Rain of Blades MTG Card
2003-05-26 - Number 20
2003-07-28 - Number 35
2003-07-28 - Number 35★
2012-07-13 - Number 28
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Rain of Blades deals 1 damage to each attacking creature.
Some say they are the weapons of heroes fallen in battle, eager for one last chance at glory.
Cards like Rain of Blades
Rain of Blades stands as a unique defensive instant in Magic: The Gathering, aligned particularly with white mana strategies. It’s often paralleled with other mass-damage spells such as Pyroclasm or Electrickery, which address multiple creatures. However, it distinctly aims only at attacking creatures, signaling subtlety in how it can shift the balance during combat phases without affecting your own board.
Another card often brought up for comparison is Holy Light, that non-discriminately diminishes the power of all non-white creatures, something Rain of Blades does selectively. As an instant, Rain of Blades allows players to take their opponents by surprise during combat, a tactical edge not afforded by Holy Light’s sorcery speed. Also in discussion is Whiplash Trap, with its potential to send two creatures back to their owner’s hand, disrupting attack plans even further, although it comes with a higher mana cost unless its alternate cost condition is met.
When evaluating the tactical edge these cards provide, Rain of Blades seems tailored for players focusing on white-based defense tactics, offering a cost-effective and precise tool for maintaining battlefield control against aggressive strategies.
Cards similar to Rain of Blades by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Rain of Blades shines in scenarios against token strategies or armies of small creatures. Its ability to potentially neutralize multiple threats with a single card helps you maintain superiority on the battlefield, conserving your hand while diminishing your opponent’s presence.
Resource Acceleration: While Rain of Blades does not directly accelerate resources in the typical manner of generating mana or ramping, it efficiently preserves your life total and board state. This indirect resource conservation allows for more strategic deployment of spells in subsequent turns, keeping the pace of the game on your terms.
Instant Speed: The instant nature of Rain of Blades gives it the flexibility to be a surprise during your opponent’s attack phase. Its swift deployability ensures that you’re always ready to disrupt combat math and impose tempo swings in your favor. This can result in a stark advantage as you capitalize on your opponent’s now-vulnerable position.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the major drawbacks of Rain of Blades is that this card doesn’t force a discard, which means it lacks the potential to disrupt your opponent’s hand and overall game plan, a feature that many players seek to gain the upper hand in a match.
Specific Mana Cost: Rain of Blades requires a specific mana composition to cast—two white mana. This requirement may restrict its versatility as it’s best suited for mono-white or two-color decks that can reliably produce white mana, potentially leaving out many decks that can’t accommodate such a stringent mana requirement.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For an instant that deals one damage to each attacking creature, Rain of Blades has a relatively high mana cost. Other cards at lower mana points can offer similar or even broader control options, making this card a less efficient choice in situations where mana economy is crucial.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Rain of Blades stands out for its ability to quickly thin out opposing hordes of creatures, making it a solid defensive card for any white deck, particularly those in need of efficient crowd control.
Combo Potential: This card excels in combinations with cards that trigger upon casting spells or those that benefit from having fewer enemy creatures on the battlefield, giving you a strategic edge during combat.
Meta-Relevance: In a metagame dominated by aggressive creature-based strategies, Rain of Blades serves as a powerful tool, effectively disrupting your opponent’s tempo and preserving your life total during critical turns.
How to beat
Rain of Blades is an intriguing tactical spell in Magic: The Gathering, known for its potential to thwart numerous creatures at once. This card can create an unwelcome surprise for opponents who amass a large army of smaller creatures. To effectively navigate against Rain of Blades, consider employing creatures with higher toughness to withstand the damage dealt by this spell. Another effective strategy is to use instant-speed spells or abilities that can buff the toughness of your creatures before the spell resolves.
Similarly, investing in indestructible creatures can nullify the impact of Rain of Blades. Creatures with this characteristic are not affected by state-based actions that would destroy them, which includes taking lethal damage. Moreover, using hexproof or shroud abilities can prevent Rain of Blades from targeting your precious creatures. The spell requires a target, and if your creatures can’t be targeted, it practically negates the card’s effectiveness.
Overall, while Rain of Blades can be a game-changer in battles against creature-heavy decks, a well-prepared player with the right creatures and spells can easily diminish its impact. Understanding these interactions is key to maintaining a strong board presence in the face of such sweeping removal tactics.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rain of Blades MTG card by a specific set like Scourge and Eighth Edition, 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 Rain of Blades and other MTG cards:
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- 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 Rain of Blades Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2003-05-26 and 2012-07-13. Illustrated by Rob Alexander.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2003-05-26 | Scourge | SCG | 20 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 2 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 35 | 2003 | Normal | White | Rob Alexander | |
| 3 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 35★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 4 | 2012-07-13 | Magic 2013 | M13 | 28 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rain of Blades has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |