Beacon of Destruction MTG Card
2004-06-04 - Number 61
2007-07-13 - Number 189
2017-03-31 - Number 35
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Beacon of Destruction deals 5 damage to target creature or player. Shuffle Beacon of Destruction into its owner's library.
The Great Furnace's blessing is a spectacular sight, but the best view comes at a high cost.
Cards like Beacon of Destruction
In the realm of direct damage spells, Beacon of Destruction is an impressive piece in player arsenals. It holds similarities with classic burn spells like Lightning Bolt, known for its low cost and instant-speed damage capabilities. However, Beacon of Destruction differentiates itself with a hefty five damage punch and unique recursion ability, offering it a secure spot back in the player’s library after resolution. In contrast, Lightning Bolt is a one-off quick hit that fizzles after use.
Looking at other parallels, we encounter Flame Javelin, which also delivers a substantial five damage to any target. Yet, what makes Beacon of Destruction excel is its non-existent risk of being a dead card. As Flame Javelin doesn’t shuffle back into the library, it can’t match Beacon’s ongoing threat. Additionally, there’s Banefire, another powerful spell capable of dealing significant damage that becomes uncounterable at higher mana levels. However, it lacks the perpetual engine that Beacon of Destruction offers, making the latter more formidable as the game progresses into later stages.
Assessing the dynamics of each card, Beacon of Destruction stands out with its combination of raw power and enduring presence, positioning it as a staple in MTG decks that seek to harness the firepower of red’s direct damage spells.
Cards similar to Beacon of Destruction by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Beacon of Destruction offers a quintessential example of card advantage by dealing direct damage to any target. While it doesn’t allow for card draw, it recycles back into your library, meaning it could be redrawn for repeated use. This unique feature keeps your hand effectively stocked with a potent damage spell, maintaining pressure on your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly impacting resource acceleration like mana ramp spells, Beacon of Destruction provides a different kind of acceleration: it hastens the game’s end. By dealing 5 damage, which is a significant amount in the context of an opponent’s life total or a threatening creature, you can accelerate the pace at which you close games.
Instant Speed: The versatility of Beacon of Destruction is heightened by its ability to be cast at instant speed. This timing allows for strategic plays, such as eliminating a creature before it can deal combat damage, disrupting an opponent’s end-of-turn plans, or simply saving it for an optimal moment to strike directly at your opponent’s life total when they least expect it.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Beacon of Destruction demands a heavy red mana commitment, needing a total of five mana with a requirement of three red sources. This can be restrictive in multicolor decks or in formats where mana fixing is less consistent, potentially causing delays in casting.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With five mana for a direct damage spell, Beacon of Destruction’s cost is high when compared to other burn spells in MTG. This might make it a less attractive option in fast-paced or aggressive decks that prioritize lower cost spells for a quicker impact on the game.
Discard Requirement: While Beacon of Destruction does not have a discard requirement, its high mana value could potentially clash with other spells in your hand. This creates a scenario where you may have to prioritize casting Beacon over other impactful cards, potentially leading to suboptimal plays.
Reasons to Include Beacon of Destruction in Your Collection
Versatility: Beacon of Destruction is a powerful tool in a variety of MTG decks. It offers an uncounterable five damage to any target, making it an exceptional choice for dealing with creatures or finishing off an opponent. Its ability to shuffle back into your library ensures it’s never a dead draw.
Combo Potential: This card holds immense synergy within decks that aim to cycle through their library or benefit from repeated casting of instants and sorceries. It can be a cornerstone in a deck that utilizes spells to win, providing a consistent damage source.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where indestructible and regenerative creatures are prevalent, Beacon of Destruction provides a reliable answer. Being able to deal with persistent threats and having it recycle into your deck makes it a meta-relevant choice in various MTG formats.
How to beat
Beacon of Destruction is a potent card in Magic: The Gathering, offering direct damage to any target. Unlike other burn spells, it shuffles back into the player’s library, presenting a recurring threat. To counter this card, the key is to mitigate its impact. Strategies include utilizing life gain cards to offset the damage or counterspells to prevent its successful casting. Cards like Absorb not only counter but also bolster your life total, blunting Beacon of Destruction’s effect.
Another tactic is to protect your valuable creatures from being targeted. Spells like Blossoming Defense grant hexproof, ensuring your key creatures remain on the battlefield. In situations where Beacon of Destruction has already been cast, cards that reshuffle your opponent’s graveyard such as Tormod’s Crypt can disrupt their library recycling. Lastly, controlling the pace of the game with disruption tactics to keep the opponent’s available mana low will delay the casting of this high-cost spell. Effective removal of their mana sources or land destruction are approaches to interfere with their game plan, leaving Beacon of Destruction stuck in their hand rather than being a repeated nuisance.
Adopting these strategies can effectively neutralize Beacon of Destruction and turn the tide of the game towards your victory in Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Beacon of Destruction MTG card by a specific set like Fifth Dawn and Tenth 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 Beacon of Destruction 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 Beacon of Destruction Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2004-06-04 and 2017-03-31. Illustrated by Greg Hildebrandt.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2004-06-04 | Fifth Dawn | 5DN | 61 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Greg Hildebrandt | |
| 2 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 189 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Greg Hildebrandt | |
| 3 | 2017-03-31 | Duel Decks: Mind vs. Might | DDS | 35 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Hildebrandt |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Beacon of Destruction has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Beacon of Destruction card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2007-07-15 | If a Beacon is countered or doesn’t resolve, it’s put into its owner’s graveyard, not shuffled into the library. |