Artifact Blast MTG Card
1994-03-04 - Number 22
2007-09-10 - Number 85
2011-01-10 - Number 108
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Counters any artifact as it is being cast.
The first line of defense against Urza and Mishra, the Artifact Blast achieved widespread fame until an unlucky mage discovered it was useless on the devices the brothers had already created.
Cards like Artifact Blast
Artifact Blast is a niche yet potent option for players seeking to counter artifacts in Magic: The Gathering. It’s akin to cards such as Red Elemental Blast, which offers a broader scope by targeting blue spells and permanents. Artifact Blast, however, is exclusively focused on artifacts and boasts the advantage of a lower mana cost.
Another comparator is Gorilla Shaman, an interesting creature with the ability to destroy artifacts. While not an instant like Artifact Blast, Gorilla Shaman can be a recurring nuisance for opponents invested in artifact strategies. On the other end, we have Shatter, a straightforward artifact destruction spell. Shatter shares the same mana cost with Artifact Blast but doesn’t possess the same immediacy since it doesn’t have the countering ability.
To sum up, when positioning Artifact Blast among its counterparts, it holds a unique stance. It excels in metagames crowded with artifacts, providing a quick and cost-efficient response tailored for those specific threats in the MTG universe.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: One of the key benefits of Artifact Blast is its potential to disrupt your opponent while you maintain card parity. Speedy resolution of this spell can often prevent your adversary from capitalizing on their artifacts, thereby tipping the scale in your favor without losing momentum in your own hand.
Resource Acceleration: Artifact Blast has an edge as it can be a springboard for your own resource acceleration. By eliminating key artifacts your opponent controls, you reduce their ability to generate additional mana or trigger other artifact synergies, thereby slowing them down while you progress your own game plan unimpeded.
Instant Speed: The versatility of instant speed spells is undeniable, and Artifact Blast capitalizes on this by fitting perfectly into this category. With the ability to cast it at any time, it offers strategic flexibility, allowing players to respond immediately to threats or to hold back and wait for the most opportune moment to neutralize an opponent’s crucial artifact play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Artifact Blast is that it may require players to discard other valuable cards from their hand, which could potentially lead to a loss of important resources or strategic options later in the game.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Artifact Blast is locked into a specific mana color. This necessitates a deck that can reliably produce that color, which may not be feasible or desirable for all MTG deck builds, especially in multicolor decks that may have other mana priorities.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana cost for Artifact Blast is regarded as high when compared to other spells or abilities with similar effects. This can make it less attractive in situations where mana efficiency is crucial, as players need to consider both the immediate impact and the long-term game strategy when choosing to allocate their mana resources.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Artifact Blast is a flexible card that can enhance different types of decks, particularly those that capitalize on noncreature spells or focus on red strategies.
Combo Potential: This card can seamlessly integrate into synergistic play styles that harness the power of instants and sorceries, setting the stage for powerful plays and disrupting your opponent’s tactics.
Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to target a wide range of artifacts, Artifact Blast remains relevant in metagames where artifact strategies are prevalent. Its inclusion can provide a strategic edge by offering direct answers to common threats.
How to Beat Artifact Blast
Artifact Blast offers players in Magic: The Gathering a unique method of disruption, particularly in formats where artifacts are prevalent. Understanding how to navigate around this red instant is crucial in maintaining the upper hand. Unlike broader counterspells, Artifact Blast’s specificity against artifacts can be seen as a double-edged sword, rendering it ineffective against non-artifact strategies.
To outsmart an opponent wielding Artifact Blast, diversify your deck with a mixture of card types, ensuring you’re not overly reliant on artifacts. Implement enchantments, sorceries, or creature spells that hold their ground in the face of artifact hate. Another strategy is to bait the Artifact Blast by playing less critical artifacts first, thereby preserving high-impact ones in your hand until the path is clear. Lastly, instant-speed spells that grant your artifacts hexproof or counter targeted spells will neutralize the threat of Artifact Blast, allowing you to maintain a strong board presence without the fear of disruptive bursts.
Ultimately, while Artifact Blast can be a potent card in the right meta, understanding its limitations and employing smart deck-building and in-game strategies can effectively mitigate its impact, ensuring that your game plan remains uninterrupted.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Artifact Blast MTG card by a specific set like Antiquities and Masters Edition, 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 Artifact Blast and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Artifact Blast Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1994-03-04 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Mark Poole.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-03-04 | Antiquities | ATQ | 22 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
| 2 | 2007-09-10 | Masters Edition | ME1 | 85 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
| 3 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 108 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Artifact Blast has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |