Rain of Gore – MTG Card Review

David
Fanany
Player
since
1995

This was a rather popular card for Rakdos decks back in 2006 and 2007. It was an ideal answer to shenanigans like Loxodon Hierarch (triggered ability), Martyr of Sands (activated ability), and Tendrils of Corruption (spell). It’s still worth considering even if the card pool has more or less doubled in size since then. It’s quite light on colored mana and very well costed to slip past counterspells and the like to pressure an opponent whose game plan revolves around gaining life.

Note that for some reason, Rain of Gore doesn’t affect lifelink, while Tainted Remedy from Magic Origins does. That could come up if you’re facing cards like Baneslayer Angel rather than Lightning Helix.

Constructed: 3/5
Casual: 3/5
Limited: 2/5
Multiplayer: 3/5
EDH/Commander: 3/5

Rain of Gore is simple and bloody effective: thwart lifegain. And it does that! It’s a cheap way to do so, though it does nothing on its own and is more of a looming threat. But there definitely are ways to make opponents “gain” life or force incidental life gain that might doom them. It’s very Rakdos, even if it asks for you to build around it to milk it for all it is worth.

Constructed: 2.5
Casual: 4
Limited: 2.5
Multiplayer: 4
Commander: 4.25