Price of Progress MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Price of Progress can indirectly offer card advantage by punishing nonbasic land-heavy opponents.
  2. Instant speed allows flexibility and strategic deployment, enhancing its disruptive capability.
  3. Requires careful deck construction to avoid mana cost restrictions and maximize impact.

Text of card

Price of Progress deals 2 damage to each player for each nonbasic land he or she controls.

Man versus nature is not a fair fight.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Price of Progress excels in decks that pressure opponents who utilize nonbasic lands, essentially turning each land into a potential source of damage. By potentially dealing damage equivalent to twice the number of nonbasic lands controlled by an opponent, it offers a form of indirect card advantage, diminishing the resources an opponent relies on without directly removing cards from their hand or board.

Resource Acceleration: This card does not directly contribute to resource acceleration in the traditional sense of providing mana or reducing casting costs. However, its low cost and high damage potential can accelerate the game’s pace towards a conclusion, particularly in formats like Legacy where nonbasic lands are prevalent.

Instant Speed: Operating at instant speed gives you the flexibility to cast Price of Progress during an opponent’s end step or in response to their actions, keeping them guessing your next move. This feature allows savvy players to maximize the card’s impact by choosing the most opportune moment for its devastating effect, with the aim to disrupt an opponent’s strategy or secure a win.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Price of Progress does not explicitly require a discard, its uncontrolled damage can indirectly force you to discard cards if it leads to significant life loss, compelling you to adjust your hand to respond to the unexpected life deficit. This tactical shuffle can feel like a discard in terms of opportunity cost and disrupted game plan.

Specific Mana Cost: Price of Progress requires two red mana, which can be restrictive. For multicolored decks that aren’t heavily red, this can pose a significant challenge. Decks that struggle to consistently produce the necessary red mana may find including Price of Progress in their strategy problematic.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The effect of Price of Progress is powerful, but it does come at the cost of two mana. While not expensive on the surface, in faster, more aggressive formats and matchups, spending two mana on a non-board impacting spell can potentially put you behind, especially if the opposing deck isn’t heavily reliant on nonbasic lands.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Price of Progress offers a unique dynamic in red decks, adapting well to various strategies. It can punish decks with a heavy nonbasic land composition, making it a solid choice for both aggressive and control-oriented builds that can capitalize on their opponents’ mana bases.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations with land destruction or strategies that limit the number of basics opponents control. Price of Progress can turn the tide of a game when timed with effects that prevent or discourage basic land play.

Meta-Relevance: With the prevalence of multicolored decks that rely on an array of nonbasic lands, Price of Progress has become increasingly pertinent in disrupting an opponent’s game plan. As the meta shifts towards complex mana bases, Price of Progress is an excellent inclusion, keeping such decks in check and serving as a potent finisher.


How to Beat

The MTG card, Price of Progress, is renowned for its potential to deliver massive damage in a single, efficient blow. This card impacts players with lands that aren’t basic—thus, the simplicity of your mana base can be your shield against it. When facing an opponent utilizing this card, one strategy is to prioritize basic lands in your deck construction. This minimizes the damage Price of Progress can inflict and reduces its effectiveness.

Another tactic to counter this card is through life gain or damage prevention effects. Cards that offer these abilities can absorb or negate the damage Price of Progress could deal, rendering it far less devastating. Additionally, consider instant-speed land destruction or transformation spells that can alter your non-basic lands temporarily, thereby dodging the otherwise harsh penalty right before Price of Progress resolves.

Lastly, remember that Price of Progress is a non-creature spell, so leveraging cards with counterspell abilities can also be a solid line of defense, shutting it down before it ever has a chance to upheaval your game plan. Staying one step ahead of this powerful card can mean the difference between a sweeping loss and a cunning win.


BurnMana Recommendations

The destructive power of Price of Progress in MTG is undeniable, fitting into strategies that exploit opponents’ reliance on nonbasic lands. As you craft your deck and refine your approach, consider this fiery spell for its ability to quickly shift the balance of a game, especially in the right meta. MTG is a constantly evolving game, and staying informed on card synergies, meta shifts, and strategic deckbuilding can make all the difference. Ready to deepen your MTG knowledge and enhance your gameplay? Explore our comprehensive guides and resources to make Price of Progress a cornerstone of your winning strategy.


Cards like Price of Progress

Price of Progress has a unique place in the world of red spells in Magic: The Gathering, inviting comparisons to other notable damage-dealing cards. A close counterpart is Flame Rift, which deals four damage to each player at a low cost. While both cards impact all players, Price of Progress scales its damage based on the number of nonbasic lands, possibly inflicting substantially higher damage.

Another comparable card is Molten Psyche, which also revolves around causing damage to each opponent, but with a focus on the number of cards players have drawn. Unlike Price of Progress, Molten Psyche’s impact is tied to card draw activity rather than land types. Blood Moon too shares a thematic connection, altering the dynamics of nonbasic lands by making them less advantageous, though it doesn’t deal damage directly.

Evaluating these analogs, Price of Progress stands out for its potential in punishing decks heavy on nonbasic lands, thereby positioning itself as a strategic and powerful card in any red player’s arsenal.

Flame Rift - MTG Card versions
Molten Psyche - MTG Card versions
Blood Moon - MTG Card versions
Flame Rift - Nemesis (NEM)
Molten Psyche - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
Blood Moon - The Dark (DRK)

Cards similar to Price of Progress by color, type and mana cost

Shatter - MTG Card versions
Word of Blasting - MTG Card versions
Incinerate - MTG Card versions
Guerrilla Tactics - MTG Card versions
Gorilla War Cry - MTG Card versions
Aleatory - MTG Card versions
Orcish Catapult - MTG Card versions
Blood Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Fling - MTG Card versions
Falter - MTG Card versions
Shattering Pulse - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Strike - MTG Card versions
Shrapnel Blast - MTG Card versions
Glacial Ray - MTG Card versions
Smash to Smithereens - MTG Card versions
Starstorm - MTG Card versions
First Volley - MTG Card versions
Blazing Shoal - MTG Card versions
Surging Flame - MTG Card versions
Psychotic Fury - MTG Card versions
Shatter - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Word of Blasting - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Incinerate - Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra (JVC)
Guerrilla Tactics - Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils (FMB1)
Gorilla War Cry - Alliances (ALL)
Aleatory - Mirage (MIR)
Orcish Catapult - Astral Cards (PAST)
Blood Frenzy - Tempest (TMP)
Fling - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Falter - Urza's Saga (USG)
Shattering Pulse - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Flowstone Strike - Nemesis (NEM)
Shrapnel Blast - Mirrodin (MRD)
Glacial Ray - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Smash to Smithereens - Modern Masters 2015 (MM2)
Starstorm - Neon Dynasty Commander (NEC)
First Volley - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Blazing Shoal - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Surging Flame - Arena League 2006 (PAL06)
Psychotic Fury - Dissension (DIS)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Price of Progress MTG card by a specific set like Exodus and Magic Online Theme Decks, 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 Price of Progress and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Price of Progress Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1998-06-15 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-06-15ExodusEXO 951997normalblackRichard Kane Ferguson
22010-11-08Magic Online Theme DecksTD0 B232003normalblackRichard Kane Ferguson
32016-06-10Eternal MastersEMA 1412015normalblackYohann Schepacz
42019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 10262015normalblackYohann Schepacz
52020-09-26The ListPLST EMA-1412015normalblackYohann Schepacz

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Price of Progress has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelBanned
PredhLegal

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