Slash the Ranks MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Key Takeaways

  1. Shifts battle advantage by removing multiple creatures and commanders, potentially dominating the field.
  2. Strategic deployment is key due to its sorcery speed; timing can majorly disrupt opponents.
  3. While potent, the five mana cost and specific color requirement may limit its flexibility.

Text of card

Destroy all creatures and planeswalkers except for commanders.

The generals each surveyed their devastated forces. Then, slowly, they turned to each other and raised their swords.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Slash the Ranks provides players with a unique opportunity to tilt the board in their favor by enabling them to remove a swath of creatures and commanders, effectively decimating an opponent’s army and potentially leaving you as the only player with significant battlefield presence. This can quickly turn the tides of a match, offering you a substantial strategic edge.

Resource Acceleration: While Slash the Ranks does not directly generate mana or tokens, its ability to clear the board of commanders can disrupt resource acceleration for other players. It indirectly conserves your resources by potentially eliminating the need for additional spells to handle threats, ultimately keeping you ahead in the resource game.

Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Slash the Ranks must be played on your turn, which encourages strategic planning. Although it is not at instant speed, the pivotal timing of deploying this card can be just as impactful by forcing opponents to overcommit on their turn, only to be shut down by this commander-focused board wipe.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While not applicable to Slash the Ranks itself, such a requirement associated with other cards can strain your hand, especially if you’re aiming to hold onto this removal spell for the perfect moment.

Specific Mana Cost: Slash the Ranks demands a white and black mana commitment, potentially challenging to accommodate in multicolored or color-flexible decks not focused on these colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a five mana cost, this sorcery can be a bit heavy on your mana resources, especially when quicker removal options might be available to handle immediate threats.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Slash the Ranks stands out for its ability to clear the board of commanders and other creatures with a single stroke, making it a flexible tool in decks looking to reset the board or save themselves from overwhelming forces.

Combo Potential: This sorcery pairs well with cards that benefit from or are immune to creature and commander removal, turning a simple wipe into a tactical advantage that can swiftly change the tide of the game.

Meta-Relevance: With commander-focused decks prevalent in the meta, Slash the Ranks provides a focused disruption strategy. It ensures that your deck remains competitive by countering commander-centric plays while maintaining parity or even gaining advantage against your opponents.


How to beat

Managing the battlefield is key when facing down the card Slash the Ranks in Magic the Gathering. This impactful card is known for its sweeping effect, potentially clearing the board of both commanders and other powerful creatures. However, savvy players can employ strategies to mitigate its impact. Prioritizing the casting of indestructible creatures or utilizing counterspells like Negate or Dovin’s Veto can keep your key pieces on the board. Additionally, having creatures with the ability to regenerate or persist ensures that even if Slash the Ranks resolves, your presence on the board will remain.

Moreover, some players choose to shift their game plan towards casting lower-cost creatures or ones that offer value upon entering or leaving the battlefield. By doing so, the impact of board wipe cards like Slash the Ranks diminishes. The flexibility and adaptability of a player’s deck and strategy will often dictate their success in the face of such formidable cards. Always be prepared and have a plan for when the battlefield gets shaken.

Consequently, willingness to adjust your tactics and recognizing the right moment to play or withhold your resources can make all the difference when playing against powerful board wipes in Magic the Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

For MTG enthusiasts seeking a tactical edge, Slash the Ranks is a card worth noting. Its specialized approach to clearing the battlefield of commanders and creatures aligns with strategic deck-building and can decisively tilt the balance in your favor. Whether hindering your opponents’ resource acceleration or setting the stage for a grand comeback, incorporating this card could be your next power move. Stay sharp, adapt your strategies, and consider Slash the Ranks as a formidable addition to your arsenal. Learn more with us and unlock the full potential of your deck in the MTG arena.


Cards like Slash the Ranks

In the realm of board control for Magic: The Gathering, Slash the Ranks holds a unique position among cards designed to manage the battlefield. Its closest relatives in function are cards like Day of Judgment and Cleansing Nova, both of which clear the field of creatures, creating pivotal moments in gameplay. Where Slash the Ranks differs is its precise targeting, affecting only commanders and other creatures while leaving enchantments untouched. Conversely, Day of Judgment indiscriminately destroys all creatures, without respect to their status, offering a clean slate.

Tragic Arrogance presents another interesting comparison, allowing players to pick which artifacts, creatures, and enchantments remain, providing a more selective yet still impactful reset. Compared to Slash the Ranks, which zeroes in on the power players of the board – commanders, Tragic Arrogance offers a broader control over the field. Slash the Ranks requires a strategic assessment but can be highly effective in Commander format where leaders are a focal point.

As players consider their deck-building options, Slash the Ranks occupies a specialized niche. Its ability to disrupt opponents whilst strategically sculpting the board positions it as a formidable option for those looking to maintain control in a commander-centric context.

Day of Judgment - MTG Card versions
Cleansing Nova - MTG Card versions
Tragic Arrogance - MTG Card versions
Day of Judgment - Zendikar (ZEN)
Cleansing Nova - Core Set 2019 Promos (PM19)
Tragic Arrogance - Magic Origins (ORI)

Cards similar to Slash the Ranks by color, type and mana cost

Global Ruin - MTG Card versions
Rout - MTG Card versions
March of Souls - MTG Card versions
Purify - MTG Card versions
Lonesome Unicorn // Rider in Need - MTG Card versions
Saltblast - MTG Card versions
Three Dreams - MTG Card versions
Evangelize - MTG Card versions
Hallowed Burial - MTG Card versions
Iona's Judgment - MTG Card versions
Increasing Devotion - MTG Card versions
Defy Death - MTG Card versions
Angelic Edict - MTG Card versions
End Hostilities - MTG Card versions
Fell the Mighty - MTG Card versions
Winds of Rath - MTG Card versions
Planar Outburst - MTG Card versions
Righteous Confluence - MTG Card versions
Wave of Reckoning - MTG Card versions
Fortunate Few - MTG Card versions
Global Ruin - Invasion (INV)
Rout - Commander 2021 (C21)
March of Souls - Planeshift (PLS)
Purify - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Lonesome Unicorn // Rider in Need - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Saltblast - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Three Dreams - Planechase Anthology (PCA)
Evangelize - Time Spiral (TSP)
Hallowed Burial - Conspiracy: Take the Crown (CN2)
Iona's Judgment - Commander Legends (CMR)
Increasing Devotion - Phyrexia: All Will Be One Commander (ONC)
Defy Death - Avacyn Restored (AVR)
Angelic Edict - Jumpstart (JMP)
End Hostilities - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)
Fell the Mighty - Murders at Karlov Manor Commander (MKC)
Winds of Rath - Forgotten Realms Commander (AFC)
Planar Outburst - Zendikar Rising Commander (ZNC)
Righteous Confluence - Legendary Cube Prize Pack (PZ1)
Wave of Reckoning - Commander 2016 (C16)
Fortunate Few - Treasure Chest (PZ2)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Slash the Ranks MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Commander Legends, 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 Slash the Ranks and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Slash the Ranks Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-11-20 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by Svetlin Velinov.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 860062015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
22020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 472015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
32020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 6252015normalblackSvetlin Velinov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Slash the Ranks has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

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