Magmaquake MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Magmaquake eradicates multiple ground threats, providing significant card advantage without extra cost.
  2. Instant-speed casting offers surprise interactions, countering enemy plays effectively.
  3. While powerful, its red mana requirement and higher cost can limit its flexibility in some decks.

Text of card

Magmaquake deals X damage to each creature without flying and each planeswalker.

"Where will you run when I punish you with the very ground you flee on?" —Nicol Bolas


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Magmaquake uniquely targets each player and planeswalker that isn’t on the battlefield. This comprehensive reach gives you the potential to clear multiple threats at once, helping you swing the state of the board in your favor without expending additional cards.

Resource Acceleration: Although Magmaquake itself doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, it can act as a form of indirect acceleration by removing mana dorks and other creatures that generate resources for your opponents. This allows you to potentially halt their progression and maintain the pace of the game.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Magmaquake at instant speed offers immense flexibility. You can disrupt your opponent’s strategies during their turn, deal with summoning-sick creatures before they can be used, and have the element of surprise. This advantage keeps your adversaries on their toes, not knowing when you might alter the board’s state to your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Magmaquake doesn’t specifically require discarding as part of its cost, it’s worth noting that this card might force you to discard indirectly if you’re using it in a deck where resources are already tight. Casting it at a critical juncture could potentially put you at a card disadvantage if you’re not careful with your hand management.

Specific Mana Cost: Magmaquake has a dedicated red color requirement in its casting cost, making it somewhat restrictive in multi-colored decks. You’ll need a significant source of red mana to use this card effectively, which may not always align with your deck’s mana base strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a starting cost of two red plus X, Magmaquake can be a heavy mana investment, especially if you’re aiming for a substantial damage output. In situations where you’re trying to deal with a swarm of smaller creatures, alternative board clear options could potentially accomplish the task with a lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Magmaquake is a flexible card that can be slotted into various deck archetypes. It’s particularly effective in Commander where it can clear a board of pesky planeswalkers and creatures without touching the ground, maintaining a strong board presence.

Combo Potential: This card couples well with strategies that manipulate damage or take advantage of spell casting triggers. Its ability to wipe multiple targets simultaneously can be a game-changer in the right deck.

Meta-Relevance: In environments heavy with creature and planeswalker based strategies, Magmaquake can shift the tide of the game. Its instant speed allows for strategic plays that can dismantle opponents’ boards when they least expect it.


How to beat

Magmaquake is a formidable card that offers players a sweeping effect, clearing the board of various threats in one powerful move. Its ability to damage each creature without flying and each planeswalker can turn the tide of a game. However, like any card, Magmaquake has its Achilles’ heel.

To counteract Magmaquake’s potential devastation, consider utilizing creatures with flying. These creatures are naturally immune to Magmaquake’s effects, allowing you to maintain a presence on the board even after your opponent has cast it. Alternatively, cards with indestructible provide a way to safeguard your key pieces from this earth-shattering spell.

In addition, keeping your planeswalkers‘ loyalty high enough can ensure they survive the quake, or using instant-speed effects to increase their loyalty in response to a Magmaquake can save them from destruction. As a strategic player, anticipate the possibility of this explosive card being played, especially in red-heavy decks or any deck where achieving a clear board state is crucial. By planning and adapting accordingly, you can effectively mitigate the impact of Magmaquake and maintain your advantage.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG means building a powerful deck that responds effectively to dynamic in-game scenarios. Magmaquake is a versatile and impactful card that could revolutionize your strategy by addressing multiple threats with its instant speed and potential for broad damage. If you’re aiming to harness the destructive power of red spells and maintain board control, this card is a crucial tactical addition. Perfect for Commander formats and decks that command the skies, Magmaquake allows you to flip the script on your opponents. Level up your gameplay with Magmaquake by visiting BurnMana for deeper insights and the ultimate deck-building guides.


Cards like Magmaquake

Magmaquake stands out as a powerful area-of-effect spell in Magic: The Gathering. In comparison, Earthquake is a card to consider alongside Magmaquake. Both cards are potent in damaging creatures and planeswalkers, but Magmaquake crucially does not affect flying creatures, allowing for more strategic plays. Unlike Earthquake, Magmaquake also hits planeswalkers, providing a broader scope of control.

Rolling Earthquake is another relative that mirrors Magmaquake’s potential to clear multiple targets. Rolling Earthquake, however, offers an even playing field by affecting all creatures and players, including those with flying. Magmaquake’s ability to selectively bypass flyers can be advantageous in decks that leverage air superiority.

Chain Reaction is an additional analogue worth mentioning. While Chain Reaction’s damage output depends on the number of creatures on the battlefield, Magmaquake provides a steady scalable effect based on the mana invested. This makes Magmaquake a flexible tool in a player’s arsenal, capable of being calibrated to the situation at hand.

Therefore, Magmaquake asserts its value in MTG for its unique combination of widespread damage and its exclusion of flying creatures. Its versatility in dealing with ground-based threats while sparing your aerial assets marks it as a spell of choice in many destructive strategies.

Earthquake - MTG Card versions
Rolling Earthquake - MTG Card versions
Chain Reaction - MTG Card versions
Earthquake - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Rolling Earthquake - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Chain Reaction - Worldwake (WWK)

Cards similar to Magmaquake by color, type and mana cost

Shatter - MTG Card versions
Word of Blasting - MTG Card versions
Incinerate - MTG Card versions
Guerrilla Tactics - MTG Card versions
Gorilla War Cry - MTG Card versions
Aleatory - MTG Card versions
Orcish Catapult - MTG Card versions
Blood Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Fling - MTG Card versions
Falter - MTG Card versions
Shattering Pulse - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Strike - MTG Card versions
Shrapnel Blast - MTG Card versions
Glacial Ray - MTG Card versions
Smash to Smithereens - MTG Card versions
Starstorm - MTG Card versions
First Volley - MTG Card versions
Blazing Shoal - MTG Card versions
Surging Flame - MTG Card versions
Psychotic Fury - MTG Card versions
Shatter - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Word of Blasting - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Incinerate - Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra (JVC)
Guerrilla Tactics - Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils (FMB1)
Gorilla War Cry - Alliances (ALL)
Aleatory - Mirage (MIR)
Orcish Catapult - Astral Cards (PAST)
Blood Frenzy - Tempest (TMP)
Fling - Throne of Eldraine (ELD)
Falter - Urza's Saga (USG)
Shattering Pulse - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Flowstone Strike - Nemesis (NEM)
Shrapnel Blast - Mirrodin (MRD)
Glacial Ray - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Smash to Smithereens - Modern Masters 2015 (MM2)
Starstorm - Neon Dynasty Commander (NEC)
First Volley - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Blazing Shoal - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Surging Flame - Arena League 2006 (PAL06)
Psychotic Fury - Dissension (DIS)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Magmaquake MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic 2013, 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 Magmaquake and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Magmaquake Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 2012-07-13 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 452072003normalblackSam Burley
22012-07-13Magic 2013M13 1402003normalblackGabor Szikszai
32014-11-07Commander 2014C14 1802015normalblackGabor Szikszai
42015-11-13Commander 2015C15 1622015normalblackGabor Szikszai
52018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 1122015normalblackGabor Szikszai
62018-08-09Commander 2018C18 1252015normalblackGabor Szikszai
72019-08-23Commander 2019C19 1482015normalblackGabor Szikszai
82020-07-17JumpstartJMP 3472015normalblackGabor Szikszai
92021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 1332015normalblackGabor Szikszai

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Magmaquake has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Magmaquake card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2012-07-01 Magmaquake doesn't target any creature or planeswalker. For example, it will deal damage to a creature without flying that has hexproof.

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