Pulverize MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Rare
Type	Sorcery
Released	1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mercadian Masques
Set code	MMQ
Number	207
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Scott M. Fischer

Key Takeaways

Sacrificing two mountains enables a mana-free, multi-artifact destruction with Pulverize, impacting the game state.
Instant speed allows Pulverize users to strategically disrupt opponents during critical phases of the game.
Resource setback from sacrificed lands could hinder some strategies, making Pulverize a potentially risky play.

Text of card

You may sacrifice two mountains instead of paying Pulverize's mana cost. Destroy all artifacts.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Pulverize offers a unique form of card advantage by allowing you to destroy multiple artifacts without spending any mana if you sacrifice two mountains, which can lead to a favorable board state.

Resource Acceleration: By potentially removing multiple mana-producing artifacts from your opponent’s side of the board, Pulverize can accelerate your relative resource availability, giving you a leg up in the race for mana dominance.

Instant Speed: The ability to destroy artifacts at instant speed provides flexibility, enabling you to disrupt your opponent’s strategy during their turn or at a pivotal moment when they least expect it.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Pulverize has a notable drawback in that the player must sacrifice two Mountains to cast it without paying its mana cost. This can result in a significant set back, especially if your deck relies heavily on land resources to execute its strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This card specifically requires red mana to play. Having red mana heavily tied to its casting cost can restrict its inclusion to decks that run red or have a mana base capable of generating multiple colors of mana efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of six mana, Pulverize may come into play much later than other artifact destruction options. Spells with lower mana costs can be more appealing, providing players with timely disruption without the steep mana requirements.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Pulverize offers a powerful answer to artifact-heavy boards, which can slot into any deck utilizing Mountains, allowing for a cost-effective way to clear the field without spending mana.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with strategies that aim to control the board or set up one-sided sweeps, facilitating wins by removing key pieces of opponent’s setups.

Meta-Relevance: With the fluctuating presence of artifact decks in the competitive scene, having Pulverize in your arsenal ensures you’re prepared to dismantle these strategies, keeping your deck adaptive and resilient.

How to beat

Pulverize is an impactful card in the arsenal of MTG red deck players, known for its ability to destroy all artifacts without paying its mana cost under the right conditions. Understanding the premises of Pulverize can help you anticipate this move and counter it effectively. To beat this card, it’s critical to be alert for the signs that your opponent may be setting up a no-mana cost Pulverize—usually by having six or more mountains in play.

One of the most straightforward methods to counter Pulverize is holding up mana for instant-speed artifact protection or counterspells. Additionally, diversifying threats beyond artifacts reduces your vulnerability to this potent sorcery. You can also use discard effects to remove Pulverize from your opponent’s hand before they have a chance to cast it. Lastly, being aware of Pulverize’s capability encourages a strategic playstyle, avoiding overcommitment of artifacts to the board when facing an opponent who could be running this mighty spell.

In essence, defeating Pulverize requires careful observation and maintaining control over the game’s tempo. It also reinforces the importance of a varied threat base while confirming the necessity to always expect the unexpected in MTG.

Cards like Pulverize

Pulverize may not be the most prominent red spell in Magic: The Gathering, but it has its place among niche destruction effects, performing a role similar to that of spells that dismantle noncreature permanents. When evaluating its cousins in the realm of artifact and land removal, one can’t help but note the functionality shared with cards like Meltdown and By Force for artifact removal, albeit at different costs and scales.

Where Pulverize distinguishes itself is in the sheer swath of destruction it can bring without spending mana, provided you sacrifice two mountains instead. Compare this to a card like Vandalblast, which has the impressive capacity to wipe out all artifacts for a single red mana thanks to its overload cost. Vandalblast, however, does not offer the option to forego its mana cost entirely, as Pulverize does. On the other hand, Shattering Spree replicates to deal with multiple artifacts, while Pulverize clears all in one fell swoop, assuming sufficient mountains to fuel its alternate cost.

While there might be more cost-effective options for artifact removal in MTG, Pulverize secures a special niche where its no-mana sweep could set up a game-changing turn or an unexpected win out of nowhere.

Cards similar to Pulverize by color, type and mana cost

Chaotic Transformation - MTG Card versions

Into the Maw of Hell - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pulverize 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 Pulverize and other MTG cards: