Culling Ritual MTG Card


Generates a powerful board sweep coupled with a mana ramp, pivotal for shifting game momentum. Its versatility shines in various deck types, crucial for managing overwhelming board states. In a creature-heavy meta, Culling Ritual acts as a key strategic reset, propelling your plays.
Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Destroy each nonland permanent with mana value 2 or less. Add or for each permanent destroyed this way.


Cards like Culling Ritual

Culling Ritual is a powerful sweeper spell in the arsenal of MTG, offering a unique way to disrupt the battlefield. When considered against cards like Damnation or Wrath of God, Culling Ritual stands out for its additional ability to generate mana. Unlike these classic board wipes that simply clear creatures, Culling Ritual provides an economic boost based on the number of tokens and permanents with mana value 2 or less that it destroys.

In the same category, we find Fiery Confluence, another versatile sweeper that can be tailored to different situations but lacks the mana ramp effect of Culling Ritual. On the flip side, Cryptolith Rite offers a way to convert creatures into mana sources but without the cleaning house effect Culling Ritual provides. Then there’s Pernicious Deed, which allows controlled removal on the board but requires additional mana investment to be activated, making it less mana-efficient compared to the upfront and dual-purpose nature of Culling Ritual.

Overall, Culling Ritual not only clears the field of smaller creatures and excess tokens but also turns that destruction into an opportunity for a major tempo swing, which is uncommon among traditional removal spells in MTG.

Damnation - MTG Card versions
Wrath of God - MTG Card versions
Fiery Confluence - MTG Card versions
Cryptolith Rite - MTG Card versions
Pernicious Deed - MTG Card versions
Damnation - MTG Card versions
Wrath of God - MTG Card versions
Fiery Confluence - MTG Card versions
Cryptolith Rite - MTG Card versions
Pernicious Deed - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Culling Ritual. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free formWeekday Night Magic
Golgari MidrangeGolgari Midrange ExplorerJaffer's Mini Mosh - Explorer
Niv to LightNiv to Light PioneerNiv to LightPioneer Preliminary 2024-01-10
5c Midrange5c Midrange Pioneer5c MidrangePioneer Preliminary 2023-12-19 (1)
Four-color ComboFour-color Combo Pioneer5c MidrangeSat. 9:30 AM U.S. Regional Championship - Dreamhack Atlanta 2023

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Culling Ritual has the potential to decimate multiple nonland permanents with mana value 2 or less, clearing the board and setting you up to dominate later stages of the game. Not only does this disruption hinder your opponent’s strategy, but it also grants you additional resources to deploy your own threats.

Resource Acceleration: For every permanent wiped out by this spell, you receive a treasure token. This sudden influx of resources accelerates your mana availability, allowing you to cast high-impact spells ahead of schedule. It’s a power play that can pivot the game in your favor, particularly in ramp-heavy decks.

Instant Speed: Despite Culling Ritual being a sorcery, its role in a matchup is akin to the surprise factor often utilized in instant speed interactions. It allows you to set the pace, disrupting your opponent’s board at a critical juncture and can often be the turning point to press your advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Culling Ritual demands a strategic setup before casting, as it necessitates having low-cost permanents to target, potentially requiring players to discard viable options to create a more favorable board state for optimization.

Specific Mana Cost: Culling Ritual’s cost includes both black and green mana, making it less flexible and harder to cast in multicolored decks that don’t focus on these colors, thereby restricting it to specific archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, Culling Ritual can be considered expensive for its board-wiping ability, especially when compared to lower-costing alternatives that could be included in a deck for a similar impact, but with lower overall mana investment.


Reasons to Include Culling Ritual in Your Collection

Versatility: Culling Ritual is not just a niche card for specific decks; it’s an adaptable sweep spell that can clear the board of low-cost permanents, while potentially ramping your mana. This makes it a solid inclusion in various deck archetypes looking to manage board states and accelerate gameplay.

Combo Potential: This card has synergy with strategies that benefit from ramping up mana and can be combined with big finishers that require a lot of mana. The added bonus of gaining mana from destroyed permanents offers the opportunity to turn a well-timed Culling Ritual into a game-winning play.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta-game filled with aggressive strategies that utilize numerous low-cost permanents, Culling Ritual can serve as a crucial reset button. Utilizing this card can shift the tide of a match by dealing with multiple threats at once and provide a surge of resources to cast high-impact spells in the same turn.


How to beat

Culling Ritual is an impactful card in MTG that can swiftly alter the state of the game by destroying each nonland permanent with mana value 2 or less, and in return, it provides you with a burst of mana. To effectively counter this card, timing and understanding the deck you’re playing against are crucial. If you anticipate a Culling Ritual, refraining from overextending on the board with low-cost permanents can mitigate its effects. Prioritize casting creatures or enchantments with higher mana values or ones with indestructible to outlast the ritual’s purge.

Another strategy is to include cards in your deck that can either counter spells or provide protection to your permanents. Utilizing instant speed spells that can neutralize or bounce Culling Ritual back to the opponent’s hand can catch them off guard and retain your board presence. Moreover, spells that grant hexproof can shield your crucial assets. Remember to closely watch your opponent’s mana and play conservatively if you suspect they have Culling Ritual in hand.

Ultimately, mastering the balance between developing your board and holding back key resources is the best way to dull the blade of Culling Ritual, ensuring that you maintain a strong position throughout the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG involves not only building a potent deck but understanding how each card can tip the scales of a match. Culling Ritual offers a sweeping board clear, providing a mana boost to seize the tempo of the game. Considering the pros, cons, and strategies around this card enriches your gameplay, especially when you face decks filled with low-cost permanents. Enrich your collection and outpace opponents by incorporating cards like Culling Ritual. Eager for more insights and strategies to refine your deck? Dive deeper with us at BurnMana and harness the full potential of your MTG arsenal.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Culling Ritual MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Strixhaven: School of Mages, 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 Culling Ritual and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Culling Ritual Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2021-04-23 and 2024-04-19. Illustrated by Lorenzo Mastroianni.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 901942015NormalBlackLorenzo Mastroianni
22021-04-23Strixhaven: School of MagesSTX 3372015NormalBlackLorenzo Mastroianni
32021-04-23Strixhaven: School of MagesSTX 1722015NormalBlackLorenzo Mastroianni
42021-04-24Strixhaven: School of Mages PromosPSTX 172s2015NormalBlackLorenzo Mastroianni
52021-04-24Strixhaven: School of Mages PromosPSTX 172p2015NormalBlackLorenzo Mastroianni
62023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be One CommanderONC 1172015NormalBlackLorenzo Mastroianni
72023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 9212015NormalBlackLorenzo Mastroianni
82024-04-19Outlaws of Thunder Junction CommanderOTC 2192015NormalBlackLorenzo Mastroianni

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Culling Ritual has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-04-16 You can choose to add either or for each permanent destroyed. You aren't limited to one color.