Ballistic Boulder MTG Card
2023-06-23 - Number 8
2023-06-23 - Number 21
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Type | Token Artifact Creature — Construct |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Flying
Cards like Ballistic Boulder
Ballistic Boulder finds its unique niche among rock-solid cards designed to fortify a player’s defensive strategy in Magic: The Gathering. It’s akin to cards like Wall of Stone, as both serve as formidable defenders. Yet, Ballistic Boulder offers the added capability of becoming an aggressive threat, granting players an alternative use beyond mere obstruction.
Similarly, we see cards like Rolling Stones, which allows walls to attack as though they didn’t have defender. However, this card requires an additional setup and is not a creature by itself. Then there’s also Carven Caryatid, an impressive comparison due to its ability to draw a card upon entering the battlefield, providing an immediate advantage although it lacks the offensive flexibility that Ballistic Boulder presents.
Ultimately, when examining the balance between defense and versatility, Ballistic Boulder competently fulfills this dual role within the game. It’s these unique characteristics that potentially elevate this card’s utility beyond that of a traditional defensive wall in a Magic: The Gathering player’s arsenal.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ballistic Boulder provides a continuous stream of card advantage by potentially dealing damage every turn, thereby drawing you closer to your win conditions.
Resource Acceleration: The artifact nature of Ballistic Boulder allows for resource acceleration by bolstering your artifact count, often a prerequisite for powering up synergistic strategies within your deck.
Instant Speed: Ballistic Boulder’s abilities may be activated at instant speed, offering flexibility and surprise value during gameplay that can disrupt opponents’ tactics and give you an edge during critical turns.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Ballistic Boulder card necessitates a discard from your hand to activate its abilities. This trade-off can drain your hand and reduce your options, especially in tight situations where each card’s value is critical.
Specific Mana Cost: Being cast for a specific combination of mana types, Ballistic Boulder may not fit smoothly into multicolor decks that struggle with mana consistency. This limits its versatility and can hinder deck building strategies that favor a broader color palette.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment required to bring Ballistic Boulder into play is quite steep considering the impact it has on the board. Other cards with lower mana requirements might provide similar or better results, making it potentially less appealing for players looking for cost-efficient card choices.
Reasons to Include Ballistic Boulder in Your Collection
Versatility: The adaptability of Ballistic Boulder allows it to be a solid inclusion in numerous deck archetypes. Its function as both a mana source and a defensive asset gives it an edge, especially in formats where long games are common.
Combo Potential: This card’s synergy with strategies that capitalize on artifact count or landfall triggers can be quite powerful, setting up pivotal plays or enhancing your board state significantly.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where control decks are prevalent, having Ballistic Boulder can prove crucial. It provides a reliable block against aggressive creatures while contributing to your mana pool, offering sustainability and tempo control.
How to beat
Ballistic Boulder offers a unique challenge on the battlefield with its formidable combination of land-centric power boosts and cost-effective damage capabilities. Subverting this looming threat requires a blend of strategic removal spells and nimble deck maneuvering. Consider running efficient land destruction cards like Field of Ruin or Tectonic Edge to disrupt your opponent’s land base, weakening Ballistic Boulder’s strength. Alternatively, classic removal spells like Path to Exile or Assassin’s Trophy can dispatch this threat regardless of its size. It’s crucial to keep mana open for these responses, as Ballistic Boulder can quickly end games if left unchecked.
Don’t overlook the power of countering spells either. While Ballistic Boulder’s casting cost is low, a well-timed Counterspell or Mana Leak can prevent it from ever hitting the field. Lastly, precision bounce spells like Unsummon or Brazen Borrower can temporarily clear the path, buying you precious time to advance your board state and prepare a more definitive answer to this rock-solid adversary.
Staying ahead requires understanding that Ballistic Boulder thrives in environments rich with land synergy; disrupting that synergy is key. By employing these tactics, you’ll significantly improve your chances of outmaneuvering an opponent who wields the power of Ballistic Boulder.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ballistic Boulder MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 Ballistic Boulder 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
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Printings
The Ballistic Boulder Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Alexander Forssberg.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 8 | 2015 | Token | Black | Alexander Forssberg | |
| 2 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 21 | 2015 | Token | Black | Alexander Forssberg |