Wave of Reckoning MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Key Takeaways

  1. Wave of Reckoning can clear multiple board threats, streamlining your path to victory.
  2. Resource acceleration comes indirectly, as opponents must rebuild their creature base.
  3. Despite being a sorcery, strategic timing of Wave of Reckoning mimics instant-like disruption.

Text of card

Each creature deals to itself damage equal to its power.

Inner conflict can defeat a soldier more quickly than any army.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Wave of Reckoning sets you ahead by potentially clearing multiple threats from the board with a single card. This can make it easier to progress your game plan with fewer obstacles.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting your mana pool, successfully resolving Wave of Reckoning can indirectly speed up your resource dominance. By removing costly creatures your opponents control, you force them to re-invest in their board, giving you a relative tempo boost.

Instant Speed: Although Wave of Reckoning is, in fact, a sorcery, knowing when to deploy this powerful sweeper can be as strategic as using an instant. Smart play involves setting up a scenario where casting it decimates an opponent’s army, effectively acting as a game-altering event when timed correctly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside of Wave of Reckoning is the necessity for a strategic setup to fully exploit its potential. Without proper board state conditions, its impact can be significantly reduced, potentially leaving players at a disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Wave of Reckoning commands a specific mana requirement that includes white mana. This can sometimes act as a constraint, making it less flexible for decks that either run a tight mana base or those that are multicolored with a less heavy white emphasis.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost leaning towards the higher end of the spectrum, Wave of Reckoning can be a prohibitive play, especially in faster paced games. Players often have to weigh its inclusion against other lower cost alternatives that might not offer the same broad sweep but could be used more frequently or earlier in the game.


Reasons to Include Wave of Reckoning in Your Collection

Versatility: Wave of Reckoning offers a unique sweeping mechanic that affects the board based on creatures’ power. This enables it to be a strategic addition to decks that regulate creature power or those that run high-toughness minions.

Combo Potential: In combination with cards that offer toughness buffs or that benefit from creatures dying, this card can serve as a key piece in some intricate and game-changing combos.

Meta-Relevance: Given a meta that is creature-heavy or one where stalling until the late game is crucial, Wave of Reckoning can act as an equalizer, clearing the path for your strategy to dominate.


How to beat

Wave of Reckoning is a card that can be formidable, especially in formats where creatures play a key role. Its ability to deal damage to each creature equal to its toughness can turn the tide of a game, clearing the board of powerful threats. Yet, there are strategies to mitigate its impact. One effective approach is to utilize creatures with high toughness values that can withstand the Wave without succumbing. Another angle is to employ indestructible creatures, which can endure the card’s effect without flinching.

Incorporating counterspells into your deck is a savvy way to thwart a Wave of Reckoning before it can even take effect. Alternatively, cards that grant your creatures temporary buffs or indestructibility as a response to the Wave can be invaluable. Maneuvers like these not only preserve your board presence but can leave an opponent vulnerable after having played a major board wipe spell.

Adapt your strategies to your opponent’s deck style; knowing when to expect a Wave of Reckoning allows for preemptive plays that minimize its effectiveness, keeping your creatures safe and maintaining your momentum on the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the nuances of Wave of Reckoning can make all the difference in MTG. It’s more than just adding a card to your collection; it’s about crafting a strategy that takes your gameplay to new heights. With the insights on its pros, cons, synergies, and how to counter it, you’re now equipped to make informed decisions. Imagine your deck not just surviving the wave but riding it to victory. Curious about enhancing your deck with Wave of Reckoning or want to refine your tactics further? Dive deeper with us and find out how to make this card a cornerstone of your winning strategy.


Cards like Wave of Reckoning

Wave of Reckoning holds a unique position in the arsenal of sweepers within Magic: The Gathering. It mirrors other mass removal tools like Day of Judgment, which eradicates all creatures regardless of strength. What makes Wave of Reckoning stand out is its method of selectively purging creatures based on their power, effectively sparing the weak while punishing the strong. This tactic provides a lever for decks that favor stouter defense over offensive heft.

Conversely, cards like Retribution of the Meek share a similar philosophy, removing creatures with power greater than a certain threshold and leaving the less formidable ones unscathed. The nuanced difference lies in their mana cost and the power cap they impose. On the semblance of defense-oriented strategies, Fell the Mighty also comes to mind. It functions akin to Wave of Reckoning, though it targets creatures based on the power of a specific creature you control at the time of casting, offering a bit more flexibility.

Ultimately, for players strategizing around strong defenders and looking to leverage the asymmetry of combat, Wave of Reckoning emerges as a tactical choice among creature control cards in strategic deck building.

Day of Judgment - MTG Card versions
Retribution of the Meek - MTG Card versions
Fell the Mighty - MTG Card versions
Day of Judgment - Zendikar (ZEN)
Retribution of the Meek - Visions (VIS)
Fell the Mighty - Commander 2014 (C14)

Cards similar to Wave of Reckoning by color, type and mana cost

Winds of Rath - MTG Card versions
Purify - MTG Card versions
Global Ruin - MTG Card versions
Rout - MTG Card versions
Death or Glory - MTG Card versions
March of Souls - MTG Card versions
Lonesome Unicorn // Rider in Need - MTG Card versions
Slash the Ranks - MTG Card versions
Promise of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Saltblast - MTG Card versions
Three Dreams - MTG Card versions
Evangelize - MTG Card versions
Hallowed Burial - MTG Card versions
Iona's Judgment - MTG Card versions
Increasing Devotion - MTG Card versions
Defy Death - MTG Card versions
Angelic Edict - MTG Card versions
End Hostilities - MTG Card versions
Fell the Mighty - MTG Card versions
Tragic Arrogance - MTG Card versions
Winds of Rath - Forgotten Realms Commander (AFC)
Purify - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Global Ruin - Invasion (INV)
Rout - Commander 2021 (C21)
Death or Glory - The List (PLST)
March of Souls - Planeshift (PLS)
Lonesome Unicorn // Rider in Need - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Slash the Ranks - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Promise of Loyalty - Murders at Karlov Manor Commander (MKC)
Saltblast - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Three Dreams - Planechase Anthology (PCA)
Evangelize - Time Spiral (TSP)
Hallowed Burial - Conspiracy: Take the Crown (CN2)
Iona's Judgment - Commander Legends (CMR)
Increasing Devotion - Phyrexia: All Will Be One Commander (ONC)
Defy Death - Avacyn Restored (AVR)
Angelic Edict - Jumpstart (JMP)
End Hostilities - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)
Fell the Mighty - Murders at Karlov Manor Commander (MKC)
Tragic Arrogance - Commander 2021 (C21)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wave of Reckoning MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques and Magic Online Promos, 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 Wave of Reckoning and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Wave of Reckoning Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1999-10-04 and 2016-11-11. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-10-04Mercadian MasquesMMQ 561997normalblackBradley Williams
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 625152015normalblackJosh Hass
32016-11-11Commander 2016C16 792015normalblackJosh Hass

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Wave of Reckoning has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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