Rally the Troops MTG Card
1998-06-24 - Number 19
1999-05-01 - Number 16
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Play Rally the Troops only after you're attacked, before you declare blockers. Untap all your creatures.
Cards like Rally the Troops
Rally the Troops is an inspiring choice among white spells that bolster the might of creatures on the battlefield. It connects to spells like Raise the Alarm, an instant that creates two soldier tokens, offering a swift boost to your army. Rally the Troops differs as it not only summons soldiers but also potentially enhances a wide range of creatures already on the field with its “until end of turn” buff. This can turn the tide of a skirmish favorably in your direction.
Another analogue is Gather the Townsfolk, which also produces two human tokens, yet it includes the flexibility of the Fateful Hour ability, which can amplify the number of creatures summoned if your life total is low. While Gather the Townsfolk offers a resilience aspect, Rally the Troops focuses on immediate impact by empowering your entire board position for a decisive assault. Intangible Virtue is yet another peer, providing an enduring stat boost to token creatures along with vigilance, but lacking the instant impact of Rally the Troops.
Assessing their features closely, Rally the Troops stands out as a strategic spell within the realm of white creature support, capable of transforming even a modest platoon into a formidable force at a moment’s notice.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Rally the Troops excels in offering card advantage by potentially replenishing your hand with valuable creature cards. This makes it an essential player in maintaining momentum during the heat of battle or for a surprise comeback.
Resource Acceleration: This card provides resource acceleration by allowing you to deploy several creatures at once, effectively saving mana and turns. By streamlining your army onto the battlefield, you fortify your presence and pressure on your opponent faster than usual.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Rally the Troops at instant speed provides flexibility and strategic depth to your gameplay. It allows you to react to your opponent’s actions, making it harder for them to predict and counter your moves. Playing troops during their turn can drastically alter the state of the game in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Rally the Troops necessitates that you discard a card to activate its effect. This can put you at a significant disadvantage, especially in crucial moments when your hand is nearly empty, and every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: The cost to cast Rally the Troops is not only color-specific but also requires a combination of colors. This limits its playability, hindering its inclusion in decks not aligned with those particular mana types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that might be considered steep for the effect it provides, there are alternatives that could offer similar or better benefits at a lower cost, making them more appealing choices in constructing an efficient deck.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Rally the Troops is a flexible addition to any deck looking to bolster its creature forces. It’s an asset for strategies that require a sudden swarm of blockers or an unexpected offensive push during a turn.
Combo Potential: This card shines in synergistic interactions, particularly with decks emphasizing “soldier” or “token” mechanics. It can exponentially enhance your battlefield presence when combined with effects that trigger upon creatures entering the battlefield or attacking.
Meta-Relevance: In a game climate where board presence equates to overwhelming advantage, Rally the Troops can pivot a game in your favor. Useful against control decks, it can replenish your side after a sweep or press the advantage in an already favorable state, making it a timely inclusion in your deck.
How to Beat Rally the Troops
Rally the Troops is a notable card that players in MTG may occasionally encounter. Its ability to muster an instant battle-ready army can turn the tide of any game. This card has the potential to be a game-changer due to the instant speed at which creatures can be pumped. The key to countering this strategy lies in anticipation and timely disruption. To effectively beat Rally the Troops, consider using instant speed removal spells that can disrupt the opponent’s creature boosts before attacks are declared. Cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile are apt choices as they can eliminate key creatures, reducing the overall impact of Rally the Troops.
Another viable strategy is to employ counter spells. Denying the opponent the opportunity to cast Rally the Troops in the first place negates its effect entirely. For those times when it has already been cast, sweepers that can clear the board post-pump, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, provide a reset. Furthermore, if you have creatures with reach or flying, positioning them strategically can mitigate the overwhelming force Rally the Troops intends to bring to the battlefield.
As a last resort, defensive enchantments or artifacts that prevent damage or decrease the power of opposing creatures can serve as a buffer against this sudden onslaught. It’s all about staying one step ahead and choosing the right moment to strike or defend when up against Rally the Troops in MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rally the Troops MTG card by a specific set like Portal Second Age and Portal Three Kingdoms, 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 Rally the Troops 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
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Printings
The Rally the Troops Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-06-24 and 1999-05-01. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-06-24 | Portal Second Age | P02 | 19 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
| 2 | 1999-05-01 | Portal Three Kingdoms | PTK | 16 | 1997 | Normal | White | Shang Huitong |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rally the Troops has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Predh | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |