Fierce Retribution MTG Card
2021-11-19 - Number 13
2022-01-28 - Number 280
2024-04-19 - Number 2
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Cleave |
Text of card
Cleave (You may cast this spell for its cleave cost. If you do, remove the words in square brackets.)
Destroy target
-ttacking] creature.
"It won't bring them back, but it will bring me peace."
Cards like Fierce Retribution
Fierce Retribution is a versatile removal spell from the world of MTG that allows players to control the battlefield by eliminating threats. When considering its place among other removal cards, it shares a kinship with Divine Verdict. Both spells can destroy an attacking or blocking creature, but Fierce Retribution comes with the added flexibility of having a cleave cost. This alternative cost changes the spell’s properties and can be cast for less, although without targeting restrictions.
Comparably, Rebuke also serves as a removal card, yet it lacks the split cost benefits of Fierce Retribution. It requires the creature to be attacking and does not offer the same cost options. Condemn is another related card, efficiently dealing with attackers by putting them on the bottom of the owner’s library rather than destroying them. While it’s lower in cost than Fierce Retribution, it doesn’t provide the same straightforward destruction capability.
Through careful analysis of different card mechanics, Fierce Retribution clearly establishes itself as a card with strategic value for players who appreciate responsive removal options in their MTG decks. Its dual cost feature brings a unique tactical advantage not commonly found in other cards with similar effects.
Cards similar to Fierce Retribution by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Fierce Retribution. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Azorius Artifacts | Standard | Azorius Artifacts | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: May 20, 2024 |
 | WB | Standard | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 19, 2024 | |
 | Five-color Ramp | Standard | Domain | 2023Players Convention Aichi 2023 Standard Open |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Fierce Retribution offers significant control in late game scenarios by allowing you to take out key creatures your opponents control. With its Cleave keyword, it can act as a single-target removal or a two-for-one, ensuring that you keep your hand filled with options.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana or tokens, efficient removal like Fierce Retribution can be seen as a different form of acceleration. It quickly clears the path for your own creatures to attack, potentially saving resources you would have to spend on alternative removal spells or combat tricks, thus preserving your momentum.
Instant Speed: As an instant, Fierce Retribution gives you the flexibility to disrupt your opponents’ strategy during their turn. This timing can be critical as it allows you to respond with precision, removing threats just before they could have a devastating impact on the board state, or even in response to opponent’s spells or abilities.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Fierce Retribution means you’re required to let go of another card from your hand, which might tip your hand balance negatively, especially during the early game phases.
Specific Mana Cost: This card calls for white mana in its casting cost, potentially restricting its integration into multicolored or off-theme decks that might be mana-flexible.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that may be on the higher side for its effects, players might find other removal options that are more cost-efficient or that provide additional benefits for the same investment.
Reasons to Include Fierce Retribution in Your Collection
Versatility: Fierce Retribution offers a dynamic response in games due to its Cleave mechanic, allowing players to adapt the card’s effect based on the situation. It’s able to remove both big threats and smaller creatures, making it a versatile choice for multiple deck types.
Combo Potential: This card’s ability to serve as both early game removal and a late-game finisher gives it exceptional synergy with strategies that seek to control the pace of the match until a powerful combo can be executed.
Meta-Relevance: Given its potential to disrupt opponent strategies and protect your own key pieces, Fierce Retribution holds its ground in a meta that’s heavy on creature-based decks or where maintaining board state is crucial.
How to beat
Fierce Retribution is a formidable card in a player’s arsenal for Magic: The Gathering, known for its dual utility within the game. Functioning both as an early instant-speed kill spell to thwart smaller threats and as a late game closer with its cleave cost, it offers strategic flexibility, making it a precious asset during combat. However, to successfully navigate against this card, understanding its nuances is essential.
One efficient strategy for mitigating the impact of Fierce Retribution is to utilize creatures with hexproof or indestructible, as they are immune to targeted removal spells or cannot be destroyed, respectively. Additionally, playing around the card’s cleave cost by maintaining a board state that doesn’t pressure your opponent into using the spell inefficiently can be advantageous. Deploying low-value creatures as bait or holding up counterspells specifically when your opponent reaches the mana threshold for cleave can help turn the tides in your favor.
Ultimately, anticipating your opponent’s plays and adapting your strategy accordingly will be key to overcoming the challenge posed by Fierce Retribution. By carefully considering your plays and maintaining awareness of your opponent’s potential moves, you can diminish the relevance of this potent card and maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Fierce Retribution MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Crimson Vow and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Fierce Retribution 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 Fierce Retribution Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2024-04-19. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-11-19 | Innistrad: Crimson Vow | VOW | 13 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Sidharth Chaturvedi | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 280 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Sidharth Chaturvedi | |
| 3 | 2024-04-19 | Breaking News | OTP | 2 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Magnus Jansson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Fierce Retribution has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Fierce Retribution card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-11-19 | A cleave cost is an alternative cost that's paid instead of the spell's mana cost. Casting a spell for its cleave cost doesn't change the spell's mana value. |
| 2021-11-19 | If an effect allows you to “cast a spell without paying its mana cost,” you can't cast that spell for its cleave cost. |
| 2021-11-19 | If you cast a spell for its cleave cost, that spell doesn't have any of the text in square brackets while it's on the stack. |
| 2021-11-19 | You can't cast a spell for both its cleave cost and another alternative cost. For example, if an effect gives an Alchemist's Retrieval in your graveyard a flashback cost of , you can't cast it from your graveyard for its cleave cost. |