Puncture Blast MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Wither |
| Released | 2008-07-25 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Eventide |
| Set code | EVE |
| Number | 60 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Carl Critchlow |
Key Takeaways
- Puncture Blast’s instant nature means vital control over game flow and reacting swiftly to opponents.
- Wither ability offers permanent damage, playing a key role in long-term board dominance.
- Mana and card cost require strategic deck building to maximize Puncture Blast’s impact.
Text of card
Wither (This deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters.) Puncture Blast deals 3 damage to target creature or player.
Gnarltrunk didn't remember having quite that many knotholes.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: One of the benefits Puncture Blast brings to the table is its ability to deal 3 damage to any target. This can translate into removing an opponent’s key creature or planeswalker, effectively reducing their resources while maintaining your own board presence.
Resource Acceleration: In decks that thrive on spell synergy, casting Puncture Blast can trigger abilities that require you to cast an instant or sorcery, thus accelerating your strategic setup and potential for resource generation.
Instant Speed: As an instant, Puncture Blast offers versatile timing. This allows you to assert control by reacting to your opponent’s moves, disrupting their strategy during their turn or at the end of it, ensuring maximum impact on the game’s flow.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Puncture Blast’s efficiency is often mitigated by the need to discard a card upon casting. This exchange can be costly, particularly when your hand is already stretched thin by the game’s demands. Players must weigh the immediate benefit of the spell against the long-term drawback of having one less card to work with.
Specific Mana Cost: Locked into a single red mana cost, Puncture Blast requires a dedicated or primarily red mana base. This requirement restricts its inclusion to decks that are either mono-red or have a significant red component, potentially sidelining it in multicolored or less red-centric builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating removal options, mana efficiency is crucial. Puncture Blast comes with a three-mana price tag, which may be seen as steep for the damage it deals. In a format where tempo and resource management are key, there may be alternative spells that achieve similar results for less, or offer more versatility for a similar investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Puncture Blast offers flexibility in deck construction, capable of being slotted into various builds that aim to leverage direct damage for control or finishing off opponents.
Combo Potential: With the Wither ability, this instant reduces toughness over time, thus creating opportunities to combo with strategies that capitalize on -1/-1 counters or creature destruction.
Meta-Relevance: As player strategies often involve creatures with high impact, Puncture Blast is relevant in metas where damage that doesn’t heal at end of turn can decisively alter board states and match outcomes.
How to beat
Puncture Blast is a unique instance in the arsenal of direct damage spells within Magic: The Gathering. It’s a card identified by its ability to deal a hefty 3 damage to any target while standing out with its Wither ability. This ability ensures that the damage it deals also results in -1/-1 counters, potentially weakening creatures over time rather than just destroying them outright.
Combating Puncture Blast involves a few strategies. First, prioritize creatures with high toughness to withstand the initial blow. Indestructible creatures are also a solid choice, rendering the -1/-1 counters ineffective. Second, leverage spells that grant hexproof or shroud to your permanents to prevent them from being targeted. Another method is using counterspells to negate Puncture Blast altogether, preserving your board state. Lastly, it’s worth having instant-speed creature buffs to increase toughness in response and save your creatures from succumbing to the Blaze’s detriments.
Understanding the intricacies of spells like Puncture Blast is essential for players crafting their decks and anticipating the battlefield. It’s not merely about the damage it deals but the strategic implications of its withering touch on the state of one’s creatures.
Cards like Puncture Blast
Puncture Blast stands out with its ability to deal damage to any target and potentially change the flow of the game. This instant card draws a comparison to Lightning Strike, which also carries the flexibility of hitting various targets and is well-known among MTG players for its efficiency and dependability. The difference lies in Puncture Blast’s wither ability, which can be a deciding factor by weakening creatures permanently over time.
Another card worth mentioning is Shock, a straightforward and low-cost option for inflicting damage quickly. Shock’s lower mana cost positions it as a more accessible early-game play, but it falls short on the potential long-term board impact that Puncture Blast can offer with its wither effect. In addition, Char is a card similar in concept but it inflicts 4 damage at the cost of dealing 2 damage to yourself, delivering a more potent punch if you’re willing to take the risk.
Ultimately, Puncture Blast’s unique wither ability adds a level of strategic depth to MTG matches. Despite the playstyle it fosters, it competes with other damage-dealing cards for a spot in players’ decks, balancing instant impact with gradual advantage.
Cards similar to Puncture Blast by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Puncture Blast MTG card by a specific set like Eventide, 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 Puncture Blast and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Puncture Blast 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 Puncture Blast card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-08-01 | This is the only instant or sorcery spell that has wither. It works like anything else with wither: If it deals damage to a creature, the damage results in -1/-1 counters; if it deals damage to a player or planeswalker, the damage behaves normally. |
