Blaster Mage MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Spellshaper
Released	1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mercadian Masques
Set code	MMQ
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	175
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	George Pratt

Key Takeaways

Blaster Mage grants card advantage and can shift the game in your favor by refilling your hand while disrupting opponents.
It provides instant speed interactions, allowing strategic plays that capitalize on responding to or surprising rivals.
However, its demand for card discard and specific mana can limit its playability, particularly in crucial game moments.

Text of card

o R, oc T, Discard a card from your hand: Destroy target Wall.

"Don't get up. I'll show myself out."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Blaster Mage offers a unique interaction that can result in pulling ahead in the resource game. By potentially disrupting an opponent’s strategy while simultaneously refilling your hand, you set yourself up for succeeding turns.

Resource Acceleration: This MTG card may offer an indirect boost to your mana resources. Take advantage of such effects to outpace your adversaries and deploy threats more rapidly, setting a pace that can be hard for others to match.

Instant Speed: Being able to cast spells at instant speed always provides an edge, and Blaster Mage is no exception. Respond to your opponents’ actions or end-of-turn dynamics to maximize your mana usage and keep your strategy flexible and unpredictable.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Blaster Mage compels you to discard another card from your hand to trigger its effect. This condition can be quite taxing, especially when your hand size is dwindling or when every card you hold is essential to your strategy, making it less than ideal during critical moments in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting requirement that includes both generic and red mana, Blaster Mage can be restrictive and reduce the fluidity in mana bases not tailored to accommodate it. This specificity makes it less flexible for multi-colored decks that may not always have the necessary red mana available at the right moment.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana cost to get Blaster Mage onto the battlefield can be considered lofty when compared to other creatures in its mana range. For four mana, players might expect a creature with a more impactful presence or an immediate effect upon entering the battlefield, making Blaster Mage a potentially less appealing choice in a mana curve.

Reasons to Include Blaster Mage in Your Collection

Versatility: Blaster Mage appeals to a broad range of decks with its straightforward ability to disrupt opponents. It’s specifically valuable in strategies keen on keeping the board clear of threats while developing a strong presence.

Combo Potential: Its capability to target and destroy key artifacts or creatures sets the stage for synergistic plays, making it a potent enabler for decks looking to capitalize on removing obstacles and swinging momentum.

Meta-Relevance: Given its utility in a variety of match-ups, Blaster Mage could play a pivotal role, especially if the environment favors creature-heavy or artifact-reliant decks where its effect would be maximized.

How to beat

Overcoming the Blaster Mage card in Magic: The Gathering hinges on understanding its strengths and timing. This card is known for causing a significant impact when it lands on the battlefield, often altering the game’s dynamics. The key to countering this spell lies in preventive measures such as denying your opponent the mana they need to cast it or utilizing counterspells to stop it from resolving. Additionally, you may opt for removal spells that can target this creature once it’s on the board.

Furthermore, knowing when to apply pressure and when to hold back your resources is essential. Playing around Blaster Mage’s activation can be very effective, so be mindful of its presence when planning your moves. Try to bait out the ability before deploying your key creatures or wait until you can deal with it in a turn where it can’t affect your strategy. Being agile and adaptable will help you navigate around the threats posed by this powerful card.

Taking these tactics into account, you can tailor your deck to better resist the Blaster Mage’s disruptive force and maintain control over the game’s flow, allowing you to outmaneuver your opponent and secure victory.

Cards like Blaster Mage

Blaster Mage is a unique combatant on the battlefield of the Magic: The Gathering universe. It shares kinship with cards like Flametongue Kavu, which similarly deals damage to a creature upon entering the battlefield. However, while Flametongue Kavu removes threats by doling out a hefty 4 damage, Blaster Mage requires a payment of three mana to deploy its blast, positioning it as a more flexible option in strategic plays.

Adjacent to Blaster Mage in terms of functionality is Avalanche Riders. This card also offers destruction upon arrival, targeting lands instead of creatures. Notably, the echo cost demands a careful plan to maximize its potential. While Blaster Mage provides a more immediate and repeated creature control option without the recurring cost, Avalanche Riders can fundamentally alter the land dynamics of the game.

In the landscape of Magic: The Gathering, Blaster Mage serves as a midway point between the explosive removal of Flametongue Kavu and the strategic land disruption of Avalanche Riders. Its conditional yet recurrent ability to clear the board of creatures makes it a card worth considering for decks revolving around board control.

Cards similar to Blaster Mage by color, type and mana cost

Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions

Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions

Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions

Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions

Shinen of Fury's Fire - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Blaster Mage MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Blaster Mage and other MTG cards: