Desperate Ritual MTG Card


This card is ideal for mana-limited situations, ensuring powerful spells aren’t left unused. It excels in fast mana generation but requires a compatible follow-up spell to fully utilize its potential. Desperate Ritual enhances decks centered around storm mechanics or those needing a sudden mana surge.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant — Arcane
Abilities Splice

Text of card

Add to your mana pool. Splice onto Arcane (As you play an Arcane spell, you may reveal this card from your hand and pay its splice cost. If you do, add this card's effects to that spell.)


Cards like Desperate Ritual

Desperate Ritual has carved out its niche in the pantheon of mana acceleration spells in Magic: The Gathering. It echoes the core purpose of Pyretic Ritual, providing the same amount of red mana for the same cost. The distinction lies in Desperate Ritual being part of the Splice onto Arcane mechanic, which offers potential card advantage by fusing it with other spells.

Seething Song is another spell that serves a parallel function. It provides an even greater burst of mana, albeit at a higher cost. Although Seething Song propels players towards larger plays quicker, Desperate Ritual’s Splice ability can synergize more efficiently within Arcane or storm-based decks.

Then there’s Rite of Flame, which costs less and has proven itself in decks aiming for explosive first few turns. While Rite of Flame is less consistent in the amount of mana it generates compared to the steadfastness of Desperate Ritual, its lower cost can be pivotal for rapid acceleration strategies.

Sorting through these comparable options, Desperate Ritual holds a respected position for the strategic depth it offers, especially within contexts that go beyond raw mana generation, accentuating its unique place in the Magic: The Gathering landscape.

Pyretic Ritual - MTG Card versions
Seething Song - MTG Card versions
Rite of Flame - MTG Card versions
Pyretic Ritual - MTG Card versions
Seething Song - MTG Card versions
Rite of Flame - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Desperate Ritual by color, type and mana cost

Shatter - MTG Card versions
Word of Blasting - MTG Card versions
Incinerate - MTG Card versions
Guerrilla Tactics - MTG Card versions
Aleatory - MTG Card versions
Orcish Catapult - MTG Card versions
Blood Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Falter - MTG Card versions
Shattering Pulse - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Strike - MTG Card versions
Starstorm - MTG Card versions
First Volley - MTG Card versions
Blazing Shoal - MTG Card versions
Surging Flame - MTG Card versions
Psychotic Fury - MTG Card versions
Sudden Shock - MTG Card versions
Fists of the Anvil - MTG Card versions
Release the Ants - MTG Card versions
Magma Jet - MTG Card versions
Seismic Shudder - MTG Card versions
Shatter - MTG Card versions
Word of Blasting - MTG Card versions
Incinerate - MTG Card versions
Guerrilla Tactics - MTG Card versions
Aleatory - MTG Card versions
Orcish Catapult - MTG Card versions
Blood Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Falter - MTG Card versions
Shattering Pulse - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Strike - MTG Card versions
Starstorm - MTG Card versions
First Volley - MTG Card versions
Blazing Shoal - MTG Card versions
Surging Flame - MTG Card versions
Psychotic Fury - MTG Card versions
Sudden Shock - MTG Card versions
Fists of the Anvil - MTG Card versions
Release the Ants - MTG Card versions
Magma Jet - MTG Card versions
Seismic Shudder - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
BelcherBelcher ModernBelcherModern Challenge 64 2024-03-16 (1)
StormStorm ModernStormModern League 2024-03-22
Mono-Red MidrangeMono-Red Midrange ModernMono-Red MidrangeModern Challenge 64 2024-05-04
URUR ModernModern League 2024-03-14
CharbelcherCharbelcher LegacyCharbelcherLegacy League 2024-04-17
Gruul BelcherGruul Belcher LegacyThe EPIC Gamble$1K - Legacy - SCG CON Atlanta - Sunday - 9:30 am
Temur TokensTemur Tokens ModernStorm$10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Sunday - 9:00 am (Gold)
Mono-Red PrisonMono-Red Prison ModernMono-Red Prison*HALF PRICE FRIDAY* $5K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Friday - 1:00 pm
Gifts StormGifts Storm ModernStorm*HALF PRICE FRIDAY* $5K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Friday - 1:00 pm
Temur ComboTemur Combo ModernTemur Aggro2024 Hunter Burton Memorial Open

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Desperate Ritual doesn’t let you draw cards, it directly impacts your hand efficiency. Casting spells that normally sit idle because of mana limitations becomes possible, optimizing the cards in hand for maximum potential.

Resource Acceleration: This spell is a powerhouse in resource acceleration, providing a burst of three red mana at the cost of two. This can be the catalyst for casting high-impact spells much earlier than usual, giving players a significant advantage on the board.

Instant Speed: Desperate Ritual operates at sorcery speed, which emphasizes strategic timing. Playing it during your main phase can set you up for explosive turns, helping you outpace your opponent by escalating your game plan rapidly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Desperate Ritual does not have a discard requirement, it does necessitate having another spell to follow up with, or its potential is wasted. This can be a significant drawback if you’re trying to maintain card advantage or simply don’t have another play lined up.

Specific Mana Cost: Desperate Ritual boasts a specific cost of one red and two generic mana. This can limit its inclusion to decks that generate sufficient red mana, potentially excluding it from more color-diverse strategies that can’t reliably produce the necessary red mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Desperate Ritual provides three red mana, it requires an initial investment of three mana itself. This cost can be high for what the card achieves, especially when compared to other ramp spells or rituals that may offer a better mana output for the investment or additional benefits.


Reasons to Include Desperate Ritual in Your Collection

Versatility: Desperate Ritual is not deck-specific and seamlessly integrates into any build that seeks a boost in mana acceleration. Its ability to ramp can be pivotal for spell-heavy strategies or when a quick burst of mana is required.

Combo Potential: This card is a key player in many combo decks, with the capability of unlocking powerful turns through the additional red mana it provides. It pairs well with storm mechanics or when casting multiple spells in a single turn is crucial.

Meta-Relevance: In a format where speed can give you the edge, Desperate Ritual holds significant value. It shines in formats like Modern, where it can power out game-winning combos or cast high-impact spells much earlier than usual.


How to beat

Desperate Ritual is a powerhouse in MTG formats that leverage fast mana for explosive plays. Its ability to add three red mana to your pool for a single card makes it a favorite among combo enthusiasts who aim to win in a single turn. To effectively counter this card, strategic disruption is key. Cards like Damping Sphere stifle the mana acceleration that Desperate Ritual provides, keeping the game at a more manageable pace. Thoughtseize and other hand disruption spells can preemptively remove Desperate Ritual from an opponent’s hand, derailing their combo before it starts.

Counterspells, too, play a crucial role in stopping a Desperate Ritual chain reaction. A well-timed Mana Leak or Spell Pierce can not only neutralize the ritual but also the cascading threats that often follow it. Timing and anticipation become your greatest allies in ensuring Desperate Ritual doesn’t catapult your opponent to a quick victory. Keeping mana open for these interactions and prioritizing the spells that could follow the mana boost are equally important. Mulling over this approach, you can temper the desperation and turn the tide to your favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG is a journey of continual learning and strategy refinement. Desperate Ritual is a card that exemplifies strategic depth, offering a burst of mana to propel your game forward. Knowledge of its strengths and applications can set the stage for astonishing plays, leading you to victories by leveraging its high-impact potential. Remember, it’s about understanding not just this card but how it fits into your overall gameplay. To enhance your understanding of Desperate Ritual and how it can turn the tides in your favor, dive deeper with us. We’re here to guide you through its idiosyncrasies and help you weave it skillfully into your deck’s strategy.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Desperate Ritual MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa and Modern Masters, 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 Desperate Ritual and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Desperate Ritual Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2004-10-01 and 2018-12-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12004-10-01Champions of KamigawaCHK 1632003NormalBlackDarrell Riche
22013-06-07Modern MastersMMA 1102003NormalBlackDarrell Riche
32016-11-16Treasure ChestPZ2 658512015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
42017-03-31Duel Decks: Mind vs. MightDDS 142015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
52018-12-07Ultimate MastersUMA 1272015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Desperate Ritual has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-06-07 A card with a splice ability can’t be spliced onto itself because the spell is on the stack (and not in your hand) when you reveal the cards you want to splice onto it.
2013-06-07 Desperate Ritual isn’t a mana ability. When cast, it (or the spell it’s spliced onto) goes on the stack like any spell and can be responded to.
2013-06-07 If all of the spell’s targets are illegal when the spell tries to resolve, it won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen.
2013-06-07 You choose all targets for the spell after revealing cards you want to splice, including any targets required by the text of any of those cards. You may choose a different target for each instance of the word “target” on the resulting spell.
2013-06-07 You reveal all cards you intend to splice at the same time. Each individual card can be spliced only once onto any one spell.