Magma Pummeler MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Elemental
Power 0
Toughness 0

Key Takeaways

  1. Magma Pummeler offers immediate board impact and can lead to significant card advantage.
  2. Its instant speed activation disrupts opponents’ strategies, providing tactical surprise.
  3. The demand for red mana and card discard requires careful deck integration and strategy.

Text of card

Magma Pummeler enters the battlefield with X +1/+1 counters on it. If damage would be dealt to Magma Pummeler while it has a +1/+1 counter on it, prevent that damage and remove that many +1/+1 counters from it. When one or more counters are removed from Magma Pummeler this way, it deals that much damage to any target.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Magma Pummeler comes into play with its ferocious ability, immediately impacting the board and potentially netting you card advantage as it forces your opponent to deal with it or face the fiery consequences.

Resource Acceleration: If you’re playing a deck that thrives on casting high-cost spells, Magma Pummeler can be a game-changer. It either becomes a resource your opponents must address, freeing up your other threats, or it accelerates your game plan by dealing damage directly if you have the necessary mana.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Magma Pummeler’s power at instant speed gives you the tactical advantage of surprise, potentially throwing off your opponent’s calculations during combat or at the end of their turn, thus keeping them guessing about your next move.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Magma Pummeler demands that you discard a card to activate its key ability. This can be a strategic setback, especially when your hand is already running thin and each card is a valuable asset for your game plan.

Specific Mana Cost: The necessity of red mana to cast this card confines its integration predominantly within mono-red or red-inclusive multicolor decks. This mana specificity can hinder its flexibility across the broader spectrum of deck builds, potentially not fitting into non-red strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that’s somewhat hefty, Magma Pummeler may not always be the most mana-efficient play. Given the rapid pace of many MTG games, there can be alternative spells that provide similar or better effects without consuming as much of your mana pool.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Magma Pummeler brings flexibility to a variety of deck types, thriving in scenarios that capitalize on damage-dealing spells and abilities. It’s a dynamic fit for burn decks or those looking to amplify the impact of direct damage in their play.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to scale with the amount of mana invested allows for explosive plays, synergizing well with spells that increase mana production or untap lands to fuel its fiery power.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature-based strategies dominate, Magma Pummeler can serve as both an offensive asset and a form of board control, making it a particularly prescient choice for those looking to heat up the competitive scene.


How to beat Magma Pummeler

Magma Pummeler presents an intriguing challenge on the battlefield, bringing forth explosive power and the potential to deal substantial damage during combat. This creature card can be a formidable adversary, especially when equipped with an arsenal of synergistic spells that can maximize its power. To successfully navigate the heat it brings, a strategy focusing on timely removal is critical.An effective way to counter this spell-slinging behemoth is by deploying instant-speed removal spells before it becomes too large of a threat. Efficient cards like Murder or Doom Blade allow you to dispatch the Pummeler swiftly, maintaining control of the game state. In a different light, enchantments that pacify creatures, such as Lignify or Prison Realm, can neutralize the Pummeler without sending it to the graveyard, bypassing abilities that may trigger upon death.Control decks that run counter spells also have an advantage. Disallow or Negate can prevent the Pummeler from ever touching the board, preemptively cooling down the heat. Board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the field, including any Magma Pummeler that managed to slip through.Lastly, remember that understanding your opponent’s strategy and maintaining a hand capable of interactions are your greatest assets against such powerful cards. In the end, flexibly adapting your gameplay is the most reliable method to extinguish the flames of any Magma Pummeler that comes your way.


Cards like Magma Pummeler

Magma Pummeler brings explosive energy to red creature decks in Magic: The Gathering, reminding experienced players of other formidable creatures. Its damage-doubling ability echos the ferocity of Furnace of Rath, yet it stands out by being attached to a creature that can directly apply the pressure. Magma Pummeler’s prowess is matched by Embermaw Hellion, another red creature known for increasing damage output. However, Magma Pummeler’s unique ability to control damage doubling for just one turn makes it a more strategic, albeit temporary, option.

Comparisons can also be drawn to the likes of Crimson Wisps for its speed-increasing ability. While Crimson Wisps accelerates a single creature for a turn with haste, Magma Pummeler brings a broader impact to the battlefield by blazing through with double damage. This comparison makes Magma Pummeler a potential game changer, where the outcome of a single turn can dictate the winner. Unlike Crimson Wisps, Magma Pummeler does not provide immediate card draw, but compensates with its solid body on the board.

Assessing these relationships, Magma Pummeler is a forceful choice for players aiming to amplify their damage in MTG, striking a unique balance between aggression and timing that distinguishes it from other similar creatures and spells.

Furnace of Rath - MTG Card versions
Embermaw Hellion - MTG Card versions
Crimson Wisps - MTG Card versions
Furnace of Rath - Tempest (TMP)
Embermaw Hellion - Magic Origins (ORI)
Crimson Wisps - Shadowmoor (SHM)

Cards similar to Magma Pummeler by color, type and mana cost

Rock Hydra - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Weaponsmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rock Sled - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Goblin Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Heart Sliver - MTG Card versions
Mogg Flunkies - MTG Card versions
Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions
Fireslinger - MTG Card versions
Skittish Kavu - MTG Card versions
Rage Weaver - MTG Card versions
Minotaur Explorer - MTG Card versions
Sparksmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Lookout - MTG Card versions
Skirk Marauder - MTG Card versions
Hellspark Elemental - MTG Card versions
Storm Entity - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Soldier - MTG Card versions
Mogg War Marshal - MTG Card versions
Stigma Lasher - MTG Card versions
Rock Hydra - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Dwarven Weaponsmith - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Goblin Rock Sled - The Dark (DRK)
Dwarven Lieutenant - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Goblin Recruiter - Visions (VIS)
Heart Sliver - Tempest (TMP)
Mogg Flunkies - Stronghold (STH)
Goblin Elite Infantry - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Fireslinger - Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra (JVC)
Skittish Kavu - Invasion (INV)
Rage Weaver - Invasion (INV)
Minotaur Explorer - Odyssey (ODY)
Sparksmith - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Lookout - Legions (LGN)
Skirk Marauder - Legions (LGN)
Hellspark Elemental - DCI Promos (PDCI)
Storm Entity - Future Sight (FUT)
Dwarven Soldier - Masters Edition (ME1)
Mogg War Marshal - Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins (DD1)
Stigma Lasher - Eventide (EVE)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Magma Pummeler MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Crimson Vow and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Magma Pummeler and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Magma Pummeler Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Filip Burburan.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-11-19Innistrad: Crimson VowVOW 1692015normalblackFilip Burburan
22022-01-28Innistrad: Double FeatureDBL 4362015normalblackFilip Burburan

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Magma Pummeler has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2021-11-19 If an amount of damage would be dealt to Magma Pummeler greater than the number of +1/+1 counters on it, all of that damage is prevented, and all of those counters are removed. In most cases, this will result in Magma Pummeler having 0 toughness, so it will be put into its owner's graveyard. Its reflexive triggered ability still triggers and it will still deal that much damage to any target.

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