Reality Ripple MTG Card

Mirage (MIR)
1996-10-08 - Number 87

Mirage (MIR)
1996-10-08 - Number 87†

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant

Key Takeaways

Reality Ripple allows strategic phasing of threats, providing a temporary edge in board control.
Indirectly influences resource acceleration by phasing out opponent’s mana sources.
Instant speed phasing is versatile, fitting into many MTG deck strategies for surprise tactics.

Text of card

Target artifact, creature, or land phases out.

"Can you prepare for the unexpected? No, you cannot. You can prepare only to be surprised." —Teferi

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While not directly adding cards to your hand, Reality Ripple allows you to indirectly maintain card advantage by temporarily dealing with an opposing threat without using up permanent resources. This effectively sets back your opponent’s board presence, keeping the card count leverage in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Reality Ripple doesn’t directly contribute to resource acceleration, but by phasing out an opponent’s mana-producing creature or artifact, you can temporarily slow down their resource generation. This tactical move can give you a turn to catch up or pull ahead in the resource race.

Instant Speed: The instant nature of Reality Ripple offers you the flexibility to respond to threats at a moment’s notice. You can adapt to the game’s current state during your turn or in response to your opponents’ actions, utilizing mana effectively while keeping up the element of surprise.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In decks where every card counts, the requirement to discard for Reality Ripple can impede your hand advantage and leave you at a disadvantage against opponents who maintain card economy.

Specific Mana Cost: Reality Ripple’s mana cost demands a balance of blue mana, which may not be as easily produced in multi-colored decks, limiting its inclusion to mainly mono-blue or decks with heavy blue influences.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given that Reality Ripple requires two mana for a temporary effect, it may be seen as less mana-efficient compared to other spells in MTG that offer permanent solutions, such as exile or destruction, at similar or even lower costs.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Reality Ripple is a card that can seamlessly integrate into multiple deck types due to its ability to temporarily remove creatures or phasing out key permanents. This trait allows for strategic maneuvers in various gameplay situations, making it a smart addition for those who appreciate flexible strategies.

Combo Potential: With the capacity to phase out your own permanents, Reality Ripple can protect vital pieces from removal or activate enter-the-battlefield triggers upon their return. Its synergy with cards that track state-based actions or utilize phasing mechanics opens up creative avenues for combo enthusiasts.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where permanents with powerful activated abilities dominate, Reality Ripple earns its place by offering a temporary yet efficient answer to such threats. Its presence is especially relevant in formats where the element of surprise can turn the tide of battle in your favor.

How to beat

Reality Ripple is a distinctive instant from Magic: The Gathering that has the power to temporarily phase out a target creature or land. When facing this card, it’s essential to understand its temporary effect. Unlike permanent removal spells, phased out objects are not considered to be on the battlefield, yet they return to play at the beginning of their controller’s next untap step, seemingly untouched.

One approach to counteract the phasing trick that Reality Ripple performs is to maintain a swift and aggressive deck. Applying pressure to your opponent can reduce the effectiveness of Reality Ripple, as they may not have the luxury of time to take advantage of the temporary absence of a threat. Additionally, using cards that provide hexproof to your key permanents can prevent Reality Ripple from targeting them in the first place.

Keep in mind that Reality Ripple can be used by an opponent as a protective measure. In anticipation of this, holding back instant-speed removal or disruption until after their permanents phase in can turn the tide of a match. By considering these strategies, MTG players can diminish the card’s potential to upset their game plan.

Cards like Reality Ripple

Reality Ripple stands out in the world of Magic: The Gathering as a versatile tool for manipulating the battlefield. It bears similarities to cards that also maneuver creatures and permanents such as Turn to Mist. Turn to Mist allows us to flick a creature out of existence for a brief moment with the bonus that it returns to the field free from any ails or bindings. Unlike Reality Ripple, Turn to Mist can’t target artifacts and doesn’t provide the invisibility cloak of phased status.

Ghostly Flicker, on the other hand, lets the player exile not one, but two targets and quickly brings them back—a handy way to dodge removal or retrigger enter the battlefield effects. Ghostly Flicker also digs a bit deeper in terms of utility when compared to the singular phasing ability of Reality Ripple. Yet, Ghostly Flicker is pricier in terms of mana cost and doesn’t offer the more protective phasing option that Reality Ripple does.

Comparing these can help MTG players appreciate the subtleties in each card choice. Reality Ripple, while niche, provides a unique capability making it a secret weapon in certain deck builds. Its phasing mechanic could be exactly the trick to confuse an opponent’s strategy at a critical juncture.

Cards similar to Reality Ripple by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Reality Ripple MTG card by a specific set like Mirage and Mirage, 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 Reality Ripple and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Reality Ripple Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 1996-10-08. Illustrated by 2 different artists.