Exploring Blue Ramp Cards in MTG

 

What is The Blue Ramp?

Blue Ramp in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) refers to a strategy that utilizes blue-colored cards to accelerate a player's mana production, allowing them to cast high-cost spells earlier in the game.

While green is more commonly associated with traditional ramp, blue's ramping approach is distinct.

Blue ramp involves using specific blue cards that provide extra mana or resources over time, often with additional effects that tie into the blue color's spellcasting and control themes.

These cards might have delayed effects, requiring players to invest mana or time upfront before gaining the full benefits.

Characteristics of Blue Ramp Cards

Blue is renowned in MTG for its control prowess and unpredictable spell effects. However, when it comes to ramping, it's not the first color that comes to mind. Blue ramp cards possess distinctive traits that set them apart:

Card Filtering and Draw:

Delayed Effects:

Versatility:

Many Roles of Blue Ramp Cards

Let's delve into the various purposes of these cards and provide examples of how they can be effectively used.

Enabling High-Cost Spells:

Blue ramp cards allow you to cast high-cost spells earlier in the game, catching opponents off guard. This is particularly valuable in decks that rely on powerful late-game spells. For instance, consider the card "Sapphire Medallion," which reduces the cost of your blue spells by one colorless mana. This reduction can lead to significant savings over multiple spells.

Smooth Multicolored Mana Base:

In multicolored decks, blue ramp cards provide a solution to mana consistency. Cards like "Fellwar Stone" or "Commander's Sphere" generate mana of any color, helping you cast spells with diverse mana requirements. This ensures that you have access to the right colors of mana when you need them.

Card Advantage and Filtering:

Blue ramp cards often come with card draw or filtering abilities, ensuring you maintain a strong hand while ramping. "Frantic Search" is an example; it lets you draw two cards while untapping up to three lands. This not only accelerates your mana but also replenishes your resources.

Combos and Spell Chains:

Blue ramp cards can facilitate spell combos by providing the additional mana required to pull off intricate sequences. For instance, "High Tide" doubles the mana generated by islands for a turn. When combined with cards that untap lands like "Turnabout," you can create a mana loop to cast multiple spells in succession.

Control and Disruption:

Blue's inherent control theme meshes well with ramping. Cards like "Dreamscape Artist" can both ramp and help you fix your mana, while "Blink of an Eye" provides bounce-based removal combined with card draw. This combination of ramp and control elements lets you dictate the game's pace.

Delayed Advantage:

Some blue ramp cards offer delayed advantages, requiring careful timing. Take "Kiora, Behemoth Beckoner," whose passive ability untaps a permanent whenever a creature with power 4 or greater enters the battlefield. By ramping into big creatures, you set up a continuous source of mana and card draw over time.

Unpredictable Strategies:

Blue ramp introduces an element of unpredictability into the game. Opponents might expect blue to focus solely on control, but by integrating ramps, you catch them off guard and diversify your strategic options.

In conclusion, blue ramp cards serve multiple strategic purposes, from accelerating mana for high-cost spells to maintaining card advantage and control. By incorporating these cards effectively into your deck, you can create unique and versatile strategies that surprise opponents and lead to memorable victories.

The 11 Best Blue Ramp Cards

#11. High Tide:

#10. Sapphire Medallion:

#9. Extraplanar Lens:

#8. Kiora, Behemoth Beckoner:

#7. Turnabout:

#6. Dreamscape Artist:

#5. Frantic Search:

#4. Blink of an Eye:

#3. Commander's Sphere:

#2. Thran Dynamo:

#1. Urza, Lord High Artificer:

Blue Ramp Cards in Deck Building

1. Define Your Strategy:

First, establish the core strategy of your deck. Are you aiming for control, combo, or a mix of both? Understanding your deck's primary focus will guide your choices of blue ramp cards.

2. Identify Synergies:

Explore the synergies between blue ramp cards and other cards in your deck. Look for cards that complement each other and enhance your overall game plan. For example, if you're using card draw spells, consider pairing them with blue ramp cards to maintain card advantage.

3. Consider Mana Curve:

Pay attention to your deck's mana curve. Blue ramp cards are particularly useful for decks that include higher-cost spells. Choose cards that align with your deck's spell distribution and mana requirements.

4. Balance and Versatility:

Strive for a balanced mix of blue ramp cards that provide both immediate mana acceleration and delayed advantages. This ensures you have options for different game situations.

5. Evaluate Card Draw:

Many blue ramp cards offer card draw or filtering. Evaluate the extent to which you need card draw in your deck. Cards that provide additional resources while ramping can significantly enhance your strategy.

6. Count Artifact Count:

Some blue ramp cards synergize with artifacts. If your deck includes artifacts, consider how these cards will contribute to your artifact count, as this can impact their effectiveness.

7. Analyze Playability:

Examine the mana costs and activation requirements of your chosen blue ramp cards. Ensure they fit smoothly into your deck's mana base and gameplay flow.

8. Test and Refine:

After building your deck, test it in various matchups to gauge the performance of your blue ramp cards. Be open to making adjustments based on how well they align with your strategy.

9. Meta Considerations:

Take into account the current metagame. Some blue ramp cards might perform better against specific decks or strategies. Flexibility in your deck construction can help you adapt to different opponents.

10. Adapt and Iterate:

As you play your deck, pay attention to how your blue ramp cards impact your overall gameplay. Make adjustments based on your experiences to fine-tune your deck's performance.