Ransack MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 4 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Look at the top five cards of target player's library. Put any number of those cards on the bottom of that library in any order and the rest on top of the library in any order.
Cards like Ransack
Ransack stands out in the pantheon of destruction spells in MTG, bearing likeness to notable cards that cater to disrupting opponents’ strategies. It finds companionship with the likes of Stone Rain and Molten Rain, which are classic spells capable of obliterating lands from the game. Stone Rain simply demolishes a land, making it a straightforward choice for land destruction decks, while Molten Rain has the added kick of dealing damage if the demolished land was nonbasic.
Considering Pillage, it’s almost a cousin to Ransack, also disrupting land but with the perk of being able to target artifacts as well. This dual functionality adds an edge in versatility compared to the single-minded Ransack. However, Ransack’s lower casting cost makes it enticing for a more aggressive strategy or when the aim is to quickly unsettle an opponent’s mana base early in the game.
Comparando strategic options, Ransack holds its ground as a cost-efficient choice within MTG’s land destruction tactics. It might not have the additional damage or wider target range like its peers, but for players seeking a swift upset to opponents’ plans, Ransack is an arrow worth having in their quiver.
Cards similar to Ransack by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: One key strength of Ransack is its ability to grant significant card selection power. By sifting through the top cards of your library, you’re equipped to strategically sculpt your hand and forthcoming plays.
Resource Acceleration: A card that offers the potential to jump ahead on resources — such as lands or relevant spells — can be a game-changer. Ransack delivers on this front, providing a golden opportunity to sift for key pieces that can accelerate your game plan.
Instant Speed: The versatility of instant speed cannot be overstated. With Ransack, the strategic depth of your game increases as you can respond to an opponent’s actions or end their turn efficiently, keeping your strategy fluid and adaptable.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Ransack requires a card to be discarded from your hand, which can be particularly taxing when your hand size is already whittled down. This makes the card less flexible during moments when every card in hand counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Ransack comes with a specific mana cost that necessitates at least one black mana. This inflexibility may deter decks not deeply invested in black mana from including it in their strategies, limiting its utility across various types of decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Charging two and two black mana, Ransack’s cost is on the steeper side for its effect. This can affect your tempo, especially when up against quicker decks that capitalize on more cost-effective disruptions or card advantage strategies.
Reasons to Include Ransack in Your Collection
Versatility: Ransack is a nuanced addition that can suit a variety of deck types due to its ability to navigate through your deck, ensuring a smoother draw of necessary cards.
Combo Potential: This card shines in synergy with strategies that benefit from card sifting, setting up the perfect conditions for powerful combos or recovering key components from your deck.
Meta-Relevance: With the shifting landscape of the meta, Ransack maintains relevance as it can adapt to various opponents by filtering through undesirable draws and enhancing consistency in your play.
How to beat Ransack
Ransack is recognized among players for its disruptive capability in a game of Magic: The Gathering. This intriguing card forces a player to reveal their hand and discards a nonland card from it. It’s a direct hit to your opponent’s strategy, potentially removing a key piece before they have the chance to play it. To effectively neutralize the threat posed by Ransack, one must adopt versatile and preventive measures within their deck construction and play style.
Implementing abundant card draw effects in your deck can cushion the impact of Ransack, ensuring that your hand remains full and minimizing the odds of losing critical cards. Running cards with Flashback or other abilities that function from the graveyard can also turn the apparent disadvantage of discarding into a strategic benefit. Moreover, playing with an emphasis on redundancy of vital cards can reduce the negative implications of discarding, safeguarding your game plan against a Ransack. Most importantly, understanding the timing and anticipating when your opponent may deploy this disruptive card allows you to hold back on key plays until the coast is clear.
Through smart deck building and strategic play that counts on recovering from hand disruption, players can effectively diminish the impact that Ransack has during a duel. Awareness and preparedness are key in mitigating its potentially game-swinging effect.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ransack MTG card by a specific set like Stronghold and Starter 1999, 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 Ransack and other MTG cards:
BUY NOWBurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Ransack Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-03-02 and 1999-07-01. Illustrated by Ron Spencer.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1998-03-02 | Stronghold | STH | 39 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | |
2 | 1999-07-01 | Starter 1999 | S99 | 47 | 1997 | Normal | White | Ron Spencer |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ransack has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |