The One Ring Needs to Be Restricted In MTG

The One Ring is the most powerful MTG card in 2023.
In this video, we're going to explore why we fear The One Ring in MTG. We'll look at the card, Cedh, Lord of the Rings Magic the Gathering, and discuss why it's such a dreaded card in the game.
If you're a fan of Magic the Gathering and MTG LOTR this video's for you! We'll explore why The One Ring MTG is one of the most dreaded cards from Lord of the Rings Magic the Gathering and cEDH, and why it's so important to beware of it. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, this video is a great way to learn more about this terrifying card from LOTR MTG!
_____
Chapters
00:00 - Why Is the One Ring Good
01:20 - The One Ring in Modern
01:33 - The One Ring in Legacy and Vintage
02:17 - Why the One Ring is Broken
02:48 - The One Ring in cEDH & Commander
04:55 - The One Ring in Magic

[@TolarianCommunityCollege]

Seems mid.

[@caterinagerbasi1594]

I swear I trough people where screwing with me on the spoilers for this. it was so obviously busted.

[@GYI5U]

Maybe when polukranos rotates

[@Joshimuz]

The One Ring needed a "Decks may only contain one copy of The One Ring" style effect, like cards that allow you to play more than 4/1 of them but the opposite. Not only is that more flavorful, but it stops the "oops I lost all my burden counters and got protection from everything again by casting a second "One" Ring xd" shenanigans

[@RebellSon]

Agreed

[@darckgreens]

I guess make it the first cards to be restricted in modern?

[@comet8157]

Burden counters always should've been tied to the player rather than the card imo

[@matheuscastello6554]

that's an ingenious solution to the issue of people getting rid of it to reset their life loss, and it also fits wonderfully flavorwise, bravo! i wish you could have said this to wizards somehow before they finalized this card's design

[@auberry8613]

This is literally just a psy-op by karn the great creator players

[@janmelantu7490]

I was playing against it in Gladiator (the best Arena format) and my opponent drew something like 24 cards off of it, but couldn’t find enough lifegain to stabilize nor combo pieces to win. Me, dming my opponent afterwards: “Local Wizard uses cursèd ring, dies” Opponent’s Reply: “Local Wizard would do it again”

[@RebellSon]

That's a great reply LOL SAME

[@ursulcx299]

The one ring reminds me of Fable of the Mirror Breaker, it's not a flashy effect, not spectacular, but it's a solid reliable value engine; in this case with the added benefit of being playable in literally any deck, being a colourless artefact. It's not exactly a great or broken card by itself, it's more like an amazing catalyst for basically whatever else you're doing.

[@alexanderficken9354]

Oh it's very powerful by itself

[@dgreenlonghorn1]

It’s way better than fable of the mirror breaker. The one ring is literally a 4x in the best deck in legacy. It’s the best 4x in fucking legacy. Let that sink in.

[@cedhtv]

I really like that you have parts from lord of the rings in the video.

[@moralessanchezoscarelias6412]

Totally agree. In addition, the fact that you can get around The One Ring's drawback by playing a second ring is such a flavor fail.

[@RebellSon]

They definitely didn't see that one lol

[@christopherpatricklizares5306]

This was awesome. And really nice to see a quick rundown on why the Ring is so good. Thank you!

[@RebellSon]

Thanks for watching! Glad it was helpful

[@emorsi]

That card is not good, it is just bad design and totally op, everyone can make such a card in two seconds. Just throw everything powerful onto it and boom. There is no real ability to that. The real work is to balance cards in the first place and I think WotC is losing that. You can see it with so many cards, the Planeswalkers for instance should've never hit the board, they are almost all broken, yes, there are weak ones out there for sure... but only a very few. The whole concept is bustet when it comes to the Planeswalkers, although they are so much fun to play, I have to admit. But the Ring is just bad design and they know it.

[@christopherpatricklizares5306]

​@@emorsi There's a difference between power-level good and design-quality good. Sure, you can say that the One Ring is too powerful from a design perspective, but the same could be said for a lot of cards already, especially in the cEDH space. But that's exactly what we're looking for in cards to play. We're looking for things that are absurd, or things that are over the reasonable curve. From a power-level good, the ring is, well, good. It does things we want, and there are ways we can abuse it in the cEDH space to really make it work for us.

[@looter-scooter1050]

I play it in Canlander Paradox Academy and it is absolutely disgusting, it's probably my most common Tinker target at this point and most of my wins have been with it and Paradox Engine

[@RebellSon]

that sounds NUTS

[@29aoutmusic]

Sounds awesome. An update on combo winter Tolaria Academy decks?

[@MagicManCM]

I was fortunate enough to pull one from my prerelease (back when it was like $20 lol) and decided to slot it into my Alela, Artful Provocateur EDH deck. That's all I really wanted it for. If I happen upon another one I'll definitely slot it into my Sauron, the Dark Lord EDH deck but that's a big if haha.

[@RebellSon]

LUCKY

[@MagicManCM]

@@RebellSon yeah the one sealed game I managed to draw it I just ran away with the game lol

[@argosbrave6415]

Any reason you don’t carry over cards from 1 deck to another?

[@sgtflamingo6532]

​@@argosbrave6415I personally hate unsleeving decks. That's just a big one for me.

[@argosbrave6415]

@@sgtflamingo6532 for a 1/99 chance of seeing it, I feel that

[@RokstarGene]

Yay it's Rebell upload day!!! Tbh Rebell is one of the reasons I still play this game sometimes. I feel like I probably would've quit by now if it weren't for Rebell

[@RebellSon]

That's so kind, thank you so much!

[@RokstarGene]

Wait wtf why did youtube change my handle to my email lol

[@wackzacko]

I feel like Bruse-Thrasios already wanting Seedborn and/or Derevi + not using life otherwise + gaining life from Bruse makes it a pretty decent fit

[@RebellSon]

Lowkey TOR almost made me want to play SBM again and Derevi in my BNT list. But I can't justify having one decent card to add two mediocre cards in my 99.

[@uhjn]

the one ring is the closest I've felt to having a yogmoths bargin since I drafted it in a proxy cube, even outside of cedh playing cards like unwinding clock can give you ubsurd card advantage in mid to high-mid tier tables

[@Cr0de5_]

I'm debating putting this in my Magda deck now. Damn you Rebell lol

[@sgtflamingo6532]

Only thing that keeps me away from it is it's on a cast trigger so a activated magda search wouldn't give you the rings protection ability.

[@WorldlyTutor]

Such a good video. I admire your production and content quality, rebell. ❤

[@089Memo90]

Nice! Derevi loves this lol

[@RebellSon]

or any deck that plays Derevi in the 99 :eyes:

[@shaden489]

Clearly the o e ring taking over is yet another reason people should be playing questing beast as they can counteract the damage prevention provided by protection 😅

[@RebellSon]

YES EXACTLY

[@janmelantu7490]

Questing Beast is the Unstoppable Force of MTG. The “damage can’t be prevented” is also a reason to Stomp (Bonecrusher Giant adventure) a creature, possibly your own

[@shaden489]

@@janmelantu7490 i forgot that was also stapled onto stomp as well and here i thought legacy decks were gonna start running flaring pain again lol

[@janmelantu7490]

@@shaden489 I mean they could also run Skullcrack…but Eldraine really double-dipped on the “damage can’t be prevented”

[@dragonrider7796]

Per Gather: Questing Beast only stops combat damage from being prevented by effects that specifically use the word "prevent."

[@MrLeolb2]

i cant wait for the print of the crimson behelit

[@Oz__MTG]

Pulling the one ring kinda changed the way I play commander overall and allowed me to build a massively good deck with it, that focuses on dealing enough damage to wipe everyone else out by at least turn 4-5, baring that I draw all the right cards. Which essentially is ideal for a card like the one ring to come into play and help stall and draw for the right cards needed to get these combos going faster, with just a tiny bit of downside (loss of life) as for the sacrifice. I believe the one ring CAN essentially go in ANY deck, as long as it helps you get the job done better.

