Rod of Ruin MTG Card


Provides repeatable damage at instant speed, offering versatile removal and game state control. High mana requirements for use may limit overall card efficiency and hand options. Its utility is enhanced in decks where artifact synergies or removal are key strategies.
Card setsReleased in 25 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact

Text of card

o3: Rod of Ruin does 1 damage to any target.


Cards like Rod of Ruin

Rod of Ruin is a classic artifact from the vast array of tools available to Magic: The Gathering players. Its ability to deal direct damage to any target by spending mana and tapping it draws similarities to cards like Staff of Nin. Both allow players to ping targets for damage, but the Staff also offers the added benefit of card draw each turn. However, Rod of Ruin stands out for its lower mana cost to activate the damaging ability.

Another artifact to consider is Lux Cannon, which holds the potential for far more significant impact. Lux Cannon can obliterate any permanent, given enough time to accumulate charge counters. In contrast, Rod of Ruin offers a more immediate but less devastating effect. Yet, for those looking for consistent, incremental damage turn after turn, Rod of Ruin can be a more straightforward choice.

Evaluating the utility and power of these artifacts affirms that Rod of Ruin has a place in decks focusing on steady damage and control. While it may not match the explosive power of some alternatives, its ease of use and consistent impact make it a card worth considering for the right strategy.

Staff of Nin - MTG Card versions
Lux Cannon - MTG Card versions
Staff of Nin - MTG Card versions
Lux Cannon - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Rod of Ruin by color, type and mana cost

Conservator - MTG Card versions
Jayemdae Tome - MTG Card versions
Juggernaut - MTG Card versions
Dancing Scimitar - MTG Card versions
Grinning Totem - MTG Card versions
Lodestone Myr - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions
Ur-Golem's Eye - MTG Card versions
Jester's Cap - MTG Card versions
Bottled Cloister - MTG Card versions
Gnarled Effigy - MTG Card versions
Scrapbasket - MTG Card versions
Magnetic Mine - MTG Card versions
Eye of Doom - MTG Card versions
Well of Lost Dreams - MTG Card versions
Coercive Portal - MTG Card versions
Aetherworks Marvel - MTG Card versions
Nevinyrral's Disk - MTG Card versions
Sword of the Paruns - MTG Card versions
Grappling Hook - MTG Card versions
Conservator - MTG Card versions
Jayemdae Tome - MTG Card versions
Juggernaut - MTG Card versions
Dancing Scimitar - MTG Card versions
Grinning Totem - MTG Card versions
Lodestone Myr - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions
Ur-Golem's Eye - MTG Card versions
Jester's Cap - MTG Card versions
Bottled Cloister - MTG Card versions
Gnarled Effigy - MTG Card versions
Scrapbasket - MTG Card versions
Magnetic Mine - MTG Card versions
Eye of Doom - MTG Card versions
Well of Lost Dreams - MTG Card versions
Coercive Portal - MTG Card versions
Aetherworks Marvel - MTG Card versions
Nevinyrral's Disk - MTG Card versions
Sword of the Paruns - MTG Card versions
Grappling Hook - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Rod of Ruin, you have the potential to eliminate multiple low-toughness creatures over several turns, effectively removing your opponent’s resources while maintaining your own creature base.

Resource Acceleration: Although not a traditional accelerator, Rod of Ruin can be a game-changer in formats where artifact synergies are prevalent. It enables repeatable effects that can be manipulated for various strategies, keeping the pressure on opponents without expending additional cards.

Instant Speed: The ability to use Rod of Ruin at instant speed gives you a significant advantage, allowing flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s plays during their turn or eliminate a blocker or attacker during the combat phase, making it a versatile tool in any game state.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Rod of Ruin provides a reusable source of direct damage, it also demands that you discard a card each time you wish to activate its ability. This can significantly deplete your hand and reduce your options over the course of the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Rod of Ruin requires a specific sum of mana to both cast and activate. The three generic mana needed to cast it, and another three to use it, demands considerable resource allocation that could otherwise be used for casting creatures or other impactful spells.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment of six total mana – three to put it on the battlefield and another three for each use, makes Rod of Ruin a less than ideal choice in many scenarios. This is especially so considering that other artifacts or spells offer damage output or board control for a more economical mana cost.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Rod of Ruin offers flexibility in a deck build, serving as a reusable source of direct damage. This attribute allows it to be slotted into various deck types that could benefit from the incremental damage it provides.

Combo Potential: This artifact holds potential for combination plays, particularly in decks that capitalize on activated abilities or damage triggers. Its utility grows when paired with cards that untap artifacts or double the damage dealt.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature removal is crucial, Rod of Ruin can be a consistent, albeit slower, source of creature control. Its relevance increases against decks that rely on creatures with one toughness or decks that spawn numerous token creatures.


How to beat

The Rod of Ruin presents itself as an artifact that can slowly chip away at the opponent’s life total or whittle down smaller creatures. With its repetitive damage ability, it’s crucial to understand how to effectively counter this artifact’s persistent threat. One efficient way is to target the Rod of Ruin with artifact destruction spells or abilities. Cards like Naturalize or Shatter can swiftly remove it from the field, rendering its damaging effect obsolete.

Another strategy is to employ enchantment-based artifact suppression. Binding the artifact with pacifying enchantments like Stony Silence or Collector Ouphe prevents it from being activated without necessitating its removal. This method can be particularly disruptive to strategies reliant on artifacts.

Lastly, beating the Rod of Ruin can also be about outracing it. Since the Rod requires mana investment to deal damage, presenting a faster, more aggressive game plan can overcome the incremental damage the Rod doles out. Creatures with greater toughness or hexproof can nullify its effect, while life gain can offset the damage taken. By prioritizing these tactics, handling this pesky artifact becomes a manageable task.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rod of Ruin MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Rod of Ruin and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Rod of Ruin Magic the Gathering card was released in 21 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 5 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 2681993NormalBlackChristopher Rush
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 2691993NormalBlackChristopher Rush
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 2691993NormalWhiteChristopher Rush
41993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 2691993NormalBlackChristopher Rush
51993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 2691993NormalBlackChristopher Rush
61994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 2731993NormalBlackChristopher Rush
71994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 2731993NormalWhiteChristopher Rush
81994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 2731993NormalWhiteChristopher Rush
91995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 3441993NormalBlackChristopher Rush
101995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 3441993NormalWhiteChristopher Rush
111996-07-01Rivals Quick Start SetRQS 511993NormalWhiteChristopher Rush
121996-12-31Introductory Two-Player SetITP 521993NormalWhiteChristopher Rush
131997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 3961997NormalWhiteChristopher Rush
141999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 3091997NormalWhiteChristopher Rush
152001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 314★1997NormalBlackCiruelo
162001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 3141997NormalWhiteCiruelo
172003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 312★2003NormalBlackDavid Martin
182003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 3122003NormalWhiteDavid Martin
192005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 3072003NormalWhiteEric Deschamps
202005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 307★2003NormalBlackEric Deschamps
212007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 3412003NormalBlackMark Zug
222009-07-17Magic 2010M10 2192003NormalBlackMark Zug
232013-07-19Magic 2014M14 2172003NormalBlackMark Zug
242022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 5621997NormalBlackChristopher Rush
252022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 2652015NormalBlackChristopher Rush

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rod of Ruin has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal