Ral, Izzet Viceroy MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Planeswalker — Ral
Loyalty 5

Key Takeaways

  1. With card selection and removal, Ral Izzet Viceroy suits control and combo strategies effectively.
  2. Demands a specific mana base but shines in dual-color Izzet decks with spell synergies.
  3. Countering or directly damaging Ral quickly is crucial to mitigate his game-changing impacts.

Text of card


+1: Look at the top two cards of your library. Put one of them into your hand and the other into your graveyard.
-3: Ral, Izzet Viceroy deals damage to target creature equal to the total number of instant and sorcery cards you own in exile and in your graveyard.
-8: You get an emblem with "Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, this emblem deals 4 damage to any target and you draw two cards."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ral, Izzet Viceroy excels at providing card advantage with his +1 ability, allowing players to look at the top two cards of their deck and put one into their hand each turn. This steady flow of cards helps maintain a full hand, giving players more options and increasing their chances of drawing into key spells and combos.

Resource Acceleration: Though Ral, Izzet Viceroy himself doesn’t directly provide mana acceleration, his ability to sift through the deck with his +1 can indirectly accelerate resource availability by helping players consistently make land drops or find mana-generating cards.

Instant Speed: Ral’s -3 ability delivers instant-speed removal, providing the flexibility to respond to threats during an opponent’s turn. Additionally, Ral’s emblem, which you receive if you get him to his ultimate ability, turns all your instant and sorcery spells into sources of damage, underscoring the strength of playing at instant speed within the Izzet playstyle.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ral Izzet Viceroy’s ultimate ability demands careful planning, as you might be forced to discard cards you’d prefer to keep. This can leave you at a strategic disadvantage, especially if you’re relying on certain cards for your end-game strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This planeswalker embodies the spirit of Izzet by requiring a specific blend of mana, which includes both blue and red. This necessitates a commitment to a dual-color mana base, potentially restricting the card’s inclusion in a more diverse multicolor deck.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an initial loyalty cost that’s at the upper spectrum of the mana curve, you may find Ral Izzet Viceroy enters the battlefield later than some would prefer. In fast-paced games, this can be a critical delay, as opponents might establish a threatening board presence before you’re able to utilize Ral’s abilities.


Reasons to Include Ral Izzet Viceroy in Your Collection

Versatility: Ral Izzet Viceroy boasts a broad application across multiple deck archetypes. His ability to draw cards and target creatures or planeswalkers makes him a valuable asset in both control and midrange strategies.

Combo Potential: His ultimate ability can turn any instant or sorcery into a devastating finisher. This planeswalker slots into decks that synergize with spell-slinging for potentially game-winning combos.

Meta-Relevance: Given the shifting dynamics of the game, Ral Izzet Viceroy remains a pertinent choice for battling against a variety of strategies. His presence can provide leverage against creature-heavy decks and offer substantial card advantage in prolonged matches.


How to beat Ral Izzet Viceroy

Ral Izzet Viceroy shines as a formidable planeswalker in the landscape of MTG, bringing a unique blend of deck manipulation and removal abilities. To effectively counter this card, focus on direct damage spells and abilities that can target planeswalkers. Utilizing cards such as Lightning Strike can swiftly reduce Ral’s loyalty points and potentially remove him from the game before he can use his ultimate ability. Similarly, creatures with haste, such as Goblin Guide or Questing Beast, can apply immediate pressure and force your opponent to defend their planeswalker rather than using Ral to control the board.

