First Volley MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant — Arcane
Released	2005-02-04
Set symbol
Set name	Betrayers of Kamigawa
Set code	BOK
Number	100
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Glen Angus

Key Takeaways

First Volley’s instant speed allows for strategic plays during an opponent’s turn, disrupting their combat phase.
Despite its discard cost, the card’s efficiency helps maintain mana for other spells, aiding resource acceleration.
The direct damage it delivers provides a competitive edge against flying creatures, enhancing its meta relevance.

Text of card

First Volley deals 1 damage to target creature and 1 damage to that creature's controller.

"We searched their bodies for signs of the blades that had killed them, but found nothing more than scorched flesh." —Tender-Hand, kitsune healer

Card Pros

Card Advantage: First Volley doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, but it does provide the advantage of removing early threats or triggering prowess and other abilities, which can lead to card advantage over time.

Resource Acceleration: While First Volley doesn’t provide mana or treasure tokens, it is an efficient use of resource as it costs only a single red mana. This efficiency can indirectly accelerate your resource development by keeping your mana free for other spells.

Instant Speed: As an instant, First Volley gives you the flexibility to cast it on your opponent’s turn, potentially disrupting their plays or removing key blockers or attackers during combat.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: First Volley obligates players to discard a card, which can be a strategic setback if your hand is already running thin.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a precise combination of one red mana might not mesh well with multi-colored decks that are stretched for mana diversity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of one red and one other mana for a modest effect, players may look to other cards that provide greater impact or flexibility for the same investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: “First Volley” is an efficient card that provides flexibility in aggressive strategies. Its ability to deal direct damage makes it a handy tool for red decks, where reaching an opponent quickly can be critical to victory.

Combo Potential: This card can be a key piece in combos, particularly in decks that focus on instants and sorceries. It can trigger prowess or similar abilities, making it a valuable addition for synergistic deck-building.

Meta-Relevance: Given its low mana cost and direct damage, “First Volley” is an effective choice against decks with an abundance of early-game creatures. It can shift the board state in your favor right from the start of the match, making it a relevant card in certain meta environments.

How to beat

First Volley is known in the Magic: The Gathering community for its direct damage capabilities. It has the potential to take out early creatures or chip away an opponent’s life total. The card, dealing two points of damage to target creature or player and upon repletion, another two during the next upkeep, can be a threat if not managed properly.

To counteract First Volley, consider strategies that negate damage or use creatures with toughness higher than two to ensure they survive the initial blast. Cards with lifelink can help you stabilize by gaining life equal the damage dealt. Additionally, employing instant-speed removal or damage prevention after First Volley has been cast can foil an opponent’s plan to deal repeated damage. Counterspells are also effective, allowing you to stop First Volley before it ever takes effect.

Overall, while First Volley can be a nuisance, it’s a card that can be overcome with the right tactics. By including a mix of high-toughness creatures, lifegain, instant-speed interaction, and counterspells in your deck, you can effectively neutralize its impact and maintain control of the game.

Cards like First Volley

First Volley is an action-packed instant spell card in Magic: The Gathering with a specific niche in red burn decks. Its similarity to cards like Shock is evident as it provides direct damage, something valued by players keen on reducing their opponent’s life total swiftly. Unlike Shock, which typically deals 2 damage to any target for one mana, First Volley demands a more selective approach—dealing its damage only to creatures with flying and at the cost of two mana.

Comparatively, Electrickery offers a similar function with a twist. It can deal one damage to a creature you don’t control for one red mana, with the option to hit all creatures controlled by that player if you have the mana to spare. While its flexibility is a plus, it still doesn’t quite match the potential damage output of First Volley against flying creatures. Another parallel can be drawn with Twin Bolt, which also costs two mana and aims at flexibility, allowing the splitting of its damage between two targets as necessary. However, First Volley’s concentration on flyers can make it a more strategic sideboard card against decks heavily reliant on aerial threats.

While each of these instant spells carves out its own space in a player’s arsenal, First Volley is especially potent in metagames where flying creatures dominate, proving that context is key when choosing the right tool for the battle ahead.

Cards similar to First Volley by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase First Volley MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers of Kamigawa, 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 First Volley and other MTG cards: