Cunning Rhetoric MTG Card


Enables draw and resource advantage when opponents attack, shifting how aggression is utilized in games. Demands creature sacrifice and specific mana, which may limit deck flexibility and strategy considerations. Vital for collections aiming for interaction with opponents’ attack strategies and seeking metagame relevance.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

Whenever an opponent attacks you and/or one or more planeswalkers you control, exile the top card of that player's library. You may play that card for as long as it remains exiled, and you may spend mana as though it were mana of any color to cast it.


Cards like Cunning Rhetoric

Cunning Rhetoric stands out as an innovative card in Magic: The Gathering that has players think twice before swinging at its controller. When we look at cards like Ghostly Prison, we see parallels in defense strategies. However, Cunning Rhetoric takes it further by punishing attackers not with a mana tax but by milling their deck and potentially granting access to those spells. This is in contrast with Ghostly Prison, focusing purely on preventing attacks unless a cost is paid.

Michiko’s Reign of Truth offers a slightly different angle; it punishes attacks by creating incidental card advantage through Monarch mechanics but doesn’t discourage aggressive play to the same extent. Then there’s Propaganda—similar to Ghostly Prison but blue, creating a financial barrier against attacks. It’s key to note Cunning Rhetoric’s unique edge: it turns aggression into a risky proposition where opponents could lose key pieces of their deck. This advantage is not mirrored in Propaganda or Michiko’s Reign of Truth’s more passive defense.

Considering these facets, Cunning Rhetoric holds its ground in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, especially in formats like Commander where it can deter attacks while surreptitiously grinding out an advantage.

Ghostly Prison - MTG Card versions
Propaganda - MTG Card versions
Ghostly Prison - MTG Card versions
Propaganda - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Cunning Rhetoric by color, type and mana cost

Gloom - MTG Card versions
Season of the Witch - MTG Card versions
Tourach's Gate - MTG Card versions
Tourach's Chant - MTG Card versions
Withering Wisps - MTG Card versions
Necropotence - MTG Card versions
Funeral March - MTG Card versions
Casting of Bones - MTG Card versions
Blanket of Night - MTG Card versions
Hecatomb - MTG Card versions
Krovikan Fetish - MTG Card versions
Megrim - MTG Card versions
Recurring Nightmare - MTG Card versions
Contamination - MTG Card versions
Oppression - MTG Card versions
Lurking Evil - MTG Card versions
Maggot Therapy - MTG Card versions
Murderous Betrayal - MTG Card versions
Noxious Field - MTG Card versions
Tainted Well - MTG Card versions
Gloom - MTG Card versions
Season of the Witch - MTG Card versions
Tourach's Gate - MTG Card versions
Tourach's Chant - MTG Card versions
Withering Wisps - MTG Card versions
Necropotence - MTG Card versions
Funeral March - MTG Card versions
Casting of Bones - MTG Card versions
Blanket of Night - MTG Card versions
Hecatomb - MTG Card versions
Krovikan Fetish - MTG Card versions
Megrim - MTG Card versions
Recurring Nightmare - MTG Card versions
Contamination - MTG Card versions
Oppression - MTG Card versions
Lurking Evil - MTG Card versions
Maggot Therapy - MTG Card versions
Murderous Betrayal - MTG Card versions
Noxious Field - MTG Card versions
Tainted Well - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cunning Rhetoric enables its controller to potentially draw additional cards whenever opponents attack them. This ability can keep your hand filled with options, giving you a leverage to outmaneuver your opponents.

Resource Acceleration: By allowing you to play an exiled card from an opponent’s deck, Cunning Rhetoric can accelerate your own game plan. Accessing additional resources without expending your cards can give you a significant edge.

Instant Speed: The triggered ability can disrupt your opponent’s strategies at instant speed, forcing them to consider the consequence of attacking you. This instant-speed interaction means you can remain flexible and responsive to threats as they emerge.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Cunning Rhetoric requires the player to sacrifice a creature for its effect. This can be a costly price to pay, especially if you’re short on creatures or each one serves a crucial role in your gameplay strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a strict mana combination, including both black and white. This can potentially restrict deck building flexibility as it necessitates a commitment to a specific color pair and hampers its inclusion in more diverse mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of three, which includes two colored mana, Cunning Rhetoric’s cost is somewhat steep for its effect. Considering other options available in the metagame, players might find similar effects at a lower cost or more impactful abilities for the same investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Cunning Rhetoric is a card with significant flexibility. It serves as an effective deterrent, discouraging opponents from attacking you without a second thought, while also providing an incremental advantage in the form of exiling their top cards and potentially casting them.

Combo Potential: This enchantment shines in decks that exploit opponents’ cards or strategies centered around making the most of exile interactions. It slots in smoothly with cards that manipulate or benefit from opponents’ libraries and graveyards.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where aggressive decks are prominent, Cunning Rhetoric can be a game-changer. It offers a cushion against multiple attacks, making adversaries think twice before swinging in and preventing overextension while giving you the opportunity to utilize their resources.


How to beat

Cunning Rhetoric emerges as a unique enchantment in MTG, enabling players to capitalize on their opponents’ attacks. While this card can deter attacks or provide a benefactor with card advantage, overcoming it requires strategic adjustments. One effective method in circumventing Cunning Rhetoric’s influence is by prioritizing the removal of enchantments within your deck. Direct enchantment removal spells, such as Disenchant or Mortify, can swiftly eliminate Cunning Rhetoric from the battlefield.

An alternative approach involves utilizing indirect combat strategies, favoring non-attack methods to inflict damage or employing creatures with evasive abilities to minimize the opportunities for your opponents to draw cards. Cards that offer hexproof to your permanents, such as Swiftfoot Boots or Asceticism, can also inhibit Cunning Rhetoric’s ability to affect the board’s dynamics, as they restrict the opponents’ visibility into your hand.

Adopting these strategies can nullify Cunning Rhetoric’s potential and maintain the usual tempo and flow of your game plan, ensuring that your deck operates effectively without inadvertently giving your opponents an upper hand in card advantage.


BurnMana Recommendations

As you dive into the tactical depth of MTG, Cunning Rhetoric stands out as a card worth your attention. Whether you’re enriching your gameplay or seeking new deck synergies, this card’s unique ability to turn opponents’ attacks into opportunities for card advantage is invaluable. It’s perfect for those looking to add a layer of strategy to their game, forcing opponents to think twice before making their move. We highly recommend considering Cunning Rhetoric for your collection, especially if you enjoy the control aspect of gameplay. Keen to enhance your strategic edge with Cunning Rhetoric? Visit our insights page for in-depth strategies, tips, and tricks that will help you wield this card like a pro.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cunning Rhetoric MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Commander 2021, 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 Cunning Rhetoric and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Cunning Rhetoric Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2021-04-23 and 2024-04-19. Illustrated by Chris Rallis.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 900722015NormalBlackChris Rallis
22021-04-23Commander 2021C21 3652015NormalBlackChris Rallis
32021-04-23Commander 2021C21 382015NormalBlackChris Rallis
42023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 8642015NormalBlackChris Rallis
52024-04-19Outlaws of Thunder Junction CommanderOTC 1292015NormalBlackChris Rallis

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cunning Rhetoric has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Cunning Rhetoric 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 If you play a card this way, it leaves exile and becomes a new object. If it returns to exile later in the turn, you can’t play it again.
2021-04-16 You must follow the normal timing permissions and restrictions for the exiled card. If it’s a land, you can’t play it unless you have land plays available.
2021-04-16 You’ll still pay all costs for a spell cast this way, including additional costs. You may also pay alternative costs if any are available.