Dissension in the Ranks MTG Card


Forces enemies to turn on themselves, disrupting their combat strategy and removing threats. Instant speed allows surprise tactics, turning the tide of battle at pivotal moments. Card requires careful hand and mana management, impacting strategic planning.
Dissension in the Ranks - Shadows over Innistrad
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Fight
Released2016-04-08
Set symbol
Set nameShadows over Innistrad
Set codeSOI
Number152
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJakub Kasper

Text of card

Target blocking creature fights another target blocking creature.

"It came on as quickly as taking in a breath of air. Cathars who had fought shoulder to shoulder were at each other's throats. They were not themselves." —Halmig, Order of Saint Traft


Cards like Dissension in the Ranks

Dissension in the Ranks stands as an intriguing option within Magic: The Gathering’s array of combat trick cards. It is reminiscent of cards like Ride Down, which also disrupts combat by removing a blocker and providing some form of damage. Dissension in the Ranks takes it a step further by forcing two target creatures to fight each other, potentially taking out two threats in one clever play.

When comparing it to Seismic Shift, another card that influences combat dynamics, Dissension in the Ranks offers direct creature interaction rather than impacting the battlefield’s structure. Seismic Shift denies the ability to block, but doesn’t guarantee the removal of creatures as Dissension in the Ranks might. Then, there’s the card Tenza, Godo’s Maul, which boosts a creature’s combat capabilities instead of manipulating opponents’ creatures to turn on each other.

Overall, Dissension in the Ranks introduces a tactical edge in combat situations, uniquely combining elements of forcing opponent decisions and creature removal. Its ability to potentially turn the tide of a game makes it a noteworthy consideration for decks that favor strategic combat maneuvers.

Ride Down - MTG Card versions
Seismic Shift - MTG Card versions
Tenza, Godo's Maul - MTG Card versions
Ride Down - MTG Card versions
Seismic Shift - MTG Card versions
Tenza, Godo's Maul - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Dissension in the Ranks by color, type and mana cost

Fissure - MTG Card versions
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Cleansing Beam - MTG Card versions
Word of Seizing - MTG Card versions
Riddle of Lightning - MTG Card versions
Fissure - MTG Card versions
Melee - MTG Card versions
Omen of Fire - MTG Card versions
Cinder Cloud - MTG Card versions
Lava Storm - MTG Card versions
Brawl - MTG Card versions
Thermal Blast - MTG Card versions
Radiate - MTG Card versions
Invoke Calamity - MTG Card versions
Pinpoint Avalanche - MTG Card versions
Forge Armor - MTG Card versions
Savage Beating - MTG Card versions
Rain of Rust - MTG Card versions
Feedback Bolt - MTG Card versions
Beacon of Destruction - MTG Card versions
Devouring Rage - MTG Card versions
Through the Breach - MTG Card versions
Cleansing Beam - MTG Card versions
Word of Seizing - MTG Card versions
Riddle of Lightning - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dissension in the Ranks provides a strategic edge by forcing opponents to turn on their own creatures. This not only may eliminate key threats but also keeps your hand and field position healthy.

Resource Acceleration: While this card doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, it helps in preserving your resources. By making opponents use their creatures in unfavorable clashes, you can maintain your board state and mana for more critical turns.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of instant speed allows you to disrupt enemy combat strategies during their turn. Activation during the combat phase can turn the tide of battle, giving you a decisive advantage in the game’s outcome.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Dissension in the Ranks requires players to potentially discard a valuable card from hand, forcing a tough decision on resource management, especially detrimental when your hand is holding the keys to future strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s need for both red and white mana can be restrictive, needing a well-tuned mana base, thus not universally viable across all deck types that don’t run those colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card’s five mana cost is a significant investment, particularly in a game where speed can be of the essence. There are alternatives that might disrupt opponents for less, leaving more room for other plays.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Dissension in the Ranks is a powerful tool in games that often lead to a crowded battlefield. With its ability to turn opponents’ creatures against each other, it’s flexible enough to serve as removal or a game-ending swing, fitting snugly into various red-centric or multicolored strategies.

Combo Potential: This instant holds potential for interesting combos in decks that can manipulate which creatures are battling. By pairing it with cards that force combat or double damage effects, players can unexpectedly flip the tide of a skirmish in their favor.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature matchups are crucial and the board state can become complex, Dissension in the Ranks shines. It capitalizes on decks that aim to overpopulate the field with tokens or heavy hitters, making it a strategic choice in the current meta where such tactics are prevalent.


How to beat Dissension in the Ranks

Dissension in the Ranks can tip the scales of a battlefield in MTG when creatures clash in unexpected ways. Often your strategy may require you to tackle this disruptive force. Understanding the card’s mechanism as forcing two target creatures to fight, can be the key to your victory. By maintaining control over creatures with high toughness or indestructible abilities, you can minimize the impact of this red instant spell. Moreover, utilizing flash creatures to strategically affect the board state, or employing instant speed removal can negate the intended effect of Dissension in the Ranks.

Utilize strategic spells like Heroic Intervention to grant your creatures indestructibility or use dive-down effects to increase toughness temporarily. Remember, timing is critical, and knowing when to hold back creatures rather than playing into your opponent’s hands can be just as effective. In essence, learning to foresee and capably navigate around this card can be more adept than facing it unprepared. In doing so, you may find that Dissension in the Ranks loses its bite, turning from a feared card to a mere tactical hiccup in your game plan.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dissension in the Ranks MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad, 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 Dissension in the Ranks and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dissension in the Ranks has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2016-04-08 Destroying a blocking creature doesn’t cause the attacking creature it blocked to become unblocked.