Rack and Ruin MTG Card
1999-02-15 - Number 89
1999-08-04 - Number kb89sb
2000-08-02 - Number jk89sb
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Destroy two target artifacts.
"My people are bound by masters centuries dead. Each artifact we destroy is another link broken in that chain." —Barb Tail, viashino heretic
Cards like Rack and Ruin
Rack and Ruin is a distinctive card in MTG that offers targeted removal capabilities, a handy tool for dismantling an opponent’s strategies involving artifacts. When comparing Rack and Ruin to other artifact removal cards such as Shatter or Smash to Smithereens, we see a clear advantage in its ability to eliminate two targets simultaneously. Shatter, while efficient with its lower mana cost, only destroys a single artifact, and Smash to Smithereens shares this limitation, though it deals damage to an opponent as well.
Looking towards By Force, we find its scalability allows for the potential removal of multiple artifacts at once, based on the X cost paid, providing a more flexible approach to artifact destruction. However, Rack and Ruin boasts the benefit of not being reliant on the mana available during a turn and can disrupt multiple artifacts for a fixed cost. Furthermore, Vandalblast presents another alternative, with its overload cost essentially upgrading the spell to wipe out all artifacts your opponents control, yet at a significantly higher total mana expense compared to Rack and Ruin’s consistent four mana.
Ultimately, the value Rack and Ruin provides within the realm of artifact removal is its unyielding destruction of two artifacts at a moderate and predictable cost, making it an integral choice for players targeting artifact-heavy opponents’ decks.
Cards similar to Rack and Ruin by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Rack and Ruin disrupts your opponents by destroying two of their artifact cards with a single cast. This can drastically reduce their options while keeping your hand stable.
Resource Acceleration: While Rack and Ruin itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, by selectively removing key artifacts, you can slow down your opponent’s resource advancement, indirectly benefiting your pace in the race for board dominance.
Instant Speed: Its ability to be cast at instant speed gives you the flexibility to respond to threats or actions of your opponent during their turn. This can be a tactical advantage, allowing you to disrupt synergies or combos they attempt to establish.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To leverage Rack and Ruin’s effectiveness, a precise setup is crucial; you must possess artifacts on the battlefield worthy of discarding, which isn’t always viable, thereby potentially hampering its utility.
Specific Mana Cost: This card necessitates a specific combination of red and generic mana, which might restrict deck-building options and can be cumbersome for mana bases not heavily skewed towards red.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Having a two-red mana commitment, Rack and Ruin’s playability in a fast-paced environment can be hindered as there might be alternative lower-cost spells that disrupt opponents without such a stringent mana requirement.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Rack and Ruin can be a flexible addition to your arsenal, serving as a powerful tool for disrupting your opponents’ strategies. Its ability to target and destroy two artifacts with one card makes it a versatile answer in many matchups.
Combo Potential: For deck builders looking to weave intricate combos, this card can act as both an enabler and protector. By eliminating key pieces of your opponents’ combos or defenses, Rack and Ruin clears the way for your own winning conditions.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta heavy with artifact-based decks, this instant shines by offering significant impact at a low cost. Whether facing down artifact-centric commanders or pervasive equipment, having Rack and Ruin at the ready can give you a definitive edge in the game.
How to beat
Rack and Ruin can be a challenging card to face in MTG. It has the power to dismantle artifact strategies by destroying two non-creature artifacts with one single spell. Tackling this kind of disruption requires a blend of foresight and reactive play. By prioritizing the casting of less critical artifacts first, you can bait out a Rack and Ruin, keeping your vital pieces safe. Diversifying your asset base is also crucial. By not relying solely on artifacts and including enchantments or creatures with key abilities, you reduce the impact Rack and Ruin can have on your game plan.
Counter spells can be your best friend here. Providing a layer of defense against a surprise Rack and Ruin can be game-saving. Holding up mana for counter magic while developing your board with non-artifact resources allows you to progress unhindered. Additionally, having access to instant-speed effects that can salvage your artifacts’ value, like sacrificing them for an immediate benefit, will help to mitigate the loss and maintain momentum should Rack and Ruin be unavoidable.
In essence, strategic deployment and having a proactive defense in place can make facing Rack and Ruin less daunting, allowing you to navigate around it with confidence in MTG. By doing so, you protect your key assets and maintain your strategy’s integrity, even in the face of destructive forces.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rack and Ruin MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy and World Championship Decks 1999, 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 Rack and Ruin and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- eBay
- 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
Printings
The Rack and Ruin Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1999-02-15 and 2000-08-02. Illustrated by Donato Giancola.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-02-15 | Urza's Legacy | ULG | 89 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola | |
| 2 | 1999-08-04 | World Championship Decks 1999 | WC99 | kb89sb | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Donato Giancola | |
| 3 | 2000-08-02 | World Championship Decks 2000 | WC00 | jk89sb | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Donato Giancola |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rack and Ruin 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 Rack and Ruin 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 | Must target two different artifacts. |