Oblivion Ring MTG Card


Oblivion Ring disrupts opponents and can accelerate your game plan by removing high-cost permanents. It’s restricted by white mana requirements and competes with lower-cost removal options. Its broad targeting and combo potential make it a valuable addition to diverse decks.
Card setsReleased in 14 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

When Oblivion Ring comes into play, remove another target nonland permanent from the game. When Oblivion Ring leaves play, return the removed card to play under its owner's control.

A circle of sugar and a word of forbiddance.


Cards like Oblivion Ring

Oblivion Ring stands out in the world of Magic: The Gathering as a versatile removal tool. It shares common ground with Banishing Light, another card that temporarily exiles a non-land permanent as long as it remains on the battlefield. While both enchantments serve the same fundamental purpose, Oblivion Ring has the flexibility to target any non-land permanent the moment it enters the battlefield, offering a broader application.

In a comparable strategy, Journey to Nowhere also functions by exiling creatures. The key difference is its limitation to creatures alone, whereas Oblivion Ring encompasses a wider variety, including enchantments, artifacts, and planeswalkers. Then there is Detention Sphere, a card that not only exiles any non-land permanent like Oblivion Ring but also removes all other permanents with the same name. This ability can turn the tide in a game by effectively neutralizing token strategies and identical cards on the field.

Each card provides unique tactical advantages, but Oblivion Ring’s generic mana cost and broad targeting capability make it a strong contender in its category. It is a card that offers players valuable board control, making it a long-standing favorite in multiple MTG formats.

Banishing Light - MTG Card versions
Journey to Nowhere - MTG Card versions
Detention Sphere - MTG Card versions
Banishing Light - MTG Card versions
Journey to Nowhere - MTG Card versions
Detention Sphere - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Oblivion Ring by color, type and mana cost

Damping Field - MTG Card versions
Farmstead - MTG Card versions
Cooperation - MTG Card versions
Noble Steeds - MTG Card versions
Aura of Silence - MTG Card versions
Empyrial Armor - MTG Card versions
Pariah - MTG Card versions
Cessation - MTG Card versions
Arrest - MTG Card versions
Glorious Anthem - MTG Card versions
Samite Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Tattoo Ward - MTG Card versions
Sparring Regimen - MTG Card versions
Shielded by Faith - MTG Card versions
The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - MTG Card versions
Cage of Hands - MTG Card versions
Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - MTG Card versions
Guardian's Magemark - MTG Card versions
Celestial Dawn - MTG Card versions
Mobilization - MTG Card versions
Damping Field - MTG Card versions
Farmstead - MTG Card versions
Cooperation - MTG Card versions
Noble Steeds - MTG Card versions
Aura of Silence - MTG Card versions
Empyrial Armor - MTG Card versions
Pariah - MTG Card versions
Cessation - MTG Card versions
Arrest - MTG Card versions
Glorious Anthem - MTG Card versions
Samite Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Tattoo Ward - MTG Card versions
Sparring Regimen - MTG Card versions
Shielded by Faith - MTG Card versions
The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - MTG Card versions
Cage of Hands - MTG Card versions
Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - MTG Card versions
Guardian's Magemark - MTG Card versions
Celestial Dawn - MTG Card versions
Mobilization - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Five-color ComboFive-color Combo LegacyPainterCharlotte Legacy League Season 2 Week 1
EnchantressEnchantress LegacyEnchantressLegacy Mensal Taverna Nerd 23/04
DecklistDecklist Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Orzhov MidrangeOrzhov Midrange PauperOrzhov EphemerateBLUE - SAT - 1PM - Chicago Pauper Cup
Caw-GatesCaw-Gates PauperCaw-GatesPauper League 2024-01-03
Selesnya EnchantressSelesnya Enchantress LegacyEnchantressLegacy Preliminary 2023-12-13

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Oblivion Ring offers strategic card advantage by temporarily removing a threat from the battlefield. This not only disrupts your opponent’s plays but also allows you to better control the game’s tempo.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly increasing mana resources, Oblivion Ring can potentially accelerate your game plan by dealing with costly enemy permanents. This enables you to utilize your mana more effectively on subsequent turns without the pressure of the removed threat.

Instant Speed: Although Oblivion Ring operates at sorcery speed, its flexibility stems from being able to target almost any nonland permanent. This allows you to respond promptly to an opponent’s threats on your turn and maintain a stable board state.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike some removal spells, Oblivion Ring does not require discarding as a cost, which is beneficial, especially when card resources are strained.

Specific Mana Cost: The necessity for white mana in its casting cost can restrict its integration into multicolor decks that may not have a focus on white mana or have access to flexible mana resources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Oblivion Ring is not the cheapest removal option available. It may compete with lower-cost spells that could offer more immediate board impact.


