Cruel MTG Card

Cruel cards provide card advantage, forcing opponent discards while benefiting the controller’s strategy. They allow for resource acceleration, enabling a surge in mana or creature deployment enhancing gameplay tempo. When cast at instant speed, they become strategic game-changers, disrupting opposing plays effectively.

Type	Card
Released	2022-12-03
Set symbol
Set name	Jumpstart 2022 Front Cards
Set code	FJ22
Number	20
Frame	2015
Layout	Token
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ralph Horsley

Text of card

(Theme color: )

Cards like Cruel

The essence of “cruel” in Magic: The Gathering often hinges on the ability to disrupt and overpower opponents’ strategies. A card that stands out in this cruel category is Damnation, renowned for its ruthless board wipe capabilities, clearing creatures off the battlefield without discrimination. It shares a similar devastating effect with our theme card, bringing a sense of finality to the table much like the apocalyptic impact of a card such as Wrath of God. However, what makes Damnation notably distinct is its black color mana requirement as opposed to the white mana for Wrath of God.

Delving further into cruel cards, we notice the presence of Liliana’s Triumph. While not a full sweep like Damnation, it offers each opponent a nasty choice to sacrifice a creature, showing that cruelty can also come in more targeted forms. This card, like our theme, sets the stage for a strategic advantage by reducing the opponent’s board presence. Then we have something like Toxic Deluge — another formidable card that can clear the board by paying life in addition to mana, which opens the door for controlling decks to dictate the pace of the game.

Analyzing these parallels, it’s clear that cards with the power to exert overwhelming control and pressure, crafting the path to victory through opponent disruption, form a crucial part of the game’s dynamics. They resonate well within the theme of cruelty, underscoring their strategic importance in MTG.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: A cruel card often disrupts opponents by forcing them to discard, while the controller may draw cards or benefit from the discard, enhancing their strategic position.

Resource Acceleration: Many such cards offer a stark increase in resources, whether by providing additional mana, cheating out high-cost creatures, or recouping losses faster than the opponent can cope with.

Instant Speed: These powerful effects, when cast at instant speed, can be game-changers, allowing savvy players to navigate around opponent strategies and respond with impactful plays at the most opportune moments.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of this card is that it often requires the player to discard another card to activate its powerful effects. While this can lead to potential strategic plays, it may also prove to be a setback if the player does not have disposable cards at hand or is attempting to maintain card advantage over the opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: This card often demands a rigid combination of mana types, limiting its inclusion to decks that can reliably produce the necessary colors. If a deck is unable to meet this stringent mana requirement consistently, the card can become a dead draw, hindering a player’s game progression.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Equipped with devastating potential, the card’s mana cost is equally imposing. It requires a considerable amount of mana investment, which can be challenging to muster in the early stages of the game. Although the late game impact can be game-changing, some players may find other cards with lower mana costs to be more efficient and versatile in a broader range of situations.

Reasons to Include Cruel MTG Card in Your Collection

Versatility: A Cruel card can adapt to various strategies, elevating control decks or adding that needed punch in midrange decks. Its ability to alter the game state is beneficial in multiple scenarios.

Combo Potential: Cruel cards often serve as key pieces in combo decks. Their unique effects can set up devastating plays or synergize with other cards to lock down an opponent or deliver a finishing blow.

Meta-Relevance: The shifting MTG meta constantly reevaluates card roles. Cruel cards can become indispensable tools against certain matchups, making them smart additions for players aiming to stay competitive.

How to Beat

Encountering a cruel MTG card on the battlefield can be a daunting experience. These cards are designed to disrupt your strategies and can often tilt the scales in your opponent’s favor. But fear not, there are ways to tip the balance back into your own hands. The key to combatting these formidable cards lies in preparation and adaptation. Whether it’s through countering spells, utilizing removals, or employing your own set of powerful cards to outmaneuver your opponent, a solid strategy is paramount.

Maintaining a flexible mana base and a diverse hand is crucial. This way, you can adapt to threats as they arise. In addition, keeping abreast of which cards are considered cruel by the community can help you anticipate and prepare for those that might show up during gameplay. It’s all about knowing what tools are at your disposal and when to use them. By combining foresight with tactical acumen, you can ensure that a cruel card doesn’t spell the end of the game for you, but rather a challenging puzzle to solve.

In practice, dealing with a cruel MTG card often requires disrupting the opponent’s timing, sacrificing lesser assets to preserve key resources, or changing your plan on the fly. Always remember, flexibility and a calm approach to problem-solving are your greatest assets against any intimidating card.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cruel MTG card by a specific set like Jumpstart 2022 Front Cards, 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 Cruel and other MTG cards:

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