What is the significance of the Portal set in Magic: The Gathering?

The Portal set was designed to introduce new players to Magic: The Gathering with simplified rules and larger text. It serves as a historical bridge between the game's early complexity and its modern accessibility, making it a favorite among collectors for its unique design and nostalgic value.

Who is the artist for Virtue's Ruin?

The artwork for Virtue's Ruin was created by Mike Dringenberg. His illustration is part of the distinctive visual style that characterized the Portal expansion, setting it apart from standard sets released during the same period.

How does Virtue's Ruin function in gameplay?

Virtue's Ruin is a black sorcery with a mana cost of {2}{B}. Its primary effect is to destroy all white creatures on the battlefield, making it a powerful board-clearing tool in formats where it is legal. Its straightforward design reflects the Portal set's goal of accessible gameplay.

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Reference artwork · details may differ from this copy

About This Card

Virtue's Ruin is an uncommon sorcery card from Magic: The Gathering's 1997 Portal expansion, identified by card number 116. This release offers collectors a glimpse into early simplified gameplay mechanics.

Virtue's Ruin

1997 • Magic: The Gathering • Portal

1997 Magic: The Gathering Portal

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Market Value

Raw/Ungraded Market: $1.37

Updated 5 days ago

Based on TCGplayer Market (reference)Last Updated Oct 11, 2026Check Price Guide

Market & Price History

Condition	Value	Source	Trend	Price Details
	$1.37Oct 12, 2026	Guide Estimate	0%
Based on TCGplayer Market (reference) Estimate: $1.37, based on Guide Estimate. Source date not availableCaptured Oct 12, 2026 Guide Estimate: $1.37. Evidence date not available. Few comparable observations are available, so this estimate may be less reliable. Over the last 30 days, stored prices ranged from $1.37 to $1.37 across 2 capture days. Change between Sep 21, 2026 and Oct 12, 2026: 0%. Compares the same source, grade and signed status. Capture days are not completed-sale counts.Recorded Oct 12, 2026

$1.37Oct 12, 2026
Source
Guide Estimate
Trend
0%
Price Details
Based on TCGplayer Market (reference)
Estimate: $1.37, based on Guide Estimate.
Source date not availableCaptured Oct 12, 2026
Guide Estimate: $1.37. Evidence date not available.
Few comparable observations are available, so this estimate may be less reliable.
Over the last 30 days, stored prices ranged from $1.37 to $1.37 across 2 capture days. Change between Sep 21, 2026 and Oct 12, 2026: 0%. Compares the same source, grade and signed status. Capture days are not completed-sale counts.Recorded Oct 12, 2026

30-day Price History

Raw / Ungraded

TCGplayer Market (reference) · Guide Estimate evidence · captured Oct 12, 2026

Each point is the last stored observation that day for this printing, condition, grader, autograph status and source. Gaps mean no observation; guide estimates and asking prices are not completed sales.

Product Overview

Description

Virtue's Ruin, cataloged as card number 116, is a distinct entry within the Magic: The Gathering Portal expansion released in 1997. Designed as a simplified introduction to the game, this set featured large text and basic rules, making it accessible to new players while retaining strategic depth for veterans. As an uncommon sorcery, this card allows players to eliminate all white creatures from the battlefield, showcasing the era's straightforward yet impactful design philosophy. The Portal series remains a significant chapter in trading card game history, bridging the gap between complex competitive play and casual entry points. Collectors often seek out Portal cards for their nostalgic value and unique artistic direction, which diverged from the standard sets of the time. The artwork for Virtue's Ruin was created by Mike Dringenberg, whose style contributed to the set's recognizable visual identity. For investors and hobbyists, maintaining a complete set of Portal cards requires acquiring key pieces like this uncommon sorcery. The card's mana cost of {2}{B} and its ability to clear the board make it a mechanically interesting piece of TCG history. Whether you are completing a set or exploring the roots of the game, Virtue's Ruin represents a fundamental part of the Portal legacy.

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