Blustersquall MTG Card
2012-10-05 - Number 30
2015-11-13 - Number 89
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Overload |
Text of card
Tap target creature you don't control. Overload (You may cast this spell for its overload cost. If you do, change its text by replacing all instances of "target" with "each.")
Weather is more predictable than the Izzet.
Cards like Blustersquall
Blustersquall makes a splash as a flexible control spell in Magic: The Gathering, offering players the ability to tap a single creature or multiple creatures with its Overload cost. Its competitors include cards like Frost Breath, which can incapacitate two creatures but lacks the scalability of Blustersquall. Frost Breath’s effect lasts through the enemy’s next turn, yet it doesn’t offer the instant speed that Blustersquall does, reducing its utility in surprise tactics.
Another related spell in this realm is the infamous Sleep, a card that taps all of an opponent’s creatures and stymies them for a turn. Sleep, much like Blustersquall’s Overload effect, can swing the momentum of the game. However, Sleep’s higher mana cost and lack of the flexible casting option mean that Blustersquall can be more versatile in early game scenarios or when conserving resources for other spells.
Identifying the strategic advantages of Blustersquall within similar cards reveals its uniqueness in MTG. With its dual casting modes, Blustersquall presents adaptability, allowing players to hold back an enemy’s force temporarily in a crucial moment or to clear the way for an unimpeded attack, showcasing the true potential of this instant-speed spell in their arsenal.
Cards similar to Blustersquall by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While the Blustersquall itself doesn’t directly add cards to your hand, it facilitates card advantage by allowing your creatures to connect with the opponent unopposed or protect you from incoming assaults, ensuring you maintain a strong board presence.
Resource Acceleration: Blustersquall can act as a form of tempo acceleration. By temporarily removing potential blockers or attackers, you effectively gain extra steps in your game plan, driving you closer to your win conditions without expending additional resources.
Instant Speed: The instant speed of Blustersquall offers highly strategic flexibility. It empowers you to wait until the most impactful moment, be it during the combat phase to surprise an opponent or at the end of their turn to set up for a critical play on your own turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Blustersquall doesn’t demand a card to be discarded, it’s important for players to consider hand resources when using cards with tap effects. Opting to hold this card for its overload cost might result in missed opportunities to play other cards.
Specific Mana Cost: Blustersquall requires blue mana, which may restrict its integration in decks that aren’t centered around blue or haven’t mana fixing strategies to accommodate multicolored decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its overload cost, Blustersquall might feel costly, especially when you compare to other control options available in the game. Given that Magic the Gathering offers a diverse catalog of spells, some may offer more versatility or lower cost for similar effects.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Blustersquall offers a flexible tool for any player’s arsenal. It has the capacity to halt opponent’s creatures, providing temporary control that can be utilized in both aggressive and defensive strategies.
Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with cards that capitalize on tapped creatures or spells that benefit from the casting of instants, making it a strong enabler in a variety of combo decks.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where creature-heavy decks are prevalent, Blustersquall can become an essential part of your collection. Its ability to disrupt opposing forces, at instant speed, can turn the tide in critical moments, ensuring its relevance in a fluctuating meta.
How to beat
Blustersquall is a versatile card in the MTG realm, known for its ability to lock down your opponent’s creatures. This blue instant spell can either tap a single creature or, when its overload cost is paid, tap all creatures your adversary controls. Overcoming Blustersquall relies on timing and strategic play. One method involves utilizing instant-speed spells that can either untap your creatures or grant them hexproof or indestructible before the squall can settle in.
Another effective strategy is to focus on non-creature spells or abilities that aren’t thwarted by tapped creatures, keeping your board presence and momentum intact. Cards with vigilance or those that function predominantly through activated abilities, which do not require tapping, also circumvent Blustersquall’s effect. Lastly, maintaining a hold on your counter-magic until your opponent casts Blustersquall can ensure your creatures remain unfazed, poised for the next attack phase.
Ultimately, recognizing Blustersquall’s potential impact and having a plan to either sidestep its effects or respond accordingly will considerably diminish its power in the game and keep your strategy on the path to victory.
BurnMana Recommendations
For those seeking to expand their MTG prowess, Blustersquall is a card to consider for its tempo control and strategic depth. Whether you’re disrupting opponents or focusing on victory swings, honing the use of such instants can be a game-changer. We encourage players to deepen their understanding of Blustersquall’s potential within different decks and metagames. If you’re looking to refine your MTG strategies and make each match a calculated battle of wits, dive in with us. Let’s explore the intricacies of gameplay and optimize your collections for that undeniable edge in every duel. Learn more and sharpen your MTG edge with us.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Blustersquall MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica and Commander 2015, 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 Blustersquall 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 Blustersquall Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-10-05 and 2015-11-13. Illustrated by Willian Murai.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-10-05 | Return to Ravnica | RTR | 30 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Willian Murai | |
| 2 | 2015-11-13 | Commander 2015 | C15 | 89 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Willian Murai |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Blustersquall has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Blustersquall card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-04-15 | Because a spell with overload doesn’t target when its overload cost is paid, it may affect permanents with hexproof or with protection from the appropriate color. |
| 2013-04-15 | Casting a spell with overload doesn’t change that spell’s mana cost. You just pay the overload cost instead. |
| 2013-04-15 | Effects that cause you to pay more or less for a spell will cause you to pay that much more or less while casting it for its overload cost, too. |
| 2013-04-15 | If you are instructed to cast a spell with overload “without paying its mana cost,” you can’t choose to pay its overload cost instead. |
| 2013-04-15 | If you don’t pay the overload cost of a spell, that spell will have a single target. If you pay the overload cost, the spell won’t have any targets. |
| 2013-04-15 | Note that if the spell with overload is dealing damage, protection from that spell’s color will still prevent that damage. |
| 2013-04-15 | Overload doesn’t change when you can cast the spell. |