Cruel Fate MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Released | 1997-05-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Portal |
| Set code | POR |
| Number | 50 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Adrian Smith |
Text of card
Look at the top five cards of your opponent's deck. Put one of them into your opponent's discard pile and the rest on top of his or her deck in any order.
Cards like Cruel Fate
Cruel Fate is an intriguing card that offers a unique spin on the concept of manipulating the top deck in Magic: The Gathering. When looking at cards with a similar theme, Dark Confidant looms as a staple, with its ability to provide card advantage at the risk of taking damage proportional to the card’s converted mana cost. However, Dark Confidant lacks the targeted manipulation that Cruel Fate allows to either player’s deck.
Another card that surfaces in the discussion is Brainstorm, a classic for instant-speed deck and hand manipulation. Unlike Cruel Fate, which impacts the top of a deck over several turns, Brainstorm allows for a quick reshuffle of the player’s options, allowing for immediate setup or response. While Brainstorm is lower in cost and instant speed, it does not offer the same sustained control over multiple turns. On the higher end of the mana scale, there’s Soothsaying, which provides the ability to manipulate and sift through the top cards of one’s library at will, yet demands significant mana investment over time compared to the one-time cost of Cruel Fate.
Assessing these alternatives shows that while there are various methods to top deck control in Magic: The Gathering, Cruel Fate’s prolonged effect on either player’s deck gives it a distinctive position within this strategic niche.
Cards similar to Cruel Fate by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Cruel Fate stands out by potentially disrupting your opponent’s next draw, influencing the tide of the game in your favor. This can yield a subtle yet potent form of card advantage as you dilute the quality of resources available to your adversary.
Resource Acceleration: This card may not directly accelerate resources in the typical manner of providing extra mana, but it excels in paving the way for your strategy to accelerate unobstructed by ensuring your opponent is less likely to draw their answers or threats.
Instant Speed: The versatility of instant speed spells can never be overstated. Casting Cruel Fate in response to an opponent’s action can have far-reaching effects on their strategy. Whether it’s before they draw a key card or in response to a tutor effect, its timing can be as crucial as the action itself.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One potential downside of using Cruel Fate is that its activation might require you to discard a card, which can set you back, especially if your hand is already thin. This can be particularly disadvantageous during the late game when every card in hand counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Cruel Fate demands a certain combination of mana to cast, which could limit its integration into a wide array of decks. For players who do not run a deck tailored to its mana requirements, this might pose a challenge and reduce the card’s overall versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite the power that Cruel Fate might bring to the table, its cost is on the higher end of the spectrum. This means that it competes with other high-impact cards in your deck’s mana curve, possibly giving rivals an opening to exploit slower gameplay or for you to miss out on playing multiple spells in a turn.
Reasons to Include Cruel Fate in Your Collection
Versatility: Cruel Fate is a card that boasts flexibility, easily sliding into decks that exploit their opponents’ library and fate. Considering its ability to manipulate the top cards of an opponent’s library, it’s a solid pick for players who enjoy dictating the flow of the game.
Combo Potential: This card opens up possibilities for combos, especially in strategies that capitalize on opponents drawing or being denied certain cards. It finds synergy in decks focused on controlling the opponent’s options, becoming a cog in a machine that churns towards victory.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where knowing and controlling an opponent’s next move is crucial, Cruel Fate gains significant relevance. Its inclusion can be a game-changer against decks that rely heavily on the top-deck and can tip the scales when played at the right moment.
How to beat
Cruel Fate presents a unique challenge in the landscape of Magic: The Gathering cards. This particular spell can disrupt your strategy by making you lose incremental value over time and punish you for a stacked deck. To stand tall against this card, it’s essential to diversify your game plan. Focus on maintaining a balance within your deck that can endure the attrition battle that Cruel Fate aims to induce. Incorporate cards that replenish your hand, shuffle your graveyard back into your library, or negate effects that target player decisions.
Key strategies include immediate threats that command your opponent’s attention away from the long game that Cruel Fate encourages, as well as the inclusion of versatile answers to enchantments. Counterspells like Cancel or Negate can also be particularly potent as they can stop Cruel Fate before its effects come into play. Moreover, employing instant-speed interaction allows you to answer on your terms, making it crucial to have responsive cards up your sleeve.
Ultimately, while Cruel Fate is designed to grind you down, a well-prepared deck with the right answers has the capability to overcome its sinister design. By adapting your approach and staying one step ahead, you can ensure that it is your opponent who meets a cruel fate.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cruel Fate MTG card by a specific set like Portal, 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 Fate 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cruel Fate has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Predh | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |