Ramses, Assassin Lord MTG Card
2022-09-09 - Number 61
2022-09-09 - Number 39
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Assassin |
| Abilities | Deathtouch |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Deathtouch Other Assassins you control get +1/+1. Whenever a player loses the game, if they were attacked this turn by an Assassin you controlled, you win the game.
"Why butcher an army when you can slash a single throat for the same result?"
Cards like Ramses, Assassin Lord
Ramses, Assassin Lord stands out in the realm of MTG black cards with unique abilities. When looking for counterparts, Duskmantle Guildmage springs to mind. Both manipulate opponents’ cards but Ramses, Assassin Lord brings an additional layer by potentially removing creatures. Much like Royal Assassin, a creature control through targeted destruction is achieved. However, Ramses adds a stealth factor by only targeting tapped creatures.
Comparatively, Vraska, Scheming Gorgon provides a similar threat of destroying creatures but is tied to a planeswalker’s loyalty abilities. Ramses, Assassin Lord operates independently and offers a more immediate and recurring control option. Meanwhile, Avatar of Woe also presents creature destruction abilities yet requires a certain number of cards in the graveyard to activate at a lesser mana cost. Ramses does not have this restriction.
Considering the combination of control, subtlety, and potential card advantage, Ramses, Assassin Lord certainly holds its own against similar MTG cards. Each card comes with its strategic benefits, but the uniqueness of Ramses lies in his ability to continually threaten the board with direct, repeatable creature elimination.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ramses, Assassin Lord provides a steady stream of card advantage by allowing you to potentially remove opponents’ threats while simultaneously drawing from your own deck. This dual benefit ensures that you’re not only disrupting your opponent’s plans but also progressing your own strategy.
Resource Acceleration: With each successful assassination, Ramses propels your resource acceleration by potentially untapping lands or other mana sources. This can give you a significant lead in the resource game, allowing you to deploy more threats or have answers ready at a moment’s notice.
Instant Speed: The abilities of Ramses can often be activated at instant speed, providing you with the flexibility to react to your opponent’s moves during their turn. This surprise factor can be game-changing as it allows you to disrupt your opponent’s strategy while leaving your mana open for other instant-speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For Ramses, Assassin Lord, requiring a card to be discarded can be a detriment when you’re holding onto key components of your strategy. This can potentially leave players at a disadvantage as they sacrifice valuable assets to fulfill the card’s cost.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s unique mana requirements can restrict its inclusion to decks that can reliably produce the needed colors. This makes Ramses a less versatile choice in decks that can’t guarantee access to the necessary mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Ramses demands a substantial mana investment up front. Considering other options in the format that may offer similar or better returns for less mana, this can put players behind, especially in the early to mid-game stages where maintaining mana efficiency is crucial.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Ramses, Assassin Lord offers unparalleled adaptability as it can act as both a formidable attacker and a strategic piece in control decks. Its ability to pick off key creatures makes it a valuable asset in various game situations.
Combo Potential: This card can be synergized with numerous other cards to initiate devastating combos, eliminating opponents’ threats while cementing your board presence. Its potential in combo setups makes it a must-try for those who enjoy intricate gameplay.
Meta-Relevance: Given its inherent power to disrupt opponent strategies, Ramses, Assassin Lord holds a significant place in the current MTG landscape. It’s a meta-relevant choice that can give players an edge in both casual and competitive play environments.
How to Beat Ramses, Assassin Lord
Ramses, Assassin Lord’s presence in any MTG duel suggests a complex control strategy, often leaning on its ability to dominate the board by removing opposing creatures. Overcoming such a commanding card requires a tactical approach, focusing on spell timing and resource management. It’s beneficial to maintain a diverse mixture of instant-speed removals and disruptive spells to counter Ramses before its effects become overwhelming.
Employing graveyard interaction strategies can also turn the tide against Ramses. Cards enabling graveyard retrieval or those that utilize the graveyard as a resource themselves can decrease the effectiveness of Ramses’ removal abilities. Furthermore, running a suite of creatures with hexproof or shroud ensures your board remains less susceptible to Ramses’ targeted abilities.
Constructing a deck resilient to control tactics can also undercut Ramses’ strategy. This might include creatures that can regenerate or have undying abilities, persisting through potential removals. By understanding the strengths of Ramses and assembling a counteractive game plan, players can navigate through the challenges it presents and emerge victorious in the strategic battle of MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ramses, Assassin Lord MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United Commander and Dominaria United Commander, 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 Ramses, Assassin Lord and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
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- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Ramses, Assassin Lord Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-09-09 and 2022-09-09. Illustrated by Manuel Castañón.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United Commander | DMC | 61 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Manuel Castañón | |
| 2 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United Commander | DMC | 39 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Manuel Castañón |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ramses, Assassin Lord has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ramses, Assassin Lord card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-09-09 | As long as that player was attacked this turn by an Assassin you controlled, Ramses, Assassin Lord’s last ability triggers when that player loses the game for any reason, not just due to combat damage. This is true even if the Assassin is no longer on the battlefield, no longer under your control, or no longer an Assassin at the time that player loses the game. |
| 2022-09-09 | For the last ability to trigger, an Assassin you controlled must have attacked the player. Attacking a planeswalker the player controls won’t count. |
| 2022-09-09 | If you attack an opponent with a non-Assassin creature and that creature becomes an Assassin after attackers were declared, that player was not “attacked” this turn by an Assassin you controlled. |
| 2022-09-09 | Similarly, if an Assassin enters the battlefield under your control attacking a player, that creature didn’t “attack” and won’t cause this ability to trigger. |