Tooth of Ramos MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact |
| Released | 1999-10-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Mercadian Masques |
| Set code | MMQ |
| Number | 313 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | David Martin |
Key Takeaways
- Boosts card advantage by replacing itself with another upon sacrifice, preparing for future plays.
- Facilitates mana ramp and color fixing, making it a versatile addition to many decks.
- Activation at instant speed provides flexibility and surprising plays against opponents.
Text of card
oc T: Add one white mana to your mana pool. Sacrifice Tooth of Ramos: Add one white mana to your mana pool.
Ramos smiled, and there was day.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Diving into the benefits of Tooth of Ramos, this artifact offers a subtle bump to your hand by replacing itself with another card upon its sacrifice, which can tactically prepare you for subsequent turns.
Resource Acceleration: The Tooth of Ramos is an efficient tool for ramping up your mana production. Its ability to be tapped for an additional mana of a specific color not only boosts your resources but also aids in fixing your mana base for that crucial spell that can change the tide of the match.
Instant Speed: One of the most intriguing aspects of this card, though not an instant itself, is the ability to activate its mana generation at instant speed. This flexibility allows players to efficiently manage their resources and respond to an opponent’s moves with agility, potentially enabling deft plays that can catch an adversary off guard.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Tooth of Ramos necessitates the discarding of another permanent you control when you opt to convert it into mana. This can prove to be a drawback, especially when your on-board resources are already stretched thin.
Specific Mana Cost: This artifact requires a particular investment of mana including one colorless and one white. Its specificity can be restrictive, as it doesn’t fit effortlessly into every deck strategy, particularly those that run multiple colors or rely heavily on a different color’s mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While providing a mana boost, the Tooth of Ramos presents a comparatively high mana investment at three mana to cast. In a game where mana efficiency can be key, there may be alternative mana-generating options that provide greater flexibility or additional benefits at a lower cost threshold.
Reasons to Include Tooth of Ramos in Your Collection
Versatility: Tooth of Ramos is a favored choice for many MTG decks due to its ability to generate a splash of mana on demand. As a part of the Ramos cycle, it seamlessly fits into multicolor deck strategies, assisting in mana fixing and acceleration.
Combo Potential: This artifact holds potential in combo-oriented decks. Able to be sacrificed for an immediate mana boost, it’s capable of enabling or expanding various in-game combo plays, especially in decks that capitalize on mana acceleration or artifact synergy.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where mana efficiency can dictate the flow of play, Tooth of Ramos remains relevant. Its quick mana access can be critical in pacing matches, allowing players to stay on curve or accelerate their game plan against various meta opponents.
How to beat
The Tooth of Ramos is an intriguing Mana artifact from Magic: The Gathering, part of the Mercadian Masques set. Its ability to be sacrificed for a one-time burst of white mana can provide players with a significant advantage during a crucial turn. However, one way to counteract the Tooth of Ramos’s impact is by employing artifact removal spells or abilities. Disenchant, for instance, is a classic and effective answer, allowing you to eliminate the Tooth before your opponent can utilize that additional mana.
Another strategy is to disrupt your opponent’s mana base more broadly, using cards like Armageddon, which destroys all lands, negating the advantage the Tooth might provide. Moreover, cards like Stony Silence can prevent the artifact from being activated in the first place. For a more proactive approach, one could use hand disruption spells like Thoughtseize to remove the Tooth of Ramos from play before it is ever in a position to influence the game. Each of these methods can effectively nullify the strategic advantage the Tooth of Ramos provides when used judiciously.
Ultimately, knowing when to time these disruptions is key to mitigating the Tooth of Ramos’s potential impact on the game. By staying vigilant and prepared with the right counters in your deck, you can prevent this artifact from tipping the scales in your opponent’s favor.
Cards like Tooth of Ramos
Exploring the tactical advantage of mana acceleration in Magic: The Gathering, Tooth of Ramos often draws comparisons with other mana-producing artifacts. Noteworthy among these is the Coalition Relic, which also focuses on ramping up mana resources. Both artifacts offer a temporary boost, but Coalition Relic provides a versatility in mana color, unlike the fixed color bonus from Tooth of Ramos.
Another parallel can be drawn with the card Darksteel Ingot, which is indestructible and offers multicolor mana access. However, it lacks the life gain feature that Tooth of Ramos presents when sacrificed. Mind Stone is also a worthy mention, as it can be sacrificed for card draw, a utility not present in Tooth of Ramos, granting card advantage in addition to its mana ability.
Considering these counterparts, Tooth of Ramos holds a distinct place among mana-producing artifacts. It sits at an intersection of mana generation and life gain, giving it a dual role in gameplay and making it a unique asset for deck builders looking to balance resource acceleration with sustainability in Magic: The Gathering games.
Cards similar to Tooth of Ramos by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tooth of Ramos MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Tooth of Ramos 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 Tooth of Ramos has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Tooth of Ramos card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | You can activate the sacrifice ability while this card is tapped. |