[@bradenbowdish6463]

Really well produced

[@Uendil]

Great video! Good Bot ^.^ I dont have a single copy of ToR yet but i definitely need to add it to my shorikai list!!

[@tonobaker601]

3:19 the whisper sound effect scared the shit out of me

[@Aigis31]

Honestly, if The One Ring ends up banned in formats like Modern, it could really add to the allure of its power. I love that its strong enough to warp entire formats around itself. Its a huge flavor win. And having to ban it to regulate it only makes it more of a Boogeyman, like Oko and Hogaak before it.

[@hoodiegal]

I only really play EDH, but I can see this finding a home in my Muldrotha deck. I'd need a reliable way to either bounce or sacc it, but playing it every turn and just being immune to other players seems a little silly.

[@Shadowrunner123]

Sounds like a *really* good time to get into Flesh and Blood tcg.

[@Lykrast]

I have been playing 0 one rings cause it's too expensive and my Dihada non-c edh is out of room already :( But it does look like a cool card.

[@RebellSon]

It is getting cheaper I believe! But it's definitely very powerful and worthwhile to play with

[@enjoytwin]

Plugged one into Modern Merfolk, shaving a piece of interaction. It doesn't pitch to Force or Sub, but casting it can mean a free combat step to close a game or three more cards to rebuild after a wipe or go over the top. Minamo is already in the 60 and can untap it. The card is all upside. If it tests well, I could see shaving Silvergill Adepts for more ring and more land to cast them.

[@huntergrant6520]

Goes great in my Lobelia Sackdrain-Baggins deck.

[@TheSynisterMinister]

I play mono black coffers and I love this addition. we are so much stronger against 4c piles now. damnation is a hellova card as well as we have better top end threats than mom or omnath

[@leodalkey651]

I play modern and i played against that 4c one ring control deck. I found all I had to do to beat that deck was play my creatures and let them run out of answers. The ring got them one game, where they were just drawing into basically infinite control while gaining craploads of life. But the other game I was able to run their hand out and kill easily, because they did not draw a ring. Game three they did get a ring, but I spell pierced it and killed them while they were tapped out.

[@sceadumor]

Derevi seems to like it, and it seems to like it there with Seedborn Muse and Nature's Chosen.

[@mattdriver6875]

Looks at Glinthawk a 1 mana 1/1, when enters the battlefield return target artifact to your hand or sacrifice it.... hey friend.... blink, blink, blink.. better have counter spells handy! What are burdon counters?

[@guydrinkstea]

Great video! The Ring will be good in a bunch of decks in Legacy, but sadly I don't think it'll fit into Cephalid Breakfast. Especially in the post-Bowmasters meta, I think that deck should go back to its false Tempo playstyle with SFM + Daze rather than the grindier Staff of the Storyteller build that The Ring maaaybe could've fit into somewhere.

[@TyranitarStudios]

Already made the list in my Sharuum deck, now I just need to add space for the second key for maximum effect! As is, it's already bonkers lol

[@egvhub6230]

great vid redbull

[@RebellSon]

LOL THANK YOU

[@RokstarGene]

Rebell gives you wings!

[@yeeaahh8863]

We saw Megalegendary in the Mystery Boosters with Vazal, the Compleat. I wish and wonder why that wasn’t used

[@casualgoats]

Boy am I glad my local Brago player doesn't have this in his deck

[@egoish6762]

I've got 2 so i'll be trying 2 in my modern decks

[@RebellSon]

that makes sense, I worked really hard to get 4 myself for modern

[@Eiyaa90]

I run it alongside a Teleportation Circle in Preston and Mirror Box

[@alicechizita]

Great video! Great ring! Good bot 🐈💕🤖

[@MarduEnjoyer]

Auto include in my newly build Shorikai list

[@RebellSon]

OH it's good in there

[@beard_umbra]

i compared the one ring to necropotence on discord and a detractor said "surely they meant phyrexian arena"

[@FallenStarFeatures]

The One Ring is straight-up Pay-to-Win, making it the perfect addition to Modern.

[@markusaurelius83]

The One Ring is my first proxy card. I'm not a fan of Universes Beyond at all and now my cEDH Urza, Lord High Artificer needs to wield The One Ring. Goddammit, I joked about Gandalf crewing the Weatherlight before the Set was spoiled and it's actually much worse.

[@Ketoinvestor]

All your wins are belong to Rebell!! TOR also enhances tutors by cantripping. Didn’t make it into this video but, Rebell, you think this enhancement to tutors is anything remarkable?

[@RebellSon]

There are already commanders who can enable topdeck better, like Tymna enabling Imperial Seal with her post combat draw. The One Ring does provide more situations where those cards are direct to hand tutors but I wouldn’t highlight that as a unique benefit. You can technically achieve that with anything that draws. Also want to clarify that cantripping is when a card replaces itself, like Consider or Ponder. TOR actually lets you go positive, so it’s just simple card draw.

[@Ketoinvestor]

much Helpful, so Wisdom 🦉

[@ShockedLogic]

I normally dont mind a colorless artifact that can go in any deck and generate insane amounts of value and advantage, we all love getting that tunr one sol ring in edh, but jesus fuck

[@numnut154]

Proud to have never been tempted by The One Ring ✊

[@thoroughlyrinsed3532]

The one ring is in almost every cedh deck now

[@6trance]

protection from everything...meet damage can't be prevented effects...or a counterspell

[@greysonmiller9407]

Shame the guy who found it didnt resist the temptation. He should have made a video of him throwing it in a volcano.

[@titanstitansthebest108]

Should've been burden emblem or like poison counters, so they are always on the player

[@GoldenSkeeter]

An opp used this in a lower power battle cruiser type game and got down to 1 hp with a lifegain food deck. It ended up killing him with 8 turns or so proccing

[@toctheyounger]

Its definitely not a power apparent on first glance card in a 4 player singleton format. That said it's still very very strong. I'll definitely be slamming it in Dihada breach, and sweaty mono white bruna stax.

[@ChrisDavis-tt1dj]

I lost a game to this Tom Foolery the other day. The Pro-Everything until next turn is super busted.

[@RebellSon]

The effect of the protection cast trigger is much stronger than it reads.

[@nightman8432]

Mairsil once again coming in with consequenceless jank. However many burden counters with no damage, but then again it takes time to ramp up whereas you can get three cards out the gate with Arcanis, but being able to untap Mairsil you can double up the draw effects. Mairsil will probably never be cEDH but could be fun in casual games

[@DefCatofficial]

Not gunna bring up seed born with it?

[@RebellSon]

Keep watching

[@DefCatofficial]

​@@RebellSon🫡

[@johnfairweather7012]

Further proof commander is the most balanced format

[@thelordsephiroth777]

I play 4 of them

[@fury_1404]

I imagine a deck where you proliferate enough to give the ring to an opponent and kill him with the ring

[@TheRestlessView]

the one ring should give the player burden counters rather than the artifact

[@r3d3j42]

based rebel

[@RebellSon]

:dab:

[@emorsi]

If you play a Solemnity first before the ring hits the board the Ring is completely shuted down. I do this in my 9 Lifes/Solemnity combo BUT you HAVE to play Solemnity out before the Ring hits the board. I had many games where I played Solemnity a turn after The Ring showed up and the one card draw every turn from the Ring alone was mighty enough, so I mostly lost the game. That card is so beyond broken I am against it altogether, even if it should be restricted to one card in a deck, but it would be a start. I don't know what is going on in the minds of the card creators over at WotC, do they not playtest their cards before releasing?

[@mr.cookiecutter]

Just give it a 1 per deck restriction. That would make it way less oppressive.

[@bobthor9647]

Sauron was the first grinder but he kept playing bad decks 😮. One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them

[@George04957]

And if you can bounce it you become invincable.

[@emorsi]

At current in Arena there is no deck without it, it is ridiculous. I had to own one myself although I did not want it because it is just a silly totally unbalanced card and I did not want to support it, but eventually I had no other choice then to include it.

[@tdimensional6733]

Necro and Bargain didn't even have a superfog on top of them. And they were colored. And they skipped your draw step. And you lost your life WHEN you drew the card, or even BEFORE you got to see them. The Ring makes those two enchantments look stuffy and prohibitive by comparison. Y'know, two cards banned or restricted in almost every format they've touched for how much advantage they generate.

[@labranehit7687]

Zero.... I never opened it... But I did get the orcs 🏹.

[@igiwarcraft]

I lost a game to this very handily the other week. T1 I windfall as 2nd player going down to 4. Opponent before me already played a mana crypt. Turn 2, he plays The One Ring with 4 mana. Turn 3, he plays seedborn on top of it. I'm tapped out at the time. Come my turn, he also untaps. The only response I had was Touch the Spirit Realm. Other two opponents had nothing. As I played the card, he countered it and the game was literally gone from that moment onwards. This is pure gas for green decks as they can run Seedborn Muse and tutor for it reliably through Neoform or Eldrich Evo (and finale and invasion and...). It's completely busted with untap effects. Muse on it's own is so called "green Ad Nauseam" and is a staple for Thrasios and Kinnan decks. This combination, if you somehow get it (and you can, with Transmute Artifact for example), wins you the game. End of discussion. It would have to go "really" bad for you not to close the game with this combo on board.

[@thelordsephiroth777]

The life loss is actually not a problem for me at all since im a lifegain entusiast

[@privatepenguin2496]

Willowdusk essence seer players be like: 😈

[@stevenknestrict3]

I thought LOTR was not standard or modern legal...?

[@ClubbingSealCub]

it draws cards, I've heard that's pretty good

[@metalhev3989]

MTG players learn about fog effects

[@frankyg821]

This card is going to be everywhere

[@briankenney9528]

The best way to counter the one ring....besides countering it or discarding it, is edict and non damage non targetted life loss

[@edenconeby8227]

Idk, it hasn’t broken pauper yet. It can’t be THAT powerful

[@Vuietnam]

Pog

[@jerryturgin6583]

honestly if you are casting a 4 drop in legacy that doesn't immediately win the game, against decks with force and daze, go ahead fam, braver than me lol

[@aaron3905]

I really hope it gets banned. I have 3 in my first modern deck I'm buildling, mono green tron. But I have kaldera compleats as backups to the one rings in the deck. I just hope if it gets banned it doesn't make creativity's price jump back up as that's my back up deck I'm building.

[@ericmolt5821]

Sauron did nothing wrong......LMFAO

[@DMBlade4]

This is the first time I've heard anyone call this mid. Literally everyone is saying this card is busted and might end up getting banned

[@DJTrulin]

oh look they broke the game for 2 years for an expensive card.

[@leodalkey651]

Ha ha the thing that makes The One Ring so powerful is your ability to play multiples. Dumb mechanics, way overrated at 4c, but certainly an above average engine card. But you have to ask yourself what could you be casting for 4 mana!!! Its like those videos. What else could we buy with 500 dollars instead of a LOTR collectors box? You can get a ratty Gaea's Cradle for around that price.

[@finmat95]

Skill issues.

[@derva1019]

I stopped playing cause i got tired of seeing fucking rings and orc bowmasters everywhere.

[@ad45376]

Lol cringe singleton formats XD

[@GirlDickEnergy]

Its been so good for me with Sauron, the Dark Lord already and im thinking about it for so many other decks too now.

[@RLGMiniMe]

they need to ban 25+ cards in just historic to make it even semi entertaining iv been playing magic over 15years and this is the end of it all its written on the walls everyt1 i speak ot says it everyt1 i even knew says it its dieing and they have zero respect for u or my opinion on the facts that unhinged rnd and lack of any awareness for what there printing no seeming awareness for any inch of the text boxs on any cards this is over

[@DeWillpower]

that milionarie could be really sad now if they want to go pro and can't play 4 copies of the limited version 🥲