Ricochet MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment
Released	1998-08-11
Set symbol
Set name	Unglued
Set code	UGL
Number	50
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Silver
Illustred by	David A. Cherry
Un-set :-)	This card is part of an Un-set

Key Takeaways

Ricochet provides a twist in gameplay, letting you use opponents’ spells against them for surprise shifts in control.
Its instant speed capability injects flexibility and reactive disruption into your strategic options.
Despite its power, Ricochet’s drawbacks include hand-resource depletion and a restrictive mana cost.

Text of card

Whenever any spell targets a single player, each player rolls a six-sided die. That spell is redirected to the player or players with the lowest die roll. If two or more players tie for the lowest die roll, they reroll until there is no tie.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ricochet offers an enticing twist by allowing you not just to counter a spell but to effectively steal it, turning your opponent’s resources against them. This can lead to a surprising swing in card advantage as you utilize their spell for your gain.

Resource Acceleration: While Ricochet itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, the fact that it can potentially redirect resource-generating spells or abilities means that you can hijack an opponent’s acceleration, using it to your advantage.

Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of Ricochet makes it a highly flexible tool in any player’s arsenal. It allows for reactive play during an opponent’s turn, potentially disrupting their plans while keeping yours fluid and responsive to the state of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ricochet card demands that a player discards another card, which could deplete valuable hand resources, posing a potential setback in tight situations where every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost necessitates red mana, which can restrict its usage to decks tailored around red or those that accommodate a manabase flexible enough to include red spells effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost on the steeper side, Ricochet may be considered costly given that the spell it redirects still requires sufficient mana from the original spell’s caster, making it less favorable compared to options with lower redirection costs or additional benefits.

Reasons to Include Ricochet in Your Collection

Versatility: Ricochet’s ability to change the target of any spell adds a layer of flexibility to your deck. This feature enables players to use it in a variety of situations, whether you are redirecting a removal spell to a more threatening target or even reassigning a beneficial spell to serve your own board state.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, Ricochet can be a game-changing component in combos that aim to turn the tide of the game. Savvy players can exploit this card to manipulate their opponents’ spells, turning their own strategies against them or achieving the conditions required for powerful combo finishes.

Meta-Relevance: Given that MTG’s competitive scene is constantly evolving, the ability to intercept and redirect crucial spells with Ricochet can be instrumental against decks that rely heavily on specific spells. Its presence alone can deter opponents from casting game-winning instants or sorceries, making it a relevant choice in dynamic and spell-heavy metagames.

How to Beat

Ricochet is a card that can turn the tide of a Magic: The Gathering game by redirecting a spell to a new target. To navigate around this card, it’s vital for players to anticipate it during matches. The best approach involves careful management of spells, especially ones that could severely impact your game if redirected.

One efficient strategy is to wait until your opponent is tapped out and unable to cast Ricochet. This reduces the risk and can ensure your most pivotal spells land unhindered. Additionally, employing spells that can’t be redirected or that have multiple targets can dilute the effectiveness of Ricochet. Cards with modal choices or spells that offer benefits regardless of the target also help in minimizing the disruption Ricochet could cause. Furthermore, instant removal or counterspells that can address Ricochet as it’s cast are useful tools in maintaining control.

Ultimately, adapting your play to be less reliant on single, high-stakes spells and adopting a more versatile, robust approach can greatly diminish Ricochet’s potential impact on the game.

Cards like Ricochet

Ricochet takes its place in the realm of red spell manipulation with a finesse that shifts the direction of any noncreature spell to a new target. This ability mirrors that of other noteworthy redirection spells such as Redirect. While Redirect can target any spell (not just noncreature ones) Ricochet draws distinction with its lower mana cost, making it more accessible when bluffing or surprising an opponent during their turn.

Acompetitor to consider is Wild Ricochet, which not only changes a spell’s target but also copies it, potentially doubling the impact on the game state. However, this comes at a higher cost, requiring four mana against Ricochet’s two. Then there’s Reverberate, which like Wild Ricochet copies a spell but doesn’t redirect. Weighing two mana equal to Ricochet, Reverberate offers a more focused effect without the tactical versatility of redirection.

In a game where timing and resource allocation are critical, Ricochet may edge out its relatives by presenting a more immediate and less resource-intensive option, giving players the perfect counterbalance when they’re on the defense or looking to capitalize on an opponent’s move in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Ricochet by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ricochet MTG card by a specific set like Unglued, 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 Ricochet and other MTG cards: