MTG Ramp Cards

Cards tagged as: ramp

  • A-Spell Satchel
    A-Spell Satchel
    Artifact
  • Abundant Growth
    Abundant Growth
    Enchantment — Aura
  • Accomplished Alchemist
    Accomplished Alchemist
    Creature — Elf Druid
  • Agent of Stromgald
    Agent of Stromgald
    Creature — Human Knight
  • Ainok Guide
    Ainok Guide
    Creature — Dog Scout
  • Alena, Kessig Trapper
    Alena, Kessig Trapper
    Legendary Creature — Human Scout
  • Altar of the Pantheon
    Altar of the Pantheon
    Artifact
  • An Offer You Can't Refuse
    An Offer You Can't Refuse
    Instant
  • Apprentice Wizard
    Apprentice Wizard
    Creature — Human Wizard
  • Arboreal Grazer
    Arboreal Grazer
    Creature — Sloth Beast
  • Arcane Signet
    Arcane Signet
    Artifact
  • Archaeomancer's Map
    Archaeomancer's Map
    Artifact
  • Archmage of Runes
    Archmage of Runes
    Creature — Giant Wizard
  • Artist's Talent
    Artist's Talent
    Enchantment — Class
  • Ashnod's Altar
    Ashnod's Altar
    Artifact
  • Atalan Jackal
    Atalan Jackal
    Creature — Human Tyranid Scout
  • Avacyn's Pilgrim
    Avacyn's Pilgrim
    Creature — Human Monk
  • Averna, the Chaos Bloom
    Averna, the Chaos Bloom
    Legendary Creature — Elemental Shaman
  • Azorius Signet
    Azorius Signet
    Artifact
  • Baral, Chief of Compliance
    Baral, Chief of Compliance
    Legendary Creature — Human Wizard
  • Barbed Sextant
    Barbed Sextant
    Artifact
  • Basal Sliver
    Basal Sliver
    Creature — Sliver
  • Basal Thrull
    Basal Thrull
    Creature — Thrull
  • Basalt Monolith
    Basalt Monolith
    Artifact
  • Baylen, the Haymaker
    Baylen, the Haymaker
    Legendary Creature — Rabbit Warrior
  • Benthic Explorers
    Benthic Explorers
    Creature — Merfolk Scout
  • Biophagus
    Biophagus
    Creature — Human Tyranid Wizard
  • Birds of Paradise
    Birds of Paradise
    Creature — Bird
  • Birds of Paradise Avatar
    Birds of Paradise Avatar
    Vanguard
  • Black Mana Battery
    Black Mana Battery
    Artifact
  • Black Market
    Black Market
    Enchantment
  • Blight Herder
    Blight Herder
    Creature — Eldrazi Processor
  • Blood Celebrant
    Blood Celebrant
    Creature — Human Cleric
  • Blood Pet
    Blood Pet
    Creature — Thrull
  • Bloodstone Cameo
    Bloodstone Cameo
    Artifact
  • Blooming Blast
    Blooming Blast
    Instant
  • Blue Mana Battery
    Blue Mana Battery
    Artifact
  • Bog Initiate
    Bog Initiate
    Creature — Human Wizard
  • Boros Signet
    Boros Signet
    Artifact
  • Braid of Fire
    Braid of Fire
    Enchantment
  • Braids, Conjurer Adept Avatar
    Braids, Conjurer Adept Avatar
    Vanguard
  • Brass's Bounty
    Brass's Bounty
    Sorcery
  • Brazen Collector
    Brazen Collector
    Creature — Raccoon Rogue
  • Brood Monitor
    Brood Monitor
    Creature — Eldrazi Drone
  • Burgeoning
    Burgeoning
    Enchantment
  • Burning-Tree Emissary
    Burning-Tree Emissary
    Creature — Human Shaman
  • Burnished Hart
    Burnished Hart
    Artifact Creature — Elk
  • Bushwhack
    Bushwhack
    Sorcery
  • Cabal Ritual
    Cabal Ritual
    Instant
  • Campus Guide
    Campus Guide
    Artifact Creature — Golem

Understanding Ramp in Magic: The Gathering

Ramp in Magic: The Gathering refers to strategies and cards that boost your mana production faster than normal. It’s not always easy deciding which cards to include, but it can be the key to casting powerful spells early. Who hasn’t been stuck on three lands, staring at a hand full of expensive spells?

Land-Based Ramp

Land-based ramp spells place extra lands onto the battlefield, which is usually the most stable way to speed up your mana. Cards like Cultivate or Kodama’s Reach are popular for their reliability, especially in green decks. Lands don’t often get blown up (though it’s devastating when someone pulls out a mass land destruction card). But overall, it’s a safe approach since your mana source sticks around longer than most creatures or artifacts.

Creature-Based Ramp (Mana Dorks)

Some players prefer creatures that tap for mana, commonly called mana dorks. Llanowar Elves and Birds of Paradise are classics in this category. These tiny creatures can catapult you from two mana to three or four in a heartbeat. The downside is obvious: they’re vulnerable to removal. I’ve had more than a few moments when my little mana team got taken out by a single board wipe, and it felt like losing half my strategy. But when they survive, you can flood the board with big threats quickly.

Artifact-Based Ramp

Mana rocks, such as Sol Ring or Arcane Signet, are a staple for colors that struggle with land ramp. They come down, tap for mana, and help you keep pace with decks that have more natural mana growth. The risk is that artifacts can be destroyed by specific removal spells, leaving you suddenly short on resources. Still, most Commander decks include at least a few artifact accelerators because they’re efficient and easy to slot in.

Enchantment-Based Ramp

Enchantments like Utopia Sprawl or Wild Growth can also ramp your mana. They’re often used with cards like Arbor Elf, which can untap enchanted lands for even more mana. These aren’t as common as artifacts or creatures, but in the right deck they work wonders. Just be careful if your opponent starts targeting your enchanted lands, because that can ruin your day.

Important Deck Considerations

When deciding which ramp approach to use, look at your deck’s color identity and overall strategy. Green decks have plenty of land-based and creature-based options, while others rely on artifacts or enchantments. Also think about your mana curve. If your deck has lots of expensive spells, you’ll want more ramp. And be aware that each ramp type has weaknesses: creatures die, artifacts get blown up, and enchantments vanish if the land they’re on is destroyed. The trick is finding the right balance.

Final Thoughts

In my opinion, ramp is one of the most important things in Magic. It helps you play your big spells and take control of the game before your opponents can catch up. Whether you stick to land-based strategies or fill your deck with mana dorks, you’ll find that ramp puts you in a better position, faster. It’s not always foolproof—someone might cast a board wipe at the worst possible moment—but it’s still worth including. Sometimes it pays off big, and that’s one of the best feelings in the game.