Retromancer MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Viashino Shaman
Released	1998-10-12
Set symbol
Set name	Urza's Saga
Set code	USG
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	209
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Robh Ruppel

Key Takeaways

Retromancer can swing games with card advantage and instant speed plays, enhancing strategy depth.
High mana costs and specific mana requirements may limit deck versatility and usage.
Its adaptability and meta relevance make Retromancer a potent addition to spell-heavy decks.

Text of card

Whenever Retromancer is the target of a spell or ability, Retromancer deals 3 damage to that spell or ability's controller.

"If one harm us, strike them in return. So sayeth the bey."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Retromancer card is proficient at offering players an extra edge by providing them with additional cards from their library, ensuring they have a wider variety of options to play and strategies to implement in their turns.

Resource Acceleration: This card can be a game-changer by boosting your mana resources, giving you the ability to cast more powerful spells or multiple spells in a single turn, significantly advancing your board state.

Instant Speed: Its capability to be played at instant speed allows a savvy player to make strategic moves on the fly, adapt to the changing battlefield, and optimize their turn structure, all while keeping opponents guessing.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Retromancer requires a player to discard a card as an additional cost to play. This can put a player at a disadvantage, particularly if they are battling with a diminished hand and need to preserve their resources for sustaining momentum in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting Retromancer necessitates a specific combination of mana, including a rigorous requirement for red mana. This can potentially restrict its integration to decks that are heavily red or limit its splashability in multicolor decks that cannot reliably produce the required mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost to bring Retromancer into play is considerable, given its effects. While the card does have the potential to impact the game, there are alternative cards that may offer similar benefits or better synergies at a lower mana investment, making them potentially more attractive choices for deck inclusion.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Retromancer is adept at fitting into various deck types, from control to combo. Its ability to influence the board every time you cast an instant or sorcery makes it a valuable piece in strategies that churn out a multitude of spells.

Combo Potential: With its synergy with spellslinging, Retromancer can be a linchpin in decks that aim to chain cast spells, thereby multiplying its prowess turn after turn and overwhelming opponents with unexpected cascades of effects.

Meta-Relevance: Retromancer’s efficiency makes it a strong contender in the current meta, especially if spell-heavy decks are dominating. Its steady impact on gameplay can tip the scales in your favor against the most prevalent deck types you’ll face.

How to Beat Retromancer

Retromancer presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, equipped with abilities that can potentially disrupt your game plan in MTG. To effectively counteract this card, one must employ a blend of removal spells and strategic planning. One might consider utilizing spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile, which can swiftly remove Retromancer from the field before its ability triggers. These cards provide a clean and efficient way to deal with the threat at a low mana cost.

Another tactic to consider is playing around the Retromancer’s ability. Focus on casting noncreature spells when Retromancer is tapped or during a time when its ability’s impact is minimized. This way you prevent your spells from being countered and ensure that your key plays land on the board successfully.

Tapping into your deck’s innate creature control or counter magic can also turn the tides in your favor. Cards that nullify creature-based strategies, or ones that grant hexproof to your own spells, can help mitigate the Retromancer’s influence during the match. With the right approach, Retromancer can be managed and even used against an opponent, paving the way for a strategic advantage and a path to victory.

Cards like Retromancer

Exploring the deep well of spellcasters in Magic: The Gathering, Retromancer stands out with its unique approach to magic combat. When placed next to Pyromancer’s Assault, Retromancer shines with its build-in damage ability without needing an additional spell to trigger it. Pyromancer’s Assault requires casting a second spell each turn to deal damage, while Retromancer does so simply by targeting it with any spell or ability you control.

Guttersnipe is another card that Retromancer could be measured against, with both dealing damage to opponents when instants or sorceries are cast. However, Retromancer’s self-targeting directive gives it an edge in decks that aim to protect or buff creatures. And while Guttersnipe hits all opponents in multiplayer scenarios, Retromancer focuses damage on a single target, potentially offering more strategic removal.

Furthermore, Young Pyromancer offers a parallel comparison. While it doesn’t deal direct damage, it creates creature tokens with each spell cast, broadening one’s board presence. Retromancer, contrastingly, hones in on dealing direct damage, prioritizing immediate impact over a growing army. Both are powerful, but their roles diverge in a player’s strategy.

Each of these cards has its place in different deck architectures within Magic: The Gathering. Yet, in the hands of a strategic player, Retromancer can outperform its counterparts by combining creature protection with an offensive punch.

Pyromancer's Assault - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Retromancer by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions

Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

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