Concussive Bolt MTG Card


Concussive Bolt - Mirrodin Besieged
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Metalcraft
Released2011-02-04
Set symbol
Set nameMirrodin Besieged
Set codeMBS
Number60
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byJohann Bodin

Key Takeaways

  1. Card delivers momentum shift by disabling multiple blockers, pivotal for a match’s outcome.
  2. Tempo gain from removing blockers can simulate resource acceleration, expediting victory.
  3. Instant speed use offers players a crucial tactical advantage during combat phases.

Text of card

Concussive Bolt deals 4 damage to target player. Metalcraft — If you control three or more artifacts, creatures that player controls can't block this turn.

Shock one, awe the rest.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Concussive Bolt provides a dual edge in terms of card utility. While it doesn’t directly allow you to draw more cards, it does offer the potential to disable multiple blockers or clear the way for a decisive attack which can be pivotal in swinging the momentum of the match in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Although this card may not generate resources or mana acceleration in a traditional sense, it can offer a form of tempo acceleration. Removing blockers can be akin to resource acceleration as it allows your other creatures to deal damage more effectively, potentially ending the game earlier than expected.

Instant Speed: This is one of the key aspects of the Concussive Bolt. The ability to use this card at instant speed gives players a significant tactical advantage, providing the flexibility to disrupt opponents’ strategies at critical moments, particularly during the combat phase where timing can be everything.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: With Concussive Bolt, players are faced with a discard condition necessary to unleash its full potential, which might be burdensome during critical moments where card advantage is crucial for maintaining control.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost includes three Red symbols, which predisposes it to inclusion primarily in mono-red or heavily red-influenced decks, potentially restricting its flexibility across diverse deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Priced at five mana, Concussive Bolt may be considered costly especially when compared to other available options in the same mana range, which might offer similar or higher impact on the game state.


Reasons to Include Concussive Bolt in Your Collection

Versatility: Concussive Bolt is a dynamic card suitable for decks that are designed to win swiftly. It can deal damage both to opponents and planeswalkers, providing a significant reach to close out games.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with artifact-centric strategies, particularly in decks that can amass a high count of artifacts to activate its metalcraft ability, potentially locking out opponent’s mana and clearing the way for a decisive attack.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where games can hinge on tight resource management, Concussive Bolt’s capacity to disrupt opponents while delivering direct damage can turn the tides of a match. For players contending in artifact-heavy formats, including this card could prove essential.


How to beat

Concussive Bolt is a potent Magic: The Gathering card known for sealing games by preventing your opponent from blocking this turn if you control three or more artifacts. Overcoming this red instant can mean the difference between victory and defeat on the battlefield. To effectively counter this, consider maintaining instant-speed removal to destroy artifacts at a moment’s notice, reducing your opponent’s artifacts count to fewer than three when they cast Concussive Bolt.

Another strategic approach is to prioritize removal spells that can handle multiple artifacts at once, like Shattering Spree or By Force. Alternatively, utilizing counterspells such as Negate or Mana Leak can directly prevent Concussive Bolt from resolving, ensuring your creatures stay available to block. Lastly, having enchantments like Ghostly Prison on the field can deter your opponent from attacking even when they have an artifact advantage. Understanding these tactics can significantly improve your resilience against the surprise onslaught of Concussive Bolt.


Cards like Concussive Bolt

Concussive Bolt is an intriguing red sorcery in Magic: The Gathering that packs a significant punch. This spell is comparable in function to cards like Chandra’s Pyrohelix or Arc Lightning, as they all deal damage to multiple targets. However, where Concussive Bolt gains edge over the latter is in its ability to prevent the blocking of creatures this turn, offering a dual advantage of direct damage and combat manipulation.

Another similar card in terms of dealing damage to multiple targets is Flames of the Raze-Boar. It deals damage to a creature an opponent controls and then spreads additional damage to other creatures that player controls, if you have a large enough creature. While Flames of the Raze-Boar could potentially deal more damage across the board, Concussive Bolt offers the certainty of non-blockable creatures, which can be a game-changer enabling a direct attack for the win.

Distinguishing the utility and strategic advantage of sorceries like Concussive Bolt within red spell arsenals is vital. It not only provides direct damage, which is emblematic of red spells, but it also combines a tactical advance with its unique blocking-prevention ability, making it a noteworthy card for any player looking to create a decisive impact on the battlefield.

Chandra's Pyrohelix - MTG Card versions
Arc Lightning - MTG Card versions
Flames of the Raze-Boar - MTG Card versions
Chandra's Pyrohelix - Kaladesh (KLD)
Arc Lightning - Urza's Saga (USG)
Flames of the Raze-Boar - Ravnica Allegiance (RNA)

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Rage of Purphoros - Theros (THS)
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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Concussive Bolt MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin Besieged, 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 Concussive Bolt and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Concussive Bolt has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2011-06-01 If the player is an illegal target when Concussive Bolt resolves, the spell won’t resolve. None of its effects will happen, even if you control three or more artifacts.
2011-06-01 If you controlled three or more artifacts as Concussive Bolt resolved, the targeted player won’t be able to block with any creatures this turn. That is, the set of affected creatures isn’t locked in as the spell resolves.
2011-06-01 The number of artifacts you control is checked only once: when Concussive Bolt resolves. If you don’t control three or more artifacts at that time, creatures will be able to block that turn, even if you gain control of more artifacts later in the turn.

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