Rite of Consumption MTG Card


Converts creatures into direct damage, offering potential game-changing swings when used strategically. Can serve as resource acceleration and board presence in synergistic sacrifice-focused MTG decks. Acts instantaneously, allowing players to disrupt opponents’ removal strategies and maintain card value.
Rite of Consumption - Shadowmoor
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery
Released2008-05-02
Set symbol
Set nameShadowmoor
Set codeSHM
Number76
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byRon Spencer

Text of card

As an additional cost to play Rite of Consumption, sacrifice a creature. Rite of Consumption deals damage equal to the sacrificed creature's power to target player. You gain life equal to the damage dealt this way.


Cards like Rite of Consumption

Rite of Consumption stands as a pivotal card for players seeking a life-draining strategy in Magic: The Gathering. This spell echoes the mechanics of cards like Fling which offers the ability to sacrifice a creature to deal damage equal to its power to a target. However, Rite of Consumption uniquely combines life gain with its life loss effect, providing a double-edged sword to impact the board.

Essence Harvest can be seen as akin to Rite of Consumption, showcasing creature power-dependent life swings without the necessity of sacrifice. It’s a more controlled approach to affecting life totals but lacks the surprise element of an instant sacrifice. Altar’s Reap, with its immediate card draw upon creature sacrifice, shares Rite of Consumption’s theme of creature forfeiture for gain, but instead of life impact, it provides deck fluency and cycling, perfect for a different strategic edge.

In sum, Rite of Consumption finds its place in decks where players are willing to turn their creatures into direct life-stealing spells. While each has a unique role, they collectively highlight the impressive synergy between sacrificing creatures and gaining an advantage in Magic: The Gathering’s complex tactical battlefield.

Fling - MTG Card versions
Essence Harvest - MTG Card versions
Altar's Reap - MTG Card versions
Fling - MTG Card versions
Essence Harvest - MTG Card versions
Altar's Reap - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Rite of Consumption by color, type and mana cost

Drain Life - MTG Card versions
Demonic Tutor - MTG Card versions
Sinkhole - MTG Card versions
Word of Binding - MTG Card versions
Soul Exchange - MTG Card versions
Dry Spell - MTG Card versions
Hymn to Tourach - MTG Card versions
Mind Knives - MTG Card versions
Shattered Crypt - MTG Card versions
Disturbed Burial - MTG Card versions
Death Stroke - MTG Card versions
Exhume - MTG Card versions
Imperial Edict - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Intent - MTG Card versions
Decompose - MTG Card versions
Chainer's Edict - MTG Card versions
Walk the Plank - MTG Card versions
Predators' Hour - MTG Card versions
Nausea - MTG Card versions
Distress - MTG Card versions
Drain Life - MTG Card versions
Demonic Tutor - MTG Card versions
Sinkhole - MTG Card versions
Word of Binding - MTG Card versions
Soul Exchange - MTG Card versions
Dry Spell - MTG Card versions
Hymn to Tourach - MTG Card versions
Mind Knives - MTG Card versions
Shattered Crypt - MTG Card versions
Disturbed Burial - MTG Card versions
Death Stroke - MTG Card versions
Exhume - MTG Card versions
Imperial Edict - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Intent - MTG Card versions
Decompose - MTG Card versions
Chainer's Edict - MTG Card versions
Walk the Plank - MTG Card versions
Predators' Hour - MTG Card versions
Nausea - MTG Card versions
Distress - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono Black AggroMono Black Aggro PauperLega Pauper L'Aquila - 1° Tappa - Road to Paupergeddon Rome 2024
Golgari MidrangeGolgari Midrange PauperGolgari GardensBLUE - SAT - 1PM - Chicago Pauper Cup
Dimir DelverDimir Delver PauperGrixis ControlGioved Pauper @ Rivana League 2023 Top8

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Rite of Consumption provides a unique form of card advantage. Not only does it allow players to turn a creature into direct damage, but it also effectively negates the creature’s loss by offering immediate, potentially game-ending benefits. This dual ability can tip the scales in tight matches, especially when using creatures with large power or those with on-death triggers.

