Galvanic Blast MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 1 |
Rarity | Common |
Type | Instant |
Abilities | Metalcraft |
Text of card
Galvanic Blast deals 2 damage to target creature or player. Metalcraft — Galvanic Blast deals 4 damage to that creature or player instead if you control three or more artifacts.
Mirrodin has little weather, but it certainly has lightning.
Cards like Galvanic Blast
When players consider direct damage in Magic: The Gathering, Galvanic Blast is a card that often strikes a chord. It bears similarity to the iconic Lightning Bolt, one of the most efficient damage-dealing spells. Lightning Bolt delivers three damage to any target, a power move for just one red mana. Galvanic Blast also deals damage, starting at two for one red mana. However, its potential scales with the presence of metalcraft, where having three or more artifacts bolsters its damage to four.
Another comparable spell is Shrapnel Blast, which brings a heftier damage rate of five but at the steep price of sacrificing an artifact as an additional cost. While Galvanic Blast is versatile in its metalcraft condition, Shrapnel Blast requires a more significant immediate investment. There’s also Char, a spell that delivers four damage at a cost of two mana but also inflicts two damage to you. It provides a stable amount of damage regardless of the board state, unlike Galvanic Blast, which can vary.
Drawing comparisons, Galvanic Blast’s value truly shines in artifact-centric decks. While Lightning Bolt remains unmatched in terms of sheer efficiency, Galvanic Blast provides great utility and potential in the right deck, holding its own within the pantheon of direct damage spells.
Cards similar to Galvanic Blast by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Galvanic Blast. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Burn | Pauper | Burn | Pauper League 2024-05-10 | |
Mono-Red Synthesizer | Pauper | Mono-Red Synthesizer | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-05-11 | |
BR | Pauper | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-05-10 | ||
Boros Synthesizer | Pauper | Boros Synthesizer | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-05-10 | |
Grixis Affinity | Pauper | Grixis Affinity | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-05-11 | |
Asmo Food | Modern | Asmo Food | Modern Challenge 32 2024-05-11 | |
Mardu Synthesizer | Pauper | Mardu Synthesizer | Pauper League 2024-05-10 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Galvanic Blast, efficiency is key. Dealing 2 damage to any target can take out a key creature or finish off a vulnerable opponent. If you control three or more artifacts, this bump to 4 damage can swing the game in your favor, often removing a high-value threat without losing any of your own resources.
Resource Acceleration: This card fits perfectly in artifact-centric decks, where it acts not just as a removal tool but also amplifies strategies tied to artifact counts. The potential for a stronger effect with more artifacts on the field encourages and rewards rapid artifact deployment, indirectly accelerating your game plan.
Instant Speed: Flexibility at instant speed empowers you to make decisions with full knowledge of your opponent’s actions. Use it to disrupt plays or protect your position during their turn, or as a surprise finisher when they least expect it. This responsiveness is a crucial tactical advantage in any MTG matchup.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Galvanic Blast doesn’t come with a discard requirement. However, this could be a point of consideration when looking for synergies with cards that capitalize on discard strategies, as this card won’t contribute to such mechanics.
Specific Mana Cost: Galvanic Blast requires red mana to cast. This specific mana cost means it fits primarily into red decks or multicolor decks that can produce red mana, potentially limiting its flexibility in deck construction.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For dealing 4 damage to a target when you have Metalcraft, a comparatively lower mana cost could be available with other spells in the game. Optimal mana expenditures are crucial in fast-paced games, and while its mana cost is low, players may consider options that provide additional effects or cost less for similar damage outputs.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Galvanic Blast is a powerful addition to any deck that can support a red mana base. As an instant, it offers the flexibility to be used as a removal tool for creatures or a direct damage spell to the opponent, making it adaptable for a wide range of game situations.
Combo Potential: This card shines in decks built around artifacts, where its potential damage output doubles if you have metalcraft — three or more artifacts on your battlefield. Pairing Galvanic Blast with inexpensive artifact creatures or token generators can swiftly turn it into a game-ending threat.
Meta-Relevance: Its usefulness in taking down key creatures or finishing off an opponent makes it relevant in various metagames. In an environment where small to medium-sized creatures dominate or where the pace of play is fast, Galvanic Blast offers significant impact for a minimal mana investment.
How to beat Galvanic Blast
Galvanic Blast is a potent staple in red MTG decks, renowned for its versatility and power. It’s often compared to Lightning Bolt, another classic removal spell with the ability to deal three damage to any target. However, Galvanic Blast has the potential to supersede this with its metalcraft bonus, hitting for a whopping four damage if you control three or more artifacts. Despite its strength, there are strategies to mitigate its impact.
One effective method to counter Galvanic Blast is through artifact removal spells or abilities, reducing your artifact count below three and thus preventing the metalcraft bonus damage. Spells like Naturalize or abilities like Thrashing Brontodon’s offer swift and cost-efficient ways to handle artifacts on the board. Additionally, utilizing instant-speed spells to remove artifacts during the stack phase before the Blast resolves can turn the tides in your favor.
Moreover, incorporating hexproof or shroud abilities on your key creatures can also safeguard them from Galvanic Blast, ensuring their survivability and keeping your board presence intact. By strategizing around Galvanic Blast’s conditional damage and maintaining control over the artifacts in play, players can effectively nullify the threat this card poses in an MTG match.
BurnMana Recommendations
Galvanic Blast stands as a potent force in MTG, offering strategic advantage and adaptability. Its conditional damage output encourages innovative deckbuilding around artifacts, rewarding players with a powerful tool for board control. With the right strategy, it can be your winning ace. Assess your current card inventory and consider how Galvanic Blast might enhance your arsenal. Whether you’re on the hunt for tactical spells or aiming to craft a deck that thrives on synergy, this card is worthy of attention. Discover more insights and refine your deck to unleash the full potential of Galvanic Blast in your battles ahead.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Galvanic Blast MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin and Mystery Booster, 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 Galvanic 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Galvanic Blast Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2010-10-01 and 2020-08-07. Illustrated by Marc Simonetti.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2010-10-01 | Scars of Mirrodin | SOM | 91 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Marc Simonetti | |
2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 943 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Marc Simonetti | |
3 | 2020-08-07 | Double Masters | 2XM | 125 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Marc Simonetti | |
4 | The List | PLST | DDU-45 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Marc Simonetti |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Galvanic Blast has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |