Magma Spray MTG Card
2008-10-03 - Number 108
2012-09-07 - Number 15
2014-05-02 - Number 103
2017-04-28 - Number 141
2019-11-07 - Number 1006
2020-08-13 - Number 164
2002-06-24 - Number 52338
2014-01-01 - Number 7
2020-09-26 - Number AKH-141
| Card sets | Released in 9 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Magma Spray deals 2 damage to target creature. If that creature would be put into a graveyard this turn, remove it from the game instead.
"Jund is a wounded world. Beware its searing blood spilling out onto the surface." —Rakka Mar
Cards like Magma Spray
Magma Spray is a staple in the realm of red instant damage spells in the MTG multiverse. It’s often compared to Shock, another foundational spell that deals 2 damage to any target. What sets Magma Spray apart is its specific ability to exile any creature it kills, which can be pivotal against decks that rely on graveyard mechanics. Shock, in contrast, allows for more flexible targeting but lacks the added exile effect.
Another card within this comparison is Pillar of Flame, which shares the exile bonus when dealing with destroyed creatures. Magma Spray edges out Pillar of Flame slightly in terms of mana efficiency, as both are instants but Magma Spray is less restrictive with its single red mana requirement. On the other hand, Pillar of Flame can hit players and planeswalkers, offering broader application.
In the broader context of MTG, Magma Spray holds a niche due to its cost-effectiveness and strategic graveyard control. While it may not match the broad utility of some alternatives, its instantaneous exile utility stands out, proving invaluable in the right circumstance.
Cards similar to Magma Spray by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Magma Spray. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Gruul Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Games: We're Back |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With its capacity to exile creatures with 2 or less toughness, Magma Spray ensures a one-for-one trade at minimum, preventing your opponents from leveraging graveyard-based strategies. This disrupts their long-term plans and can potentially remove key creatures critical to their strategy.
Resource Acceleration: While Magma Spray doesn’t directly ramp your mana in the traditional sense, its low casting cost provides flexibility. At just one red mana, it’s easily slotted into your curve, allowing you to utilize your resources efficiently and keep pace with more resource-intensive spells later.
Instant Speed: Magma Spray’s instant speed grants you the nuanced advantage of timing. Swiftly answer threats during your opponent’s turn, preserve the element of surprise, and maximize your tactical plays. This flexibility is indispensable for maintaining control and dictating the flow of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: A detracting aspect of Magma Spray is its lack of requirement to discard an opposing card upon dealing damage. This means it doesn’t contribute to depleting your opponent’s hand, potentially giving them a resource advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: The convenience of Magma Spray’s single red mana cost is offset by its inherent restriction to red-centric or compatible decks, potentially limiting its versatility across the wide spectrum of Magic playstyles.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Magma Spray is economically priced at one red mana, its targeted effect and inability to reach multiple targets or counter broader threats can appear disadvantageous when compared to other removal spells in the same cost range that offer more flexibility or impact on the game state.
Reasons to Include Magma Spray in Your Collection
Versatility: Magma Spray is a highly flexible card that can easily slide into a wide array of Red-based decks. Its ability to deal with creatures for just a single red mana makes it an efficient tool in both aggressive and control strategies.
Combo Potential: This card is not just for removing creatures; its instant speed aligns perfectly with strategies that want to capitalize on spells with graveyard triggers, keeping your opponent’s threats at bay or enabling your own combos with spell synergy.
Meta-Relevance: Considering a format where small creatures and recursive threats are prevalent, Magma Spray’s ability to exile them upon death is a considerable advantage. It keeps key opponent creatures from coming back and can often swing the game in your favor.
How to beat
Magma Spray is a staple in burn strategies across Magic: The Gathering, offering a succinct solution to dispatch creatures early in the game. The card’s uniqueness lies in its ability to exile the target if it would die this turn, making it an efficient answer against creatures with pesky graveyard interactions. To effectively counteract Magma Spray, players should consider the use of creature cards that either have hexproof or are indestructible, as they provide an innate protection against such targeted removal spells.
Another viable strategy is to use instant-speed spells that can buff your creatures’ toughness beyond Magma Spray’s damage threshold of 2. This quick play can surprisingly turn the tables and save your creature from the brink of exile. Additionally, creatures with the undying or persist abilities can also be a thorn in Magma Spray’s side, as these creatures return to the battlefield even after being dealt lethal damage, albeit with certain limitations related to counters.
In conclusion, while Magma Spray can be a nifty and cost-efficient tool for MTG players looking to manage the battlefield, understanding and utilizing cards that circumvent its effects can greatly enhance your strategy and increase your resilience against direct damage spells.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Magma Spray MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Shards of Alara, 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 Spray and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Magma Spray Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 2008-10-03 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by 4 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 52338 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mathias Kollros | ||
| 2 | 2008-10-03 | Shards of Alara | ALA | 108 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jarreau Wimberly | |
| 3 | 2012-09-07 | Duel Decks: Izzet vs. Golgari | DDJ | 15 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jarreau Wimberly | |
| 4 | Friday Night Magic 2014 | F14 | 7 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mathias Kollros | ||
| 5 | 2014-05-02 | Journey into Nyx | JOU | 103 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Richard Wright | |
| 6 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet | AKH | 141 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Svetlin Velinov | |
| 7 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1006 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Svetlin Velinov | |
| 8 | 2020-08-13 | Amonkhet Remastered | AKR | 164 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Svetlin Velinov | |
| 9 | The List | PLST | AKH-141 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Svetlin Velinov |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Magma Spray has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Magma Spray card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-04-18 | Magma Spray's replacement effect will exile the target creature if it would die this turn for any reason, not just due to lethal damage. It applies to the target creature even if Magma Spray deals no damage to it (due to a prevention effect) or Magma Spray deals damage to a different creature (due to a redirection effect). |