Lavabrink Floodgates MTG Card

Grants significant mana generation, enabling the casting of high-cost spells earlier in the game. Can be activated at instant speed, giving players strategic control over the game’s tempo. Demands strategically balanced decks due to specific mana and discard requirements.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact
Released	2020-04-17
Set symbol
Set name	Commander 2020
Set code	C20
Number	53
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Anastasia Ovchinnikova

Text of card

: Add . At the beginning of each player's upkeep, that player may put a doom counter on Lavabrink Floodgates or remove a doom counter from it. Then if it has three or more doom counters on it, sacrifice Lavabrink Floodgates. When you do, it deals 6 damage to each creature.

Cards like Lavabrink Floodgates

Lavabrink Floodgates from Magic: The Gathering draws parallels with other red cards known for their destructive power or mana acceleration potential. For instance, it shares traits with Pyrohemia which can also regulate the board state by inflicting damage multiple times, although Pyrohemia requires red mana for activation instead of relying on a condition to be removed.

Mana Geyser is another comparable card that provides a surge of red mana like Lavabrink Floodgates, however, the former depends on the number of tapped lands your opponents control. This makes its output variable, whereas Lavabrink Floodgates promises a fixed, albeit delayed, burst of mana. Keldon Firebombers is a fellow red card that controls land presence by reducing each player to three lands, reminiscent of the level reset Lavabrink Floodgates potentially induces upon removal.

Considering all aspects, Lavabrink Floodgates finds its niche within MTG by combining mana ramp and the threat of widespread damage — a duality that can both accelerate your strategy and keep opponents wary of overextending their plays, ultimately affirming its unique position in a player’s card arsenal.

Cards similar to Lavabrink Floodgates by color, type and mana cost

Scrapyard Steelbreaker - MTG Card versions

Krenko's Buzzcrusher - MTG Card versions

Rose, Cutthroat Raider - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When referring to Lavabrink Floodgates, it provides a potential card advantage by allowing for significant mana generation that can cast expensive spells sooner, effectively netting more actions than your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: This unique artifact not only adds to your mana pool, but it creates a sizable shift in the pace of the game by letting you accelerate your resources, giving you the upper hand to deploy threats or answers ahead of schedule.

Instant Speed Interaction: The ability to interact with the Floodgates at instant speed can catch opponents off-guard, offering strategic flexibility. Timing is critical, and having the power to manipulate the Floodgates during either player’s turn reinforces control over the game’s flow.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Including Lavabrink Floodgates in your deck implies that you must be ready to discard valuable cards, which could be detrimental during critical moments when every card in hand counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Lavabrink Floodgates demands a balanced mix of mana to cast, which can be challenging within decks that are not strictly tailored around its color identity, potentially causing delays or casting issues.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing in with a higher mana cost than some alternative cards with similar effects, Lavabrink Floodgates might set back your tempo when faster options could be played, affecting your overall game strategy.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Lavabrink Floodgates stands out for its ability to adapt to a variety of deck strategies. Its role as a mana accelerator and potential board control tool allows it to fit into different gameplay plans with ease.

Combo Potential: This card’s unique ability to destroy all nonland permanents given the right circumstances primes it for combo plays. Set up the board to your advantage, control the flow of your mana, and when the time is ripe release Lavabrink Floodgates’ full wrath to turn the tides.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where board presence can shift rapidly, Lavabrink Floodgates gives players an edge. By threatening a board wipe, it can deter opponents from overcommitting, keeping the gameplay dynamic and challenging. Its inclusion can significantly impact how the game unfolds, making it an asset against a range of decks.

How to beat

Lavabrink Floodgates is an intriguing card that can present a unique challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This artifact offers a powerful mana acceleration with a twist – it has the potential to unleash a devastating wave of damage to every nonland permanent on the board. With this in mind, a key strategy to outmaneuver an opponent wielding this card is to prioritize the timing of your plays. Consider holding back on casting nonessential creatures or other permanents if you predict the Floodgates may soon open.

Additionally, direct artifact removal spells, such as Disenchant or Naturalize, are effective tools to dismantle Lavabrink Floodgates before its triggered ability can be activated. It’s also advantageous to bait your opponent into committing more to the board, making the symmetrical effect of the Floodgates a double-edged sword for them. This can create an opportunity for you to capitalize on the wiped board state.

Winning against Lavabrink Floodgates often comes down to strategic deployment and timely removal. By understanding the mechanics and potential impact of the card, you can formulate a plan to mitigate its threat and retain control of the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lavabrink Floodgates MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2020, 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 Lavabrink Floodgates and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lavabrink Floodgates has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2020-04-17	Lavabrink Floodgates is sacrificed for having three or more doom counters on it only while its ability is resolving. If you put a third counter on it some other way, it won’t be immediately sacrificed.
2020-04-17	Lavabrink Floodgates’s reflexive triggered ability triggers and deals damage only if you sacrifice it while resolving its triggered ability. It won’t trigger if you sacrifice it for any other reason.
2020-04-17	The player whose upkeep it is may put a doom counter on Lavabrink Floodgates, remove one from it, or do nothing.