Ral's Staticaster MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Viashino Wizard |
| Abilities | Trample |
| Released | 2018-10-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Guilds of Ravnica |
| Set code | GRN |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 268 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Even Amundsen |
Text of card
Trample (This creature can deal excess combat damage to the player or planeswalker it's attacking.) Whenever Ral's Staticaster attacks, if you control a Ral planeswalker, Ral's Staticaster gets +1/+0 for each card in your hand until end of turn.
Cards like Ral's Staticaster
Ral’s Staticaster introduces a spark to the deck of any MTG player who enjoys wielding the electric power of instant cards. It’s a fresh entry within the spectrum of damage-dealing instants, aligning with cards such as Lightning Strike, which also delivers an instant zap to any target. Ral’s Staticaster, in contrast, offers additional utility by possibly discarding a card in order to deal 4 damage instead of 3 that Lightning Strike provides. This potential card discard can be particularly useful when synergizing with strategies that benefit from having cards in the graveyard.
Another thunderous equivalent is Shock, a fundamental spell in a red mage’s arsenal. Shock is more streamlined with a lower cost and an immediate 2 damage to any target, though it lacks the increased damage potential of Ral’s Staticaster. Then comes the comparison with a more strategic card like Electrolyze. Electrolyze serves a dual purpose, spreading out 2 damage among targets with the sweet bonus of drawing a card, offering a notable advantage in both board presence and card advantage. However, it’s cast at a sorcery speed, unlike the instant tempo Ral’s Staticaster preserves.
While assessing these electrifying options, Ral’s Staticaster can certainly hold its own within the pantheon of red instants in MTG, delivering a scalable impact tailored to dynamic gameplay and graveyard tactics.
Cards similar to Ral's Staticaster by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ral’s Staticaster provides a seamless path to drawing additional cards. When you cast an instant during a turn, it rewards proactive play with the potential to refill your hand and keep the momentum in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: The card synergizes impressively with spell-slinging strategies, often leading to a surge in resources. This can translate into casting more spells sooner than usual, propelling you ahead of your opponents.
Instant Speed: The ability to interact at instant speed gives Ral’s Staticaster a tactical edge. You can manage your resources efficiently, respond to threats immediately, and optimize the timing of your plays to disrupt your opponent’s strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Ral’s Staticaster poses a challenge by necessitating the discard of another card. This condition can set back your hand advantage, especially critical in the mid to late game stages where every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Its specific mana cost, requiring both blue and red mana, confines it primarily to Izzet decks or others that can reliably produce both colors. This can limit the card’s flexibility in deck building.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that sits on the higher side for its effect type, players might find more efficient alternatives. This can make Ral’s Staticaster a less appealing option when optimizing a deck’s mana curve and impact.
Reasons to Include Ral’s Staticaster in Your Collection
Versatility: Ral’s Staticaster offers a flexible slot in multiple decks, providing both instant-speed interaction and the ability to disrupt opposing strategies by targeting creatures or planeswalkers, which makes it a useful tool regardless of the match-up.
Combo Potential: This card shines in decks that capitalize on spell synergies, as it can help to fuel storm counts or enhance effects that trigger on spell casting or instant and sorcery casting.
Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-based strategies often populate the meta, having Ral’s Staticaster in your repertoire prepares you to efficiently handle those threats, and keeps your deck competent and reactive in the ever-shifting landscape of competitive play.
How to beat
Ral’s Staticaster adds a twist to the already diverse arsenal of Magic: The Gathering’s card pool. This particular card can be a real game changer, especially when it comes to manipulating spells on the stack. It shines by potentially turning any casted instant or sorcery into a double threat – each spell cast on your turn can trigger Ral’s Staticaster to chip in extra damage to a target.
The key to overcoming Ral’s Staticaster lies in timing and strategic spell usage. It is crucial to limit the number of spells being cast during your own turn, thereby minimizing the chances for your opponent to exploit Ral’s Staticaster’s ability. Additionally, employing removal spells that can target creatures at instant speed can catch an opponent off-guard, removing Ral’s Staticaster before it can become a recurring source of damage.
Counterspells are also exceptionally effective as they prevent Ral’s Staticaster from ever entering the battlefield. In conclusion, successful strategies against Ral’s Staticaster involve tight play, precise timing, and the judicious use of instant speed interactions to ensure this card doesn’t tilt the match in your opponent’s favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ral's Staticaster 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's Staticaster 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ral's Staticaster has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ral's Staticaster 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 | The number of cards in your hand is checked only as the triggered ability of Ral’s Staticaster resolves. If that number changes later in the turn, its power is unaffected. |
| 2018-10-05 | Whether you control a Ral planeswalker is checked as the ability triggers and as it resolves. After it has resolved while you controlled a Ral planeswalker, Ral’s Staticaster keeps the bonus for the rest of the turn even if you lose your planeswalker. |