Ichor Explosion MTG Card

Provides card advantage when creatures with +1/+1 counters are plentiful. Instant speed allows for surprise interactions during opponents’ turns. Demands specific mana and discarding a card, which may limit its play.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	7
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery
Released	2011-05-13
Set symbol
Set name	New Phyrexia
Set code	NPH
Number	64
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	James Ryman

Text of card

As an additional cost to cast Ichor Explosion, sacrifice a creature. All creatures get -X/-X until end of turn, where X is the sacrificed creature's power.

The first explosion that didn't excite goblins.

Cards like Ichor Explosion

Ichor Explosion is an intriguing presence in the realm of area-of-effect spells in MTG. Measurement against other cards such as Black Sun’s Zenith reveals distinguishing features. Black Sun’s Zenith is renowned for its scalability and recurrence potential since it can shuffle back into the library. However, Ichor Explosion is unique due to its function of sacrificing a creature to determine the -1/-1 counter distribution scale. This characteristic enables strategic depth and surprise factor, unlike the constant rates of Black Sun’s Zenith.

Comparably, Toxic Deluge poses a streamlined and flexible option with a life payment determining the magnitude of effect, yet does not offer the same potential mana savings or surprise that can come with Ichor Explosion when a large creature is on board. Pernicious Deed is another card to consider, capable of sweeping across multiple card types but it cannot match the instant-impact Ichor Explosion holds when a swift response is needed.

Reviewing the utilities and trade-offs of these spells, it’s apparent that Ichor Explosion assumes a niche yet potentially formidable role within MTG’s board control strategies, particularly for those valuing the art of deception and timing in game play.

Cards similar to Ichor Explosion by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ichor Explosion provides a significant advantage by potentially allowing you to draw multiple cards if numerous creatures on the battlefield have +1/+1 counters.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing resources, this card can decimate opponents’ boards when creatures with counters are present, accelerating your route to victory by clearing the way for your attacks.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Ichor Explosion is a versatile addition to your deck, capable of being cast in response to enemy moves, creating surprise shifts in board state to your benefit.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside to Ichor Explosion is the necessity to discard a card to fully harness its potential. This can disrupt your hand balance, particularly detrimental when your hand size is already on the lower end.

Specific Mana Cost: This card has a strict mana requirement, needing both black and red mana to cast. This specificity can be restrictive, hindering its inclusion in decks that are not tailored to accommodate such a mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Ichor Explosion comes with a high mana cost, which could be inefficient compared to other cards within the same mana range. This can delay your gameplay, as allocating five mana to cast it may not always align with your deck’s tempo and strategic plays.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ichor Explosion adapts to a variety of strategies, fitting well in decks that manipulate +1/+1 counters or manage to turn potential self-harm to an advantage.

Combo Potential: It pairs adeptly with cards that protect your creatures from negative effects, allowing you to leverage its power while safeguarding your board presence.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta with decks that go wide, Ichor Explosion offers a sweeping solution that can disrupt opponents’ carefully laid plans.

How to beat

Ichor Explosion is an impactful card that can change the dynamics of gameplay swiftly in MTG. When facing this card, one effective strategy is to utilize counter spells to prevent it from resolving. Cards like Negate or Dovin’s Veto can be quite useful as they specifically target spells that aren’t creature spells. For those running creature-centric decks, creatures with indestructible or those that can regenerate provide resilience against Ichor Explosion’s board wipe potential.

Another approach is to take advantage of graveyard recovery spells that can immediately bring back your important creatures after an Ichor Explosion resolves. This is where cards such as Unearth or Back from the Brink become handily relevant. Meanwhile, having a solid draw engine can also help you recover quickly by replenishing your hand and offering alternatives to rebuild your board presence rapidly.

Ultimately, minimizing the damage dealt by Ichor Explosion involves a combination of smart deck building and timely responses. This includes keeping up mana for counter-spells, investing in resilient creatures, and ensuring you have the means to recover your board state swiftly should the explosion set off.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ichor Explosion MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia, 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 Ichor Explosion and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ichor Explosion has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ichor Explosion card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2011-06-01	X is the power of the sacrificed creature as it last existed on the battlefield.
2013-04-15	Players can only respond once this spell has been cast and all its costs have been paid. No one can try to destroy the creature you sacrificed to prevent you from casting this spell.
2013-04-15	You must sacrifice exactly one creature to cast this spell; you cannot cast it without sacrificing a creature, and you cannot sacrifice additional creatures.