Guiding Bolt MTG Card
2022-06-10 - Number 24
2022-07-07 - Number 91
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Scry |
Text of card
Destroy target creature with power 4 or greater. Scry 2. (Look at the top two cards of your library, then put any number of them on the bottom of your library and the rest on top in any order.)
Cards like Guiding Bolt
Guiding Bolt is an intriguing card found in the expansive world of Magic: The Gathering. It echoes the utility of other removal spells such as Lightning Bolt, which is renowned for dealing three damage to any target at a low cost. Guiding Bolt, while it doesn’t have the same historical impact, offers a unique twist. Instead of being an all-purpose damage dealer, this spell specifically targets opposing creatures and fits neatly within a strategy that emphasizes control.
Drawing comparisons further, Condemn is a fellow spell which also deals with threats by removing attacking creatures. While not dealing direct damage like Guiding Bolt, it compensates by tucking the creature on the bottom of its owner’s library. Path to Exile shares the table with these spells, providing an efficient one-mana creature exile. Although it gifts the opponent a land, it shares the tactical creature removal aspect with Guiding Bolt but without the bonus of scrying that Guiding Bolt offers.
When examining Guiding Bolt alongside its counterparts, one notices the valued balance of removal and deck manipulation it brings to the table. As we explore the various forms of creature control in Magic: The Gathering, Guiding Bolt’s contribution is noteworthy for its capacity to not only remove threats but also to sculpt the upcoming draws of its wielder.
Cards similar to Guiding Bolt by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Guiding Bolt increases your control by replacing itself in your hand, ensuring you never lose out on card quantity during play.
Resource Acceleration: By potentially top decking a land card, it aids in smoothing out your mana curve, allowing for more efficient and impactful turns.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast this spell at any time provides flexibility, letting you react to your opponent’s actions or end their turn with a strategic advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One notable downside of Guiding Bolt is that it doesn’t come with a discard requirement, yet it’s important to be aware of cards within the same family or similar effects that do. Always ensure you’re not confusing it with others that might set your hand size back as part of their casting cost.
Specific Mana Cost: Guiding Bolt requires a single white mana in its casting cost, which means it fits specifically into white decks or multi-colored decks that can produce white mana. This requirement can limit the card’s flexibility in various deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana cost of Guiding Bolt is relatively high when comparing it to other instant-speed removal spells in MTG. Sitting at four mana total, including three generic and one white, makes it a significant investment during early game plays, especially when other spells could achieve similar results at a lower cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Guiding Bolt is a prime choice for a variety of decks that emphasize direct damage and creature control. Its ability to eliminate threats on the board while potentially scrying for more answers makes it a multi-purpose tool for any player.
Combo Potential: This card seamlessly integrates into strategies focusing on instant and sorcery spell synergy or those exploiting spell copying effects to maximize direct damage output.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where aggressive creature decks prevail, Guiding Bolt serves as an essential tool. It helps maintain board stability by removing early-game creatures, allowing for a smoother transition to the late game where a well-structured deck can thrive.
How to Beat
Guiding Bolt stands out in MTG for its function as an efficient spot removal tool paired with a unique upside of scrying. Just like other removal spells, such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade, Guiding Bolt can control the battlefield by taking out key creatures. Its additional ability to scry can set up your next draws, which is often what makes it a double-edged sword to play against.
Countering this spell is one method to stay ahead of your opponent, by using spells like Negate or Dovin’s Veto which can nullify its effect entirely. Alternatively, spells that grant your creatures indestructible for a turn such as Heroic Intervention provide protection from Guiding Bolt’s removal capability. Another strategy involves playing creatures with hexproof or shroud, preventing Guiding Bolt from targeting them in the first place, as seen with cards like Slippery Bogle or Invisible Stalker.
Understanding how to effectively neutralize threats like Guiding Bolt is crucial for maintaining a strong presence on the board. Through careful planning and the inclusion of the right countermeasures in your deck, you can ensure that your creatures survive and your strategy remains uninterrupted.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Guiding Bolt MTG card by a specific set like Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate and Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate, 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 Guiding 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Guiding Bolt Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-06-10 and 2022-07-07. Illustrated by Halil Ural.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2022-06-10 | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate | CLB | 24 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Halil Ural | |
| 2 | 2022-07-07 | Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate | HBG | 91 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Halil Ural |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Guiding Bolt has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |