Ritual of Steel MTG Card

Boosts creatures’ power and toughness, improving their combat resilience and survival against removals. Accelerates deck pressure by providing a cost-effective and quick power enhancement to creatures. Instant speed allows flexibility and surprise tactics during battles or opponent turns in MTG.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant
Released	1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set name	Mirage
Set code	MIR
Number	36
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Mark Poole

Text of card

Draw a card at the beginning of the upkeep of the turn after Ritual of Steel comes into play. Enchanted creature gets +0/+2.

"Our soldiers are blessed with lizard scales as hard and cold as steel." —Sidar Jabari

Cards like Ritual of Steel

Ritual of Steel positions itself as an intriguing option within the pantheon of buffing spells in Magic: The Gathering. It holds a resemblance to other spells like Giant Growth, wherein both cards offer a swift power boost. Ritual of Steel, with its persistent augment to a creature’s power and toughness, shines by aiding in both offense and defense. In contrast, Giant Growth delivers an immediate but temporary surge that can be pivotal during a single combat phase.

Upon examining Steelshaper’s Gift, another comparable card comes to mind. This spell excels in fetching essential equipment that can lead to continual power enhancements, albeit at the cost of additional mana for equipping. Although it lacks the instant strength boost that Ritual of Steel grants, its strategic depth in shaping long-term gameplay cannot be overlooked. Comparatively, Sigil Blessing stands as another ally, offering a notable amplification to a single creature along with a smaller benefit to others. While it falls in line with Ritual of Steel’s strategy of strengthening your board, Sigil Blessing’s impact is confined to one round.

Considering the synergy and resilience it brings to the battlefield, Ritual of Steel holds undeniable allure for players seeking sustained power in their MTG decks, placing it admirably within its spell category.

Cards similar to Ritual of Steel by color, type and mana cost

The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - MTG Card versions

Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ritual of Steel shines in enhancing your battlefield position by bolstering your creatures with additional power and toughness. This effectively turns the tide by enhancing your creatures’ ability to trade favorably and withstand removal spells, offering a more commanding presence on the board.

Resource Acceleration: A key dynamo in fast-paced decks, Ritual of Steel is a low-cost spell designed to speed up the pressure you can apply on opponents. By quickly enhancing your creatures, it accelerates the timeline your opponents have to find an answer or risk falling too far behind.

Instant Speed: The true finesse of Ritual of Steel lies in its ability to be cast at instant speed. This means you can adapt to the rhythm of the game, using it as a combat trick to surprise opponents during battle or at the end of their turn to keep them guessing. This flexibility can be crucial in maintaining momentum and dictating the pace of gameplay.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Ritual of Steel is its discard requirement. To fully utilize the card’s capabilities, you must discard another card. This can be a strategic pitfall, especially for players who are already managing limited hands.

Specific Mana Cost: With Ritual of Steel demanding a precise mana setup to cast, it can sometimes be a bottleneck for your deck’s fluidity. It requires both white mana and additional colors, which may not always align with your deck’s mana base, potentially leading to it sitting idle in your hand.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though Ritual of Steel offers an enticing boost, its mana cost is on the pricier side. When compared to other spells and enchantments in MTG, you might find that it competes for a spot with cards that provide a more impactful advantage for the same, if not lower, mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ritual of Steel can be seamlessly integrated into a variety of deck builds. As an enchantment that boosts a creature’s power and toughness, it offers a solid enhancement to both aggressive and defensive strategies.

Combo Potential: Pairing well with cards that thrive on enchantment synergies or benefit from increased strength, Ritual of Steel can become a key component in an array of powerful combos within your deck, amplifying its overall potential.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature-based strategies dominate, Ritual of Steel’s ability to fortify your creatures can make all the difference. Its role in outpacing opponents in damage races or holding the line defensively cannot be overstated, making it a relevant addition to your collection.

How to beat

Ritual of Steel stands out in Magic: The Gathering as an augmentative enchantment offering a considerable boost in power and toughness to creatures. Much like other enchantments such as Ethereal Armor or Rancor, Ritual of Steel can swiftly swing the game by escalating a creature’s threat level on the battlefield. It’s these sudden shifts in creature capabilities that can catch an opponent off guard.

To counter Ritual of Steel’s potential, players may look to efficient removal options. Spot removal spells like Disenchant or Naturalize allows a player to remove the enchantment directly, nullifying the power-up and restoring balance. Additionally, board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation can clear out enhanced creatures entirely, bypassing the need to target the enchantment separately.

Ultimately, maintaining a tactical advantage in Magic: The Gathering means being prepared to dismantle an opponent’s strategy. By keeping appropriate removal in your deck, you can ensure that bonuses from cards like Ritual of Steel are kept in check, allowing you to command the game and come out victorious.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ritual of Steel MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Ritual of Steel and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ritual of Steel has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal