Tears of Rage MTG Card


Boosts attacking creatures significantly, potentially swinging the game with a single powerful attack phase. Instant speed allows for surprise maneuvers, but at the cost of discarding which affects hand size. Works well with aggressive strategies and can be a game-changer in creature-heavy decks.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Play Tears of Rage only during the declare attackers step. Attacking creatures you control get +X/+0 until end of turn, where X is the number of attacking creatures. Sacrifice those creatures at end of turn.


Cards like Tears of Rage

Tears of Rage holds a distinctive place in the plethora of red instant spells in Magic: The Gathering. When observed side by side with cards like Trumpet Blast, we notice a shared theme of boosting attacking creatures. Tears of Rage, in particular, does so with the added stipulation of sacrificing creatures at the end of the turn, which can serve as both a boon for last-ditch efforts and a hindrance if not timed well.

Another close relative in effect is Mass Mutiny. This card also manipulates combat but instead by taking temporary control of opponents’ creatures to swing in for potentially game-ending attacks. While Tears of Rage focuses on amplifying your own creature’s power, Mass Mutiny leverages the strength of your opponent’s board. Lastly, there’s Reckless Abandon, which instead of boosting, sacrifices a creature for direct damage, offering a different tactical approach.

Each strategy offers unique advantages, but Tears of Rage stands out for its ability to turn a moderate attack into a devastating one, albeit at the cost of your attacking creatures. Strategic application of this card can be the deciding factor between victory and defeat within the dynamic battlefield of Magic: The Gathering.

Trumpet Blast - MTG Card versions
Mass Mutiny - MTG Card versions
Reckless Abandon - MTG Card versions
Trumpet Blast - MTG Card versions
Mass Mutiny - MTG Card versions
Reckless Abandon - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Tears of Rage by color, type and mana cost

Blind Fury - MTG Card versions
Lightning Blast - MTG Card versions
Boil - MTG Card versions
Blood Oath - MTG Card versions
Magma Burst - MTG Card versions
Sudden Impact - MTG Card versions
Stoke the Flames - MTG Card versions
Solar Blast - MTG Card versions
Grab the Reins - MTG Card versions
Blind with Anger - MTG Card versions
Ire of Kaminari - MTG Card versions
Hidetsugu's Second Rite - MTG Card versions
Gaze of Adamaro - MTG Card versions
Dogpile - MTG Card versions
Parallectric Feedback - MTG Card versions
Cackling Flames - MTG Card versions
Sulfurous Blast - MTG Card versions
Dead // Gone - MTG Card versions
Ricochet Trap - MTG Card versions
Chandra's Outrage - MTG Card versions
Blind Fury - MTG Card versions
Lightning Blast - MTG Card versions
Boil - MTG Card versions
Blood Oath - MTG Card versions
Magma Burst - MTG Card versions
Sudden Impact - MTG Card versions
Stoke the Flames - MTG Card versions
Solar Blast - MTG Card versions
Grab the Reins - MTG Card versions
Blind with Anger - MTG Card versions
Ire of Kaminari - MTG Card versions
Hidetsugu's Second Rite - MTG Card versions
Gaze of Adamaro - MTG Card versions
Dogpile - MTG Card versions
Parallectric Feedback - MTG Card versions
Cackling Flames - MTG Card versions
Sulfurous Blast - MTG Card versions
Dead // Gone - MTG Card versions
Ricochet Trap - MTG Card versions
Chandra's Outrage - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Tears of Rage, you not only get to boost your creatures’ attack power significantly, but if used strategically at the right moment, it can turn the tide in your favor by overwhelming your opponent with a single, powerful offensive push.

Resource Acceleration: Although Tears of Rage does not directly produce mana or tokens, its casting cost is aligned with typical red mana curves, making it an accessible card for rapidly accelerating the damage during the crucial attack phases of the game.

Instant Speed: As a spell that can be cast at instant speed, Tears of Rage offers the flexibility to catch an opponent off-guard, maximizing its impact by waiting until the last possible moment during your turn to unleash its effect. This can result in a devastating surprise attack that can heavily skew combat in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tears of Rage demands that you discard upon casting, depleting your hand and potentially causing a setback if you’re already behind in resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a mix of generic and red mana, this card might be difficult to cast on time in multicolored decks that cannot consistently produce the necessary red mana when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For four mana, the impact of Tears of Rage might not align with your game plan when compared to other cards at a similar cost threshold, especially if the board state doesn’t favor an aggressive strategy.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tears of Rage adds a dynamic layer to decks that focus on aggressive strategies. It allows for a significant power boost to creatures, which is crucial for decks that aim to win through combat damage.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with strategies that involve creature tokens or benefit from having a sudden, overwhelming board presence, offering a powerful surge just as you’re ready to declare attackers.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where combat is king and games are won on the battlefield, Tears of Rage could give you the edge you need, making it an essential addition for players looking to stay competitive.


How to beat

Tears of Rage is a unique card in MTG that can surprise opponents with an instant boost in power to attacking creatures. It’s similar to other red instant spells like Trumpet Blast, but Tears of Rage has the additional cost of sacrificing creatures at the end of turn. To effectively counter this card, one must be preemptive. Utilizing spells that limit the opponent’s ability to attack or cast spells during their turn is key. This could include cards that tap opponent’s creatures, counterspells to preemptively deny Tears of Rage from hitting the field, or removal spells to clear potential attackers before they can be enhanced.

Another strategy is to employ cards that reduce the damage dealt by creatures, such as those with the ‘prevent damage’ ability or increasing your creatures’ toughness to withstand the onslaught. Cards like Ethereal Haze or a well-timed Fog can neutralize the swing in power that Tears of Rage attempts to deliver. Additionally, always be aware of mana open during the opponent’s combat phase, as Tears of Rage can only be played then. By staying vigilant and having a response ready, you can nullify the advantages Tears of Rage offers and maintain control of the battlefield.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tears of Rage MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel and Salvat 2005, 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 Tears of Rage and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tears of Rage Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2004-02-06 and 2005-08-22. Illustrated by Pete Venters.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12004-02-06DarksteelDST 702003NormalBlackPete Venters
22005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL I32003NormalWhitePete Venters

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tears of Rage has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal