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Pojo's Magic The Gathering Card of the Day


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Rod of Ruin
Ninth Edition


Reviewed July 07, 2005

Constructed:
Casual:
Limited:

Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale
1 being the worst.  3 ... average.  
5 is the highest rating

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Card of the Day Reviews 


Jeff Zandi

5 Time Pro Tour
Veteran

Rod of Ruin
Rod of Ruin is one of the few cards printed in every basic set in the history of Magic: the Gathering. Rod of Ruin appears in Alpha, Beta, Unlimited, Revised, Fourth Edition, Fifth Edition, Sixth Edition (Classic), Seventh Edition and Core Set (Eighth Edition) and will soon appear in Ninth Edition. Only two other artifacts appear in all of the base sets, Disrupting

Scepter and Howling Mine. (Meekstone comes SO VERY CLOSE, not appearing in Eighth or Ninth Edition) When it comes to constructed, Rod of Ruin is strictly casual. It costs too much to take seriously in constructed decks for say the past seven or eight years. In limited, Rod of Ruin is a VERY HIGH PICK, providing a consistent source of colorless damage that can kill a

creature or target the face of your opponent.
CONSTRUCTED: 2.0
CASUAL: 3.0
LIMITED: 4.0
 


DeQuan
Watson

* Game Store Owner

Rod of Ruin - Thursday

I feel bad for WotC R&D sometimes. They keep reprinted cards like this and they never get played. There's no reason for it too really. It's slow an inefficient at doing what it does. I'm sure a beginner level deck with lots of blue and red creatures that hit you for a point of damage will fit well with this card. For anything even remotely competitive though, you are likely going to ignore this card.

Constructed: 2
Casual: 3.5
Limited: 3
 

Paul Hagan

Rod of Ruin --

I don't think that I've ever liked Rod of Ruin, and 9th Edition won't be any different. I could understand playing this card if...

It cost 4 mana and didn't have an activation cost.

It cost 4 mana, had an activation cost of 3, and dealt 2 damage.

It cost 1 mana and had an activation cost of 3.

As is, Rod of Ruin is just overcosted and not worth finding a slot in any deck. Avoid this card at all costs if you are building a deck outside of limited. In limited, I won't be so critical of Rod of Ruin, as it doesn't violate the mantra of Any Removal is Good Removal.

Constructed Rating: 2.0
Casual Rating: 2.0
Limited Rating: 2.5
 


Christine
Gerhardt

Rod of Ruin

While you don't see this mainstay on the tournament scene, you will want to play it in your limited decks (I'm sure 9th Edition will be similar). Rod is a nice way to either off a pesky creature or potential blocker, or just ping away at your opponent. Having it ready for that extra point of damage is always a good thing, and you can't go too wrong having Rod in your limited deck.

In casual, not very exciting, but could go with a theme of pingers, I suppose, if you are so inclined.

Constructed - 2.5
Casual - 3
Limited - 4
 
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