Corpse Explosion MTG Card


Corpse Explosion grants card advantage and disrupts opponents by allowing you to draw a card. Instant speed versatility is significant, giving tactical advantage and element of surprise. Mana type specificity and discard costs present deck-building and gameplay challenges.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

As an additional cost to cast this spell, exile a creature card from your graveyard. Corpse Explosion deals damage equal to the exiled card's power to each creature and each planeswalker.

"Well, that's one way to scatter her ashes." —Calvey, funeral director


Cards like Corpse Explosion

Corpse Explosion serves an intriguing role in the niche of creature destruction and board control mechanics. It shares similarities with popular board wipes such as Damnation and Wrath of God, which also reset the battlefield by destroying all creatures. Where Corpse Explosion differs is in its unique offering of dealing damage based on the power of the creature sacrificed to activate its effect, introducing a targeted approach rather than Damnation’s or Wrath of God’s indiscriminate cleansing.

Another comparison can be drawn with Fleshbag Marauder, which forces each player to sacrifice a creature. Nevertheless, Corpse Explosion provides the player with the ability to choose the sacrificed creature, potentially removing a powerful threat and dealing notable damage to all opponents’ creatures. This differs from Fleshbag Marauder’s equal-opportunity sacrifice, lacking direct damage output. Moreover, while Massacre Girl prompts a chain reaction of destruction dependent on creatures’ toughness, Corpse Explosion impacts the board based on a sacrificed creature’s power, granting a more controlled and potentially game-altering outcome.

When evaluating the impact Corpse Explosion can have in a game, its combination of targeted removal and damage based on a sacrificial choice can be a powerful asset, particularly in decks built to exploit high-power creatures.

Damnation - MTG Card versions
Wrath of God - MTG Card versions
Fleshbag Marauder - MTG Card versions
Massacre Girl - MTG Card versions
Damnation - MTG Card versions
Wrath of God - MTG Card versions
Fleshbag Marauder - MTG Card versions
Massacre Girl - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Corpse Explosion by color, type and mana cost

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Decks using this card

MTG decks using Corpse Explosion. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
WUBRGWUBRG StandardTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 26, 2024
Grixis BurnGrixis Burn Standard4c ReanimatorThe Pizza Box Open: Standard
Grixis MidrangeGrixis Midrange StandardGrixis MidrangeJapan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Corpse Explosion enhances your hand by providing a two-fold benefit. It not only deals with problematic creatures on the battlefield but also allows you to draw a card if an opponent’s creäture died this turn, potentially swinging the momentum in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While Corpse Explosion doesn’t directly generate mana or resources, it can indirectly accelerate your game by removing blockers or threats that consume your resources. This can free up mana and opportunities to deploy more impactful spells sooner.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Corpse Explosion at instant speed is a significant tactical advantage. It gives you flexibility to react during your opponent’s turn, making it easier to disrupt their strategy while keeping your options open and preserving the element of surprise.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To activate the ominous abilities of Corpse Explosion, a player must commit to discarding a card. This act can backfire, particularly if your hand is already dwindling and every card counts. In pivotal moments, this cost could tip the scales unfavorably.

Specific Mana Cost: Corps Explosion demands a precise combination of mana types to cast. Tapping into black mana exclusively, it can pose a deck-building challenge, ensuring that its full potential is only unleashed within the constraints of black-aligned strategies or a well-tuned multicolored mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a heftier mana requirement than some other spells that wreak havoc on the board, Corpse Explosion’s cost-efficiency is up for debate. As players navigate the vast array of MTG cards, they may find alternatives that execute a similar destructive force without the weighty mana investment.


Reasons to Include Corpse Explosion in Your Collection

Versatility: Corpse Explosion offers a valuable removal strategy that can be inserted in decks emphasizing creature control. It can effectively wipe out swarms of tokens or eliminate a sizable threat, which makes it suitable for a variety of matchups.

Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with graveyard-filling tactics, setting the stage for a devastating board clear. Cards that work well with death triggers or require creatures in the graveyard can turn Corpse Explosion into both an offensive and strategic play.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where creatures often dominate the board, Corpse Explosion serves as a key tool to disrupt opponent’s plans. It remains pertinent in metas that favor creature-heavy decks and those which accumulate numerous creatures with high-power.


How to beat

The Corpse Explosion Mtg card poses a unique challenge on the battlefield with its potential for massive creature removal and damage-dealing abilities. To effectively counter this card, one strategy players can adopt is to focus on limiting the number of creatures in their own graveyard, as Corpse Explosion’s damage is directly tied to the power of the creatures it targets upon activation. Utilizing graveyard hate cards such as Relic of Progenitus or Rest in Peace can disrupt the synergy and reduce the impact of Corpse Explosion.

Another approach involves a quick and responsive gameplay style that emphasizes instant-speed removal spells to eliminate threats before Corpse Explosion can be cast. Cards like Path to Exile or Assassin’s Trophy allow you to preemptively manage potential targets for Corpse Explosion. Additionally, keeping a diverse array of counter spells up your sleeve gives you the opportunity to negate Corpse Explosion altogether before it can disrupt your game plan.

Mastering the art of strategic creature deployment is also essential. Instead of overextending on the board with numerous creatures, maintaining a more conservative and calculated creature presence can make Corpse Explosion less devastating. This allows you to bounce back and continue pressing your advantage even if an opponent manages to resolve a Corpse Explosion.


BurnMana Recommendations

If Corpse Explosion has piqued your interest, you’re on the right track. It’s a potent card for any collector or player seeking to add an edge to their gameplay. Utilizing Corpse Explosion effectively can turn the tides of a match, especially when you’re aiming to outmaneuver creature-heavy strategies. Keen to know more about how this card can be a game-changer in your deck, or looking for ways to counteract its devastating effects? Dive deeper with us. Enhance your MTG wisdom, optimize your deck, and dominate the battlefield with insights from seasoned players.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Corpse Explosion MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Streets of New Capenna Promos, 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 Corpse Explosion and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Corpse Explosion Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2022-04-29 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by Greg Staples.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 997232015NormalBlackGreg Staples
22022-04-29Streets of New Capenna PromosPSNC 179p2015NormalBlackGreg Staples
32022-04-29Streets of New CapennaSNC 4352015NormalBlackGreg Staples
42022-04-29Streets of New CapennaSNC 1792015NormalBlackGreg Staples
52022-04-29Streets of New Capenna PromosPSNC 179s2015NormalBlackGreg Staples

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Corpse Explosion has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Corpse Explosion card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2022-04-29 Once you have begun to cast Corpse Explosion, there is no point at which players can respond by removing cards from your graveyard to prevent you from being able to pay for it with a specific creature card.
2022-04-29 Use the card's power as it last existed in the graveyard to determine how much damage is dealt.