Lithomantic Barrage MTG Card

Lithomantic Barrage - March of the Machine

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery
Released	2023-04-21
Set symbol
Set name	March of the Machine
Set code	MOM
Number	152
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Viko Menezes

Key Takeaways

Fetching lands with Lithomantic Barrage strengthens your mana base and supports threat deployment.
Instant-speed play enhances flexibility and allows for strategic reactive capability in-game.
Discard and specific mana requirements may limit Lithomantic Barrage’s versatility in some decks.

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Lithomantic Barrage. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

Name	Format	Archetype	Event
Izzet Control	Standard	Izzet Control	Standard Challenge 64 2024-02-25
Mono-Red Aggro	Standard	Mono-Red Aggro	BOP! Standard Open
All Other Decklists	Pioneer	Gruul Aggro	NRG Series $5,000 Trial - Madison, Wisconsin (Pioneer)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lithomantic Barrage MTG card by a specific set like March of the Machine, 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 Lithomantic Barrage and other MTG cards:

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Text of card

This spell can't be countered. Lithomantic Barrage deals 1 damage to target creature or planeswalker. It deals 5 damage instead if that target is white and/or blue.

Nahiri's rage shattered hedrons into deadly, burning ruin.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Casting Lithomantic Barrage provides the opportunity to disrupt an opponent’s strategy while simultaneously digging through your deck to retrieve two lands, ensuring that your mana base is strengthened and you’re in a better position to deploy your threats.

Resource Acceleration: Although Lithomantic Barrage doesn’t directly produce additional resources, it effectively accelerates your mana availability by fetching those two essentials lands. This can be particularly potent in formats where land drops are critical for maintaining tempo and executing a winning strategy promptly.

Instant Speed: The powerful flexibility offered by an instant-speed spell cannot be overstated. Lithomantic Barrage allows players to wait until the most opportune moment during their opponent’s turn to act, potentially protecting against incoming threats or simply when the circumstances are most advantageous to you, without committing resources prematurely. This reactive capability is invaluable in the dynamic landscape of a match, keeping your adversaries guessing and your options open.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Lithomantic Barrage card requires players to discard another card upon casting. This can be particularly taxing when your hand is already running thin, forcing tough decisions on which resources to sacrifice.

Specific Mana Cost: The precision needed to cast Lithomantic Barrage, with its requirement for specific mana colors, can be a hurdle. It necessitates dedicated deck building to accommodate such costs, which can reduce the card’s versatility across a broader range of deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher side, players may find Lithomantic Barrage a bit too cumbersome, especially when faster or more cost-effective alternatives are available. It challenges players to consider whether its effect is worth the deck space and mana investment during crucial game moments.

Reasons to Include Lithomantic Barrage in Your Collection

Versatility: Lithomantic Barrage is a flexible addition to decks that thrive on spell-slinging. It can disrupt opponents by targeting key creatures or planeswalkers, making it a useful card in a variety of situations.

Combo Potential: This card adds value to decks that capitalize on casting multiple spells per turn. Combining it with cards that trigger upon casting noncreature spells heightens its utility, seamlessly integrating into synergistic strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where creature-based strategies dominate, Lithomantic Barrage serves as an efficient removal tool. Its ability to potentially turn the tide of battle by removing blockers or threats makes it a valuable asset in many competitive formats.

How to beat Lithomantic Barrage

Lithomantic Barrage, a recent addition to the Magic: The Gathering card roster, can be quite the hurdle in gameplay. This card has its own set of rules that, if understood properly, can be navigated by strategic players. In essence, the card prevents its controller’s opponents from playing spells or abilities unless they pay a toll for each of those spells or abilities.

To circumvent this obstacle, consider playing low-cost spells to alleviate the financial strain put on your mana pool. Direct removal spells can also be effective, as they can take out the permanent imposing these restrictions. Moreover, playing at instant speed allows you to wait until your opponent’s turn to act, potentially bypassing the costlier phases of Lithomantic Barrage. It’s also beneficial to utilize abilities from the battlefield rather than playing everything from hand, thereby avoiding the additional cost of casting spells.

Ultimately, the key to overcoming Lithomantic Barrage lies in recognizing its potential to disrupt your game plan and adapting your strategy accordingly. With the right approach, you’ll be able to navigate around this significant roadblock and continue to press your advantage on the battleground.

Cards like Lithomantic Barrage

Lithomantic Barrage is another intriguing spell that players can utilize in their arsenal in Magic: The Gathering. One close relative in terms of effect is Oblivion Strike, which also provides an excellent removal option. Both cards are designed to eliminate key threats on the battlefield. But where Lithomantic Barrage differentiates itself is by offering potential repetitive usage if you have the required mana to escape it from the graveyard.

Comparatively, Hero’s Downfall stands out by allowing players to target planeswalkers as well as creatures, thus broadening its reach. Its instant speed gives an edge in terms of flexibility over Lithomantic Barrage which functions at sorcery speed. Conversely, Murder is another competitor with its straightforward and cost-effective approach to creature removal, yet lacking the graveyard recursion aspect. These similar spells each come with their unique advantages, depending on the strategic needs of the match.

Ultimately, each card carves its niche within the strategy of creature control. Lithomantic Barrage finds its strength in its capacity for reuse, which could sway a player’s choice in including it in their deck for ongoing control throughout the game.

Cards similar to Lithomantic Barrage by color, type and mana cost

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lithomantic Barrage has restrictions

Format	Legality
Standard	Legal
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Alchemy	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Future	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Brawl	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2023-04-14	Spells and abilities that counter spells can still target Lithomantic Barrage. Such a spell or ability won’t counter Lithomantic Barrage, but any additional effects of that spell or ability will still happen.
2023-04-14	“This spell can’t be countered” means it can’t be countered even by the ward keyword ability. If you cast Lithomantic Barrage targeting a creature or planeswalker with ward, you may still pay the ward cost if you want to, but Lithomantic Barrage won’t be countered if you don’t.