Ritual of the Machine MTG Card

This card leverages power balance by letting you control an opponent’s creature, gaining a two-fold advantage. High versatility and combo potential make it fitting for control or reanimation focused deck strategies. While powerful, it demands creature sacrifice and has specific mana requirements that limit its play.

Alliances (ALL)
1996-06-10 - Number 59

Ritual of the Machine - Masters Edition II (ME2)

Masters Edition II (ME2)
2008-09-22 - Number 109

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Sorcery

Text of card

Sacrifice a creature to gain control of target non-black, non-artifact creature.

"Rumors persist of dark deeds performed in the depths of Soldev. When will Dagsson heed the danger therein?" —Sorine Relicbane, Soldevi Heretic

Cards like Ritual of the Machine

Ritual of the Machine stands out in the realm of control spells in Magic: The Gathering. It resonates with the uniqueness of cards like Control Magic, which grants the ability to take command of an opponent’s creature. Ritual of the Machine, however, demands a sacrifice — not just any, but a creature of your own, to seize those of your adversaries.

Another analog is Slave of Bolas. While it also enables you to gain control of an opponent’s creature, it turns it into a one-turn kamikaze that must be sacrificed at the end of the turn. This differs from Ritual of the Machine’s enduring control over the stolen unit. Additionally, Act of Treason presents itself as a capable comparison. It allows for the temporary control of a creature, but unlike Ritual of the Machine, the control lasts only until the end of the turn without the need for a sacrifice.

Comparatively, Ritual of the Machine offers a permanent solution at a cost, rather than the fleeting opportunism provided by similar cards. Its strategic depth and permanence offer a powerful option for those willing to pay its steep price.

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

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ritual of the Machine provides an effective way to gain an upper hand by allowing you to take control of an opponent’s creature. This shifts the balance of power on the board and can lead to gaining card advantage over your opponent, as you essentially remove one of their threats while acquiring a new one for yourself.

Resource Acceleration: Despite not directly producing mana or tokens, this card can indirectly accelerate your resources. By acquiring a significant threat from your opponent, you may eliminate the need for further mana investment to deal with that threat, thereby preserving your resources for other strategic plays.

Instant Speed: Ritual of the Machine might not be instant speed itself, but by altering the board state in your favor at a critical juncture, it hampers your opponent’s tempo and can effectively negate the immediate threat of instant speed responses or end-turn plays they might have been planning.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ritual of the Machine necessitates players to sacrifice a creature in addition to its other costs. This means you must part with a potentially valuable creature on the battlefield, which could set you back, especially if you’re not poised to exploit the sacrifice for additional benefits.

Specific Mana Cost: With a required cost that includes both black and generic mana, Ritual of the Machine could be restrictive for decks that aren’t heavily weighted towards black mana or that don’t have a reliable mana base to produce multiple mana types consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at four mana, two of which must be black, places this card on the steeper side for control effects. This cost limits the speed at which you can play it and affects its synergy in decks aiming for high efficiency and fast gameplay. In competitive play, there are alternative cards that can seize an opponent’s creature or neutralize threats at a lower cost threshold.

Reasons to Include Ritual of the Machine in Your Collection

Versatility: Ritual of the Machine is one of those unique cards that can fit into a plethora of deck types, predominantly those favoring control or reanimation strategies. Its ability to offer not just removal but also appropriation of an opponent’s creature makes it extremely flexible and valuable in various game situations.

Combo Potential: This card holds incredible synergy potential. Players can utilize it to capitalize on sacrificial mechanics or to steal key creatures from opponents, thereby disrupting their game plan while enhancing your own board state. In a combo-driven environment, it serves not just as a mere removal but as a potential game-changer by retooling board dynamics to your favor.

Meta-Relevance: When facing creature-heavy metas, Ritual of the Machine stands out as a potent tool. It allows players to swing the tide by turning an opponent’s asset into their advantage. Server control decks find this card essential in outpacing creature-centric strategies, thus maintaining relevance in various gaming landscapes.

How to beat

Overcoming Ritual of the Machine in your MTG matches requires strategic foresight and precise counterplay. This infamous card allows players to wrest control of an opponent’s creature, turning tides with its potent sacrificial demand. When dealing with this Black sorcery, one must always be mindful of potential creature sacrifice outlets your opponent might have available, as these act as fuel for the Ritual’s dark magic.

Protecting your creatures is key. Cards that grant hexproof or shroud can shield your valuable assets from being targeted, rendering Ritual of the Machine ineffective. Moreover, keeping your creature count high and maintaining a board presence with expendable creatures can mitigate the impact of losing a single key piece. Counterspells are also direct methods to nullify Ritual of the Machine, by disrupting your adversary’s strategy at its source.

To summarize, smart deck building and tactical play are your best defenses against the might of Ritual of the Machine. Prioritize protective spells, abundant creature generation, and disruption tactics to ensure that this formidable sorcery does not upend your path to victory on the battlefield.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ritual of the Machine MTG card by a specific set like Alliances and Masters Edition II, 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 the Machine and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ritual of the Machine Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1996-06-10 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Anson Maddocks.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1996-06-10	Alliances	ALL		59	1993	Normal	Black	Anson Maddocks
2	2008-09-22	Masters Edition II	ME2		109	1997	Normal	Black	Anson Maddocks

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ritual of the Machine has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2013-04-15	Players can only respond once this spell has been cast and all its costs have been paid. No one can try to destroy the creature you sacrificed to prevent you from casting this spell.
2013-04-15	You must sacrifice exactly one creature to cast this spell; you cannot cast it without sacrificing a creature, and you cannot sacrifice additional creatures.