Rite of Passage MTG Card


Rite of Passage bolsters creatures, turning damage into strength and board control. Dedication to creature strategies is essential, as its value diminishes otherwise. Despite mana cost concerns, it offers synergy and adaptability in counter-based decks.
Rite of Passage - Fifth Dawn
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment
Released2004-06-04
Set symbol
Set nameFifth Dawn
Set code5DN
Number91
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byKev Walker

Text of card

Whenever a creature you control is dealt damage, put a +1/+1 counter on it. (The damage is dealt before the counter is put on.)

Every scar is a lesson, every battle a test of what you have learned.


Cards like Rite of Passage

The strategic depth of Magic: The Gathering is exemplified by Rite of Passage, a card that thrives in counter-based decks. It bears resemblance to cards such as Hardened Scales, which amplifies the addition of +1/+1 counters. Rite of Passage takes a unique approach by transforming every instance of damage to creatures you control into an opportunity for growth, by placing +1/+1 counters on them.

Another card that echoes this mechanic is Spiteful Prankster, where surviving combat damage or creature deaths becomes a tactical advantage. Spiteful Prankster deals damage to any target, whereas Rite of Passage focuses on building a single creature’s strength. Additionally, Inspiring Call provides a protective measure for counter-heavy creatures, granting indestructibility and drawing cards, but does not work proactively with damage like Rite of Passage.

In the grand tapestry of Magic: The Gathering, Rite of Passage offers a unique spin on enhancing creatures through combat engagement. Its ability to leverage the battlefield’s clashes for incremental advantage secures its place as a standout enchantment, particularly in decks designed to capitalize on counters and creature resilience.

Hardened Scales - MTG Card versions
Spiteful Prankster - MTG Card versions
Inspiring Call - MTG Card versions
Hardened Scales - MTG Card versions
Spiteful Prankster - MTG Card versions
Inspiring Call - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Rite of Passage by color, type and mana cost

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Wanderlust - MTG Card versions
Maddening Wind - MTG Card versions
Cycle of Life - MTG Card versions
Hall of Gemstone - MTG Card versions
Dense Foliage - MTG Card versions
Momentum - MTG Card versions
Ancestral Mask - MTG Card versions
Broken Fall - MTG Card versions
Lure - MTG Card versions
Food Chain - MTG Card versions
Howling Moon - MTG Card versions
The Dragon-Kami Reborn // Dragon-Kami's Egg - MTG Card versions
Squirrel Nest - MTG Card versions
Alpha Status - MTG Card versions
Lifegift - MTG Card versions
Blanchwood Armor - MTG Card versions
Rites of Flourishing - MTG Card versions
Fyndhorn Pollen - MTG Card versions
Arachnus Web - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Rite of Passage shines in creature-heavy decks by turning each instance of damage into a potential power boost. This incremental advantage allows creatures to grow stronger with each combat or damage source, solidifying board presence.

Resource Acceleration: By enhancing each creature’s ability to survive combat and thrive through it, Rite of Passage indirectly accelerates your resource dominance on the battlefield. With each encounter leaving your creatures tougher, you’re effectively saving mana on having to recast or bolster them post-conflict.

Instant Speed: Although Rite of Passage itself is not an instant, its continuous effect mimics the flexibility of instant speed interactions. It is always ‘on,’ ready to capitalize on any damage dealt during any turn, thus allowing players to adapt to and exploit the flow of the game dynamically.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Rite of Passage asks for a commitment to maintaining creatures on the board, as it lacks value without a robust, creature-focused strategy. This need can cause issues if your hand is bereft of creature cards or whenever facing a control deck that excels at keeping the board clear.

Specific Mana Cost: With its green mana cost, Rite of Passage naturally fits into green-centric or green-inclusive decks, potentially limiting its versatility in multicolored or off-theme deck builds. This requirement can complicate your mana base if the rest of your deck demands a diverse spread of mana colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The three-mana investment for Rite of Passage may not immediately impact the game, nearly warranting a turn’s entire mana resources. As MTG players seek efficiency in mana expenditure, there is a consideration to be made if this cost aligns with your deck’s overall tempo and strategic milestones.


Reasons to Include Rite of Passage in Your Collection

Versatility: Rite of Passage has a place in decks that focus on creature growth and resilience. Its ability to put +1/+1 counters on creatures whenever they’re dealt damage allows it to be a staple in counter-themed decks and those that want to make their creatures tougher to remove.

Combo Potential: This enchantment pairs well with cards that want to be damaged, such as “Fungus Sliver” or “Swans of Bryn Argoll,” turning any damage received into an advantage and synergizing with self-damage mechanics to create a formidable board presence.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where chip damage and ping strategies are prevalent, Rite of Passage ensures your creatures benefit from every skirmish. It aligns well with decks that are likely to face red burn or pinging effects, turning potential threats into opportunities for growth.


How to beat

Rite of Passage is an intriguing enchantment in MTG that has the potential to turn creatures into formidable threats. The card shines in decks designed around creature heavy strategies, strengthening your creatures every time they take damage. To navigate against this kind of card, the focus should shift to removal spells that do not deal damage, such as exile or destroy-based removals, like Path to Exile or Doom Blade. These spells can handle creatures buffed by Rite of Passage by removing them from the game entirely or sending them to the graveyard without triggering the enchantment’s ability.

Another effective tactic is to apply board wipes that eradicate all creatures at once, circumventing Rite of Passage’s incremental growth mechanic. Cards like Damnation or Supreme Verdict can reset the board, leaving the enchantment without any creatures to empower. Control strategies often include a variety of board-clearing spells, ensuring that your opponent’s creatures do not gain too much advantage from Rite of Passage.

Additionally, enchantment removals like Disenchant or Naturalize can directly target and eliminate Rite of Passage, disassembling the synergy it provides. Taking away the crux of your opponent’s strategy could significantly diminish the potency of their deck, making these forms of removal a crucial inclusion in your deck when facing such tactics.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the dynamics of MTG, Rite of Passage emerges as a unique addition to decks focusing on toughness and endurance. Understanding its potential to transform every scrape and clash into a path for growth, you’re equipped to fortify your creatures against common threats. To navigate these strategic layers further and enrich your collection with adaptable and resilient deck options, we warmly invite you to join our community. Dive into detailed guides, enriching discussions, and tailored advice to harness the full potential of cards like Rite of Passage and seamlessly integrate them into your arsenal for an undisputed edge in your battles.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rite of Passage MTG card by a specific set like Fifth Dawn, 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 Rite of Passage and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rite of Passage has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-12-01 If the creature is dealt damage by more than one source at the same time, it gets only one counter.
2004-12-01 The creature doesn’t get a counter if all the damage that would be dealt to it is prevented.