Pulse of the Dross MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Sorcery
Released	2004-02-06
Set symbol
Set name	Darksteel
Set code	DST
Number	50
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Paolo Parente

Key Takeaways

Offers card advantage by potentially drawing extra cards if opponents have more cards in hand.
Instant speed play allows strategic flexibility and can disrupt opponent’s hand effectively.
Pulse of the Dross can be a repeated resource in decks, yielding long-term strategic value.

Text of card

Target player reveals three cards from his or her hand and you choose one of them. That player discards that card. Then if that player has more cards in hand than you, return Pulse of the Dross to its owner's hand.

Before tyrants or torturers, there was evil.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When discussing the attributes of Pulse of the Dross, one cannot overstate its potential for card advantage. This card can allow you to potentially draw an extra card each turn, as long as the opposing player has more cards in hand, keeping you ahead in the resource game.

Resource Acceleration: While Pulse of the Dross doesn’t provide direct mana acceleration, it allows you to churn through your deck faster, effectively accelerating your access to your resources. By potentially returning to your hand during your upkeep, it can also provide recurring value, which can be seen as a form of indirect resource acceleration over time.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Pulse of the Dross at instant speed gives you the flexibility to hold up mana for immediate responses to your opponent’s actions. However, it also provides the strategic advantage of playing it during the end step right before your turn, which can affect the opponent’s hand for your benefit without giving them a chance to recover before your turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Pulse of the Dross calls for discarding a card, a potential downside when your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s black mana demand can restrict its integration in multi-colored decks that may have mana accessibility issues.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes three black mana, it can be a heavy draw on resources, particularly for a potential single card gain.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Pulse of the Dross can be slotted into various decks, but shines in formats where recurring threats or answers is pivotal. This card is adept at returning to your hand under the right conditions, granting sustained value over the course of a game.

Combo Potential: In synergy-focused decks, this card can play a key role. Its ability to potentially return to your hand each turn offers a reliable way to trigger discard or graveyard-based combos, making it a consistent piece in intricate strategies.

Meta-Relevance: With graveyard strategies frequently encountered in various metas, Pulse of the Dross holds relevance. Its utility in disrupting your opponent’s hand while bolstering your own resources makes it a strategic addition to any collection, particularly in metas where hand advantage is critical.

How to Beat Pulse of the Dross

Pulse of the Dross is a distinctive Magic: The Gathering card that can tip the scales of a game by drawing cards and disrupting the opponent’s strategy. While it may seem daunting, overcoming its effect involves managing resources smartly. Diversifying your hand to minimize its impact is crucial. Keeping various types of cards ensures that if the top card of your library is a land, the chance remains to retain your vital non-land cards.

Employing graveyard retrieval tactics also mitigates the loss due to Pulse of the Dross. Being able to bring back key cards from your graveyard can turn the tables back in your favor. Additionally, since Pulse of the Dross depends on having more cards in hand than your opponent, maintaining a lower hand count could help nullify its advantage. Lastly, counter spells are your friends against such recurring threats; denying your opponent the chance to cast Pulse of the Dross preserves your game plan and keeps you in control.

Clever play and strategic planning are essential when facing Pulse of the Dross. By adjusting your tactics and being aware of your hand size, you can dampen the card’s influence and maintain an upper hand in your MTG battles.

Cards like Pulse of the Dross

Pulse of the Dross is a unique card that offers strategic depth to players in Magic: The Gathering. Slightly reminiscent of the well-known Duress, Pulse of the Dross also targets the opponent’s hand, inducing them to discard. However, Pulse of the Dross allows for potential card advantage with its recursion ability if played during the right turn, a feature that Duress lacks.

Another comparative card is Mind Rot, giving players the ability to force the discard of two cards at sorcery speed. Pulse of the Dross differs by tapping into the late game, where its potential to return to the owner’s hand can turn the tides of the game. Unlike the set outcome of Mind Rot, Pulse of the Dross thrives on the changing dynamics of the match.

Then there’s Hymn to Tourach, an iconic spell forcing two random discards from the opponent. While Hymn has a decided randomness causing it to be more disruptive, Pulse of the Dross adds the repeatability and strategic timing element into the mix. Both are powerful, but Pulse’s suitability will call for a deft understanding of game states.

While MTG harbors several cards with discard mechanics, Pulse of the Dross stands out for its potential in long-drawn games. Its capability to recur underlines its value within Magic: The Gathering, catering to a style of play that rewards careful planning and game state analysis.

Cards similar to Pulse of the Dross by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pulse of the Dross MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel, 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 Pulse of the Dross and other MTG cards: