Grapeshot Catapult MTG Card

Provides reactive board control by targeting multiple token creatures, ensuring card parity. Demands strategic mana usage to leverage its board-clearing capabilities effectively. However, it competes with other artifacts or creatures offering more for similar costs.
Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Construct
Power 2
Toughness 3

Text of card

Tap to deal 1 damage to target flying creature.

For years scholars debated whether these were Urza's or Mishra's creations. Recent research suggests they were invented by the brothers' original master, Tocasia, and that both used these devices.

Cards like Grapeshot Catapult

Grapeshot Catapult offers a unique role in the realm of artifact creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It stands alongside other classic artifact creatures like Clockwork Beast, which also has the ability to deal damage without being blocked. Grapeshot Catapult, however, distinguishes itself with its ability to directly target flying creatures – a tactical advantage in various board scenarios.

When comparing it to modern similar cards, we see Bronze Sable, a creature that provides a steadfast two power for two mana, without the need for tapping. Yet, it lacks the niche removal utility delivered by Grapeshot Catapult. There’s also the Spined Thopter, a flying artifact creature that can be more aggressive in the air, contrasting with Grapeshot Catapult’s defensive potential against aerial threats.

While making the choice between Grapeshot Catapult and its contemporaries, it’s vital to consider the deck’s requirements and the strategic value Grapeshot Catapult can add, specifically against opponents with a heavy reliance on flying creatures. Its utility in specialized situations may well tip the scales in its favor amidst its artifact counterparts.

Clockwork Beast - MTG Card versions
Bronze Sable - MTG Card versions
Spined Thopter - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Beast - MTG Card versions
Bronze Sable - MTG Card versions
Spined Thopter - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: One of the key perks of Grapeshot Catapult is its role in maintaining card parity. Though it doesn’t draw you cards directly, it can eliminate multiple token creatures with its unique ability, keeping your hand ahead in resources while depleting your opponent’s forces on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Not traditionally a resource acceleration card, Grapeshot Catapult can indirectly contribute to this aspect. By controlling the board and eliminating small creatures, it helps maintain your mana and resources for larger threats or more crucial spells.

Instant Speed: Grapeshot Catapult operates at sorcery speed, but this allows for strategic planning of clearing the board on your turn. It paves the way for safe attacks or provides a clear board state for deploying your spells without fear of opponent’s creatures. It’s important to note that while not an instant, the calculated use of its ability can be just as impactful during your own turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Grapeshot Catapult doesn’t necessitate discarding, but its activation relies on untapping which can essentially sideline other potential plays or resource allocations during crucial moments in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Grapeshot Catapult requires colorless mana for its activation cost. While seemingly flexible, this can conflict with cards that optimize or require colored mana, limiting its synergy in certain deck constructs.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the initial cast may seem low, the ongoing activation costs can add up, making it a heavier investment over time especially when compared to other artifacts or creatures that offer more impactful effects or board presence for a similar total mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Grapeshot Catapult serves as a multifunctional piece in decks, capable of targeting flyers to clear the skies or chip away at opposing life totals. Its utility in an array of board situations makes it a solid choice for sideboards.

Combo Potential: With the rise of artifact synergies, this card can contribute to intricate combos, particularly in formats that support artifact strategies, by leveraging its ability to remove key flying threats or to be sacrificed for greater effects.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where airborne creatures dominate, Grapeshot Catapult emerges as a practical answer. Its capability to control evasive threats aligns well with strategies aiming to stabilize the board against such decks.

How to beat Grapeshot Catapult

Grapeshot Catapult stands as a unique artifact creature in Magic: The Gathering, noted for its ranged capabilities of picking off smaller creatures from the board. This card enables players to target and eliminate key low-toughness creatures that opponents rely on. To surpass the defensive barrage of Grapeshot Catapult, an understanding of artifact removal and board control tactics is essential.

Implementing strategies such as direct removal spells, like Naturalize or Shatter, can swiftly nullify the threat posed by the Catapult. These are not only cost-effective but also readily available in most deck colors. Additionally, one can leverage creature abilities that bypass artifact defenses or deliver overwhelming force, rendering the Catapult’s damage output insignificant.

While Grapeshot Catapult takes a niche spot in artifact creature control, outmaneuvering it requires preemptive planning and the inclusion of versatile answers to artifact threats in your deck. Adapt your strategy to maintain pressure, manage resources wisely, and your game plan against the Catapult will stand firm.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Grapeshot Catapult MTG card by a specific set like Antiquities and Fourth Edition, 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 Grapeshot Catapult and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Grapeshot Catapult Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 1994-03-04 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11994-03-04AntiquitiesATQ 521993NormalBlackDan Frazier
21995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 3221993NormalWhiteDan Frazier
31995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 3221993NormalBlackDan Frazier
41995-08-01RinascimentoRIN 1251993NormalBlackDan Frazier
51995-08-01RenaissanceREN 1431993NormalBlackDan Frazier
61997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 3751997NormalWhiteDan Frazier
72001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 2991997NormalWhiteDave Dorman
82001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 299★1997NormalBlackDave Dorman
92011-01-10Masters Edition IVME4 2041997NormalBlackDan Frazier

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Grapeshot Catapult has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal