Rain of Gore MTG Card


Rain of Gore’s immediate effect on life-gain can shift game dynamics, offering indirect card advantage. With specific casting requirements, it becomes a decisive card for red and black color decks. Versatile and meta-relevant, Rain of Gore is a key sideboard card against life-gain strategies.
Rain of Gore - Dissension
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment
Released2006-05-05
Set symbol
Set nameDissension
Set codeDIS
Number126
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byFred Hooper

Text of card

If a spell or ability would cause its controller to gain life, that player loses that much life instead.

"Stay indoors, away from what seeps over the thresholds. This is the Demon's work, and only ill can come of it." —Belko, owner of Titan's Keg tavern


Cards like Rain of Gore

Rain of Gore is an impactful enchantment in the Magic: The Gathering universe that can significantly alter life gain strategies. When comparing it to other cards, Sulfuric Vortex springs to mind; both hinder life-gain but Vortex also deals damage to players during each upkeep granting it a more aggressive profile. Rain of Gore’s distinct advantage is its lower mana cost and its selective nature, affecting only opponents.

Another card to consider is Everlasting Torment. This card shares the anti-life-gain trait with Rain of Gore and additionally negates damage prevention effects. Nevertheless, Everlasting Torment affects all players and converts all damage to wither, impacting the overall board. Harsh Mentor is a creature with an ability that similarly punishes opponents for activating abilities of artifacts, creatures, and lands, but doesn’t specifically address life gain.

Evaluating these cards reveals Rain of Gore’s niche in disabling opponent life gain, a boon for players targeting that specific counter-strategy. Its precise focus makes it a valuable asset in certain MTG decks that aim to weaken opponents reliant on life-gain abilities without hindering their own strategies.

Sulfuric Vortex - MTG Card versions
Everlasting Torment - MTG Card versions
Harsh Mentor - MTG Card versions
Sulfuric Vortex - MTG Card versions
Everlasting Torment - MTG Card versions
Harsh Mentor - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Rain of Gore by color, type and mana cost

Ghostly Flame - MTG Card versions
Fists of the Demigod - MTG Card versions
Blood Spatter Analysis - MTG Card versions
Ghostly Flame - MTG Card versions
Fists of the Demigod - MTG Card versions
Blood Spatter Analysis - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Rain of Gore doesn’t directly draw cards, its passive ability can hinder opponent’s strategies, giving you an indirect card advantage by nullifying their life-gain cards.

Resource Acceleration: Rain of Gore itself does not produce resources, but its low mana cost allows you to deploy other strategies more efficiently, saving your mana for crucial plays and keeping pressure on your opponent.

Instant Speed: Although Rain of Gore is an enchantment, its impact is immediate. Once on the battlefield, it alters the game state akin to the effect of an instant, enforcing a new rule that can catch an opponent off guard right as they attempt to gain life.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When playing Rain of Gore, it’s crucial to account for the absence of a discard condition. While not having to discard can be beneficial, it does mean this card lacks the built-in resource cycling that could potentially draw into more useful spells or threats.

Specific Mana Cost: Rain of Gore comes with a hybrid mana cost, which demands both red and black mana. Such a specific requirement can restrict deck-building options, hindering its inclusion in multicolored decks that might not focus on these colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana, the card’s impact must be evaluated against other options available at this cost. In some cases, players may find the card’s effect disproportionate to its mana investment, especially when not facing life-gain strategies.


Reasons to Include Rain of Gore in Your Collection

Versatility: Rain of Gore is a powerful addition to decks utilizing Red and Black colors. It’s particularly impactful in sideboards against lifegain strategies, allowing it to fit into a variety of matchups while turning an opponent’s strength into their weakness.

Combo Potential: For decks built around damaging life-gain combos, Rain of Gore serves as a critical piece. It can combo with cards that force opponents to gain life, effectively turning what’s usually a beneficial mechanic into a punitive measure.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where lifegain decks are prevalent, Rain of Gore becomes a crucial tool. Its ability to halt these strategies can shift the tide of games, making it an invaluable asset in such a meta.


How to beat

Rain of Gore is a notorious enchantment in MTG that can dramatically alter the course of the game by turning life gain strategies on their head. This card impacts strategies that heavily rely on gaining life to outpace the opponent, making it a formidable tool in red and black decks that punish such tactics. To effectively neutralize the effect of Rain of Gore, consider using life gain effects that are not specifically spelled out as ‘gain life,’ such as substituting with proliferate or counters strategies as these are not negated by Rain of Gore. Redirecting damage through spells or abilities is also a potent countermeasure.

Moreover, removal spells targeting enchantments, such as Disenchant, are essential when facing a deck with Rain of Gore. By keeping such spells in your sideboard, you ensure that you can swiftly deal with this enchantment when it hits the battlefield, minimizing its disruptive influence on your strategy. Lastly, it’s vital to assess the board and anticipate its arrival; being prepared to remove it or shifting your strategy can keep you one step ahead of your opponent. Understanding and adapting to the presence of Rain of Gore is key to turning the tide in your favor.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rain of Gore MTG card by a specific set like Dissension, 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 Gore and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rain of Gore has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Rain of Gore card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2013-04-15 This does not apply to life gain caused by combat damage from a creature with lifelink.