Rank and File MTG Card

Rank and File yields card advantage by potentially nullifying multiple enemy creatures at once. Instant speed casting of Rank and File adds strategic depth to combat decisions. Despite effectiveness, Rank and File’s play requires careful consideration of resource management.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Zombie
Released	1999-02-15
Set symbol
Set name	Urza's Legacy
Set code	ULG
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	65
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Donato Giancola

Text of card

When Rank and File comes into play, all green creatures get -1/-1 until end of turn.

"Left, right, left, right . . . hmm. Okay—left, left, left, left, . . ."

Cards like Rank and File

Rank and File brings unique tactical considerations to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Similar to cards like Gravedigger, which allows for the return of creature cards from the graveyard to the hand, Rank and File’s strength lies in its ability to influence multiple creatures. Unlike Gravedigger, Rank and File requires the presence of other creatures with similar abilities to maximize its potential.

When looking at Deathgaze Cockatrice, we note that it also carries the Deathtouch ability, making it formidable in combat. However, Rank and File extends this effect across the board, affecting all creatures you control with the same name during a block—amplifying the Deathtouch potency in a swarm strategy. Another comparable card is Echoing Decay, which targets creatures sharing a name but doesn’t require the permanence or centeredness of creature abilities that Rank and File does.

Such strategic nuances place Rank and File in a league of synergy-focused MTG cards designed for thematic decks. It’s a card that can turn the tide of play through its collective creature ability enhancement, especially in formats where duplicates are allowed and creature-based strategies are prominent.

Deathgaze Cockatrice - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Rank and File by color, type and mana cost

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Rank and File, you get the potential to neutralize a number of your opponent’s creatures. This can swing the game in your favor by decreasing their battlefield presence, essentially offering card advantage as you’re effectively handling multiple threats with a single card.

Resource Acceleration: Despite Rank and File not directly increasing your mana pool, by controlling the board and keeping your opponent’s creatures at bay, you maintain the resources to develop your game plan more efficiently. This indirect resource acceleration may allow you to commit to the board more effectively without the immediate pressure of opposing creatures.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Rank and File at instant speed is a significant advantage. It enables strategic plays during your opponent’s turn, keeping them guessing about your available options. Additionally, instant speed interactions increase the complexity of your opponent’s combat decisions, potentially leading to favorable outcomes in combat for you.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Rank and File imposes a discard stipulation that may leave players at a resource deficit, particularly in games where card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: The requirement of distinct black mana to cast Rank and File could potentially restrict its inclusion to mono-black or limited two-color decks, reducing its overall flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including three generic and one black, Rank and File’s ability to affect the battlefield may lag behind other cards with lower casting cost or more immediate impact.

Reasons to Include Rank and File in Your Collection

Versatility: Rank and File can complement different deck styles due to its ability to affect multiple creatures at once. It provides utility both offensively and defensively, granting a balanced approach to various game scenarios.

Combo Potential: The card synergizes well with strategies that capitalize on creature types or tap abilities. This can lead to powerful combinations, particularly in decks that focus on creature control or those that benefit from abilities triggered by tapping or untapping creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where creature-based decks are prevalent, Rank and File serves as an effective tool to hinder opponents’ strategies. Its presence in your collection ensures you have a ready answer to swarm tactics and can control the pace of the battlefield effectively.

How to beat

When facing Rank and File in MTG, the key is understanding its utility and then smartly navigating around it. Rank and File thrives in environments where creature-based strategies dominate. It comes into play, targets a creature, and if black mana was spent to cast it, all creatures that share a type with the targeted creature get -1/-1 until end of turn. This can decimate tribal decks and those that rely heavily on creature synergies.

To overcome this, diversify your creature base to avoid falling prey to a single Rank and File. Utilize non-creature spells that bolster your board or remove Rank and File before its effect resolves. Counterspells, protection spells, or even bouncing it back to the owner’s hand can mitigate the impact. Remember, its effect is contingent on black mana and a shared creature type, so altering either of these variables can turn the tide in your favor.

By implementing these strategies, you can diminish the disruption caused by Rank and File and maintain your advantage on the battlefield, ensuring that your creatures continue to press forward unhindered by such targeted debuffs.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rank and File MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy, 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 Rank and File and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rank and File has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2004-10-04	The -1/-1 penalty is given to all green creatures on the battlefield when the triggered ability resolves. It will not apply to green creatures that enter the battlefield later in the turn.