mana sources, potentially restricting deck diversity and consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: To activate Blood Rites’ ability, the investment is substantial in terms of mana. This may be considered inefficient when compared to other cards that provide more immediate or versatile board impact at a lower mana cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Blood Rites offers flexibility in gameplay, enabling players to turn any creature into potential damage against opponents or their creatures. This can be particularly useful in decks that generate a lot of creature tokens or where sacrificing creatures can turn into an advantage.
Combo Potential: Its ability to inflict damage scales with the number of creatures you can sacrifice, making it a powerful engine in combo decks. Paired with cards that provide undying or persist effects, Blood Rites can become a repeating source of damage.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where board states can become crowded and removal is key, Blood Rites serves as a repeatable removal option that can disrupt opponent strategies while also closing games by chipping away at life totals.
How to beat
Blood Rites is a unique and powerful enchantment that can change the tide of a match in Magic: The Gathering. This card allows players to turn creatures into direct damage, posing a potential threat to opponents’ life totals or creature bases. So how do you effectively neutralize this threat?
The simplest strategy is to remove Blood Rites from the battlefield, using targeted enchantment removal spells such as Disenchant or Naturalize. Utilizing counterspells like Counterspell or Negate can prevent Blood Rites from ever hitting the field. Another tactic is making attacks and blocks unfavorable for the card’s controller, shifting their cost-benefit analysis. This can be done by bolstering your own creatures with buffs or indestructible, reducing the value of the damage Blood Rites can deal. Finally, employing graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace or Grafdigger’s Cage can inhibit the card’s effectiveness by preventing the controller from easily accessing creature cards to use as ammunition for Blood Rites’ ability.
Understanding the match-up and having a game plan for cards like Blood Rites can be essential. Keeping a calm head and playing smart, reactive spells can ensure that your opponent’s Blood Rites doesn’t result in a bloodbath for your side of the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Blood Rites MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa and Commander 2013, 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 Blood Rites and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Blood Rites Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2004-10-01 and 2013-11-01. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2004-10-01 | Champions of Kamigawa | CHK | 159 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente | |
| 2 | 2013-11-01 | Commander 2013 | C13 | 101 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Raymond Swanland | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | C13-101 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Raymond Swanland |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Blood Rites has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |