Ruthless Invasion MTG Card

Ruthless Invasion grants card advantage and unexpected tempo increases with its instant-speed resource acceleration. Its flexibility shines in creature-dense metas, but it requires card discard and precise red mana. Effective countering involves instant-speed removal or disruptive combat tricks against unblockable creatures.

New Phyrexia (NPH)
2011-05-13 - Number 93

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number NPH-93

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

Text of card

({PR} can be paid with either or 2 life.) Nonartifact creatures can't block this turn.

"For the survival of our people, every conflict must now end in retreat." —Pythor, Mirran resistance

Cards like Ruthless Invasion

Ruthless Invasion is a unique option for players looking to make a significant impact on the battlefield. While there are other cards that can make creatures unblockable, such as Distortion Strike, Ruthless Invasion is distinct as it not only renders nonartifact creatures unblockable, but it also impacts multiple creatures for a single turn. It removes the need for individual targeting, providing a wider scope for an aggressive strategy.

Another comparable card could be Break Through the Line, which gives flexibility by allowing you to make individual creatures with power 2 or less unblockable for the turn. Though it offers selectivity, Break Through the Line requires continuous mana investment to maintain effect for each creature, unlike Ruthless Invasion’s single mana payment for a broad effect.

Lastly, Cover of Darkness is an enchantment that can give all creatures of a chosen type fear, making them unblockable except by artifact creatures and/or those that share a color with them. This provides a more lasting control but is limited by creature type and susceptibility to removal spells.

While examining the attributes and strategic significance of different cards, Ruthless Invasion stands out for its ability to execute a wide-reaching, unblockable tactic, which can be a game ender in the right deck.

Break Through the Line - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ruthless Invasion by color, type and mana cost

Draconic Intervention - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ruthless Invasion gives you the upper hand by effectively thinning your deck, allowing for a higher chance of drawing into the game-changing spells and lands you need. By bypassing potential chaff, your chances to maintain or gain card advantage increase, keeping your hand full of options against opponents.

Resource Acceleration: This card can alter the tempo of the game by unlocking extra mana potential rapidly. By granting additional mana, Ruthless Invasion can accelerate the deployment of key creatures or spells, enabling more impactful plays sooner than your opponent might expect. This surge in resources can be the pivot point to take control of the game.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of an instant speed spell cannot be overstressed. Ruthless Invasion can be cast at the end of your opponent’s turn, preserving your mana and keeping your strategies opaque until the last possible moment. This unpredictability factor is crucial, often leading to missteps from the opposite side of the table as they try to anticipate your moves.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ruthless Invasion necessitates discarding a card upon activation, a significant drawback when your hand is already depleted or when every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Ruthless Invasion includes a stringent requirement for red mana, potentially restricting deck compatibility and flexibility in multicolored strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that’s on the higher side for its effect, Ruthless Invasion may not be the most mana-efficient option available, especially when compared to alternatives that might provide a similar impact for less investment.

Reasons to Include Ruthless Invasion in Your Collection

Versatility: Ruthless Invasion offers flexibility across multiple deck archetypes. This card is capable of catching opponents off-guard, particularly in formats where creatures play a vital role. Its ability to make nonartifact creatures unable to block can seamlessly fit into aggressive strategies keen on breaking through defenses.

Combo Potential: With its relatively low mana cost and impactful effect, Ruthless Invasion has great synergy with strategies aiming to capitalize on unblockable creature states. It can serve as a crucial piece in turning the tide for a game by allowing for an unexpected swarm of attackers, maximizing combat damage with minimal resistance.

Meta-Relevance: Ingame landscapes that are creature-dense, Ruthless Invasion brings a strong play advantage. As the battlefield becomes crowded with potential blockers, this card ensures your powerful strikes land, potentially clearing the path for a winning moment against decks that rely heavily on creature-based control.

How to beat

Confronting Ruthless Invasion in Magic the Gathering can be a challenge due to its potential to grant many creatures the ability to become unblockable for a turn. As with many such aggressive strategies, timing is critical. One efficient method to counter this onslaught is by using instant-speed removal spells that disrupt the opponent’s board before they have a chance to declare attackers. Removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile provide a clean and resource-effective answer.

Another strategy involves leveraging cards that change the tide of combat itself. Settle the Wreckage, for example, turns an opponent’s aggressive play into a liability, potentially clearing numerous threats disguised as unblockable attackers. When facing Ruthless Invasion, planning for instant-speed interaction in your deck composition is key to thwarting the dangers presented by such a heavy offensive card. Always be mindful of the mana reserves you keep open during the opponent’s turn; adequate preparation and a carefully curated hand can be the shield against an otherwise devastating invasion.

Keeping these tactics in mind not only nullifies the immediate threat but also aids in maintaining board control against opponents relying on such aggressive tactics. A well-timed response can easily turn the tables and pave your way to victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ruthless Invasion MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia and The List, 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 Ruthless Invasion and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ruthless Invasion Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2011-05-13 and 2011-05-13. Illustrated by Svetlin Velinov.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2011-05-13	New Phyrexia	NPH		93	2003	Normal	Black	Svetlin Velinov
2	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST		NPH-93	2003	Normal	Black	Svetlin Velinov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ruthless Invasion has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2011-06-01	A card with Phyrexian mana symbols in its mana cost is each color that appears in that mana cost, regardless of how that cost may have been paid.
2011-06-01	As you cast a spell or activate an activated ability with one or more Phyrexian mana symbols in its cost, you choose how to pay for each Phyrexian mana symbol at the same time you would choose modes or choose a value for X.
2011-06-01	If you’re at 1 life or less, you can’t pay 2 life.
2011-06-01	Phyrexian mana is not a new color. Players can’t add Phyrexian mana to their mana pools.
2011-06-01	To calculate the converted mana cost of a card with Phyrexian mana symbols in its cost, count each Phyrexian mana symbol as 1.