Resource Acceleration: Rite of Consumption can act as a form of resource acceleration in decks that capitalize on sacrificing creatures. In combination with cards that generate tokens or have undying/persist mechanics, it turns these creatures into valuable assets, providing both a form of removal and life gain simultaneously, and potentially setting up for more powerful plays on subsequent turns.

Instant Speed: The speed at which you can activate Rite of Consumption gives you the versatility to respond to opponent’s actions. If a creature is targeted for removal, it can be sacrificed as a reaction, ensuring that its value isn’t completely lost and that the spell’s effect is maximized by dealing damage while also gaining life in a surprise maneuver that can disrupt opponent strategies.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Rite of Consumption offers the potential for a significant life swing, it has the distinct drawback of requiring you to sacrifice a creature. This condition forces players to relinquish a part of their board presence, which can be detrimental, especially if you’re relying on that creature for defense or a key combo.

Specific Mana Cost: Rite of Consumption demands both black and generic mana, which inherently makes it a less flexible option for decks that are not heavily invested in black mana. Players running multicolor decks may find this cost restrictive when mana bases are not perfectly optimized for it.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Additionally, at a cost of two mana, Rite of Consumption may be considered costly when compared to other instant-speed options that can either protect creatures or remove threats for a similar or lesser investment. This means that it often takes up a significant part of a turn’s resources, potentially slowing down your overall game plan.


Reasons to Include Rite of Consumption in Your Collection

Versatility: Rite of Consumption serves as a versatile tool for decks that necessitate life gain or that want to utilize creatures before they are removed from the battlefield. It’s particularly handy when you have a creature with a high power that is about to be destroyed or controlled by the opponent.

Combo Potential: The card excels in combination with creatures that have “enter the battlefield” effects or death triggers. It synergizes well with creatures that have a high power but might be susceptible to removal, ensuring their impact on the game isn’t lost.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature removal is rampant or when playing against strategies that prevent you from attacking successfully, Rite of Consumption can circumvent traditional defenses, allowing you to drain life and shift the game in your favor unexpectedly.


How to beat

Rite of Consumption is a unique spell in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, providing players with a means to sacrifice a creature and deal damage equivalent to that creature’s power directly to an opponent’s life total. This action, at the same time, gains them life equal to the damage dealt, making it a potentially game-ending moment. Its uniqueness lies in its ability to turn creatures into direct damage, effectively bypassing the opponent’s defenses.

Countering Rite of Consumption hinges on strategic timing and resource management. It is essential to disrupt the sacrifice synergy by removing the target creature from the game, rendering the spell useless, or by employing counterspells to neutralize it before it takes effect. Moreover, graveyard manipulation can be employed to prevent recurring threats that are prime candidates for Rite of Consumption, thereby limiting your opponent’s opportunities to use the card effectively. By anticipating and responding to this card, you can maintain control of the match and mitigate the danger it presents.

Despite its formidable combo potential, understanding the mechanics around Rite of Consumption allows players to build effective defenses against it, ensuring it doesn’t tip the scales irreversibly in your opponent’s favor during a match.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the intricacies of Rite of Consumption could be your gateway to defeating opponents with surprising, strategic plays. In the diverse world of MTG, this card offers a dynamic approach to leveraging your creatures’ untapped potential. Whether you’re reinforcing your life-draining deck or seeking a fresh angle to surprise your adversaries, incorporating this multifaceted spell elevates both your offense and defense. Dive deeper into MTG strategy with us and discover how Rite of Consumption can become a staple in your collection, transforming every duel into a narrative of calculated risk and thrilling comeback victories. Learn more and embrace the nuanced art of MTG deck building.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rite of Consumption MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, 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 Rite of Consumption and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rite of Consumption has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-04-15 Players can only respond once this spell has been cast and all its costs have been paid. No one can try to destroy the creature you sacrificed to prevent you from casting this spell.
2013-04-15 You must sacrifice exactly one creature to cast this spell; you cannot cast it without sacrificing a creature, and you cannot sacrifice additional creatures.