Illness in the Ranks MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Released | 2013-02-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Gatecrash |
| Set code | GTC |
| Number | 69 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Nils Hamm |
Key Takeaways
- Illness in the Ranks is a strategic enchantment that can deliver card advantage by debuffing opponent’s tokens.
- This MTG card allows resource focus on board development by hindering opponents’ token-based plans.
- Effective as an enchantment, Illness in the Ranks instantly impacts tokens, streamlining defensive play.
Text of card
Creature tokens get -1/-1.
"Selesnya denied us tribute. Let's show them the error of their ways." —Milana, Orzhov prelate
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Illness in the Ranks grants you an edge, especially against token-heavy strategies. By continuously weakening your opponent’s tokens, it indirectly acts as card advantage, negating the potential threats they could pose and potentially rendering multiple cards from your opponent less effective.
Resource Acceleration: Though Illness in the Ranks doesn’t produce mana or treasure tokens itself, by hindering your opponents’ token strategies, it allows you to focus your resources on advancing your board state rather than dealing with an onslaught of enemy tokens. This strategic advantage can be a form of indirect acceleration as it helps you establish control without spending additional resources on removal spells.
Instant Speed: While Illness in the Ranks itself isn’t an instant, its constant presence on the battlefield works at “instant speed” by affecting tokens the moment they enter play. This ensures that any tokens created by an opponent during their turn are immediately impacted without the need for a response from your hand.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Illness in the Ranks doesn’t ask you to discard a card directly, managing your hand effectively to ensure this card plays its part can be tricky. A well-timed discard or removal by an opponent could disrupt your strategy and lessen the card’s impact.
Specific Mana Cost: Illness in the Ranks requires black mana, which may not seamlessly fit into non-black or multicolored decks. Its dependence on black mana means the card is less flexible and might not find a place in every player’s deck build.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For what it does, the mana cost of Illness in the Ranks can be seen as high. When considering the card’s effect—giving -1/-1 to creature tokens—players often weigh other options that might provide more utility or a broader scope of influence for the same or less mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Illness in the Ranks is a compact enchantment that works well in various deck styles. Its ability to weaken opponent’s creatures incrementally can be highly effective in stymieing token strategies and shrinking the power of swarm decks.
Combo Potential: When combined with cards that create tokens for your opponents or strategies that rely on -1/-1 counters, Illness in the Ranks turns into a powerful engine for board control, keeping opposing forces in check and even clearing the way for your victory.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta teeming with decks that rely on tokens such as saprolings, goblins, or Thopters, having Illness in the Ranks in your collection gives you a significant edge. This card can disrupt your opponents’ plans significantly, especially in matches where the battlefield becomes congested with multiple creatures.
How to Beat Illness in the Ranks
Illness in the Ranks is a potent card that puts a severe damper on token strategies within Magic: The Gathering. This one-mana enchantment can swiftly undercut an opponent’s plan by giving all their creature tokens -1/-1. Particularly in matchups where swarming the board with tokens is pivotal, Illness in the Ranks becomes an imposing obstacle.
To effectively navigate around this card, one could opt for non-token centric strategies or employ removal spells for enchantments. Naturalize or Disenchant, for instance, allow players to remove troublesome enchantments directly from the battlefield. Furthermore, adjusting one’s strategy to rely less on token generation and more on resilient individual creatures can circumvent the static effect that Illness in the Ranks has on the game state.
Considering its ability to disrupt a wide range of decks, it’s crucial for players to have a plan in place against Illness in the Ranks. Whether through direct answers or strategic deck building that doesn’t hinge on tokens, ensuring that your deck can thrive even in the face of such a hindrance is essential for maintaining a competitive edge.
Cards like Illness in the Ranks
Illness in the Ranks stands out in the world of enchantments within Magic: The Gathering. It draws connections to cards like Virulent Plague, which shares the theme of weakening creatures. Illness in the Ranks specifically targets tokens, giving all creature tokens -1/-1. This can be a strategic play in formats where token decks are prevalent, neutering opposing forces effectively.
Another card that may come to mind is Night of Souls’ Betrayal, which applies a similar effect to all creatures, not just tokens. Both cards have a static ability that persists as long as the enchantment is in play. While Night of Souls’ Betrayal impacts the board more broadly, it also comes at a higher mana cost, making Illness in the Ranks more efficient in targeted scenarios.
Ultimately, Illness in the Ranks provides a niche role in a player’s arsenal, situated neatly amongst the debilitating enchantments of Magic: The Gathering. It is a powerful tool in suppressing token strategies, offering an advantage in the right deck composition and meta environment.
Cards similar to Illness in the Ranks by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Illness in the Ranks MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash, 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 Illness in the Ranks and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Illness in the Ranks has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Illness in the Ranks card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-01-24 | If an effect creates a creature token that normally has toughness 1, it will enter the battlefield with toughness 0, be put into its owner’s graveyard as a state-based action, and then cease to exist. Any abilities that trigger when a creature enters the battlefield or dies will trigger. |
