Reign of Terror MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery
Released	1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set name	Mirage
Set code	MIR
Number	137
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Gary Leach

Key Takeaways

Reign of Terror allows for hand disruption and strategical play at instant speed, providing valuable knowledge about the opponent’s hand.
As a double-edged sword, its discard requirement and specific mana cost can limit its usefulness in certain decks.
Its versatility and meta-relevance make it a strong candidate for inclusion in black mana-based and control decks.

Text of card

Bury all white creatures or bury all green creatures. Lose 2 life for each creature put into the graveyard in this way.

"I don't know what takes them; they die around me without time to scream." —Scout Ekemet, final journal

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Reign of Terror stands out by potentially disrupting your opponent’s hand, stripping away their resources while you gain knowledge of their strategy. This not only depletes their options but also places you in a favorable position to anticipate and counter their future plays.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly providing mana, the card indirectly serves as resource acceleration by slowing down your opponents’ ability to deploy their threats. This, in turn, can give you the necessary time to ramp up your resources without pressure.

Instant Speed: Offering the flexibility of instant speed, this card can be wielded as a strategic tool. Activate it on your opponent’s turn to disrupt their planning, remove a key card they draw, or simply when it is most detrimental to their game state, maintaining the tempo in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Reign of Terror forces players to discard a card, which could deplete critical hand resources. In scenarios where hand advantage matters, this requirement might set you back against opponents.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost makes it exclusive to black mana decks, which may not align with every player’s strategy or existing deck themes. Its dependency on black mana can hinder its inclusion in more versatile mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the effects of Reign of Terror can be impactful, its mana cost is on the higher side. In competitive play, there are alternatives that can achieve similar outcomes without such a significant investment, thus making it less favorable in mana-efficient deck builds.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Reign of Terror is a card that flourishes across different strategies with its ability to disrupt opponents. Whether you’re piloting a control deck that aims to wear down adversaries or a more aggressive construct looking to maintain pressure, this card seamlessly adapts to various playstyles.

Combo Potential: Part of its allure lies in its capacity to work in tandem with other cards that punish discarding or capitalize on opponents losing life. The intricate dance it performs within combos can lead to game-changing turns, making it an underestimated keystone in the right deck.

Meta-Relevance: As the metagame evolves, adaptable cards like Reign of Terror maintain their spot in the limelight. Whether the environment leans towards creature-heavy, spell-slinging, or a mix of both, its role in shaking up the opponent’s hand and strategy makes it a card worth considering for those looking to stay one step ahead.

How to beat

Reign of Terror can be a wall to your strategy in Magic: The Gathering, but understanding its mechanics is key to winning. This card primarily affects black creature spells, so one straightforward tactic is to steer clear of them. Focusing on creatures that aren’t black or utilizing colorless creatures can effectively sidestep Reign of Terror’s influence.

Alternatively, cards that grant your creatures protection from black or make them untargetable will nullify Reign of Terror’s disabling power. Incorporating instant-speed removals or bounce spells in your deck can also catch your opponent off guard, preventing them from leveraging the Reign’s full potential. Lastly, countering this spell outright as it hits the stack leaves your opponent’s plans in disarray and keeps your creatures safe.

Overcoming cards like Reign of Terror is all about being adaptable. Adjusting your deck to include versatile responses ensures that your strategy remains robust no matter the disruption, preserving your path to victory.

Cards like Reign of Terror

Delving into the world of black control spells in Magic the Gathering, Reign of Terror offers a unique approach to handling your opponent’s creatures. It bears similarities to spells like Damnation, which serves as a powerhouse in sweeping away all creatures from the battlefield. While Damnation acts on a broader scale, Reign of Terror selectively targets nonblack creatures. This precision can either be a boon or a limitation depending on the deck you’re facing.

Another card that deserves mention is Plague Wind, which also annihilates the creatures your opponents control, but allows you to keep yours, presenting a clear tactical advantage over Reign of Terror. However, its significantly higher mana cost demands a steeper investment for this benefit. Additionally, we have Toxic Deluge, which offers flexibility in dealing with creatures through its variable life payment, potentially affecting all creatures, unlike the color-specific nature of Reign of Terror.

In consideration of the black spell arsenal within Magic the Gathering, Reign of Terror presents itself as a mid-range option for creature control. Its ability to bypass your black creatures while restraining the opponent provides a strategic edge in color-focused matchups.

Cards similar to Reign of Terror by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Reign of Terror MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Reign of Terror and other MTG cards: