Reverse Damage MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 35
1993-10-04 - Number 36
1993-12-01 - Number 36
1993-12-10 - Number 36
1993-12-10 - Number 36
1994-04-01 - Number 35
1994-04-01 - Number 35
1994-06-21 - Number 35
1995-04-01 - Number 45
1995-04-01 - Number 45
1996-05-02 - Number et45sb
1996-05-02 - Number pp45sb
1996-07-01 - Number 7
1996-12-31 - Number 7
1997-03-24 - Number 55
1999-04-21 - Number 39
2001-04-11 - Number 34★
2001-04-11 - Number 34
2005-07-29 - Number 35★
2005-07-29 - Number 35
2022-11-28 - Number 332
2022-11-28 - Number 35
| Card sets | Released in 22 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
All damage you have taken from any one source this turn is added to your life total instead of subtracted from it.
Cards like Reverse Damage
Reverse Damage stands as a unique spell in the history of Magic: The Gathering, offering a classic twist on damage prevention. When examining spells that perform similar tasks, one might consider Dawn Charm. This charm offers versatility with its modal design, including an option to prevent damage from a single source – a narrower scope, but with added utility of countering spells that target you or regenerating a creature.
Comparing this to another white staple, Safe Passage, which prevents all damage that would be dealt to you and creatures you control for a single turn, Reverse Damage offers the distinctive benefit of not only preventing the damage but also converting that prevention into life gain. This is a significant addition to a player’s defensive strategy. In a deck built on life gain synergy, Reverse Damage can provide a pivotal swing in health points.
However, it’s worth highlighting that both Reverse Damage and the cards related to it are often at a higher mana cost than some more modern damage prevention methods, which might influence deck building decisions for players considering speed and efficiency. In terms of health point swing and potential for turning the tide of battle, Reverse Damage retains a special place in the pantheon of defensive magic cards.
Cards similar to Reverse Damage by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Reverse Damage provides a unique form of card advantage by turning an event that’s typically detrimental—a source of damage—into a tool for survival. It can essentially negate the effect of high-power enemy spells or attacks, effectively rendering an opponent’s card useless while bolstering your own life total.
Resource Acceleration: Although Reverse Damage doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the typical sense of providing mana or ramp, it does effectively buy you time. Preserving your life total gives you additional turns to utilize your mana and other resources without the pressure of an ending game state due to loss of life.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Reverse Damage at instant speed is a significant advantage. It allows a player to act in response to combat or a spell that would otherwise result in lethal damage. The surprise element can swing the momentum of the game, as opponents may not account for the life swing when planning their attacks or combo finishes.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Reverse Damage doesn’t directly require a discard, but its usefulness can be situational, and if you’re forced to hold onto it for the right moment, it could be a card that’s sitting idle in your hand while other resources could be played.
Specific Mana Cost: Locked into a strict mana cost that includes two white mana, Reverse Damage can be challenging to cast outside of mono-white or two-color decks, potentially limiting its versatility in multi-color or color-fluid decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including two that are color specific, Reverse Damage’s ability to prevent damage may come off as costly compared to other cards that prevent or mitigate damage for less, or offer additional benefits.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Reverse Damage is a classic card that offers a unique twist on life gain and damage prevention. Its ability to turn potential defeat into a surprising comeback makes it a useful tool in various decks, particularly those geared towards control or life-centric strategies.
Combo Potential: This card can serve as a pivotal part of combos that rely on taking damage to benefit later. In conjunction with cards that redirect or amplify damage, it can create powerful swings in life totals, potentially deciding the outcome of a game.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where burn decks or high-powered aggro are prevalent, Reverse Damage provides a strategic response. It can give players an edge by reversing critical turns where massive damage might otherwise lead to a loss, making it a timeless addition that can adapt to various competitive environments.
How to beat
Reverse Damage has been a classic piece of the MTG puzzle since the game’s inception. Known for its defensive utility, the card can turn a sure defeat into a surprising victory by converting damage into life gain. It’s especially effective against decks that rely heavily on a single powerful strike to win the game.
Defeating this card requires a strategy that either bypasses its effects or minimizes its impact. Counterspells like Negate or Dispel are perfect for thwarting it before it can alter the battlefield. Alternatively, using direct removal spells on creatures that are the source of the damage negates the need for Reverse Damage entirely. Lastly, incremental damage over time or winning through alternative win conditions such as mill or poison counters can avoid triggering Reverse Damage’s life-saving ability.
Understanding Reverse Damage’s role in the opponent’s deck is crucial for planning an effective approach. By playing around it and denying its activation, you can ensure that this reactive spell doesn’t get a chance to make its surprising twist in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Reverse Damage MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Reverse Damage 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 Reverse Damage Magic the Gathering card was released in 18 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
Show/hide all sets| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 35 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 36 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 36 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dameon Willich | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 36 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 36 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 35 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dameon Willich | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 35 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 35 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dameon Willich | |
| 9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 45 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dameon Willich | |
| 10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 45 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 11 | 1996-05-02 | Pro Tour Collector Set | PTC | et45sb | 1993 | Normal | Gold | Dameon Willich | |
| 12 | 1996-05-02 | Pro Tour Collector Set | PTC | pp45sb | 1993 | Normal | Gold | Dameon Willich | |
| 13 | 1996-07-01 | Rivals Quick Start Set | RQS | 7 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dameon Willich | |
| 14 | 1996-12-31 | Introductory Two-Player Set | ITP | 7 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dameon Willich | |
| 15 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 55 | 1997 | Normal | White | Thomas Gianni | |
| 16 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 39 | 1997 | Normal | White | Thomas Gianni | |
| 17 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 34★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Eric Peterson | |
| 18 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 34 | 1997 | Normal | White | Eric Peterson | |
| 19 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 35★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Thomas Gianni | |
| 20 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 35 | 2003 | Normal | White | Thomas Gianni | |
| 21 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 332 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich | |
| 22 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 35 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dameon Willich |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Reverse Damage has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Reverse Damage card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | It only affects damage dealt by the source one time. If the source damages you a second time this turn, the damage will not be reversed. |