Renounce MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Released	1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mercadian Masques
Set code	MMQ
Number	42
Frame	1997
Layout	normal
Border	black
Illustred by	Carl Critchlow

Key Takeaways

Renounce lets players trade less-needed permanents for future plays, enhancing card advantage.
It grants instant speed reactions, allowing adaptation to the game’s changing state.
The card’s demand for white mana may limit its use to specific deck types.

Text of card

Sacrifice any number of permanents. You gain 2 life for each one sacrificed this way.

Gerrard offered no defense to Orim's condemnation; the mission was under his command, and he was responsible.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Renounce offers players a unique way to convert non-essential permanents into potential new strategies, helping maintain or swing the balance of card advantage in their favor.

Resource Acceleration: By releasing surplus resources, Renounce enables players to effectively streamline their board state, optimizing their gameplay and setting the stage for more powerful moves ahead.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Renounce at instant speed gives savvy players the flexibility to respond to an opponent’s actions, adapt to the evolving battlefield, and make decisions that are more informed by the unfolding game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Renounce forces players to relinquish a card, subtracting from their hand and potentially leaving them at a disadvantage if their card pool is already stretched thin.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands white mana, which can restrict its inclusion to decks that are aligned with or have access to white’s portion of the mana pie.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that requires two white mana and one of any color, Renounce can be seen as a relatively expensive option when considering alternatives that may offer similar benefits for less, or free up more mana for pivotal turns.

Reasons to Include Renounce in Your Collection

Versatility: Renounce offers an unusual and flexible way to free up mana while strategically reducing your board presence in games. Whether you’re looking to surprise your opponent or safeguard against mass removal spells, Renounce can be a key component.

Combo Potential: This card can be a surprise element in combo decks, especially those that strive for a high life total or utilize white’s life-gain mechanisms. It can be used to abruptly shift game state, preparing for a game-winning move.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where opponents rely heavily on targeted removals or benefit from board presence, Renounce can disrupt those strategies. This makes it quite potent given the right metagame conditions.

How to beat

Renounce is an unconventional utility spell in Magic: The Gathering, providing players with an unusual method of resource conversion. Unlike the standard forms of card advantage and tempo gain, Renounce trades nonland permanents for a burst of mana. It is especially effective for shedding disposable assets or when transitioning from a creature-heavy board to a more spell-focused strategy.

Defeating a strategy involving Renounce hinges on minimizing the value your opponent can extract from it. Prioritize applying pressure while maintaining card advantage. Since Renounce requires sacrificing nonland permanents, it’s less effective when the user has little or no board presence. Efficient removal spells that keep the opponent’s board clear can significantly undercut the advantage they might gain from the burst of white mana. Additionally, instant speed interactions can disrupt the timing of Renounce, rendering it less advantageous or even counterproductive if they’re forced to sacrifice valuable permanents without a conclusive follow-up play.

Understanding Renounce’s role in an MTG deck is crucial. It’s a card that can quickly turn the tide by transforming a populated board into a reservoir of mana, but it can also backfire if not used wisely. Always keep an eye on your opponent’s potential to exploit its benefits and plan your plays to ensure their sacrifices are in vain.

Cards like Renounce

Renounce is an intriguing card that offers a unique edge in player’s strategies within Magic: The Gathering. Renounce allows players to sacrifice any number of permanents and then gain 2 life for each permanent sacrificed. This compares to other sacrificial cards like Claws of Gix, which gives the player one life for a single permanent but at an incremental cost and without the bulk sacrifice option.

Then, there’s Martyr’s Cause which diverts damage to creature sacrifices and doesn’t gain life directly. Martyr’s Cause can be more defensive compared to Renounce’s life gain emphasis. Auratog, another card with a sacrifice mechanic, allows the sacrifice of enchantments to boost itself rather than providing direct life gains, offering a different strategic angle.

Each of these cards share the concept of sacrificing own assets for an advantage, yet Renounce stands out with its immediate life gain that can be a significant swing in survival scenarios. In the realm of sacrificial play, Renounce presents an impressive option to pivot the game in your favor swiftly.

Cards similar to Renounce by color, type and mana cost

Divine Offering - Masters Edition IV (ME4)

Eye for an Eye - Masters Edition IV (ME4)

Test of Faith - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Renounce MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Renounce and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Renounce has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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