Rug of Smothering MTG Card


Rug of Smothering offers card advantage by taxing spells cast from non-hand zones, boosting draw power. The card challenges opponents by taxing their plays, indirectly accelerating your resource management. Works instantaneously, applying pressure and demanding careful consideration from opponents when casting spells.
Rug of Smothering - Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Construct
Abilities Flying
Released2022-06-10
Set symbol
Set nameCommander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate
Set codeCLB
Power 1
Toughness 3
Number336
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byIoannis Fiore

Text of card

Flying Whenever a player casts a spell, they lose 1 life for each spell they've cast this turn.

"No, not an accessory to murder—I'm looking for an accessory *for* murder." —Nadja, Flaming Fist investigator


Cards like Rug of Smothering

Exploring Magic: The Gathering’s broad array of enchantments, Rug of Smothering stands out within its niche. Comparable cards like Smothering Tithe pave a similar path, generating resources by taxing opponents for drawing cards. However, Rug of Smothering breaks the mold by focusing on penalizing opponents’ spells rather than their card draws. Unlike Smothering Tithe, it doesn’t grant you treasures but rather chokes opponents’ mana, restricting their ability to cast consecutive spells.

One could also look to Manabarbs for a card that punishes players for tapping lands for mana, though it impacts all spells instead of just the ones with multiple instances in a turn. While Manabarbs affects all players, Rug of Smothering targets only your opponents, which can be a substantial benefit in multi-player formats. Rhystic Study is another card that hampers your opponents by making them pay more unless you’re allowed to draw. It’s a passive but a consistent way to gain advantage, yet Rug of Smothering directly targets an opponent’s game pace.

Each card shines in its area: Smothering Tithe enriches, Manabarbs scorches, Rhystic Study leverages, and Rug of Smothering suffocates. Many players consider the latter a unique tool in the strategic tapestry of Magic: The Gathering, excelling in control decks that aim to throttle opponents’ strategies.

Smothering Tithe - MTG Card versions
Manabarbs - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Study - MTG Card versions
Smothering Tithe - MTG Card versions
Manabarbs - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Study - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Rug of Smothering by color, type and mana cost

Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
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Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Herald's Horn - MTG Card versions
Manalith - MTG Card versions
Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Training Drone - MTG Card versions
Pristine Talisman - MTG Card versions
Alloy Myr - MTG Card versions
Guardians of Meletis - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Herald's Horn - MTG Card versions
Manalith - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Rug of Smothering is exceptional in manipulating the flow of the game by providing ongoing card advantage. Whenever a player casts a spell from somewhere other than their hand, Rug of Smothering allows its controller to draw a card unless the spell’s caster pays 2 mana. In matches where players frequently utilise their graveyards or other zones, this translates to consistent draw power, ensuring you’re always stocked with options.

Resource Acceleration: This enchanting rug doesn’t just stifle your opponents’ strategies with taxes; it ramps your resources too. While it doesn’t accelerate mana like traditional ramp cards, it can indirectly accelerate resources by punishing opponents for using alternative strategies, forcing them to choose between letting you draw or spending more mana. This can potentially slow them down and give you the upper hand in resource management.

Instant Speed: While Rug of Smothering itself is not an instant, its ability works at instant speed. No matter when your opponent tries to cast a spell from an uncommon place, Rug of Smothering is there to either deter them or reward you. This keeps your adversaries on their toes, making them wary of the cost of weaving their magic at any given opportunity.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Rug of Smothering demands that you relinquish a card from your hand, which can be a hefty price, especially in games where maintaining a grip full of options is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting this artifact requires a precise blend of mana, including one red. This may not sync well with decks that span a wider spectrum of the mana pie or those that operate on a more flexible mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that leans on the higher side, the question arises if the benefits it provides are on par with other options available within the same mana range. Players might find other cards that offer more direct and impactful advantages at a lower investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Rug of Smothering is a unique enchantment that adapts to various deck themes, acting as a deterrent to opponents who rely heavily on triggered abilities or strategies that involve numerous spellcasts each turn.

Combo Potential: This card turns each activated ability and spell into potential damage against your opponents while conserving your life total, enhancing decks that aim to win through indirect damage and attrition.

Meta-Relevance: With players consistently searching for ways to curb opponents’ strategies, Rug of Smothering fits well in a meta filled with combo decks, offering a subtle yet impactful form of control.


How to beat

Rug of Smothering occupies a unique space in the MTG card lineup, often compared to pillow fort cards that impose costs on players’ actions. The key to outplaying this card lies in understanding its mechanism—forcing players to pay more for each spell they cast. This can severely hamper a strategy reliant on casting multiple spells in a turn, making Rug of Smothering a potentially game-shaping asset.

To navigate around this tax-like effect, players should explore avenues such as using abilities that don’t cast spells or harnessing the power of creatures with strong enter-the-battlefield effects that provide value without needing to cast additional spells. Additionally, low-curve decks that emphasize playing one impactful spell per turn can circumvent the Rug’s stifling effect.

Smart resource management is crucial; allocating resources to launch pivotal spells or deploying enchantment removal when the timing is optimal can mitigate the crushing pressure Rug of Smothering introduces. Acknowledging this, adept players will know when to advance their board and when to reserve resources until they can safely dispose of the Rug. As such, when wielded wisely, your arsenal can overcome the constraints set by Rug of Smothering, ensuring your strategy unfolds uninhibited.


BurnMana Recommendations

The strategic depth of MTG can often be seen in the details, and Rug of Smothering embodies this principle. Used effectively, it delivers a continuous card advantage, tilting the resource balance in your favor. However, its specificity and higher casting cost call for astute deck building. To truly leverage this card’s potential, study the current meta and optimize your deck’s capability to manage resources and mitigate the card’s downsides. As your MTG journey unfolds, remember that mastery involves adapting to new challenges, just like Rug of Smothering compels you to adapt. Dive deeper into the art of deck optimization and ensure you’re ready to take on any opponent—visit us to refine your strategy and add the perfect twist to your deck.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rug of Smothering MTG card by a specific set like Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate, 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 Rug of Smothering and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rug of Smothering has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal