Lava Flow MTG Card

Lava Flow offers instant speed reactions, creating unexpected turns and strategy disruption. Requires discarding another card, potentially leading to a diminished hand size. Its versatility and combo potential make it a notable choice for aggressive decks.

Portal (POR)
1997-05-01 - Number 138

Masters Edition IV (ME4)
2011-01-10 - Number 126

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery

Text of card

Destroy any one creature or land.

People ran as never before at the thought of being buried and cremated at the same time.

Cards like Lava Flow

Lava Flow carves its niche within the pantheon of direct damage spells in Magic: The Gathering. When eyeing its kin, one can’t help but draw parallels to the iconic Lightning Bolt for its swift and unerring capability to deal damage. However, Lava Flow brings a different flavor to the table with possibly higher damage output, although at a heftier mana cost which can be crucial in the early game tension.

Examining further, we encounter Flame Slash, a spell that offers damage to creatures at a cost-efficient rate but lacks the versatility of targeting players. This distinction is significant in games where player life totals are within reach of a decisive strike. Another relative, Incinerate, provides a similar damage quota but with the added advantage of preventing regeneration, a boon against creatures that can otherwise elude permanent destruction.

Assessingly, within MTG’s broad spectrum of damage-dealing spells, Lava Flow contends with a balance of power and flexibility, though at a steep mana demand. The disparity in mana cost and effect amongst these spells exemplifies the strategic trade-offs players must consider when curating their arsenal for battle.

Cards similar to Lava Flow by color, type and mana cost

Explosive Revelation - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When you deploy Lava Flow, you’re not just impacting the board, but also potentially gaining card advantage. This is due to the fact that it can simultaneously deal with a threat while allowing you to draw cards or benefit from on-death triggers that certain creatures you control might have. Capitalizing on these aspects can lead to a significant edge in the game.

Resource Acceleration: An important feature of Lava Flow is its capacity to generate an immediate impact on your resources. Though it doesn’t produce mana or tokens directly, its effect could result in resource acceleration by removing roadblocks that prevent your aggression or enable cost-reduction mechanics, effectively hastening your overall game plan and allowing you to play more and/or bigger spells sooner than you normally would.

Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of Lava Flow is a critical strategic boon. It adds a layer of unpredictability to your gameplay, allowing you to act on your opponent’s turn and thus keeping your options open. You can decide to utilize it in response to your opponent’s actions, potentially disrupting their strategy and preserving the element of surprise, which can be as valuable as any card in your hand.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Lava Flow card demands that you sacrifice another card from your hand, which could leave you at a resource disadvantage, particularly during tight moments when every card in hand is vital to your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Lava Flow includes color-specific mana, which means that it’s not as flexible as other multi-color or colorless options. This can potentially hamper your deck-building options, confining it to decks that can reliably produce red mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Lava Flow’s effectiveness must also be measured against its demanding mana cost. As the game evolves and new cards are introduced, the mana investment sometimes outweighs the card’s benefit compared to newer, more cost-effective alternatives.

Reasons to Include Lava Flow in Your Collection

Versatility: Lava Flow is a card that can seamlessly integrate into numerous deck archetypes, particularly those that demand an aggressive approach with instant damage spells.

Combo Potential: This card can be a key component in combos, working well with cards that capitalize on dealing noncombat damage or spell-slinging synergies.

Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to disrupt opponents’ strategies and remove critical blockers, Lava Flow assertively maintains its relevance in shifting metagames where tempo and board control are crucial.

How to Beat

Lava Flow is an intriguing card that adds a touch of strategic complexity when facing it across the table. To effectively counteract this card, understand that timing is everything. Cards with instant speed, which allow you to react in the midst of your opponent’s actions, can be invaluable. Enabling ways to mitigate or prevent damage are also key to overcoming the threats posed by Lava Flow. Additionally, incorporating cards that improve life gain into your deck ensures you have a buffer against this type of direct damage.

Consider running counter spells or damage prevention shields in your deck to disrupt the flow. Redirecting or nullifying Lava Flow’s impact not only preserves your life total but also puts you at a strategic advantage, often leaving your opponent with fewer resources in hand. Utilizing versatile cards that offer both offensive and defensive capabilities will improve your resilience against such aggressive strategies. Remember, it’s about creating a well-rounded defense while maintaining pressure on your opponent, ensuring they can’t fully capitalize on their Lava Flow play.

Adding to your defensive arsenal spells like Negate or even incorporating creatures that have damage prevention abilities can provide a bulwark against Lava Flow’s fiery onslaught. Overcoming this card means staying one step ahead, predicting, and neutralizing threats before they can scorch your path to victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lava Flow MTG card by a specific set like Portal and Masters Edition IV, 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 Lava Flow and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Lava Flow Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1997-05-01 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Mike Dringenberg.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1997-05-01	Portal	POR		138	1997	Normal	Black	Mike Dringenberg
2	2011-01-10	Masters Edition IV	ME4		126	1997	Normal	Black	Mike Dringenberg

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lava Flow has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal