The Ruinous Powers MTG Card


Card advantage and instant speed make The Ruinous Powers a dynamic game-changer in MTG. Demands strategic mana usage and discard, challenging players’ resource management skills. Potential to influence the meta and combos adds a robust dimension to any collection.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

At the beginning of your upkeep, choose an opponent at random. Exile the top card of that player's library. Until end of turn, you may play that card and you may spend mana as though it were mana of any color to cast it. When you cast a spell this way, its owner loses life equal to its mana value.


Cards like The Ruinous Powers

In the vast library of spells and enchantments in Magic: The Gathering, The Ruinous Powers card stands out as a multifaceted option for players. When evaluating cards with a similar impact, The Eldest Reborn emerges as a comparable contender. It also offers a saga that incrementally bestows a series of different abilities that disrupt opponents while furthering your own board state. Nevertheless, The Eldest Reborn’s final chapter leads to the return of a creature or planeswalker from a graveyard, differing from The Ruinous Powers’ flexibility to affect each opponent.

Another analogous card worth discussing is Liliana’s Triumph. Like The Ruinous Powers, it forces each opponent to make a sacrifice, but it does so at an instant speed and without the incremental build-up of saga chapters. While it doesn’t offer the same range of abilities, its immediate effect can be decisive at the right moment. Similarly, Phyrexian Scriptures offers a saga experience with both removal and graveyard interaction, but tends to lean more into artifact synergies as opposed to The Ruinous Powers’ broader approach.

Comprehensively, The Ruinous Powers holds its unique position within the echelons of MTG saga cards, by blending diverse effects that can leverage game situations across multiple turns. Such cards not only diversify gameplay but also strategically advance your position in the battle, showcasing why this enchantment is a valuable asset in your MTG arsenal.

The Eldest Reborn - MTG Card versions
Liliana's Triumph - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Scriptures - MTG Card versions
The Eldest Reborn - MTG Card versions
Liliana's Triumph - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Scriptures - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to The Ruinous Powers by color, type and mana cost

Reckless Assault - MTG Card versions
Smoldering Tar - MTG Card versions
Spiteful Visions - MTG Card versions
Mogis, God of Slaughter - MTG Card versions
Kardur's Vicious Return - MTG Card versions
Reckless Assault - MTG Card versions
Smoldering Tar - MTG Card versions
Spiteful Visions - MTG Card versions
Mogis, God of Slaughter - MTG Card versions
Kardur's Vicious Return - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When delving into the strategic depths of MTG, cards like The Ruinous Powers provide a critical edge with their ability to net additional card choices, bolstering your hand and paving the way for future moves.

Resource Acceleration: The efficient mana curve of The Ruinous Powers caters to quicker gameplay, offering a seamless interplay of spells that could potentially shift the tides in your favor, especially when facing down an adversary’s threatening board.

Instant Speed: In the fast-paced environment of MTG, the utility of instant speed spells is undeniable. The Ruinous Powers allows savvy players to adapt swiftly to ever-changing battlefields, ensuring that you’re always one step ahead in the race for victory.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Ruinous Powers card requires players to discard another card, which could be counterproductive when trying to maintain a strong hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting this card demands a precise mana combination, restricting its integration in decks that might not support such requirements with ease.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment it demands can be on the higher side, necessitating players to balance their mana resources carefully to maximize its potential in gameplay.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Ruinous Powers card offers a unique blend of abilities that cater to a variety of strategies. Its ability to affect multiple aspects of play means it can effortlessly slide into diverse deck builds, enhancing their performance.

Combo Potential: This card carries tremendous combo potential, whether you’re aiming to dismantle your opponent’s board or architect a winning board state for yourself. Its multi-faceted abilities make it a keystone in intricate combos that can turn the tide of the game.

Meta-Relevance: In an ever-shifting MTG meta, The Ruinous Powers maintains relevance due to its suitability in countering prevalent deck types. Its inclusion in your collection ensures you’re well-equipped to handle the most common threats faced in competitive play.


How to beat

The Ruinous Powers card in MTG presents a unique challenge for players, demanding strategic countermeasures due to its powerful abilities. To effectively combat this card, one must disrupt the synergies it relies on. This can include removing key creatures before The Ruinous Powers can capitalize on them or employing graveyard manipulation strategies to limit its influence. Since this card thrives on the accumulation of power and benefits from a well-stocked graveyard, graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void can severely hamper its effectiveness. It’s also wise to hold up instant-speed removal to respond to The Ruinous Powers’ activated abilities and prevent your opponent from gaining the upper hand.

Artifact removal is equally vital, as opponents often use artifacts to amplify The Ruinous Powers’ impact. Cards such as Abrade or Naturalize provide efficient answers to remove troublesome artifacts on the fly. Lastly, maintaining pressure with a robust offensive strategy can prevent an opponent from comfortably setting up the conditions that The Ruinous Powers needs to triumph. By curbing the power of your opponent’s graveyard and strategically dismantling their board presence, you can ensure The Ruinous Powers loses its potency and becomes a much more manageable threat in your MTG games.


BurnMana Recommendations

Embarking on your MTG journey with cards like The Ruinous Powers can elevate your game to thrilling new heights. The finesse required to leverage this card’s capabilities teaches you to anticipate and strategize against the unpredictable tides of battle. Your deck can become a well-oiled machine, ready to face off against diverse challenges with the right guidance and insights. If you’re keen to harness the full potential of The Ruinous Powers and build a formidable collection that stands the test of time, your quest starts here. Dive deeper into the nuances of MTG with us and sequentially construct your path to victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase The Ruinous Powers MTG card by a specific set like Warhammer 40,000 Commander and Warhammer 40,000 Commander, 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 The Ruinous Powers and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The The Ruinous Powers Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-10-07 and 2022-10-07. Illustrated by Lie Setiawan.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 139★2015NormalBlackLie Setiawan
22022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 1392015NormalBlackLie Setiawan

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where The Ruinous Powers has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-10-07 Use the mana value of the spell as it exists on the stack (or last existed on the stack, if it’s been removed) to determine how much life is lost. If there is an in that spell’s cost, include the value chosen for X to determine its mana value.
2022-10-07 You must follow all normal timing rules when casting a spell or playing a land using the permission granted by Ruinous Powers.