Meteor Swarm MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Key Takeaways

  1. Meteor Swarm excels at shifting game momentum by offering superior board control.
  2. Its mana scaling and multi-target capabilities bolster red decks aiming for late-game impact.
  3. Despite its higher mana cost, it remains a tactical card for flexible gameplay strategies.

Text of card

Meteor Swarm deals 8 damage divided as you choose among X target creatures and/or planeswalkers.

Sometimes one fireball isn't enough.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Meteor Swarm shines in enabling you to potentially remove multiple threats on the board in one go. This can lead to a significant swing in card advantage as you deal with several of an opponent’s key creatures with a single card from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: While Meteor Swarm itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, it becomes exceptionally potent in decks that have ramped up their mana production. The flexibility of targeting multiple creatures or even players scales with the amount of mana you’ve generated, meaning the more resources at your disposal, the more devastating Meteor Swarm becomes.

Instant Speed: Although Meteor Swarm is cast at sorcery speed, its impact can be likened to instant-speed effects due to its potential game-changing nature when played. Its ability to clear the board or target multiple objects provides the sort of reactive play often associated with instant speed cards, leaving opponents wary of overcommitting resources to the board.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When playing Meteor Swarm, one of the challenges you may encounter is the absence of a discard mechanic, which is not a con in itself, however it may suggest it fits a specific strategy within a deck that leverages card advantage or graveyard mechanics. If your strategy does not align with these conditions, the card might not reach its full potential.

Specific Mana Cost: In the case of Meteor Swarm, it requires a fixed red mana cost, making it exclusive to players running red mana sources in their decks. This specific mana requirement implies that the card cannot be easily included in decks that are not tailored around red mana, thus decreasing its versatility compared to multicolored or colorless options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Meteor Swarm comes with a relatively high mana cost. This could deter players from including it in faster-paced decks or those aimed towards early game dominance. It’s important to weigh its potential impact against other options available at similar or lower mana costs that may offer more immediate or versatile effects.


Reasons to Include Meteor Swarm in Your Collection

Versatility: Meteor Swarm offers a unique flexibility in that it can target multiple creatures or planeswalkers at once, making it a strategic addition to decks that need to clear several threats simultaneously or push for a final burst of damage.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations that amplify spell damage or when paired with cards that benefit each time an instant or sorcery is cast. Its potential to remove numerous obstacles in one swoop can turn the tide of a game, especially in synergy-focused decks.

Meta-Relevance: In current gameplay, where board presence is often the difference between victory and defeat, having an effective removal option like Meteor Swarm can be critical. Its capability to adjust the scales and answer diverse threats keeps it relevant and potent in various matchups.


How to beat

Meteor Swarm is a dynamic red spell that offers MTG players the ability to distribute a number of damage tokens customized to the targets they choose. This pinpoint damage distribution makes Meteor Swarm a challenge on the battlefield, capable of clearing multiple threats in one cast. But like any card, it has its vulnerabilities.

To counter Meteor Swarm, prioritize cards that provide spell protection or counterspells. Employing instant spells such as “Negate” or “Counterspell” can thwart Meteor Swarm before its effects come into play. Another strategy is to utilize creatures with hexproof or indestructibility to render Meteor Swarm’s damage ineffective.

Additionally, maintaining an array of creature abilities—like regeneration or having a card that can phase out your creatures—can mitigate the impact of Meteor Swarm. Adaptability and strategic forethought are key in outmaneuvering an opponent wielding this powerful multi-target spell.


Cards like Meteor Swarm

Meteor Swarm is an intriguing card for players who enjoy dealing direct damage in Magic: The Gathering. This red sorcery draws parallels to cards like Fireball, another classic that allows players to divide X damage as they choose among any number of targets. However, Meteor Swarm comes with a different twist – it enables a fixed four targets at most, offering a more controlled spread of damage, unlike Fireball’s unlimited targeting potential.

Comet Storm shares similarities with Meteor Swarm as well, permitting multi-target damage distribution. Though it commands a higher mana cost for its kickstarter ability, which can amplify the spell’s impact. Comet Storm’s flexibility in damage allocation and the possibility to cast it at instant speed provides an edge in reactive play situations.

As we consider the attributes of Meteor Swarm in comparison to these well-known damage spells, it’s evident that it holds its own in Magic: The Gathering. The predictability of hitting up to four targets without enduring a significant mana surge makes Meteor Swarm a valuable card for strategic plays, especially in formats that favor precision over raw power.

Fireball - MTG Card versions
Comet Storm - MTG Card versions
Fireball - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Comet Storm - Worldwake Promos (PWWK)

Cards similar to Meteor Swarm by color, type and mana cost

Stone Rain - MTG Card versions
Game of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Evaporate - MTG Card versions
Steam Blast - MTG Card versions
Goblin Offensive - MTG Card versions
Desert Sandstorm - MTG Card versions
Arc Lightning - MTG Card versions
Pillage - MTG Card versions
Search for Survivors - MTG Card versions
Searing Rays - MTG Card versions
Rupture - MTG Card versions
Tundra Fumarole - MTG Card versions
Browbeat - MTG Card versions
Erratic Explosion - MTG Card versions
Threaten - MTG Card versions
Sizzle - MTG Card versions
Hammer of Bogardan - MTG Card versions
Fiery Gambit - MTG Card versions
Flamebreak - MTG Card versions
Panic Attack - MTG Card versions
Stone Rain - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Game of Chaos - Ice Age (ICE)
Evaporate - Homelands (HML)
Steam Blast - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Goblin Offensive - Urza's Saga (USG)
Desert Sandstorm - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Arc Lightning - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Pillage - Arena League 2000 (PAL00)
Search for Survivors - Prophecy (PCY)
Searing Rays - Invasion (INV)
Rupture - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Tundra Fumarole - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Browbeat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Erratic Explosion - Planechase 2012 (PC2)
Threaten - Tenth Edition (10E)
Sizzle - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Hammer of Bogardan - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Fiery Gambit - Mirrodin (MRD)
Flamebreak - Darksteel (DST)
Panic Attack - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Meteor Swarm MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, 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 Meteor Swarm and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Meteor Swarm Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by Olivier Bernard.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 927502015normalblackOlivier Bernard
22021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 1552015normalblackOlivier Bernard
32021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 3802015normalblackOlivier Bernard
42021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten Realms PromosPAFR 155p2015normalblackOlivier Bernard
52021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten Realms PromosPAFR 155a2015normalblackOlivier Bernard
62021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten Realms PromosPAFR 155s2015normalblackOlivier Bernard

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Meteor Swarm has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Meteor Swarm card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2021-07-23 If Meteor Swarm has one or more targets, and some (but not all) of them are illegal as Meteor Swarm tries to resolve, the amount of damage dealt to the remaining legal targets doesn't change. If all targets become illegal, Meteor Swarm won't resolve.
2021-07-23 You divide the damage as you cast Meteor Swarm. Each target must be assigned at least 1 damage. Because there is a maximum of eight targets, X can't be greater than 8.

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