Retaliation MTG Card

Urza's Saga (USG)
1998-10-12 - Number 272

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number USG-272

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment

Key Takeaways

Protects creatures, potentially turning the tide of combat by countering threats instantaneously.
Defends mana acceleration by shielding crucial mana-producing creatures on the board.
Demands strategic deck building due to specific mana requirements and higher cost.

Text of card

Each creature you control gains "Whenever a creature blocks it, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn."

A foul, metallic stench clogged Urza's senses. It was then he knew his brother was no more.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Retaliation shines by offering potential card efficiency against opponent’s creatures. If your creatures are targeted by spells or abilities, Retaliation lets you neutralize the threat, effectively preserving your onboard assets and maintaining your strategic position in the game.

Resource Acceleration: Though Retaliation does not directly generate additional mana or resources, it can be crucial in defending your mana-producing creatures. By keeping them safe, you ensure your resource acceleration stays uninterrupted, indirectly contributing to your mana curve and allowing for more impactful plays.

Instant Speed: The instant speed of Retaliation provides a tactical edge, allowing for surprise plays and strategic responses to opponents’ actions. This reactive capability can shift the balance of a match, forcing opponents to think twice before targeting your creatures, thus incorporating an element of psychological advantage as well.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In decks where holding onto each card is crucial for late-game strategy, the necessity to discard when playing Retaliation can lead to unfavorable trade-offs, putting the player at a potential disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Retaliation demands a precise mana configuration to cast. This may not always align with the flexible mana bases preferred in multi-color decks, potentially limiting its inclusion to mono-colored builds or those with heavy mana fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Even though Retaliation can be a game-changer, its higher mana cost means that it competes with other impactful cards in the same slot. Players might opt for alternatives that offer more immediate or versatile effects for the same, or even a lower, mana investment.

Reasons to Include Retaliation in Your Collection

Versatility: Retaliation is a card that can be seamlessly integrated into decks that thrive on creature-based strategies. The ability to boost your own creatures while potentially dismantling opponent’s defenses allows for dynamic gameplay adjustments on the fly.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations that capitalize on dealing damage. It pairs well with creatures that have tap abilities or with other cards that amplify damage, turning Retaliation into both a defensive and offensive powerhouse.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where aggressive decks are prevalent, Retaliation can serve as a powerful deterrent. It dissuades opponents from attacking, making it an essential tool for controlling the pace of the game and making deliberate moves towards victory.

How to beat

Retaliation is a unique enchantment in the MTG arsenal that can turn any creature into a formidable threat. This card thrives in a setting where many creatures engage in combat, as it boosts the power of a damaged creature exponentially until the end of the turn. To effectively counteract Retaliation, control strategies are key. Cards that prevent damage or negate the combat phase altogether, such as “Silent Arbiter” or “Peacekeeper”, can neutralize the enchantment’s power boost.

Moreover, direct removal of the enchantment, through spells like “Disenchant” or “Naturalize,” can swiftly eliminate the threat it poses. Sweepers such as “Wrath of God” or “Damnation” will also clear the board, rendering Retaliation useless without any creatures to enhance. It’s essential to keep removal handy or to limit the number of combat interactions to stifle the impact of Retaliation in any match.

Strategic thinking and a well-timed response are the key elements to overcoming the might of Retaliation in MTG. Prioritizing enchantment removal and minimizing combat damage are reliable methods to maintain control and prevent your opponent from exploiting the power-boosting capabilities of this card.

Cards like Retaliation

Retaliation is a unique enchantment in Magic: The Gathering that fuels tactical combat decisions. Comparable to cards like Rage Reflection, which grants double strike to your creatures, Retaliation instead takes a fascinating defensive stance. While Rage Reflection focuses on offensive power, Retaliation boosts creatures’ toughness when they block, encouraging a defensive playstyle. This shift in focus from attack to defense is an intriguing alternative for decks looking to outlast opponents.

Alongside this, we have cards like High Ground, which enhances defense by allowing all creatures to block an additional attacker. While High Ground increases defensive capabilities across the board, Retaliation offers a more nuanced benefit, directly affecting the toughness of creatures and potentially dissuading strikes from aggressors. Another comparison can be drawn to Brave the Sands, which not only allows creatures to block additional attackers like High Ground but also grants them vigilance, maintaining a balance between offense and defense. Retaliation stands out by specifically targeting the robustness of your defensive lines.

In evaluating defensive enhancements in Magic: The Gathering, Retaliation earns its place as a strategy-enriching card. Its deterrent effect on enemy attacks and its potential to fortify creatures in combat make it an impressive option for players crafting a defense-oriented deck strategy.

Cards similar to Retaliation by color, type and mana cost

The Dragon-Kami Reborn // Dragon-Kami's Egg - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Retaliation MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga 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 Retaliation and other MTG cards: