Forked Bolt MTG Card
2010-04-23 - Number 146
2015-08-28 - Number 60
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Forked Bolt deals 2 damage divided as you choose among one or two target creatures and/or players.
"Play no favorites. Everybody dies." —Sparkmage saying
Understanding Forked Bolt’s Place in Your Deck
Forked Bolt is a versatile addition to red decks in Magic: The Gathering, offering the utility of distributing two damage as the caster sees fit. One may draw a parallel with similar damage spells like Arc Trail or Twin Bolt. These options also allow the dealing of damage across multiple targets, yet with subtle differences.
Cards like Forked Bolt
Forked Bolt presents itself as a potent tool, bearing resemblance to the utility provided by cards such as Arc Trail. While both cards can split their damage, Arc Trail’s preset distribution limits flexibility when compared to Forked Bolt’s free allocation of damage. Versatility is key in gameplay, and Forked Bolt provides it in spades, granting players the opportunity to strategize and eliminate threats on the board effectively.
Twin Bolt follows closely but differs primarily due to its instant speed. This allows for responsive play at crucial moments, countering Forked Bolt’s sorcery speed. Yet, Forked Bolt compensates for this with its lesser mana cost, making it a more economical choice in tight mana situations.
Exploring card analogues reveals that Forked Bolt can claim its niche as a cost-effective and flexible solution. It stands strong amongst the suite of damage-dealing spells in Magic: The Gathering, tailored to the discerning player who values strategic control and efficiency.
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Forked Bolt. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 4c Synthesizer | Pauper | 4c Synthesizer | Pauper Challenge 64 2024-04-28 |
 | Mono-Red Midrange | Legacy | Charlotte Legacy League Season 2 Week 3 | |
 | Naya Monsters | Free form | Canadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed | |
 | Gruul | Free form | Canadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed | |
 | Grixis | Free form | Canadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed | |
 | Decklist | Free form | Canadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed | |
 | RUG Delver | Legacy | Temur Delver | Win A Dual Tuebingen 48 |
 | Mono-Red | Free form | Set Roulette Feburary 2024 | |
 | Monored | Free form | Set Roulette Feburary 2024 | |
 | Boros Burn | Modern | Boros Burn | 22Champions Cup Final Season 2 Round 2 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Forked Bolt’s ability to potentially deal with two creatures for the cost of one spell can lead to gaining card advantage over your opponent, particularly effective against decks that summon numerous low-toughness creatures.
Resource Acceleration: While it may not directly accelerate resources in the form of mana, Forked Bolt can quickly remove early game mana dorks or utility creatures, slowing down an opponent’s development and effectively keeping you ahead in the race.
Instant Speed: Although Forked Bolt is a sorcery, its low cost and flexibility compensate by fitting into a curve and allowing for a strong play on your turn, paving the way to maintain or reclaim board dominance with mana open for other actions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Forked Bolt doesn’t require a card discard, it’s worth considering that dealing with multiple threats may force strategic discards elsewhere in your game plan to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Forked Bolt demands red mana, which can pose a challenge in multicolored decks where mana flexibility is key. Having a single red mana source might not always be guaranteed, especially in the early stages of the game.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Even though Forked Bolt’s cost seems low at one red mana, when compared to other one-drop removal spells, it may appear less efficient. In scenarios where you need to remove a single target with higher toughness, one red mana might not provide the necessary impact, leading players to opt for spells with more punch per mana spent.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Forked Bolt offers great adaptability for various deck types. It finds its place in fast-paced aggro to control decks that value efficient removal. With the ability to split its damage, it can deal with multiple threats or just provide the extra punch to finish off an opponent.
Combo Potential: This card works well with spell synergies and prowess-like mechanics. Players harnessing the power of Forked Bolt can often take advantage of its ability to enable combos by removing smaller creatures or damaging players to trigger other card effects.
Meta-Relevance: In metas dominated by low-toughness creatures or where it’s crucial to disrupt early-game plays, Forked Bolt shines as a low-cost solution. Its flexibility allows it to be relevant across various game situations, keeping your strategy versatile and reactive to the competitive environment.
How to beat
Forked Bolt is a versatile red spell that has made a significant impact in Magic the Gathering’s gameplay dynamics. Its ability to split its damage makes it a formidable tool against decks that swarm the field with low-toughness creatures. To effectively navigate around Forked Bolt, consider employing creatures with a toughness greater than two. This simple yet strategic move can render Forked Bolt less potent, forcing your opponent to find alternative methods to deal with your sturdier creatures.
Another tactic is to hold off on playing out multiple one-toughness creatures until the threat of Forked Bolt has passed. Once used, strategize your field presence to maintain a resilient stance against potential repeat damage spells. You may also invest in cards that offer protection or spells that can regenerate your creatures, lessening the impact of Forked Bolt’s split damage capability. Successfully managing your resources and anticipating such removal spells can significantly tip the scales in your favor.
It’s clear that while Forked Bolt introduces an element of aggression and flexibility to red decks, understanding its mechanics and preparing appropriate counter-strategies can help ensure your creatures survive and maintain a competitive edge on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Forked Bolt MTG card by a specific set like Rise of the Eldrazi and Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi, 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 Forked Bolt 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 Forked Bolt Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2010-04-23 and 2015-08-28. Illustrated by Tomasz Jedruszek.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-04-23 | Rise of the Eldrazi | ROE | 146 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Tomasz Jedruszek | |
| 2 | 2015-08-28 | Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi | DDP | 60 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tomasz Jedruszek |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Forked Bolt has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Forked Bolt card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2010-06-15 | You divide the damage as you cast Forked Bolt, not as it resolves. Each target must be assigned at least 1 damage. (In other words, as you cast Forked Bolt, you choose whether to have it deal 2 damage to a single target, or deal 1 damage to each of two targets.) |