Radiant's Judgment MTG Card
1999-02-15 - Number 22
2014-06-16 - Number 41
2021-08-26 - Number 114
2022-12-02 - Number 230
2023-01-13 - Number 21
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Cycling |
Text of card
Destroy target creature with power 4 or greater. Cycling (You may pay and discard this card from your hand to draw a card. Play this ability as an instant.)
Cards like Radiant's Judgment
Radiant’s Judgment stands out in the realm of removal spells within Magic: The Gathering. It offers notable flexibility by allowing its caster to potentially draw a card if the targeted creature has power 4 or greater. This can be compared to other white removal spells like Swords to Plowshares, which unconditionally exiles any creature at the low cost of one white mana but gives the creature’s controller life in exchange.
Looking at Oblivion Ring, another similar card, we see a removal that can deal with nearly any nonland permanent at the cost of three mana. While Radiant’s Judgment provides card draw in specific scenarios, Oblivion Ring provides broader target options. Then there’s Condemn, an inexpensive removal that tucks an attacking creature to the bottom of its owner’s library but also grants that player life. It’s cheaper than Radiant’s Judgment and offers a different type of board control, focusing on creatures that are actively engaging in combat.
Ultimately, Radiant’s Judgment offers a blend of removal and potential card advantage, making it a tactical choice for decks that require removal for larger threats while maintaining card flow in the game.
Cards similar to Radiant's Judgment by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When unleashing Radiant’s Judgment, if the targeted creature has power four or greater, you’re rewarded with a card draw. This bonus ensures you’re not just neutralizing threats but also refilling your hand, giving you the upper hand on future turns.
Resource Acceleration: While not providing traditional ramp, by efficiently handling big threats, Radiant’s Judgment helps maintain your board state with minimal resource expenditure. Keeping your mana and resources for essential plays sets you up for progressive board advancement.
Instant Speed: The power of an instant like Radiant’s Judgment cannot be overstated. It offers the flexibility to react during your opponent’s turn, making it a tactical tool for disruption. Surprise your adversary by removing an unexpected aggressor and potentially turn the tide of the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Radiant’s Judgment requires discarding a card, which can be a disadvantage, especially if your hand is already sparse. Discarding could mean losing key pieces needed for later in the game, possibly affecting your long-term strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Radiant’s Judgment necessitates both white mana and generic mana, which might not be readily available in all decks, particularly those with a more diverse color palette. This can often limit the card’s inclusion to mono-white or two-color decks, potentially excluding it from other creative builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is on the higher end for its effect, there might be alternative removal options that are more cost-effective. In a game where mana efficiency can be key to victory, Radiant’s Judgment could be considered too costly for the flexibility it provides.
Reasons to Include Radiant’s Judgment in Your Collection
Versatility: Radiant’s Judgment is a card with a flexible cost benefit. It can serve as a targeted removal spell for larger creatures when you have Threshold, or a way to deal with smaller utility creatures early on. It’s adaptability makes it a solid choice for many deck builds.
Combo Potential: This card can seamlessly integrate into white-based control or combo decks that manipulate the graveyard to achieve Threshold quickly. As a result, it has the potential to become a powerful tool when combined with setups that aim to have seven or more cards in the graveyard.
Meta-Relevance: Given its potential to deal with a variety of creatures, Radiant’s Judgment can be a particularly useful addition in metas where creature-based strategies are prevalent. Its capacity to work as both early game interaction and a more potent late-game play gives it a place in diverse competitive environments.
How to beat
Radiant’s Judgment may catch players off guard with its ability to potentially remove a powerful attacking or blocking creature. Navigating around this card requires an awareness of the conditions under which it’s most effective. In a duel, having an understanding of when your opponent might hold enough mana to cast Radiant’s Judgment is crucial.
Counterspells can be an effective approach against Radiant’s Judgment, with cards like Negate that specifically target non-creature spells. Another strategy involves deploying creatures with an emphasis on resilience or regeneration abilities to withstand the potential damage. Prioritizing creatures with toughness greater than 3 prevents Radiant’s Judgment from being an option unless you have a card to boost its power.
It’s also essential to consider the timing of your attacks. Committing to an aggressive strategy without backup might be risky against a deck that utilizes control elements such as Radiant’s Judgment. The key is to maintain pressure while having a plan B should your creatures become targets. Balancing your creature presence on the board will help mitigate the impact of any single removal spell.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Radiant's Judgment MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy and Vintage Masters, 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 Radiant's Judgment 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 Radiant's Judgment Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1999-02-15 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by Greg Staples.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-02-15 | Urza's Legacy | ULG | 22 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | |
| 2 | 2014-06-16 | Vintage Masters | VMA | 41 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | |
| 3 | 2021-08-26 | Jumpstart: Historic Horizons | J21 | 114 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | |
| 4 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 230 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | |
| 5 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 21 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Radiant's Judgment has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |