Firecannon Blast MTG Card
2017-09-29 - Number 145
2022-12-02 - Number 533
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Abilities | Raid |
Text of card
Firecannon Blast deals 3 damage to target creature. Raid — Firecannon Blast deals 6 damage to that creature instead if you attacked with a creature this turn.
Goblins' fearlessness and diminutive size make them the perfect cannoneers.
Cards like Firecannon Blast
The raw power of Firecannon Blast is a strong asset for red decks in Magic: The Gathering, delivering a punch that can shift the board state significantly. When paralleled with other direct damage spells such as Lightning Strike, the distinctions become apparent. Lightning Strike costs less and offers instant speed, whereas Firecannon Blast’s additional damage clause when attacking, known as raid, can be of greater tactical benefit during your turn.
Another spell worth mentioning in this comparison includes Abrade. Though its damage cap is lower, Abrade grants the flexibility of artifact destruction, which can be pivotal in certain match-ups. On a broader scale, Firecannon Blast is reminiscent of Lava Coil’s ability to deal four damage, but Lava Coil has the upside of exiling the creature it destroys, which is essential against decks that rely on graveyard strategies.
Each of these spells has a unique place in the vast arsenal of Magic: The Gathering, and Firecannon Blast carves out its niche by being particularly punishing in aggressive strategies that capitalize on the raid mechanic to deal a potentially game-ending six damage. The assessment of which to include in your deck comes down to the specific needs of your strategy and the meta you are facing.
Cards similar to Firecannon Blast by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Firecannon Blast offers a solid advantage, particularly in Limited formats. By potentially eliminating a creature, you reduce your opponent’s resources while maintaining your own board presence. This removal spell ensures you’re not falling behind on the battlefield, a critical aspect in the ebb and flow of creature combat.
Resource Acceleration: While Firecannon Blast doesn’t directly provide mana or Treasure tokens, it does help in resource battles. It allows you to use your mana efficiently in your main phase to put pressure on the opponent. This efficient use of mana can indirectly lead to a form of acceleration as it clears the way for your attacks and can lead to damage on your opponent, getting you closer to a win.
Instant Speed: The real power of Firecannon Blast comes from its ability to be cast at instant speed. This flexibility lets players wait until the most optimal moment during the combat phase or in response to an opponent’s action, providing a strategic edge. Also, with instant speed, you maintain the threat of interaction, which can influence an opponent’s play pattern, potentially causing them to play more conservatively.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Firecannon Blast demands precise timing due to its Raid mechanic, requiring another creature to have attacked this turn to unlock its full potential. This can severely limit its functionality, especially when you’re struggling to maintain a board presence and are unable to meet this condition.
Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost, involving both red and generic mana, means that decks without a solid red mana base might find it challenging to cast Firecannon Blast on curve. This requirement can hinder its inclusion in multicolored decks that can’t always guarantee the needed mana combination.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a regular damage-dealing spell locked behind three mana, including one red, Firecannon Blast can be a costly investment for the effect it offers. In faster-paced games or environments where mana efficiency is key, players may find other direct damage spells more cost-effective for their deck’s strategy.
Reasons to Include Firecannon Blast in Your Collection
Versatility: Firecannon Blast offers solid damage output, allowing it to fit into various red deck strategies. Whether you’re aiming to remove pesky creatures or finish opponents, its flexibility makes it a reliable choice for any red deck arsenal.
Combo Potential: This card shines in decks that capitalize on spells with damage-dealing effects. Combined with cards that double spell damage or allow multiple spell casts, Firecannon Blast can be the cornerstone of a devastating combo, clearing the way to victory.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where small to medium creatures dominate, Firecannon Blast is particularly effective. It can swing the board state in your favor, making it a timely and tactically sound inclusion for any player keeping an eye on the shifting tides of the meta.
How to beat Firecannon Blast
Firecannon Blast is a red sorcery spell in Magic: The Gathering that deals damage to a creature, packing a punch with its raid mechanic if you attacked with a creature this turn. To effectively handle this removal card, consider using creatures with hexproof to safeguard against targeted spells. Cards like Blossoming Defense or Ranger’s Guile can also temporarily give your creatures hexproof or indestructible, nullifying the Blast’s impact.
Timing is key when playing against decks that wield Firecannon Blast. If you maintain a defensive stance during your opponent’s turn and play creatures with flash on their end step, you can avoid losing your board presence to the Blast. Additionally, having instant-speed counterspells like Negate or Essence Scatter in your deck can stop Firecannon Blast before it ever becomes a threat, ensuring your creatures live to fight another turn.
Ultimately, keeping a close eye on both the board state and your opponent’s mana pool can be your best defense against Firecannon Blast. If you can anticipate and counteract it, this powerful card’s impact in the game can be significantly reduced, leaving your creatures ready to continue their onslaught.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Firecannon Blast MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Firecannon Blast 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
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Printings
The Firecannon Blast Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Svetlin Velinov.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-09-29 | Ixalan | XLN | 145 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Svetlin Velinov | |
| 2 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 533 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Svetlin Velinov |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Firecannon Blast 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 |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Firecannon Blast card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-01-19 | Raid abilities care only that you attacked with a creature. It doesn’t matter how many creatures you attacked with, or which opponent or planeswalker controlled by an opponent those creatures attacked. |
| 2018-01-19 | Raid abilities evaluate the entire turn to see if you attacked with a creature. That creature doesn’t have to still be on the battlefield. Similarly, the player or planeswalker it attacked doesn’t have to still be in the game or on the battlefield, respectively. |