Icequake MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 134
2008-09-22 - Number 94
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Destroy target land. If that land is a snow-covered land, Icequake deals 1 damage to the land's controller.
"When the earth shakes, and their animals are swallowed up by the ground, perhaps they will think twice before attacking again." —Lim-Dûl, the Necromancer
Cards like Icequake
Exploring the depths of destructive land spells in Magic: The Gathering, Icequake stands as a solid example. Its ability to destroy a land and cause a loss of life echoes the function of cards like Rain of Tears. Both spells serve to disrupt opponents’ mana bases, but Icequake’s additional life loss edge offers a slight advantage over the more widely known Rain of Tears.
When comparing to the more recent land destruction options, we stumble upon cards like Molten Rain. While Icequake deals with any land and chips away at life, Molten Rain targets non-basic lands and delivers direct damage instead. The choice between these spells often hinges on the nature of the land in the opponent’s deck and player preferences regarding damage versus life loss.
Reflecting on these alternatives, Icequake occupies a niche spot in MTG as a go-to card for players who appreciate the double whammy of land destruction accompanied by life reduction, a subtle difference that can sometimes tip the scales in a close-run game.
Cards similar to Icequake by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Icequake. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono Black Ponza | Pauper | 5° Tappa - Season 6 - Road to Paupergeddon Winter edition 2024 @ Lega Pauper Martesana |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Icequake provides the opportunity to destroy an opponent’s land, effectively disrupting their mana base and potentially causing them to lose a critical resource, thus setting them back while you maintain your board state.
Resource Acceleration: While it doesn’t provide direct resource acceleration for the player who casts it, Icequake can hinder an opponent’s resource progression, giving the caster a relative acceleration in terms of available mana resources and board presence.
Instant Speed: Although Icequake is a sorcery, the strategic timing of its casting can be just as impactful as an instant. By playing this card at a key moment, such as just after an opponent has tapped out, you can severely set back their plans without worrying about immediate retaliation.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Icequake can disrupt your opponent by destroying a specific land type, it does not impose a discard condition on your opponent. However, it does prompt considerations about what you might have to discard from your own hand due to its specific mana cost and your need to manage resources effectively.
Specific Mana Cost: One of the limitations of Icequake is its specific mana cost, requiring one black mana and two of any color. This can result in potential mana matching issues, especially in multicolored decks that may not always have the necessary black mana when needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three mana, including one black, Icequake’s land destruction comes at a sizeable investment. For such an essential effect, players might ponder if their mana could be better allocated towards advancing their own board presence rather than setting the opponent back.
Reasons to Include Icequake in Your Collection
Versatility: Icequake’s ability to destroy a land, specifically targeted at nonbasic or snow lands, makes it adaptable for both offensive and defensive strategies. It can be a valuable asset in disrupting your opponent’s mana base or removing pesky utility lands.
Combo Potential: This card can play a pivotal role in land destruction decks, amplifying the effect of other land control cards. By establishing a lock on the opponent’s resources, it can create opportunities for follow-up plays that lead your deck to victory.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where special lands often play a key role, Icequake can significantly tilt the scales in your favor. As land-based strategies can be prevalent, holding an answer to terrain-altering cards gives your deck an edge over the competition.
How to beat
Icequake, a classic from the cold lands of MTG’s history, carries the disruptive ability to destroy lands and throw a wrench in an opponent’s mana base. Dealing with this type of card requires a strategic defense and the knowledge to outmaneuver its chilling effect.
To effectively counteract Icequake, it’s essential to diversify your land types or utilize cards that can regenerate or recur lands from the graveyard to your hand or battlefield. Additionally, spells that protect lands from being targeted or grant indestructibility for the turn offer a shield against such targeted destruction. The game plan should include a rapid development of your own board to outpace the potential mana disruption Icequake brings.
In essence, resilience and recovery are key. By efficiently managing your resources and protecting your lands or rebounding from any destruction Icequake causes, you can neutralize its impact and keep your game plan on track, maintaining the upper hand in the realm of resource denial.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Icequake MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Masters Edition II, 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 Icequake 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 Icequake Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Richard Kane Ferguson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 134 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Richard Kane Ferguson | |
| 2 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 94 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Richard Kane Ferguson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Icequake has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Icequake card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2006-10-15 | Checks only on resolution to see if the land has the supertype snow; it’s not part of the targeting condition. |