Rain of Rust MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Abilities	Entwine
Released	2004-06-04
Set symbol
Set name	Fifth Dawn
Set code	5DN
Number	76
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Tim Hildebrandt

Key Takeaways

Offers control by destroying artifacts or lands, tailoring play to your advantage.
Instant speed allows flexible responses to opponents’ moves in real time.
Demands careful card and mana management due to its discard and cost.

Text of card

Choose one Destroy target artifact; or destroy target land. Entwine (Choose both if you pay the entwine cost.)

On Mirrodin, mages who call upon the power of rust are shunned by their people and often turn mercenary to survive.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Rain of Rust offers a unique opportunity to control the board by enabling you to destroy either an artifact or a land. This versatility ensures that you maintain upper hand by depriving your opponent of crucial resources, thereby influencing the game’s flow in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Not only does Rain of Rust disrupt your opponent’s strategy, but it can also act as a game accelerator for you. By targeting an opponent’s land, you indirectly speed up your plan as their resource development stalls, giving you a tempo advantage that could lead to a winning position.

Instant Speed: The capability to cast Rain of Rust at instant speed grants you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s moves immediately. Whether it’s halting their momentum or waiting for the opportune moment to disrupt their board without sacrificing the continuation of your gameplay, instant speed is a powerful attribute of this card.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Rain of Rust comes with the caveat of requiring a discarding action. Players must weigh the benefits of the instant’s effect against losing a potentially valuable asset from their hand, which could put them at a disadvantage in longer duels or when faced with hand disruption tactics from opponents.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost demands both red and generic mana, which means its integration is mainly confined to decks that can generate these mana types reliably. Players running multicolor decks without a strong red mana base may find it difficult to cast Rain of Rust when it’s most needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card’s effectiveness is evaluated in light of its mana cost which, for some players, may appear steep. For a six mana instant that destroys an artifact or land, there are alternative cards that offer such capabilities at a lower cost, potentially providing a more cost-effective solution for the same or even broader results.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Rain of Rust can be a flexible addition to Commander decks or sideboards in competitive formats, offering both artifact removal and land destruction based on situational needs.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with strategies that aim to deny opponents key resources or work alongside cards that benefit from the removal of opponents’ permanents.

Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment where artifacts are prevalent or mana bases are critically structured, Rain of Rust serves as a tactical option to disrupt your opponent’s game plan efficiently.

How to beat

Rain of Rust is a versatile card in MTG that can disrupt an opponent’s strategy by targeting either artifact or land resources. To effectively overcome this card, a strategic approach is essential. One effective method is to diversify your mana base and artifacts. By not relying heavily on key lands or artifacts, you reduce the impact of Rain of Rust. Artifact protection spells, such as Negate or Dispel, can also be a safeguard against this disruptive card, keeping your crucial assets on the battlefield. Additionally, instant-speed land recovery cards help cushion the blow if Rain of Rust targets a critical mana source.

Another tactic is to bait your opponent into using Rain of Rust prematurely. By presenting a less critical artifact or a land you can afford to lose, you may trick your opponent into wasting their spell. Keeping an eye on your opponent’s mana and playing around the timing when they have enough to cast Rain of Rust is also a key to maintaining control of the game. Ultimately, tactical asset management and protective spells are your best line of defense against this inclement MTG card.

Cards like Rain of Rust

Rain of Rust holds a distinctive spot in the realm of artifact destruction and land disruption in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives include cards like Shatter, which offers a straightforward solution to artifacts at an economical cost. Rain of Rust, in contrast, provides versatility not seen in Shatter, with its option to target land as well. However, this flexibility comes at a higher mana investment.

Another sister spell in this category is Demolish. Like Rain of Rust, it can shatter an artifact or obliterate a land, but it comes without the instant speed or the split cost mechanism that makes Rain of Rust more adaptable to various game phases. Demolish’s sorcery nature positions Rain of Rust as a preferable choice for players requiring immediate reactions on opponents’ turns.

Ultimately, Rain of Rust’s value is underpinned by its dual-purpose and instant speed, setting it apart from its family of destruction spells. It offers a strategic edge, particularly in formats where reacting to threats quickly or disrupting an opponent’s mana base can turn the tide of a match.

Cards similar to Rain of Rust by color, type and mana cost

Beacon of Destruction - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rain of Rust MTG card by a specific set like Fifth Dawn, 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 Rain of Rust and other MTG cards: