Rings a Bell MTG Card


Delivers card advantage by allowing deeper deck exploration and improving your draw quality. Accelerates resources by untapping lands—key to casting multiple spells in a turn. Strategic flexibility with instant speed play, adapting to game dynamics effectively.
Rings a Bell - Unsanctioned
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment
Released2020-02-29
Set symbol
Set nameUnsanctioned
Set codeUND
Number27
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderSilver
Illustred byChris Seaman
Un-set :-)This card is part of an Un-set

Text of card

As Rings a Bell enters the battlefield, choose a word with four or more letters. After you say the chosen word for the first time each turn, an opponent may ring or imitate a bell within five seconds. When no opponent does, draw a card.

Ding, ding, ding!


Cards like Rings a Bell

Rings a Bell is a unique card among MTG’s menagerie of spells impacting both players’ hands. Delving into cards with similar effects, Hymn to Tourach comes to mind, a spell renowned for randomly discarding two cards from an opponent’s hand. Unlike Hymn to Tourach, Rings a Bell doesn’t offer the possibility of hitting land cards, which can be less disruptive for the opponent. Moreover, Rings a Bell allows each player to retrieve a card from their graveyard to their hand—adding a layer of strategy not found in the unilateral effect of Hymn to Tourach.

Another card worthy of comparison is the notorious Mind Rot, allowing a player to force an opponent to discard two cards at their choice. Mind Rot shares the targeted discard aspect with Rings a Bell but lacks the graveyard interaction that adds a strategic element to Rings a Bell’s gameplay. It is this give-and-take feature that sets Rings a Bell apart from the straightforward discard methodology of Mind Rot.

Therefore, Rings a Bell fits into an intriguing space in MTG, challenging players to balance the benefits of targeted discard with the potential to set up their own future plays through wise selections from their graveyard. Given this versatile dance between disruption and selection, Rings a Bell holds its ground in the landscape of hand-disruption cards.

Hymn to Tourach - MTG Card versions
Mind Rot - MTG Card versions
Hymn to Tourach - MTG Card versions
Mind Rot - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Rings a Bell by color, type and mana cost

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Animate Artifact - MTG Card versions
Merseine - MTG Card versions
Zur's Weirding - MTG Card versions
Psychic Vortex - MTG Card versions
Abduction - MTG Card versions
Zephid's Embrace - MTG Card versions
Browse - MTG Card versions
Opposition - MTG Card versions
Collective Restraint - MTG Card versions
Delusions of Mediocrity - MTG Card versions
Thassa, Deep-Dwelling - MTG Card versions
Necroduality - MTG Card versions
Bident of Thassa - MTG Card versions
Annex - MTG Card versions
Coastal Piracy - MTG Card versions
Treasure Trove - MTG Card versions
Dehydration - MTG Card versions
Mystic Restraints - MTG Card versions
Steal Artifact - MTG Card versions
Control Magic - MTG Card versions
Animate Artifact - MTG Card versions
Merseine - MTG Card versions
Zur's Weirding - MTG Card versions
Psychic Vortex - MTG Card versions
Abduction - MTG Card versions
Zephid's Embrace - MTG Card versions
Browse - MTG Card versions
Opposition - MTG Card versions
Collective Restraint - MTG Card versions
Delusions of Mediocrity - MTG Card versions
Thassa, Deep-Dwelling - MTG Card versions
Necroduality - MTG Card versions
Bident of Thassa - MTG Card versions
Annex - MTG Card versions
Coastal Piracy - MTG Card versions
Treasure Trove - MTG Card versions
Dehydration - MTG Card versions
Mystic Restraints - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Rings a Bell comes with the inherent potential to dig deeper into your deck, enhancing your chances to pull precisely what you need to maintain pressure or find answers against your opponents.

Resource Acceleration: This card’s effect can untap precious lands, thus catapulting your resource management ahead of the curve, allowing for more flexibility and the potential to cast more threats or answers in a single turn.

Instant Speed: The ability to be played at instant speed offers strategic versatility. This gives you the freedom to adapt to unfolding gameplay, react swiftly to opponent moves, or simply optimize your resources at the most opportune moment.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Rings a Bell requires discarding a card as part of its casting cost. This could deplete your hand, especially if you’re depending on maintaining card advantage over your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana combination to cast, specifically one blue and two generic mana, which may not align seamlessly with multi-colored or colorless decks focused on mana flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Three mana for its effect might be on the higher side when you consider other options in the game. Players might find other spells or abilities that advance board state or offer control at a lower cost.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Rings a Bell offers a unique twist with its ability to thwart opposing strategies. It seamlessly slots into various deck builds, aligning well with those utilizing control tactics or seeking to disrupt opponents’ tempo.

Combo Potential: This card opens up avenues for imaginative combos by allowing players to recycle other powerful cards’ effects, setting up the stage for game-changing turns.

Meta-Relevance: With a shifting MTG landscape, Rings a Bell maintains relevance by matching up favorably against decks that rely heavily on specific spells or win conditions, offering significant board control and resilience.


How to beat

Rings a Bell is a unique card in the world of Magic: The Gathering that has caught the attention of many players for its potential to disrupt opponents’ strategies. Unlike more straightforward removal spells, Rings a Bell requires a subtler approach to effectively counter its abilities. Experienced players know that the key to overcoming this card lies in understanding its trigger condition and manipulating it to your advantage.

To successfully navigate around Rings a Bell, players must focus on maintaining control over their hand size and the spells they cast. Utilizing instant-speed removal or counterspells can effectively neutralize the advantage that Rings a Bell offers to an opponent. Additionally, including cards that grant hexproof or shroud to your own permanents can prove invaluable, preventing the card’s ability from targeting your key assets.

Ultimately, adapting your play style and deck to incorporate versatile response cards is the most effective method to outmaneuver an opponent wielding Rings a Bell. This way, you can minimize its impact on the game and maintain the upper hand. As with any challenging MTG card, preparation and strategy are the most potent tools at your disposal.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rings a Bell MTG card by a specific set like Unsanctioned, 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 Rings a Bell and other MTG cards:

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Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Rings a Bell card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2020-02-29 The word can include repeated letters.
2020-02-29 The word should be in a language common to all players in the game.
2020-02-29 While imitating a bell is sufficient if you’re the opponent, having a real bell with you in case your opponent has Rings a Bell in their deck will net you huge style points.