Galvanic Bombardment MTG Card
2016-07-22 - Number 129
2023-03-21 - Number 157
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Galvanic Bombardment deals X damage to target creature, where X is 2 plus the number of cards named Galvanic Bombardment in your graveyard.
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Cards like Galvanic Bombardment
Galvanic Bombardment is an intriguing spell in Magic: The Gathering, with a scaling damage effect that increases as more copies go to the graveyard. It sits alongside cards like Lightning Bolt, a classic for delivering a swift three damage to any target at the low cost of one red mana. However, Lightning Bolt doesn’t have the potential built-in growth of Galvanic Bombardment.
Comparatively, Shock is also in the rotation, providing two damage at the same cost without the scaling damage potential. Incinerate is another related card that deals three damage and denies regeneration, but lacks the repeatable damage increase. Then we have Magma Spray, offering two damage with the added benefit of exile instead of a potential damage ramp-up.
When analyzing versatility and the potential for increased damage in longer matches, Galvanic Bombardment claims its niche. It rewards strategic deck building and timing, becoming more potent as the game progresses—setting it apart from the aforementioned spells in Magic: The Gathering’s expansive catalog of red damage spells.
Cards similar to Galvanic Bombardment by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Galvanic Bombardment doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it plays into the strategy of card advantage by efficiently removing multiple threats with subsequent copies. Each copy deals damage equal to 2 plus the number of cards named Galvanic Bombardment in your graveyard, effectively getting more powerful with each cast.
Resource Acceleration: Though it doesn’t provide a direct acceleration in resources, the low cost of Galvanic Bombardment helps you save mana for other spells and plays. This preserves your resources for when they are needed most, allowing you to maintain a pace with your opponents or potentially outpace them.
Instant Speed: As an instant, Galvanic Bombardment can be cast at any time during your turn or your opponent’s, making it highly versatile. This enables you to disrupt your opponent’s strategies during their turn, or even better, remove a threat before it can deal damage to you, maintaining control of the game state.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Galvanic Bombardment demands a strategic hand management, as you need to ensure you have additional instances or sorceries in your graveyard to get its full potential. This may lead to a scenario where you’re forced to select between holding onto cards for future rounds or discarding valuable spells to empower Bombardment.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring exclusively red mana, this restricts the card to red-aligned or multicolored decks that can accommodate its mana needs. Players exclusively using other colors won’t find this card compatible with their deck’s mana base, which could lead to suboptimal performance.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When you consider the mana cost in relation to the base damage it deals, there are other options in the game that could deal a similar amount of damage for less mana. This aspect of Galvanic Bombardment can make it a less appealing choice when deck building, especially in a format with a plethora of efficient removal spells.
Reasons to Include Galvanic Bombardment in Your Collection
Versatility: Galvanic Bombardment offers a flexible removal option that scales in power with each copy you draw and cast. This red instant is capable of dealing with a wide range of early to mid-game threats at an incredibly low mana cost.
Combo Potential: Deck strategies that revolve around spell casting can maximize the value of this card. It effortlessly fits into spell-slinger decks, benefitting from the incremental increase in damage, which can turn this humble spell into a powerhouse as the game progresses.
Meta-Relevance: As creatures and creature-based strategies continue to be a cornerstone in many metagames, having an efficient removal spell like Galvanic Bombardment is crucial. Its ability to scale in effectiveness over the course of a game makes it a strong contender in various meta situations, where removing multiple threats quickly and efficiently is key.
How to beat
Galvanic Bombardment is an interesting red instant card in Magic: The Gathering that can ramp up its damage with each subsequent copy in your graveyard. Understanding how to counter it involves a multi-faceted approach. For starters, playing discard effects can preemptively remove Galvanic Bombardment from an opponent’s hand before it’s cast. This reduces the chance of them stacking damage over the course of the game.
Another effective strategy is to use counter spells to prevent Galvanic Bombardment from resolving. Cards like Negate or Counterspell are classic choices that protect your creatures and yourself from direct damage. Additionally, increasing the toughness of your creatures beyond the maximum damage threshold of Galvanic Bombardment can render the card less effective. Cards like Blossoming Defense not only give a toughness boost but also provide hexproof to avoid being targeted altogether.
Maintaining a lower creature count on the board can also be beneficial when facing decks using Galvanic Bombardment. This limits the card’s targets and overall impact on your game plan. Ultimately, by employing these tactics, you can navigate around the explosive potential of Galvanic Bombardment and secure your position in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Galvanic Bombardment MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon and Shadows over Innistrad Remastered, 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 Bombardment 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 Galvanic Bombardment Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-07-22 | Eldritch Moon | EMN | 129 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Terese Nielsen | |
| 2 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 157 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Campbell White |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Galvanic Bombardment 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 Galvanic Bombardment card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-07-13 | Because Galvanic Bombardment is still on the stack as you determine the value of X, it is not in your graveyard and will not add to the value of X. |