Carom MTG Card
2006-05-05 - Number 6
2024-01-12 - Number 12
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
The next 1 damage that would be dealt to target creature this turn is dealt to another target creature instead. Draw a card.
Her enemy's strength is her own.
Cards like Carom
Carom is another unique instantiation in the realm of utility spells in Magic: The Gathering, primarily offering players the ability to redirect damage and draw a card. Echoing the mechanics of cards like Oona’s Grace, Carom also allows for a card draw, but distinguishes itself with the ability to turn potential harm into an advantageous draw. Oona’s Grace, while permitting repeated use through Retrace, does not provide the same protective maneuver.
Comparatively, cards like Deflecting Palm have a focused purpose—redirecting damage from a source to its controller. Deflecting Palm, however, doesn’t draw you a card. It’s a purely reactive measure while Carom nudges ahead with its additional draw feature. Then we have the likes of Swerve, which can change the target of a spell with a single red or blue mana, yet again, doesn’t offer card draw which is fundamental in keeping your hand replenished in MTG.
To sum up, Carom’s capacity to act as both a shield and a resource enhancer positions it strategically among MTG’s myriad of redirection spells. The balance of defense and the constant fueling of one’s hand with Carom certainly make it a card worth considering for those looking to weave resilience with card advantage into their gameplay.
Cards similar to Carom by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Casting Carom provides the dual benefit of bouncing a nonland permanent and drawing a card, ensuring you don’t fall behind in card economy.
Resource Acceleration: Although Carom doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, it aids in resource acceleration by allowing you to reuse permanents with enter-the-battlefield effects or untap potential mana generators.
Instant Speed: Carom’s instant speed offers you the flexibility to react to your opponents’ moves, protecting your board or disrupting theirs at critical moments.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To utilize Carom’s abilities, players are mandated to discard a card. This precondition can prove detrimental in scenarios where hand size is dwindling, and every card holds intrinsic strategic value.
Specific Mana Cost: Carom demands a precise blend of mana, including white, which could pose deckbuilding constraints. Decks not centered around white might find incorporating Carom challenging, leading to a narrowed scope of potential homes for the card.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a casting cost that is significant when weighed against its utility, Carom may fall short in competition with other options. Players might deliberate the merits of this card vis-à-vis other spells that offer either lower casting costs or more impactful effects for a similar investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Carom is a utility spell that shines in multiple scenarios. Its ability to bounce creatures and draw a card makes it fit seamlessly into decks that need both board control and card flow.
Combo Potential: Coupled with cards that have beneficial enter-the-battlefield effects or that trigger upon casting spells, Carom can become a key component in intricate combos, maximizing your plays each turn.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Carom provides a flexible response. Not only can it disrupt opponent’s plays, but it also maintains hand advantage, keeping you competitive in various meta-games.
How to beat
Carom showcases versatility in the realm of bounce spells within Magic: The Gathering. With the ability to redirect damage from creatures to other targets, it acts as a means to potentially save your key creatures or utilize damage in a more strategic fashion. However, beyond its defensive play, Carom opens up a tactical decision for aggressive strategies as well.
Players looking to counteract this card need to focus on instant-speed responses or spells that can’t be redirected. Consider employing abilities or spells that offer hexproof to your creatures to prevent them from being targeted. Additionally, since Carom depends on the presence of a damage source, controlling the board and keeping damage-dealing creatures at bay can dilute its effectiveness.
It’s important to be aware of Carom’s impact on the tempo of the game. Thoughtful deck building and situational awareness during gameplay are key. If you can anticipate and mitigate your opponent’s actions that hinge on Carom, you can maintain an upper hand and navigate around this card’s potential disruptions.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Carom MTG card by a specific set like Dissension and Ravnica Remastered, 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 Carom 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 Carom Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2006-05-05 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by Alex Horley-Orlandelli.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-05-05 | Dissension | DIS | 6 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Alex Horley-Orlandelli | |
| 2 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 12 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alex Horley-Orlandelli |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Carom has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Carom card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2006-05-01 | Carom’s controller draws a card when Carom resolves, not when the damage is redirected. |
| 2006-05-01 | If either target has left the battlefield before the damage would be dealt, that damage isn’t redirected. |