Ruination MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 4 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Destroy all nonbasic lands.
"We have built a wall upon sand. The wall will vanish. The sand will remain." —Oracle *en*-Vec
Cards like Ruination
Ruination stands out in MTG as a powerful spell with the unique ability to upheave nonbasic lands. Its closest counterpart could be the card Armageddon, which also devastates land bases but does not discriminate, affecting all lands. In contrast, Ruination specifically targets nonbasic lands, potentially leaving basic land users unscathed. Another similar card, Wave of Vitriol, offers the same type of selective destruction but adds a nuance by allowing players to replace the destroyed nonbasic lands with basic ones from their library.
Comparing it further, we notice cards like Blood Moon which doesn’t destroy but rather neutralizes nonbasic lands by turning them into Mountains. This can be devastating but it’s not as absolute as Ruination’s wipe effect. On the eco side of mana costs, Cleansing Wildfire and Molten Rain offer more cost-effective ways to handle nonbasic lands albeit on a much smaller scale, dealing with one land at a time.
Considering the strategic implications and board impact, Ruination can potentially warp a game when timed correctly. It serves a specific role for players looking to capitalize on opponents’ diverse mana bases and can be a deciding factor in games where land type plays a key role.
Cards similar to Ruination by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ruination provides a significant card advantage by removing multiple nonbasic lands from the game, effectively setting back opponents who heavily rely on these resources for their strategy.
Resource Acceleration: Although Ruination does not directly accelerate resources for the caster, it decelerates opponents’ resources, indirectly enhancing your board’s comparative strength and the speed of your plays by hindering the opponent’s land development.
Instant Speed: The power of Ruination comes from its sorcery speed, which requires careful timing to maximize its impact. The absence of instant speed means strategizing around Ruination is critical, ensuring the card’s disruptive potential is fully realized when opponents are most vulnerable.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Ruination demands that you sacrifice a nonland permanent in addition to its mana cost. This can force you to make tough decisions, especially if your board presence is critical to your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Ruination’s casting cost includes two red mana, making it challenging to incorporate in multi-color decks that may not have sufficient red mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Ruination’s mana valuation might be considered expensive when measured against other mass destruction spells. It requires a total of four mana, which could detract from your ability to cast other pivotal spells in the same turn.
Reasons to Include Ruination Mtg Card in Your Collection
Versatility: Ruination is not just another staple for red control decks. It can adapt to various playstyles, fitting perfectly into strategies aiming to disrupt opponents who rely heavily on nonbasic lands.
Combo Potential: This card shines in combination with strategies that preserve your field while resetting your opponent’s. Pairing it with cards that allow you to bounce your own lands back to your hand before Ruination resolves, you can maintain a formidable board presence while others scramble to recover.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where multicolored decks with an array of nonbasic lands are dominant, Ruination becomes a game-changing asset. Its ability to dismantle intricate land bases can give you a substantial edge, making it a timely addition to any collection with the shifting winds of the competitive scene.
How to beat
The Ruination card in Magic: The Gathering presents a unique challenge with its strong ability to wipe out all nonbasic lands, leveling the playing field for players. To effectively counter this sweeping effect, the key lies in deck composition and strategic foresight. Embracing basic lands in your deck ensures you remain unscathed by Ruination’s destructive force. Similarly, employing land indestructibility effects, such as those granted by cards like Terra Eternal or having cards like Sacred Ground in play protects your valued lands despite the Ruination attempt.
Another approach involves countering Ruination directly. Blue players can hold onto counterspells such as Cancel or Negate, waiting for the pivotal moment to neutralize this threat. Additionally, green offers solutions like Heroic Intervention, which can provide a temporary shield for all your permanents, including lands.
In essence, overcoming Ruination requires a blend of smart deck-building, possessing the right defensive spells, and timing your plays to ensure land preservation. Acknowledging Ruination as a formidable card, seasoned players prepare their strategies to either avert this catastrophy or recover swiftly in its aftermath. Planning ahead helps maintain a strong mana base, enabling you to continue casting spells and advancing your board position even after others might be set back.
BurnMana Recommendations
Understanding the ebb and flow of MTG play is critical, especially when cards like Ruination can radically alter the battlefield. Recognizing both the advantages and potential drawbacks of such a powerful spell will set your deck apart. Whether you’re tweaking your deck to harness Ruination’s disruptive force or fortifying your own land base against it, your strategy should remain as dynamic as the game itself. For players keen on staying ahead of the curve and mastering the intricacies of the MTG realm, we’re here to guide you. Dive deeper into our insights and learn how to optimize your deck with Ruination and similar spells. Let’s navigate the shifting landscapes of MTG together.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ruination MTG card by a specific set like Stronghold and Commander 2011, 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 Ruination 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 Ruination Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-03-02 and 2011-06-17. Illustrated by Dermot Power.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1998-03-02 | Stronghold | STH | 95 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dermot Power | |
2 | 2011-06-17 | Commander 2011 | CMD | 134 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dermot Power |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ruination has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |