Explosive Apparatus MTG Card
2016-04-08 - Number 255
2018-07-13 - Number 233
2023-03-21 - Number 250
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
, , Sacrifice Explosive Apparatus: Explosive Apparatus deals 2 damage to target creature or player.
"Souls are volatile things. When compressed and loaded into a handheld device, their destructive potential is quite impressive." —Dierk, geistmage
Cards like Explosive Apparatus
Explosive Apparatus is an intriguing utility artifact for Magic the Gathering players seeking versatile options. It sits alongside cards like Pyrite Spellbomb in terms of providing direct damage to creatures or players. What distinguishes Explosive Apparatus is its simplicity; for a total investment of four mana, it deals two damage. Pyrite Spellbomb can be sacraficed for fewer mana, although it does require red mana to activate this ability, whereas Explosive Apparatus is colorless, giving it more flexibility across different decks.
Considering other comparable cards, Ghirapur AEther Grid offers a reusable damage effect but requires a heavier board presence of artifacts to function. Conversely, Explosive Apparatus is a one-time effect that can be used without other artifacts on the field. Another similar card is Barrage of Boulders, which can deal damage to each creature your opponents control. While not a direct comparison, it shows how Explosive Apparatus offers a focused single-target solution over a broader sweep.
In conclusion, while not the most mana-efficient damage artifact, Explosive Apparatus provides MTG players with a flexible and immediate option to deal damage, making it a considerable choice for decks that don’t rely on specific colors to function.
Cards similar to Explosive Apparatus by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Although Explosive Apparatus doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it can function as board control, preserving your key creatures while removing threats. This keeps your board presence strong and maintains the momentum of the game in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Explosive Apparatus doesn’t directly accelerate your resources. However, the low cost of this artifact means it fits easily into a curve, leaving mana open for more impactful plays. By effectively utilizing your mana pool each turn, you can gain a subtle advantage over time.
Instant Speed: The ability to sacrifice Explosive Apparatus at instant speed gives you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s actions on their turn. This allows for strategic plays, such as eliminating a freshly summoned creature before it can become a greater threat or even in response to an opponent’s spell or ability that targets the card.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One limitation of Explosive Apparatus in gameplay is the lack of a discard requirement. While this may seem trivial, cards that facilitate discarding can be beneficial for strategies involving the graveyard or madness abilities. The absence of this dynamic does limit certain synergy possibilities within the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Explosive Apparatus demands one colorless mana for its deployment plus an additional two colorless mana to activate its ability. This specificity in mana cost can impact flexibility, especially in decks that are mana-hungry or operate under strict color requirements.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating its overall efficiency, Explosive Apparatus presents a relatively high mana investment for its effect. The total cost of three mana to deal two damage to any target is comparatively steep when measured against other low-costing damage-dealing spells or permanents which may offer greater damage output or additional benefits at a similar or reduced cost.
Reasons to Include Explosive Apparatus in Your Collection
Versatility: Explosive Apparatus fits a unique role in decks that need a low-cost artifact or a flexible removal option. It’s a valuable option for both aggressive and control strategies, offering utility in early or late-game scenarios.
Combo Potential: This card has synergy with strategies that capitalize on artifacts. The ability to sacrifice it for damage plays well with mechanics that trigger upon artifacts entering or leaving the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: If creatures with one toughness are common in your play environment, Explosive Apparatus can serve as an efficient removal tool. Plus, it’s colorless, so it can slip into any deck composition without affecting mana consistency.
How to beat
Explosive Apparatus offers strategic versatility on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering, but it comes with vulnerabilities that can be exploited. This artifact is known for its ability to deal a small amount of damage at the cost of three mana and sacrificing itself. Making the most of this card involves assessing the appropriate moment to trigger its ability, ideally disrupting an opponent’s strategy or removing key creatures.
Beating this card often involves playing around its activation cost. Since it requires a total of four mana to play and activate—consuming resources that could otherwise go toward more impactful plays—it can sometimes become a speed bump rather than a game changer. Furthermore, cards with higher toughness can withstand the damage from Explosive Apparatus, rendering it ineffective as a removal tool. Players can also employ enchantment removal spells or artifact destruction cards to eliminate Explosive Apparatus before it can be used to any significant effect.
To summarize, by understanding its mana requirements and limited damage output, players can navigate around Explosive Apparatus, rendering it less of a threat. Integrating answers to artifacts within your deck and playing securely around its damage potential are key strategies for neutralizing this card’s impact during the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Explosive Apparatus MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Core Set 2019, 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 Explosive Apparatus and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Explosive Apparatus Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Lindsey Look.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad | SOI | 255 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lindsey Look | |
| 2 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 | M19 | 233 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lindsey Look | |
| 3 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 250 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lindsey Look |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Explosive Apparatus has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |