Reaping the Rewards MTG Card

Enables significant card advantage to outpace opponents and gain a dominant game position. Offers resource acceleration and flexibility with its instant speed application in gameplay. Demands card discarding and specific mana, which may limit its utility in some decks.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Abilities	Buyback
Released	1998-06-15
Set symbol
Set name	Exodus
Set code	EXO
Number	16
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Heather Hudson

Text of card

Buyback— Sacrifice a land. (You may sacrifice a land in addition to any other costs when you play this spell. If you do, put Reaping the Rewards into your hand instead of your graveyard as part of the spell's effect.) Gain 2 life.

Cards like Reaping the Rewards

Reaping the Rewards has a distinctive place in the realm of life-gain spells within Magic: The Gathering, bearing comparison to cards like Chaplain’s Blessing. Chaplain’s Blessing also offers immediate life gain, boosting a player’s health pool, but without the flexibility Reaping the Rewards provides. Unlike Reaping the Rewards, Chaplain’s Blessing lacks the buyback feature which can make all the difference in the longer games.

Another card that echoes this life-gain strategy is Renewed Faith. While it also grants the player a decent life boost, Reaping the Rewards overshadows it by granting more control over when and how often you can gain that life, thanks to its buyback ability. Moreover, Rest for the Weary is considered in relation with Reaping the Rewards, and yet, despite its potential for a life-gain surge with landfall, it falls short on the reusability that the buyback mechanic of Reaping the Rewards offers.

Considering these comparisons, Reaping the Rewards emerges as a versatile tool in an MTG player’s arsenal, with its reiterative life-gain potential that can provide sustained advantage throughout the game, outperforming the one-time effects of its counterparts.

Cards similar to Reaping the Rewards by color, type and mana cost

Swords to Plowshares - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Reaping the Rewards shines by enabling the caster to amass significant card advantage. This capability is key in outpacing your opponents in resources and options available, often leading to a dominant position in the game.

Resource Acceleration: This card also facilitates resource acceleration, allowing players to effectively manage their mana and strategize their plays more efficiently. In the right deck, it can streamline the path to deploying high-impact spells earlier than normally possible.

Instant Speed: The instant speed of Reaping the Rewards adds a layer of versatility to any MTG strategy. It grants the flexibility to react to an opponent’s actions or end-of-turn to better utilize mana, giving a tactical edge in the battle for victory.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Reaping the Rewards demands that you discard a card as part of its activation cost. This can put players in a tough position, especially if they’re in a game state that requires them to hold on to key pieces in their hand for strategic plays.

Specific Mana Cost: The card’s activation requires a specific mana arrangement that includes white mana. This might restrict its flexibility, especially in multi-colored decks that can struggle to consistently produce the required white mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost associated with Reaping the Rewards can be seen as steep, particularly when you factor in the added expense of card discarding. In a game where speed and efficiency are valued, there are alternatives that could provide similar or better benefits without the same level of investment.

Reasons to Include Reaping the Rewards in Your Collection

Versatility: Reaping the Rewards offers flexibility as it allows you to benefit from any sacrifice-friendly mechanics you have in your deck. This can range from triggering morbid abilities to enhancing graveyard-based strategies.

Combo Potential: This spell can serve as a key piece in combos by recurring it with cards that allow you to play spells from your graveyard, effectively multiplying the value you get from each mana spent.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where games tend to go longer or decks are designed around incremental advantages, Reaping the Rewards can become a reliable tool for maintaining resource superiority over your opponents.

How to beat

Reaping the Rewards is a card that can give players a tactical advantage through its flexibility and efficient utilization of resources in Magic: The Gathering. It enables players to turn any extra mana they have into a potential boost, fortifying their position on the battlefield. However, to outmaneuver an opponent relying on Reaping the Rewards, you’ll want to limit their resource availability.

One effective strategy is to disrupt their mana base. This can be accomplished through land destruction or counter strategies that neutralize the card before it becomes a threat. Cards like Stone Rain or Counterspell can serve as preemptive measures, ensuring that your opponent has a tougher time finding the necessary mana to activate Reaping the Rewards’ capabilities.

The key here is to stay one step ahead. Monitor the board closely and be prepared to act swiftly. If the card does hit the battlefield, instant-speed removal or bounce spells can mitigate any advantage your opponent gains. Ultimately, maintaining control over the flow of resources and reacting promptly to threats can hinder your opponent’s plans with Reaping the Rewards, allowing you to dictate the pace of the game and emerge victorious.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Reaping the Rewards MTG card by a specific set like Exodus, 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 Reaping the Rewards and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Reaping the Rewards has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal