Survey the Wreckage MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Released | 2012-10-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Return to Ravnica |
| Set code | RTR |
| Number | 107 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Warren Mahy |
Text of card
Destroy target land. Put a 1/1 red Goblin creature token onto the battlefield.
Goblins and architects seldom get along.
Cards like Survey the Wreckage
In the realm of destruction spells within Magic: The Gathering, Survey the Wreckage finds its place among strategies that capitalize on disrupting land resources. Comparable to cards like Demolish, it not only destroys a land but also provides the advantage of creating a Treasure token. While Demolish strictly leaves the battlefield at a loss, Survey the Wreckage offers a beneficial aftermath with economic upside.
Similar effects can be seen in cards such as Ghost Quarter and Field of Ruin, which also facilitate land destruction. Both, however, allow the opponent to replace the destroyed land with another from their library, somewhat mitigating the impact. Survey the Wreckage lacks this compensation for the opponent, making its effect more potent by comparison. Additionally, Molten Rain stands out with its ability to deal damage in addition to destroying land, carving a niche distinct from Survey the Wreckage’s Treasure token advantage.
Ultimately, in the diverse toolbox of land disruption techniques in Magic: The Gathering, Survey the Wreckage serves a specific role by coupling economic gain with the hindrance of opponent’s resources, positioning it as a tactical choice among strategies that favor resource denial.
Cards similar to Survey the Wreckage by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Survey the Wreckage enables you to destroy a land, potentially disrupting your opponent’s mana base and gaining an upper hand. This card allows you to not only impact the battlefield but garners an additional benefit, creating a significant swing in card economy.
Resource Acceleration: Not only does Survey the Wreckage interfere with your opponent’s resources, but it also provides its controller with a Treasure token. This token can be redeemed for mana, thus accelerating your resource pool and potentially unlocking the ability to cast more powerful spells or activate abilities ahead of schedule.
Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of Survey the Wreckage ensures that you maintain a high level of flexibility during the game. You can choose the optimal moment to cast it, perhaps in response to an opponent’s play or at the end of their turn, conserving mana and keeping your options open for the best tactical play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Survey the Wreckage necessitates the discarding of another card as part of its casting cost. This can substantially hinder your hand, reducing your strategic options, especially if you’re already facing a card deficit.
Specific Mana Cost: With its mana cost requiring both red and colorless, it becomes challenging to integrate into multicolored decks. Decks that don’t run red may find it incompatible or resource-straining to accommodate.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost to bring Survey the Wreckage into play is on the higher end for its destructible effects. Cards offering similar or better utility might be available for a lower mana investment, making them more appealing choices for deck building.
Reasons to Include Survey the Wreckage in Your Collection
Versatility: Survey the Wreckage is a unique card that can serve multiple roles within your deck. Its ability to destroy a land and generate Clue tokens, which in turn can be sacrificed for card draw, gives it a dual function as both a disruption tool and a resource generator.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies that capitalize on artifice and resource accumulation. The generated Clue tokens can integrate into strategies focused on artifacts or serve as fodder for various engine combos, making it a multi-faceted asset for inventive deck builders.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where land-based strategies are prevalent or the competition relies heavily on mana-fixing, the utility of Survey the Wreckage can be a game-changer. The ability to set back your opponent’s mana base while bolstering your own resources makes it a relevant choice for anyone aiming to stay ahead of the curve.
How to beat
Survey the Wreckage is an MTG card that presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. This card allows a player to destroy an opponent’s land and, as a potential game changer, it also creates a Treasure token. Understanding the mechanics of land destruction and token generation is key to countering the effects of Survey the Wreckage.
To effectively neutralize the advantage this card provides, consider using land regeneration or land replacement abilities to maintain your mana base. Similarly, spells that can counter sorceries will halt Survey the Wreckage before it can impact the board. Always keep in mind the strategy of advancing your board presence while being mindful of the potential setback this card could represent. Maintaining a balance of land protection and counter-play is the essence of outmaneuvering a player who relies on Survey the Wreckage.
Optimizing your deck to handle disruption will enhance your resilience against such strategies. In doing so, your decks become not only more robust against land destruction but also flexibly poised to tackle a variety of adverse situations, keeping you one step ahead in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Survey the Wreckage MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica, 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 Survey the Wreckage 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Survey the Wreckage has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Survey the Wreckage card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-10-01 | If the target land is an illegal target when Survey the Wreckage tries to resolve, it won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen. You won’t get the creature token. |