Cryoclasm MTG Card

Cryoclasm excels in decks aiming to unbalance opponents by targeting specific lands. While potent, its specificity in mana cost can limit deck inclusion options. Given its niche impact, Cryoclasm can be a sideboard staple in certain metas.

Coldsnap (CSP)
2006-07-21 - Number 79

Tenth Edition (10E)
2007-07-13 - Number 195

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery

Text of card

Destroy target Plains or Island. Cryoclasm deals 3 damage to that land's controller.

The people of Terisiare had come to live on frozen fields as though on solid ground. Nothing reminded them of the difference more clearly than the rifts brought on by the Thaw.

Cards like Cryoclasm

Cryoclasm is a standout card for those who play a control or land-destruction strategy within Magic: The Gathering. Echoing the disruptive capabilities of Stone Rain, which also destroys a land for the same amount of mana, Cryoclasm takes it up a notch by dealing damage if the target land is a snow land or Plains. This provides players with not only the means to hinder opponents’ mana development but also a way to apply pressure via direct damage.

Another card worth mentioning is Molten Rain. Similar in effect, it destroys a land but adds an additional benefit of dealing 2 damage to that land’s controller regardless of its type. Though the mana cost is one red mana more than Cryoclasm, this consistency can be crucial in certain matchups. Pillage is also a comparable card with the added advantage of being able to target artifacts, making it a slightly versatile choice but still at the same mana cost as Molten Rain.

Assessing Cryoclasm amid these similar disrupting cards, it’s evident that the targeted damage against specific lands could offer a strategic edge in matchups where snow lands or Plains are prevalent, thus affirming Cryoclasm’s niche role in Magic: The Gathering decks focused on denying resources effectively.

Cards similar to Cryoclasm by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cryoclasm offers a precise edge when it comes to dismantling your opponent’s mana base. By targeting nonbasic lands, you not only remove their resources but also suppress potential threats that rely on those lands, thereby influencing the game in your favor without losing card equity.

Resource Acceleration: Using Cryoclasm can be part of an effective resource acceleration strategy in a deck built around land destruction. By setting your opponent back, you tilt the resource balance and give yourself the chance to surge ahead in deploying your own threats on the board.

Instant Speed: While Cryoclasm operates at sorcery speed, it synergizes well with instant speed spells by clearing the way. This allows you to efficiently plan your turn by eliminating problematic lands before they can be utilized effectively, making it easier to counteract your opponent’s strategies during their turn with your own instants.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike other disruptors in Magic the Gathering, Cryoclasm doesn’t necessitate discarding a card, giving players who use it a strategic advantage in maintaining hand size.

Specific Mana Cost: Cryoclasm’s casting cost demands both red and generic mana, potentially restricting its inclusion to decks that support such a color combination.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three mana, Cryoclasm’s land destruction and potential damage effect may compete with other lower-cost spells in your arsenal which can deliver immediate impact on the game or provide a wider array of options.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Cryoclasm shines in decks that aim to disrupt opponents’ manabases. Its ability to destroy a snow land, or a Plains or Island, makes it adaptable against a variety of opponents, fitting well into red-based control or land destruction strategies.

Combo Potential: This card offers synergy in decks that benefit from land destruction or want to capitalize on an opponent’s set back. Pairing Cryoclasm with cards that penalize land loss can create powerful control combinations and tilt the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In game environments where snow lands or specific basics are heavily utilized, Cryoclasm’s targeted land destruction can be a crucial tactical advantage, putting it in a key position within your sideboard to combat prevalent deck types.

How to beat

Cryoclasm is a card that commands attention in the destruction-focused decks of Magic: The Gathering. This spell can shatter your opponent’s nonbasic lands, particularly those that produce two or more colors, while also dealing damage to that land’s controller. Its strength lies in its ability to disrupt your adversary’s mana flow and progress, a tactic that can be quite debilitating.

To effectively counteract Cryoclasm, players would be wise to adapt their deck-building strategies. Incorporating a mix of basic lands can mitigate the risk, ensuring the stability of your mana supply. Additionally, counterspells serve as a direct shield, nullifying Cryoclasm’s effect before it can impact the state of the board. Spreading your land choices will cushion the blow from these targeted land destruction cards, preserving your game plan and tempo.

Navigating the challenges posed by Cryoclasm requires a thoughtful approach to your land choices and being prepared with responsive measures within your deck. Doing so allows you to sidestep the destabilizing potential of Cryoclasm and maintain the upper hand over opponents who rely heavily on this destruction mechanic.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cryoclasm MTG card by a specific set like Coldsnap 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 Cryoclasm and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Cryoclasm Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2006-07-21 and 2007-07-13. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2006-07-21	Coldsnap	CSP		79	2003	Normal	Black	Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai
2	2007-07-13	Tenth Edition	10E		195	2003	Normal	Black	Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cryoclasm has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal