Ruinous Ultimatum MTG Card


Ruinous Ultimatum offers substantial board control, wiping opponents’ nonland permanents for a tide-turning advantage. Its specific mana cost can limit deck inclusion but provides a significant, game-altering impact when played. Despite its mana intensity, the card’s potential to reshape games makes it a valuable collection addition.
Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Destroy all nonland permanents your opponents control.

"Strike those abominations down. Let their names rot with their remains." —General Kudro


Cards like Ruinous Ultimatum

Exploring the diverse world of sweeping removal effects in Magic: The Gathering, Ruinous Ultimatum stands out as a powerhouse. In relation to other wipe effects, it’s often paralleled with cards like Wrath of God, which clears all creatures for a lower mana cost without targeting planeswalkers or lands. While Ruinous Ultimatum has a steeper mana requirement, it compensates with the sheer comprehensiveness of its annihilating ability, removing all nonland permanents your opponents control.

Another comparable card is Damnation, an equivalent to Wrath of God but in black mana, which again only removes creatures. The Ultimatum’s expansive purge spans beyond mere creatures to snatch victory from the jaws of a cluttered board state. Cleansing Nova, while flexible in its modes, doesn’t reach the same destructive breadth, as it only allows players to select one type of permanent to destroy. The Ultimatum’s total obliteration is unmatched in its potential to turn the tides with a single spell.

Delving into these comparisons reveals Ruinous Ultimatum’s position as a uniquely effective board wipe in Magic: The Gathering. Despite its daunting mana cost, the card’s game-altering impact makes it a formidable force, especially in formats that can accommodate its casting requirements.

Wrath of God - MTG Card versions
Damnation - MTG Card versions
Cleansing Nova - MTG Card versions
Wrath of God - MTG Card versions
Damnation - MTG Card versions
Cleansing Nova - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ruinous Ultimatum provides a massive swing in card advantage by potentially clearing the opponent’s board of all nonland permanents. This can decimate the opponent’s resources, leaving you in a superior position with a more substantial presence on the field.

Resource Acceleration: While Ruinous Ultimatum doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, its effect can set your opponent’s board state and resource development back significantly. This, indirectly, puts you ahead in the resource race, as you maintain your board presence while they are forced to rebuild from scratch.

Instant Speed: Although Ruinous Ultimatum is a sorcery, it has an impact similar to powerful instant spells in terms of its dramatic effect on the game state. It reshapes the battlefield on your terms, and when timed right, it can be just as devastating as the most game-changing instants in MTG.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ruinous Ultimatum doesn’t have a discard requirement, enhancing its utility in many game scenarios without the setback of losing card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting of Ruinous Ultimatum necessitates a precise combination of mana types: three red, two black, and two white. This specificity mandates a deck tailored around these colors, potentially limiting its application to only certain multicolored strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of seven mana, Ruinous Ultimatum is on the higher end of the mana scale. Ensuring you have the resources available to deploy it when needed can be challenging, particularly in faster-paced games where efficiency is key.


Reasons to Include Ruinous Ultimatum in Your Collection

Versatility: Ruinous Ultimatum serves as a powerful board sweep, capable of turning the tide of the game in your favor. Its ability to clear all nonland permanents your opponents control makes it a game-changing play in a variety of deck builds, notably in control or mid-range strategies.

Combo Potential: When paired with cards that benefit from opponent’s permanents being destroyed or ones that allow for recurring powerful sorceries, the Ultimatum can be a core piece of a devastating combo, setting up for an almost guaranteed route to victory.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by decks that build significant board presence, Ruinous Ultimatum acts as a formidable reset button. Its impact can be especially pronounced against decks that overcommit resources to the board, making it a strategic addition to keep in your arsenal.


How to beat

Ruinous Ultimatum stands out as a formidable force in Magic: The Gathering, demanding players to craft strategies that can withstand its board-wiping impact. When facing such a powerful card, consider the importance of countermeasures like counterspells. A well-timed “Negate” or “Dovin’s Veto” can neutralize this game-changing spell before its effects hit the board, keeping your side safe from devastation.

Hand disruption is another effective tactic. Tools like “Thoughtseize” or “Duress” allow you to pluck Ruinous Ultimatum from your opponent’s grip before they accumulate enough mana to cast it. Resource management is key; maintaining a watchful eye on your opponent’s available mana and the cards in hand can give you the edge you need to preemptively strike.

Ultimately, remember that Ruinous Ultimatum, while immensely powerful, carries a high mana cost. This creates a vulnerability window that can be exploited. Fast, aggressive decks aiming to win before the spell can even be cast, or strategies that keep the opponent’s mana base under control through land destruction or taxation effects, can also serve as solid counterplays against this cataclysmic spell.


BurnMana Recommendations

Deepening your understanding of MTG’s vast mechanics is essential for triumphing over your opponents. Ruinous Ultimatum, as a standout piece in your collection, offers a clear pathway to victory by resetting the board in your favor. Our expert breakdown highlights not just the card’s raw power, but the strategies to turn its casting into a winning move. To harness the full potential of Ruinous Ultimatum, consider its place in your deck’s strategy, its synergy with other cards, and the current meta to make the most of its game-changing effect. For more insights and advanced tactics, join us and unlock the secrets to commanding the battlefield with skill.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ruinous Ultimatum MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths Promos, 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 Ruinous Ultimatum and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ruinous Ultimatum Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2020-04-24 and 2024-03-08. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 808932015NormalBlackChase Stone
22020-04-24Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths PromosPIKO 204p2015NormalBlackChase Stone
32020-04-24Ikoria: Lair of BehemothsIKO 2042015NormalBlackChase Stone
42020-04-24Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths PromosPIKO 204s2015NormalBlackChase Stone
52020-04-24Ikoria: Lair of BehemothsIKO 3432015NormalBlackChase Stone
62024-03-08FalloutPIP 2202015NormalBlackDiego Gisbert
72024-03-08FalloutPIP 10062015NormalBlackDiego Gisbert
82024-03-08FalloutPIP 4782015NormalBlackDiego Gisbert
92024-03-08FalloutPIP 7482015NormalBlackDiego Gisbert

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ruinous Ultimatum has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal