Join the Ranks MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	2010-02-05
Set symbol
Set name	Worldwake
Set code	WWK
Number	9
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Kekai Kotaki

Key Takeaways

Instantly adds two creature tokens to your battlefield, offering immediate board presence and advantage.
Combos well with ally decks, triggering rally abilities and enhancing mid-combat tactics.
Control opponents’ tokens and strategize against Join the Ranks for a competitive edge.

Text of card

Put two 1/1 white Soldier Ally creature tokens onto the battlefield.

Expeditionary houses are notorious for their rivalries. But when adventurers meet in the wilderness, the instinct for mutual survival outweighs petty grudges.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Join the Ranks, players receive the immediate benefit of adding two creature tokens to their side of the field. This influx of units can translate into a significant advantage, especially in decks built around token synergy or those that capitalize on outnumbering the opponent.

Resource Acceleration: Each creature token generated by Join the Ranks can act as a potential resource accelerator. They may be utilized in conjunction with convoke mechanics, or to turn on ascend for cards requiring a critical mass of permanents, thereby enabling faster execution of powerful spells or abilities.

Instant Speed: The versatility of Join the Ranks is notably enhanced due to its instant speed. It can be deployed defensively to surprise an attacker with unexpected blockers or strategically at the end of an opponent’s turn to maintain tempo and maximize mana usage throughout the entire game cycle.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When casting Join the Ranks, the need to pitch another card from your hand can set you back, especially if you’re clinging to key pieces of your strategy. Discarding can inadvertently deplete your options, leaving you vulnerable to your opponent’s moves.

Specific Mana Cost: Stipulating a white mana in its casting cost, Join the Ranks may not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks. This requirement could potentially constrain deck-building options, favoring those who lean into white mana-based strategies while sidelining others.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that is significant for the effect it provides, there can be a mismatch in value when comparing Join the Ranks to other cards with similar or better effects. In many cases, alternative cards could offer more impactful results or better cost-to-benefit ratios, impacting its inclusion in competitively tuned decks.

Reasons to Include Join the Ranks in Your Collection

Versatility: Join the Ranks is a flexible card that can slip into various deck archetypes. With its instant speed, this card can surprise opponents during combat or at the end of their turn, making it an adaptable tool in many situations.

Combo Potential: This card thrives in ally-based decks, where its ability to put two ally creatures onto the battlefield can trigger a slew of powerful rally abilities. The instantaneous nature allows for mid-combat tricks and synergy activations, which can turn the tide of a game.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Join the Ranks gains value. Providing not just one, but two additional bodies on the field can bolster your battlefield presence significantly, making it a card worth considering for decks seeking to outmaneuver opponents with tactical creature play.

How to beat

Join the Ranks stands out as a unique instant in Magic the Gathering, empowering players to bolster their battlefield with additional creature tokens. Unlike sorcery-speed alternatives, this card can surprise opponents during combat or at the end of their turn. Its ability to create two 1/1 white Soldier Ally creature tokens makes it more than just a simple creature spell; it can be a game-changer in terms of board presence.

When facing an opponent wielding Join the Ranks, the key strategy revolves around timing and the control of creature tokens. Employing instant removal spells right before the tokens can engage in combat or contribute to a battalion is effective. Another effective tactic is utilizing board wipes after the tokens have been summoned, which clears the path for a counter-attack. Cards that prevent token generation altogether, such as Tocatli Honor Guard or Hushbringer, can also provide a tactical advantage against such strategies.

Ultimately, by anticipating the use of Join the Ranks and preparing the appropriate responses, you can maintain control over the game and mitigate the potential impact of a sudden swell in your opponent’s forces, thus giving you the upper hand in the battle for victory.

Cards like Join the Ranks

Join the Ranks holds its own as an intriguing instant in Magic: The Gathering, largely due to its capacity to summon not one, but two Ally creature tokens. When set against other cards such as Raise the Alarm, which creates two soldier tokens for less mana, Join the Ranks introduces a distinct advantage for Ally tribal decks, offering immediate bolstering of their ranks and synergy with other Ally abilities.

Comparatively, Allied Reinforcements also mirrors this token creation process, albeit as a sorcery. It falls short in immediate response times that Join the Ranks provides as an instant, but it matches the amount of power and toughness brought onto the battlefield. Another card, Call to the Kindred, looks to progressively populate the field with specific creature types, including Allies, which can result in an accumulative advantage over time, unlike the one-time token boon from Join the Ranks.

Ultimately, Join the Ranks might not be the most cost-efficient in the realm of token generation, but its synergy with Ally mechanics and the versatility of being an instant certainly cements its value within Magic: The Gathering decks built around Ally strategies.

Allied Reinforcements - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Join the Ranks by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Join the Ranks MTG card by a specific set like Worldwake, 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 Join the Ranks and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Join the Ranks has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2010-03-01	When a Join the Ranks you control resolves, each ability that triggers whenever an Ally enters the battlefield under your control will trigger twice.