Ral, Caller of Storms MTG Card

Ral offers card advantage through scrying and drawing, essential for maintaining a strong hand. Reduces spell costs, accelerating your mana efficiency and gameplay pace dramatically. Can duplicate spells at instant speed, doubling effects and outplaying opponents strategically.
Ral, Caller of Storms - Guilds of Ravnica
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Planeswalker — Ral
Released2018-10-05
Set symbol
Set nameGuilds of Ravnica
Set codeGRN
Loyalty 4
Number265
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byKieran Yanner

Text of card

+1: Draw a card. −2: Ral, Caller of Storms deals 3 damage divided as you choose among one, two, or three targets. −7: Draw seven cards. Ral, Caller of Storms deals 7 damage to each creature your opponents control.

Cards like Ral, Caller of Storms

In the diverse world of planeswalker cards within Magic: The Gathering, Ral, Caller of Storms offers a unique blend of abilities. Similar to Ral Zarek, both walkers focus on manipulating instants, sorceries, and generating additional damage. Where Ral, Caller of Storms stands out is in his third ability which allows the drawing and discarding of a card, thereby increasing the potential to pull necessary resources mid-game. Conversely, Ral Zarek boasts the potential to untap a permanent or take an extra turn, intensifying the pace of gameplay.

Examining Ral, Izzet Viceroy, we notice another akin card. This version of Ral also empowers the player with card filtration through its first ability and can deal damage based on the number of instants and sorceries in the graveyard, a synergy that fans of spell-slinging decks appreciate. However, his ultimate is a game ender, an element that Ral, Caller of Storms lacks. While Ral, Caller of Storms can be a thoroughfare to late-game advantages, Ral, Izzet Viceroy is more of an immediate threat, increasing the pressure on opponents.

Comparing these choices for those who enjoy dictating the ebb and flow with spells, Ral, Caller of Storms fits nicely for players looking to maintain sustained board presence and gradually tip the scales in their favor.

Ral Zarek - MTG Card versions
Ral, Izzet Viceroy - MTG Card versions
Ral Zarek - MTG Card versions
Ral, Izzet Viceroy - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ral, Caller of Storms grants the ability to scry, helping filter draws to ensure more strategic planning. Drawing cards whenever you cast an instant or sorcery means consistently fueling your hand with options.

Resource Acceleration: By reducing the cost of instant and sorcery spells, this card effectively increases your mana resources, enabling you to cast more spells or higher-cost spells sooner than usual in the match.

Instant Speed: Ral’s ability to interact on the stack at instant speed is a game-changer, particularly when it involves copying instant or sorcery spells, potentially doubling their impact during critical phases of play.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ral, Caller of Storms requires players to discard a card to activate one of its abilities. This can be a tough decision, especially if your hand is already limited or if you’re holding onto key strategy pieces.

Specific Mana Cost: This planeswalker demands a precise combination of blue and red mana. Decks that don’t operate within the Izzet guild’s colors might struggle to accommodate Ral without significant adjustments to their mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at a somewhat steep mana investment, Ral, Caller of Storms draws a comparison with other planeswalkers or spells available at a lower cost. This can be a deal-breaker in fast-paced games where efficiency is key to outpacing opponents.

Reasons to Include Ral, Caller of Storms in Your Collection

Versatility: Ral, Caller of Storms is a dynamic card that stands out in decks designed to harness the power of instants and sorceries. It can slot into various deck types, creating new possibilities for controlling the game or driving your game plan forward with direct damage and card draw capabilities.

Combo Potential: This Planeswalker can synergize with numerous spells to create powerful combos, efficiently escalating your chances of outmaneuvering opponents. His abilities enable you to duplicate spells or search out the perfect answers or threats for any given situation, setting the stage for game-winning combos.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the ever-evolving nature of the MTG meta, Ral’s role can be pivotal in matches where spell-slinging decks are prevalent. His ability to disrupt opponents while providing continuous value through card advantage makes him a compelling choice for competitive play.

How to beat

Ral, Caller of Storms is a formidable planeswalker card that can turn the tide in Magic: The Gathering (MTG). Control strategies involving counterspells and removal are reliable tactics to handle this threat. As Ral can manipulate card draw and deal direct damage, removing him promptly is essential. Employing instant-speed removal such as Murder or Hero’s Downfall can ensure Ral leaves the battlefield before accruing too much value.

Another approach is to apply pressure with an aggressive creature strategy, forcing your opponent to defend Ral instead of using his abilities to their advantage. Cards like Lightning Strike or Shock can also target Ral directly, which, when combined with creature attacks, can neutralize him swiftly. Preventing your opponent from establishing a board presence that protects Ral is key to limiting his impact on the game.

It’s crucial to remain vigilant and keep a steady pace, as Ral’s ultimate ability can be devastating. Efficient resource management and strategic planning are your best assets in overcoming the storm that Ral brings to the MTG battlefield.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ral, Caller of Storms MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica, 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 Ral, Caller of Storms and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ral, Caller of Storms has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-10-05 If some of the targets become illegal for Ral’s second ability, the original division of damage still applies, and the damage that would have been dealt to illegal targets isn’t dealt at all.