Another strategy is to limit the card’s impact by using thoughtseize effects. Discard cards such as Thoughtseize or Duress can preemptively remove Ral Izzet Viceroy from your opponent’s hand before they get a chance to cast him. This preemptive approach can be pivotal, as it inhibits your opponent’s long-term game plans. Moreover, countering him upon cast with spells like Negate or Mystical Dispute can be equally effective, nullifying the threat before it even begins to dictate the game’s pace. Employ these techniques and you’ll increase your odds of triumphing over Ral Izzet Viceroy on the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Ral, Izzet Viceroy is a dynamic addition to any MTG collection, bestowing card advantage and the might of instant speed removal. Balancing his strengths and weaknesses is key to maximizing his potential in your deck. Understanding the essence of his power, the nuances of his abilities, and how he synergizes with other cards can inform your in-game strategies and help you anticipate opponents’ moves. He is more than just a card; he’s a gateway to a richer MTG experience. Immerse yourself deeper in the art of magic and strategy. Join our community to boost your gameplay and integrate Ral into your ultimate deck with finesse.


Cards like Ral, Izzet Viceroy

Ral Izzet Viceroy is an impactful planeswalker in Magic: The Gathering that brings both versatility and control to the table. He finds companionship in cards like Chandra, Torch of Defiance, another planeswalker with a multi-faceted utility. Chandra offers card exile for potential free casting or deals damage instead, which can be a contrast to Ral’s ability to look at the top two cards and put one into your hand. Both cards, however, excel at dealing damage to creatures or players, though with different caveats.

Similarly, Teferi, Hero of Dominaria sits at the same converted mana cost as Ral and provides card draw coupled with untapping of lands, which offers a more subtle form of mana advantage compared to Ral’s direct card advantage. Teferi’s ultimate ability also leans towards a more controlling win condition, somewhat echoing Ral’s emblem’s damage-trigger upon casting. Jace, the Mind Sculptor might also parallel Ral in terms of card filtering and control capabilities, albeit at a typically higher cost, factoring in his iconic reputation in the game.

In assessing Ral Izzet Viceroy among his contemporaries, it’s clear he brings a unique mix of card selection, direct removal, and a potent ultimate that can close games, making him a formidable presence in decks built around instants and sorceries.

Chandra, Torch of Defiance - MTG Card versions
Teferi, Hero of Dominaria - MTG Card versions
Jace, the Mind Sculptor - MTG Card versions
Chandra, Torch of Defiance - Kaladesh (KLD)
Teferi, Hero of Dominaria - Dominaria (DOM)
Jace, the Mind Sculptor - Worldwake (WWK)

Cards similar to Ral, Izzet Viceroy by color, type and mana cost

Rowan, Scholar of Sparks // Will, Scholar of Frost - MTG Card versions
Inzerva, Master of Insights - MTG Card versions
A-Rowan, Scholar of Sparks // A-Will, Scholar of Frost - MTG Card versions
Rowan, Scholar of Sparks // Will, Scholar of Frost - Strixhaven: School of Mages Promos (PSTX)
Inzerva, Master of Insights - 2017 Heroes of the Realm (PH17)
A-Rowan, Scholar of Sparks // A-Will, Scholar of Frost - Strixhaven: School of Mages (STX)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ral, Izzet Viceroy MTG card by a specific set like MTG Arena Promos and Mythic Edition, 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 Ral, Izzet Viceroy and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ral, Izzet Viceroy Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2018-07-14 and 2018-10-05. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-07-14MTG Arena PromosPANA 12015normalblackDaniel Ljunggren
22018-10-05Mythic EditionMED GR52015normalborderlessDaniel Ljunggren
32018-10-05Guilds of RavnicaGRN 1952015normalblackKieran Yanner

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ral, Izzet Viceroy has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2018-10-05 If any exiled cards you own are face down, they have no characteristics. If they’re normally instants or sorceries, they won’t be counted for Ral’s second ability.
2018-10-05 If the target permanent or player becomes an illegal target for the triggered ability of Ral’s emblem, the ability doesn’t resolve. You don’t draw two cards.
2018-10-05 If you have only one card in your library, Ral’s first ability puts it into your hand. Nothing is put into your graveyard.
2018-10-05 The emblem created by Ral’s last ability is colorless. The damage it deals is from a colorless source.
2018-10-05 The triggered ability of Ral’s emblem resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered.

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