Reign of the Pit MTG Card
2014-06-06 - Number 29
2014-06-16 - Number 138
2022-04-29 - Number 258
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Each player sacrifices a creature. Put an X/X black Demon creature token with flying onto the battlefield, where X is the total power of the creatures sacrificed this way.
Cards like Reign of the Pit
Reign of the Pit represents one of those black aligned cards that pose an interesting mix of community challenge and strategy in Magic: The Gathering. It invites comparison with other mass creature sacrifice spells like Barter in Blood. Both encourage players to sacrifice creatures, but Reign of the Pit offers the unique twist of creating a single, potentially huge creature in exchange. Unlike Barter in Blood’s symmetrical effect where each player sacrifices exactly two creatures, Reign of the Pit’s outcome varies based on the total number of creatures sacrificed by all players, reflecting the dynamic ebb and flow of the board state.
Another card to consider alongside it is Innocent Blood. Though less impactful in terms of the number of creatures affected, Innocent Blood requires less mana investment. However, it lacks the scalable potential and the creature creation aspect of Reign of the Pit. There’s also Crux of Fate, which gives you control over destroying either all non-Dragon creatures or all Dragon creatures. While Crux clears the board, it doesn’t offer the bulwark of a single, empowered creature thereafter.
Ultimately, Reign of the Pit stands out for its potential to sway the tide of multiplayer games with its unique combination of mass sacrifice and the creation of a single, pivotal threat.
Cards similar to Reign of the Pit by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Reign of the Pit stands out for its ability to drastically alter the board state by turning resources from all players into a single overwhelming creature. This transition of collective resources often results in significant card advantage for the player who unleashes this spell, as it consolidates power while potentially depleting opponents’ creatures or key assets.
Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t inherently accelerate resources in the traditional sense of producing mana or lowering spell costs. However, by utilizing the sacrificed creatures’ converted mana cost to determine the size of the created token, it indirectly translates existing board presence into immediate offensive or defensive power, which could be seen as a form of resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Reign of the Pit cannot be cast at instant speed, however, its strategic impact on the game is instantaneous once it resolves. The immediate and significant change in the board state demands careful timing, often at the crux of a match, to maximize its potential benefit. Understanding the tempo of the game and recognizing the pivotal moment to deploy this card is key to leveraging its full power.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Reign of the Pit presents a unique challenge in that each player must discard a creature card to participate in the bidding war. This can be a downside for you especially if your hand is already creature-light or if you are holding onto key creatures for your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Reign of the Pit has a mana cost that includes both black and generic mana, which necessitates a strong black mana base. This requirement can potentially restrict the card’s inclusion to black-centric or multicolored decks that can reliably produce the required mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of six mana, including two black, Reign of the Pit commands a significant investment of resources. Considering the mana investment, players may find that the card may not always provide an advantage commensurate with its cost, especially if the opponents are prepared or manage to offer a low-value creature during the bidding.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Reign of the Pit offers dynamic gameplay options, seamlessly fitting into commander decks that capitalize on sacrifice strategies and mass creature removal.
Combo Potential: When paired with cards that generate tokens or utilize death triggers, Reign of the Pit amplifies board impact, serving as an engine to turn the tide in a multiplayer setting.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta-game dominated by creature-heavy decks, this card’s ability to clear the board and provide a sizable creature can significantly shift the balance in your favor.
How to beat Reign of the Pit
Reign of the Pit presents a unique challenge in the world of MTG, requesting each player to sacrifice a creature, then conjuring an X/X black Demon creature token under your control, where X is the total power of the sacrificed creatures. This ability can quickly turn the tide of a game, especially in multiplayer formats where the potential for a massive Demon token increases significantly.
To efficiently tackle this situation, the key lies in strategic sacrifice and resource management. One viable strategy is to maintain control over low-power creatures, reducing the impact of your sacrifice. Another is to hold onto instant-speed removal spells that can be used in response to the token’s creation, ensuring it never becomes a threat on the board. Furthermore, cards that restrict the abilities of your opponent or affect the board when a creature dies can be of great use here, serving a dual purpose in both weakening your opponents’ offensive while bolstering your defenses.
Understanding the dynamics of creature value and timing your removal optimally are crucial steps in mitigating the devastation that Reign of the Pit can wreak. By following these guidelines, players can ensure they’re prepared to nullify the advantage this card could potentially give to an opponent.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Reign of the Pit MTG card by a specific set like Conspiracy and Vintage Masters, 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 Reign of the Pit and other MTG cards:
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- 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
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Printings
The Reign of the Pit Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2014-06-06 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by Evan Shipard.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014-06-06 | Conspiracy | CNS | 29 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Evan Shipard | |
| 2 | 2014-06-16 | Vintage Masters | VMA | 138 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Evan Shipard | |
| 3 | 2022-04-29 | New Capenna Commander | NCC | 258 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Evan Shipard |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Reign of the Pit has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Reign of the Pit card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-05-29 | Use the powers of the creatures as they last existed on the battlefield to determine the value of X, even if they were negative. For example, if the sacrificed creatures were 3/3, 5/5, 0/4, and -2/2, the Demon will be 6/6. |
| 2014-05-29 | You choose which creature you are sacrificing first, then each other player in turn order does the same. The creatures are all sacrificed simultaneously. |