Reasons to Include Oblivion Ring in Your Collection

Versatility: Oblivion Ring stands out as a flexible removal option, seamlessly integrating into a myriad of deck archetypes ranging from aggressive strategies seeking temporary disruption to more control-oriented decks that desire a stable board state.

Combo Potential: This enchantment excels in combinations, particularly in decks built around bounce or flicker mechanics, allowing for repeated use of its enter-the-battlefield effect to continuously manage threats on the board.

Meta-Relevance: Its relevance in the current meta is clear as it offers a cost-effective means of handling a wide spectrum of nonland permanents, making it a consistently powerful tool in a diverse range of match-ups and competitive environments.


How to beat

Oblivion Ring is a versatile removal tool in Magic: The Gathering, capable of temporarily exiling any nonland permanent. Its conditional nature, though, opens up strategies for players to dismantle its effect. To effectively neutralize Oblivion Ring, consider deploying cards with instant-speed removal or bounce effects that can be cast in response to its enter-the-battlefield ability. This tactic allows you to target Oblivion Ring before its exile effect resolves, thereby ensuring the intended permanent never leaves play.

Another method is utilizing hexproof or shroud abilities to shield valuable assets from Oblivion Ring’s targeting mechanism. Alternatively, playing cards that can sacrifice your own permanents can also render Oblivion Ring futile, by removing the target from play before the ring’s ability takes hold. The key to beating Oblivion Ring lies in timing and maintaining control over the board state to minimize its impact. It remains an influential card but one that can be outmaneuvered with tactical foresight and a well-constructed deck filled with the right countermeasures.


BurnMana Recommendations

Oblivion Ring is a fixture in many MTG decks thanks to its versatile removal capabilities. Whether you’re mastering the tempo of the game or seeking to neutralize a variety of threats, this card is a valuable tool for any player. While understanding its strengths and potential counters is key, owning this card means having a reliable answer to nonland permanents that could tip the scales in your favor. Eager to refine your deck-building strategies or curious about how to best utilize this classic enchantment? Delve deeper with us and uncover the strategic prowess of Oblivion Ring in your MTG endeavors.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Oblivion Ring MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Lorwyn, 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 Oblivion Ring and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Oblivion Ring Magic the Gathering card was released in 13 different sets between 2007-10-12 and 2015-05-22. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 362022003NormalBlackChuck Lukacs
22007-10-12LorwynLRW 342003NormalBlackWayne England
32008-10-03Shards of AlaraALA 202003NormalBlackFranz Vohwinkel
42009-01-01Friday Night Magic 2009F09 112003NormalBlackChuck Lukacs
52009-09-04PlanechaseHOP 42003NormalBlackFranz Vohwinkel
62010-06-18ArchenemyARC 32003NormalBlackFranz Vohwinkel
72010-11-08Magic Online Theme DecksTD0 B82003NormalBlackWayne England
82010-11-08Magic Online Theme DecksTD0 A122003NormalBlackFranz Vohwinkel
92011-04-01Duel Decks: Knights vs. DragonsDDG 342003NormalBlackChuck Lukacs
102011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 232003NormalBlackFranz Vohwinkel
112011-07-15Magic 2012M12 272003NormalBlackFranz Vohwinkel
122012-03-30Duel Decks: Venser vs. KothDDI 282003NormalBlackFranz Vohwinkel
132012-07-13Magic 2013M13 222003NormalBlackFranz Vohwinkel
142015-05-22Modern Masters 2015MM2 292015NormalBlackFranz Vohwinkel

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Oblivion Ring has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2007-10-01 If Oblivion Ring leaves the battlefield before its first ability has resolved, its second ability will trigger and do nothing. Then its first ability will resolve and exile the targeted nonland permanent forever.
2007-10-01 If there are no nonland permanents on the battlefield other than an Oblivion Ring, and the card it exiled was another Oblivion Ring, casting a third Oblivion Ring will result in an involuntary infinite loop that will end the game in a draw (unless someone chooses to break it by putting another nonland permanent onto the battlefield or destroying one of the Oblivion Rings, for example).
2008-10-01 If the exiled card is an Aura, that card’s owner chooses what it will enchant as it comes back onto the battlefield. An Aura put onto the battlefield this way doesn’t target anything, but the Aura’s enchant ability restricts what it can be attached to. If the Aura can’t legally be attached to anything, it remains exiled forever.
2012-07-01 Auras attached to the exiled permanent will be put into their owners’ graveyards. Equipment attached to the exiled permanent will become unattached and remain on the battlefield. Any counters on the exiled permanent will cease to exist.