Ray of Ruin MTG Card

Ray of Ruin disrupts opponents by targeting artifacts, potentially swinging game momentum in your favor. Instant-speed casting offers reactive play opportunities, altering the course of a match strategically. Despite its upsides, consider the mana specificity and higher costs when integrating into MTG decks.

Ray of Ruin - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery
Abilities	Scry
Released	2023-11-17
Set symbol
Set name	The Lost Caverns of Ixalan
Set code	LCI
Number	117
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Sam Rowan

Text of card

Exile target creature, Vehicle, or nonbasic land. Scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom.)

"We know Chimil's light as a warming, healing presence, but make no mistake: to those who would desecrate her lands, it is a terrible force of scouring fury." —Akal Pakal, First Steward of Oteclan

Cards like Ray of Ruin

Ray of Ruin holds its ground in the realm of targeted artifact removal in Magic: The Gathering. At face value, it shares similarities with straightforward removal spells like Shatter, which also serves the purpose of destroying artifacts. Ray of Ruin differentiates itself with its cycling ability, offering versatility in use. In contrast, Shatter lacks this option, limiting flexibility during plays.

Favorably comparable to Ray of Ruin is Smash to Smithereens. This spell not only destroys an artifact but also deals additional damage to the opponent, lending an aggressive edge to the card. Despite its higher damage potential, Smash to Smithereens does have a fixed purpose and cannot be cycled for a new card. In the same category, we encounter Destructive Revelry. This card combines the destruction of an artifact or enchantment with dealing damage, broadening its scope of targets. However, it requires both red and green mana, while Ray of Ruin remains accessible in any deck with red mana.

Through this lens, Ray of Ruin stands out for its simplicity and adaptable nature within games of Magic: The Gathering, particularly for players valuing choice in their tactical arsenal during matches.

Smash to Smithereens - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ray of Ruin by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Ray of Ruin card can dismantle crucial components of your opponent’s strategy by destroying their artifacts. This disruption often puts you ahead by reducing their options while maintaining your own board presence.

Resource Acceleration: While Ray of Ruin itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its low-cost nature allows you to optimize your mana usage efficiently, potentially leaving resources available for other plays within the same turn.

Instant Speed: Ray of Ruin’s ability to be cast at instant speed gives you the flexibility to react during your opponent’s turn, providing a strategic edge. This can be particularly powerful when disrupting combo pieces or eliminating artifacts that are key to your opponent’s victory in the thick of battle.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Casting Ray of Ruin involves discarding a card, which may be a steep price when your hand is already dwindling.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires not just any mana but a dedicated red source, potentially making it less versatile across various deck builds where mana flexibility is key.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the benefits of Ray of Ruin are clear, its mana demand is on the higher side which could slow down your gameplay, especially when facing decks that operate on lower curves.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ray of Ruin can be seamlessly slotted into several archetypes, particularly those requiring instant-speed solutions to combat pesky artifacts without derailing the rest of your turn. Its flexibility to disrupt an opponent’s strategy can be a game-changer.

Combo Potential: In decks that emphasize on destroying your own artifacts for benefit, Ray of Ruin can serve as a handy tool, offering both an affordable burn option and a way to potentially trigger your own abilities or synergies.

Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of artifact-centric decks in various meta environments, having Ray of Ruin in your collection adds a layer of preparedness, ensuring you have the means to address widespread threats or key components of popular strategies.

How to Beat

Ray of Ruin is an interesting card that can be a real thorn in your side if you heavily rely on artifact-based strategies in MTG. The ability to destroy an artifact can disrupt your game plan, but don’t worry, there are ways to safeguard your important pieces on the board. First, consider the use of cards that grant your artifacts hexproof or shroud, making them immune to targeted spells like Ray of Ruin. Cards like Padeem, Consul of Innovation can be a game-changer by offering that much-needed protection.

Another viable strategy is to prioritize the deployment of multiple lower-value artifacts, diluting the impact of a single Ray of Ruin. Instead of leaning on one or two key artifacts, spread out your threats. Not to overlook, having counter spells ready can neutralize Ray of Ruin before it ever becomes a problem. Counterspells like Negate are perfect for dealing with such targeted removal. Lastly, be sure to keep up on mana reserves to pay for any additional costs associated with protecting your artifacts, ensuring that they remain safe from harm.

Taking these measures can significantly diminish the effectiveness of Ray of Ruin against your MTG deck, allowing you to maintain the upper hand and keep your artifacts in play for the win.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ray of Ruin MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Ray of Ruin and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ray of Ruin has restrictions

Format	Legality
Standard	Legal
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Alchemy	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Brawl	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal