Shattering Blow MTG Card


Disrupt foes by exiling artifacts/enchantments, affecting gameplay balance and strategy. Instant speed allows for flexible play, maintaining tempo and control. Exact mana cost could limit deck construction, requiring careful planning.
Shattering Blow - Gatecrash
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2013-02-01
Set symbol
Set nameGatecrash
Set codeGTC
Number225
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred bySteve Prescott

Text of card

Exile target artifact.

"Aurelia seems too eager to solve her problems by delivering them to oblivion." —Prime Speaker Zegana


Cards like Shattering Blow

Shattering Blow has its unique niche in MTG as an artifact and enchantment removal option. It parallels cards like Disenchant, which also serves to destroy those pesky noncreature permanents. What makes Shattering Blow stand out is its exile feature, ensuring that those removed artifacts and enchantments don’t make a comeback from the graveyard — a crucial play against decks that recycle their resources.

Another card worth noting is the dreaded Naturalize – a straightforward and economical spell that, like Shattering Blow, aims at noncreature permanents. Despite not exiling, its lower cost makes it a favorite in many sideboards. Crush Contraband ups the ante by having the capability to exile not one but two targets. However, its doubled mana cost compared to Shattering Blow is something players must consider for their mana curve.

Assessing Shattering Blow within the realm of permanent removal spells shows its value, especially in metagames where indestructible artifacts or the reanimation of enchantments are concerns. This card might not be the cheapest option available, but the security it grants by exiling is worth the investment for many MTG players.

Disenchant - MTG Card versions
Naturalize - MTG Card versions
Crush Contraband - MTG Card versions
Disenchant - MTG Card versions
Naturalize - MTG Card versions
Crush Contraband - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Shattering Blow by color, type and mana cost

Captain's Maneuver - MTG Card versions
Lightning Helix - MTG Card versions
Flamescroll Celebrant // Revel in Silence - MTG Card versions
Lantern Flare - MTG Card versions
Boros Charm - MTG Card versions
Double Cleave - MTG Card versions
Fight to the Death - MTG Card versions
Burning Oil - MTG Card versions
Aurelia's Fury - MTG Card versions
Martial Glory - MTG Card versions
Ride Down - MTG Card versions
Deflecting Palm - MTG Card versions
Justice Strike - MTG Card versions
Sacred Fire - MTG Card versions
Heartflame Duelist // Heartflame Slash - MTG Card versions
Inventory Management - MTG Card versions
Captain's Maneuver - MTG Card versions
Lightning Helix - MTG Card versions
Flamescroll Celebrant // Revel in Silence - MTG Card versions
Lantern Flare - MTG Card versions
Boros Charm - MTG Card versions
Double Cleave - MTG Card versions
Fight to the Death - MTG Card versions
Burning Oil - MTG Card versions
Aurelia's Fury - MTG Card versions
Martial Glory - MTG Card versions
Ride Down - MTG Card versions
Deflecting Palm - MTG Card versions
Justice Strike - MTG Card versions
Sacred Fire - MTG Card versions
Heartflame Duelist // Heartflame Slash - MTG Card versions
Inventory Management - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shattering Blow offers a targeted solution to remove problem artifacts or enchantments, helping to tip the scales in your favor by dealing with your opponent’s significant threats.

Resource Acceleration: Although Shattering Blow itself doesn’t create mana or accelerate resources directly, it has the potential to disrupt your opponent’s resource acceleration by removing key artifacts that might be boosting their mana.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Shattering Blow at instant speed gives you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s plays or destroy their artifacts and enchantments on their end step, keeping you in control of the game tempo.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Shattering Blow demands a precise blend of mana to cast. This can restrict deck building, as players will need access to both red and white mana sources and might not always have them when needed.

Discard Requirement: Unlike cards that can be played outright, Shattering Blow requires an additional cost—exiling a card from your hand. This can be particularly challenging when your hand size is dwindling, forcing tough decisions about resource allocation.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a combined mana value of three, including two specific colors, this card may be less preferable compared to other removal options. Players often seek lower-cost alternatives that provide similar levels of removal efficiency without straining their mana resources as much.


Reasons to Include Shattering Blow in Your Collection

Versatility: Shattering Blow serves as a quick and efficient answer to indestructible permanents. It fits seamlessly into sideboards or main decks that require artifact and enchantment removal.

Combo Potential: This card can dismantle key pieces of combo decks that rely on artifacts or enchantments, disrupting an opponent’s game plan and clearing the way for your victory.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta filled with potent artifacts or enchantments, Shattering Blow’s exile effect isn’t just removal, it’s a permanent solution to recurring threats, making it a practical and sometimes necessary addition.


How to Beat Shattering Blow

Shattering Blow is a specialized sideboard option for decks that need an efficient answer to artifacts and indestructible permanents. Its ability to exile an artifact can be critical in games where artifacts play a key role. However, despite its precision, Shattering Blow tends to be limited in scope, considering its lack of impact on non-artifact threats.

To effectively counter this card, flexibility in your deck construction is key. Prioritize broad-spectrum removal spells or counterspells to handle a variety of threats beyond just artifacts. Cards that offer protection, such as those granting hexproof, can safeguard your important artifacts from being removed by such targeted removal. Additionally, diversifying your threats to include a mix of artifact and non-artifact permanents can help mitigate the impact of Shattering Blow, making your board less susceptible to its one-dimensional approach.

Moreover, maintaining awareness of the mana your opponent has available can provide insight into when they are holding up Shattering Blow for use. Playing around this removal and baiting it out with less critical artifacts can help to preserve your more valuable pieces for later stages of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the vast universe of MTG gameplay opens up endless strategic possibilities. Shattering Blow stands as a fine tool for any player seeking to disrupt opponents and maintain board control. Whether you’re shoring up your sideboard or main deck, this card’s utility in dealing with stubborn artifacts or enchantments cannot be overlooked. It may have its drawbacks, but in the right deck, it’s a game-changer. Think you have the right strategy to make the most of Shattering Blow, or want to better understand how to counteract its effects? Journey further with us into the depths of MTG tactics and card analysis – your next winning move awaits.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shattering Blow MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Shattering Blow and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shattering Blow has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal