Reckless Abandon MTG Card
1999-06-07 - Number 94
2014-09-05 - Number 20
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
As an additional cost to play Reckless Abandon, sacrifice a creature. Reckless Abandon deals 4 damage to target creature or player.
The climax of a warlord's career is always death.
Cards like Reckless Abandon
Reckless Abandon adds a dynamic element to the roster of direct damage spells in Magic: The Gathering. It can be likened to spells like Lightning Bolt, a classic that also deals 3 damage to any target. However, Reckless Abandon demands a sacrifice, asking you to give up a creature to dish out its damage. This is unlike Lightning Bolt, which demands no such trade-off and has the added flexibility of instant speed.
Another card that echoes the sacrificial nature of Reckless Abandon is Collateral Damage. Both share the cost of one red mana and involve sacrificing a creature. Yet, Collateral Damage operates at instant speed, offering a strategic advantage in timing. Comparatively, we have Goblin Grenade, which although it requires the specific sacrifice of a Goblin, it deals a substantial 5 damage, outpacing the damage potential of Reckless Abandon.
Considering their unique costs and requirements, Reckless Abandon stands out for its simplicity and direct nature. It’s a spell that serves well within decks capitalizing on the use of expendable creatures, or those that benefit from creatures entering the graveyard, highlighting its unique strategic place in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Reckless Abandon by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Reckless Abandon. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 4c Synthesizer | Pauper | 4c Synthesizer | Pauper Challenge 64 2024-04-28 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Reckless Abandon isn’t your typical card advantage tool, but it does facilitate a strategic trade-off by turning an expendable creature into direct damage against an opponent or creature, potentially removing a threat or closing out a game.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or ramp, the low casting cost of Reckless Abandon allows for a quick play, effectively accelerating your resources by enabling impactful plays sooner and preserving mana for other spells in your turn.
Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Reckless Abandon demands strategic play during your phase, asking you to assess the board and decide the opportune moment to convert your resources into damage, setting the tempo of the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Reckless Abandon spell demands the sacrifice of a creature as additional cost, a potential setback during a crucial moment when field presence is already strained.
Specific Mana Cost: This card strictly requires red mana for casting, potentially limiting flexibility for players not focusing on a red or multi-color mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its ability to deliver an immediate four damage, the card’s one red mana cost may outweigh its utility, especially when compared with other low-cost burn spells available to red deck strategists.
Reasons to Include Reckless Abandon in Your Collection
Versatility: Reckless Abandon offers a dynamic choice for decks focused on aggressive strategies. Its ability to deal direct damage while also serving as a sacrifice outlet makes it adaptable for various red-based decks, be it aggressive, combo, or those centering around sacrificing creatures for value.
Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations with decks that capitalize on creatures entering and leaving the battlefield. Utilizing creatures that offer extra benefits when sacrificed or that can recur from the graveyard can lead to powerful plays and unexpected victories.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where fast-paced play is king, Reckless Abandon adds a sharp edge to red decks. Its low mana cost and immediate impact on the board state can help to outpace opponents, tipping the scales in matches that require swift and decisive action.
How to beat
Reckless Abandon is a powerful card in Magic: The Gathering that can be challenging to counter due to its capacity to deliver sudden and significant damage. When played, it requires sacrificing a creature to deal 4 damage to any target. This card mirrors the burst damage dynamic of spells like Lightning Bolt, but with the added cost of a creature.
Key strategies to beat Reckless Abandon involve controlling the battlefield and maintaining card advantage. Cards that provide instant creature removal or countermagic are effective means to thwart a Reckless Abandon play. Also, leveraging lifegain spells or abilities can help offset the damage dealt. Furthermore, since Reckless Abandon depends on creatures as a resource, cards that restrict a player’s ability to field creatures or that punish them for sacrificing creatures can greatly reduce its impact.
Understanding the dynamics of sacrifice and damage spells, along with strategic deck building, are crucial in overcoming the swift blow Reckless Abandon can deliver. Anticipating and preparing for it can make the difference between a win or loss in a game of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Reckless Abandon MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Destiny and Duel Decks: Speed vs. Cunning, 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 Reckless Abandon and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana 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 Reckless Abandon Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-06-07 and 2014-09-05. Illustrated by Ron Spears.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-06-07 | Urza's Destiny | UDS | 94 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ron Spears | |
| 2 | 2014-09-05 | Duel Decks: Speed vs. Cunning | DDN | 20 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ron Spears |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Reckless Abandon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Reckless Abandon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-04-15 | Players can only respond once this spell has been cast and all its costs have been paid. No one can try to destroy the creature you sacrificed to prevent you from casting this spell. |
| 2013-04-15 | You must sacrifice exactly one creature to cast this spell; you cannot cast it without sacrificing a creature, and you cannot sacrifice additional creatures. |