Dramatic Rescue MTG Card
2012-10-05 - Number 156
2019-02-15 - Number 12
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Return target creature to its owner's hand. You gain 2 life.
"I never thought I'd be so glad to see two tons of beak and claws bearing down on me at the speed of an arrow." —Mirela, Azorius hussar
Cards like Dramatic Rescue
Dramatic Rescue is a unique card in the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering, offering both creature disruption and life gain. It stands out with its ability to return a creature to its owner’s hand and provide a small cushion of life. A card like Unsummon is its kin in creature bouncing, allowing a player to return a creature to its owner’s hand at a lower cost without the life gain bonus.
Examining spells like Azorius Charm reveals a multi-faceted approach, giving players the option to bounce creatures or to draw cards. While it lacks the direct life gain, its versatility can be more advantageous in certain deck strategies. Conversely, there’s Voyage’s End which echoes the theme of creature return but with a scrying benefit, allowing for further control over the upcoming draw.
To sum up, Dramatic Rescue’s combined effect of disrupting the opponent’s board and bolstering one’s life total makes it a strategic choice in MTG. Its value is appreciated in decks focused on maintaining board control while staying out of critical life reach, especially in fast-paced games where life margins can dictate the winner.
Cards similar to Dramatic Rescue by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Dramatic Rescue not only removes an opponent’s creature from the battlefield, it also bounces it back to their hand, effectively negating their board presence and forcing them to spend resources to replay the card.
Resource Acceleration: Though Dramatic Rescue doesn’t directly generate mana or ramp, it effectively acts as a tempo play, potentially setting your opponent back and giving you a resource advantage in terms of time and board control.
Instant Speed: The power of responding at instant speed can’t be overstated in MTG. With Dramatic Rescue, you have the flexibility to disrupt an opponent’s attack or combo at a crucial moment, preserving your life total and momentum.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Dramatic Rescue doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, it can indirectly prompt you to discard if it’s bounced to your hand when you’re already holding seven cards. Ensuring you have enough hand space before using it is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: Dramatic Rescue demands both white and blue mana, which may not align with decks that don’t run this color combination. Decks focusing on other colors may find the card incompatible with their mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring two mana, one of each white and blue, can be considered steep for the effect of returning a creature to its owner’s hand. Some players might prefer lower cost alternatives for bounce effects that fit more seamlessly into tempo plays without the life gain.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Dramatic Rescue offers utility in various deck types due to its ability to disrupt opponent strategies while providing a tempo swing in your favor. Notably, it can be slotted into decks that focus on creature protection or those needing instant-speed interaction.
Combo Potential: The bounce effect opens up numerous combo opportunities. Decks that take advantage of enter-the-battlefield triggers can repeatedly use this card to reutilize their own creature’s effects or simply to save them for defensive maneuvers.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where aggressive creature strategies often dominate, having access to an instant that can alter combat outcomes or remove key threats temporarily can be critical. Dramatic Rescue aligns well with a meta that rewards proactive defense and board control.
How to beat
Overcoming Dramatic Rescue in your games of Magic: The Gathering can be a strategic puzzle. This card’s ability to return a creature to its owner’s hand and grant them a burst of life points can be an unexpected setback. Being an instant, it adds to the challenge, capable of disrupting your plans at a moment’s notice. However, the key to negating its effects lies in anticipating your opponent’s moves and maintaining board control.
One tactic is utilizing spells that grant your creatures hexproof or shroud, shielding them from being targeted. Counterspells are also effective, provided you keep mana in reserve during your opponent’s turn. Additionally, playing creatures with the flash mechanic allows you to wait until your opponent is tapped out, minimising the risk of a Dramatic Rescue. It’s also beneficial to pressure your adversary, forcing them to spend their mana elsewhere, keeping the pathway clear for your creatures to push through successfully.
In essence, to nullify the setback of Dramatic Rescue, astute game awareness and calculated play choices will ensure you stay one step ahead, whether they hold the card in hand or have yet to draw it into their strategy.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dramatic Rescue MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica and RNA Guild Kit, 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 Dramatic Rescue 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
Printings
The Dramatic Rescue Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-10-05 and 2019-02-15. Illustrated by Ryan Pancoast.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-10-05 | Return to Ravnica | RTR | 156 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ryan Pancoast | |
| 2 | 2019-02-15 | RNA Guild Kit | GK2 | 12 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Pancoast |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dramatic Rescue has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dramatic Rescue card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-10-01 | If the target creature is an illegal target when Dramatic Rescue tries to resolve, it won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen. You won’t gain 2 life. |
| 2012-10-01 | You must be able to target a creature to cast Dramatic Rescue. |