Earthquake MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 30 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 1 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Does X damage to each player and each non-flying creature in play.
Cards like Earthquake
Earthquake is a classic staple in Magic: The Gathering when it comes to area-of-effect damage spells. It mirrors the functionality of cards like Rolling Earthquake and Magmaquake, which all share the devastating ability to deal damage to multiple targets. Earthquake sets itself apart by dealing damage to each creature without flying and each player. This indiscriminate sweep can often turn the tide of a game.
In comparison, cards like Pyroclasm and Anger of the Gods deal damage only to creatures, which can be ideal for players looking to preserve their own life total. Pyroclasm offers a lower damage threshold, which may not always clear the battlefield as effectively. On the other hand, Anger of the Gods has the added benefit of exiling creatures it destroys, thus ensuring they can’t return from the graveyard.
Each of these spells has its place in Magic: The Gathering, from Earthquake’s broad reach affecting players and creatures alike to the more selective destruction offered by the others. Players must choose the right card based on their strategy and how the game unfolds, making the versatile Earthquake a tool worthy of consideration for any deck capable of wielding red mana effectively.
Cards similar to Earthquake by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Earthquake. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Grixis Delver | Legacy | Grixis Tempo | South Wales Legacy Showcase |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Earthquake offers significant benefits when it comes to managing the board. Unlike single-target removals, it can potentially clear multiple creatures at once, rebalancing the playing field and even paving the way for a victorious swing if your creatures are out of range.
Resource Acceleration: While Earthquake itself doesn’t directly ramp up your mana resources, the clean slate it provides can be a form of acceleration by denying opponents their own mana dorks or utility creatures. This may hinder their development while you proceed unobstructed.
Instant Speed: As a powerful sorcery, Earthquake demands strategic play. Though not at instant speed, its timely use during your main phase can be just as impactful, clearing the way for your attacks or preventing incoming assaults post-combat on your turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Earthquake can be a game-changer by dealing damage to each creature without flying and each player, it doesn’t come without its challenges. One aspect to consider is its impact on your hand. Since there is no discard requirement associated with Earthquake, it allows you to maintain card advantage. However, players must strategize on the best moment to utilize the card without jeopardizing their own board state.
Specific Mana Cost: Earthquake requires a specific investment of red mana to cast. This requirement often limits its inclusion to mono-red or red-heavy decks, which may not align with every player’s strategy or the mana base of multicolored decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The flexibility of Earthquake comes at a comparatively high mana cost. To deal a significant amount of damage, a substantial mana investment is necessary, which means it might not be the most cost-effective board wipe available. Players need to weigh the potential impact against the available mana resources to maximize its effectiveness.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Earthquake offers a dynamic tool for red-themed decks, capable of clearing a swath of smaller creatures or directly delivering game-ending damage to players. Its scalability with mana allows for tactical flexibility regardless of the game’s stage.
Combo Potential: The capacity of Earthquake to deal damage to each creature without flying and each player opens up opportunities for interesting combos, especially in a deck that capitalizes on damage triggers or has ways to mitigate damage to itself.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where swarm strategies are prominent, Earthquake is particularly effective. Its ability to alter the board state significantly can turn the tide of matches that would otherwise be overwhelming due to a large number of creatures on the field.
How to beat
Confronting the destructive force of Earthquake in Magic: The Gathering requires strategic foresight and deck adaptability. This classic card delivers direct damage to each creature without flying and each player, which can dramatically sway the board’s balance. To overcome this potent red sorcery, incorporating flying creatures into your deck is a wise maneuver. These airborne allies will remain unscathed as Earthquake rumbles below.
Another tactic is leveraging life gain strategies to buffer the damage dealt to your health total. Spells and abilities that increase your life can create a safety net, blunting the impact of Earthquake’s wide-reaching effect. Instant-speed life gain can be particularly useful, allowing you to respond directly to the Earthquake’s resolution.
Lastly, countermagic serves as a direct countermeasure. Controlling the stack with blue spells like Counterspell or Negate allows you to nullify Earthquake before it even touches the battlefield. By keeping up mana for these reactive tools, you can assure that your creatures and life total remain beyond Earthquake’s reach, securing your position in the game.
BurnMana Recommendations
Mastering MTG gameplay requires understanding the nuances of each card, and Earthquake is no exception. Assessing its strategic advantages and knowing when to unleash its power can solidify your dominance on the board. It’s essential to blend Earthquake’s raw strength with a smart deck composition to harness its full potential. Are you intrigued by its destructive capabilities or seeking to enrich your collection with this classic spell? Perhaps you’re crafting a deck where Earthquake would shine. Dive deeper with us into the strategies and combos that can turn this card into your winning play. Learn, adapt, and conquer—your next victorious MTG match awaits!
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Earthquake MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Earthquake 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 Earthquake Magic the Gathering card was released in 26 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 6 different artists.
Show/hide all sets# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 146 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 147 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 147 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
4 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 147 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
5 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 147 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
6 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 148 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
7 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 148 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 148 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 189 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 189 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
11 | 1996-05-02 | Pro Tour Collector Set | PTC | mj189 | 1993 | Normal | Gold | Dan Frazier | |
12 | 1996-05-02 | Pro Tour Collector Set | PTC | et189 | 1993 | Normal | Gold | Dan Frazier | |
13 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 223 | 1997 | Normal | White | Richard Kane Ferguson | |
14 | 1997-05-01 | Portal | POR | 124 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Adrian Smith | |
15 | 1997-08-13 | World Championship Decks 1997 | WC97 | js223 | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Richard Kane Ferguson | |
16 | 1997-08-13 | World Championship Decks 1997 | WC97 | jk223sb | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Richard Kane Ferguson | |
17 | 1998-06-24 | Portal Second Age | P02 | 94 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Jeffrey R. Busch | |
18 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 173 | 1997 | Normal | White | Richard Kane Ferguson | |
19 | 1999-08-04 | World Championship Decks 1999 | WC99 | kb173sb | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Richard Kane Ferguson | |
20 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 180 | 1997 | Normal | White | Franz Vohwinkel | |
21 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 180★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
22 | 2009-07-17 | Magic 2010 | M10 | 134 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Adrian Smith | |
23 | 2011-06-17 | Commander 2011 | CMD | 121 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Adrian Smith | |
24 | 2015-11-13 | Commander 2015 | C15 | 152 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Adrian Smith | |
25 | 2017-06-09 | Commander Anthology | CMA | 82 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Adrian Smith | |
26 | 2017-08-25 | Commander 2017 | C17 | 137 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Adrian Smith | |
27 | 2018-06-08 | Commander Anthology Volume II | CM2 | 95 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Adrian Smith | |
28 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 439 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
29 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 142 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
30 | 2023-06-23 | Tales of Middle-earth Commander | LTC | 214 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tomáš Honz |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Earthquake has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Oldschool | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Earthquake card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2004-10-04 | Whether or not a creature is without flying is only checked on resolution. |