Rod of Ruin MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 268
1993-10-04 - Number 269
1993-12-01 - Number 269
1993-12-10 - Number 269
1993-12-10 - Number 269
1994-04-01 - Number 273
1994-04-01 - Number 273
1994-06-21 - Number 273
1995-04-01 - Number 344
1995-04-01 - Number 344
1996-07-01 - Number 51
1996-12-31 - Number 52
1997-03-24 - Number 396
1999-04-21 - Number 309
2001-04-11 - Number 314★
2001-04-11 - Number 314
2003-07-28 - Number 312★
2003-07-28 - Number 312
2005-07-29 - Number 307
2005-07-29 - Number 307★
2007-07-13 - Number 341
2009-07-17 - Number 219
2013-07-19 - Number 217
2022-11-28 - Number 562
2022-11-28 - Number 265
| Card sets | Released in 25 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
o3: Rod of Ruin does 1 damage to any target.
Cards like Rod of Ruin
Rod of Ruin is a classic artifact from the vast array of tools available to Magic: The Gathering players. Its ability to deal direct damage to any target by spending mana and tapping it draws similarities to cards like Staff of Nin. Both allow players to ping targets for damage, but the Staff also offers the added benefit of card draw each turn. However, Rod of Ruin stands out for its lower mana cost to activate the damaging ability.
Another artifact to consider is Lux Cannon, which holds the potential for far more significant impact. Lux Cannon can obliterate any permanent, given enough time to accumulate charge counters. In contrast, Rod of Ruin offers a more immediate but less devastating effect. Yet, for those looking for consistent, incremental damage turn after turn, Rod of Ruin can be a more straightforward choice.
Evaluating the utility and power of these artifacts affirms that Rod of Ruin has a place in decks focusing on steady damage and control. While it may not match the explosive power of some alternatives, its ease of use and consistent impact make it a card worth considering for the right strategy.
Cards similar to Rod of Ruin by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Rod of Ruin, you have the potential to eliminate multiple low-toughness creatures over several turns, effectively removing your opponent’s resources while maintaining your own creature base.
Resource Acceleration: Although not a traditional accelerator, Rod of Ruin can be a game-changer in formats where artifact synergies are prevalent. It enables repeatable effects that can be manipulated for various strategies, keeping the pressure on opponents without expending additional cards.
Instant Speed: The ability to use Rod of Ruin at instant speed gives you a significant advantage, allowing flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s plays during their turn or eliminate a blocker or attacker during the combat phase, making it a versatile tool in any game state.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Rod of Ruin provides a reusable source of direct damage, it also demands that you discard a card each time you wish to activate its ability. This can significantly deplete your hand and reduce your options over the course of the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Rod of Ruin requires a specific sum of mana to both cast and activate. The three generic mana needed to cast it, and another three to use it, demands considerable resource allocation that could otherwise be used for casting creatures or other impactful spells.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment of six total mana – three to put it on the battlefield and another three for each use, makes Rod of Ruin a less than ideal choice in many scenarios. This is especially so considering that other artifacts or spells offer damage output or board control for a more economical mana cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Rod of Ruin offers flexibility in a deck build, serving as a reusable source of direct damage. This attribute allows it to be slotted into various deck types that could benefit from the incremental damage it provides.
Combo Potential: This artifact holds potential for combination plays, particularly in decks that capitalize on activated abilities or damage triggers. Its utility grows when paired with cards that untap artifacts or double the damage dealt.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature removal is crucial, Rod of Ruin can be a consistent, albeit slower, source of creature control. Its relevance increases against decks that rely on creatures with one toughness or decks that spawn numerous token creatures.
How to beat
The Rod of Ruin presents itself as an artifact that can slowly chip away at the opponent’s life total or whittle down smaller creatures. With its repetitive damage ability, it’s crucial to understand how to effectively counter this artifact’s persistent threat. One efficient way is to target the Rod of Ruin with artifact destruction spells or abilities. Cards like Naturalize or Shatter can swiftly remove it from the field, rendering its damaging effect obsolete.
Another strategy is to employ enchantment-based artifact suppression. Binding the artifact with pacifying enchantments like Stony Silence or Collector Ouphe prevents it from being activated without necessitating its removal. This method can be particularly disruptive to strategies reliant on artifacts.
Lastly, beating the Rod of Ruin can also be about outracing it. Since the Rod requires mana investment to deal damage, presenting a faster, more aggressive game plan can overcome the incremental damage the Rod doles out. Creatures with greater toughness or hexproof can nullify its effect, while life gain can offset the damage taken. By prioritizing these tactics, handling this pesky artifact becomes a manageable task.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rod of Ruin 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 Rod of Ruin 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Rod of Ruin Magic the Gathering card was released in 21 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 5 different artists.
Show/hide all sets| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 268 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 269 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 269 | 1993 | Normal | White | Christopher Rush | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 269 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 269 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 273 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 273 | 1993 | Normal | White | Christopher Rush | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 273 | 1993 | Normal | White | Christopher Rush | |
| 9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 344 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | |
| 10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 344 | 1993 | Normal | White | Christopher Rush | |
| 11 | 1996-07-01 | Rivals Quick Start Set | RQS | 51 | 1993 | Normal | White | Christopher Rush | |
| 12 | 1996-12-31 | Introductory Two-Player Set | ITP | 52 | 1993 | Normal | White | Christopher Rush | |
| 13 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 396 | 1997 | Normal | White | Christopher Rush | |
| 14 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 309 | 1997 | Normal | White | Christopher Rush | |
| 15 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 314★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ciruelo | |
| 16 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 314 | 1997 | Normal | White | Ciruelo | |
| 17 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 312★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | David Martin | |
| 18 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 312 | 2003 | Normal | White | David Martin | |
| 19 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 307 | 2003 | Normal | White | Eric Deschamps | |
| 20 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 307★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps | |
| 21 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 341 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 22 | 2009-07-17 | Magic 2010 | M10 | 219 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 23 | 2013-07-19 | Magic 2014 | M14 | 217 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 24 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 562 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | |
| 25 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 265 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rod of Ruin has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |