Death Bomb MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2001-02-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Planeshift |
| Set code | PLS |
| Number | 41 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Dan Frazier |
Key Takeaways
- Death Bomb combines creature removal with the added benefit of drawing you a card.
- Its instant-speed versatility can greatly disrupt your opponent’s game plan.
- The card’s cost and specific mana requirements influence deck-building decisions.
Text of card
As an additional cost to play Death Bomb, sacrifice a creature. Destroy target nonblack creature. It can't be regenerated. Its controller loses 2 life.
There's no higher honor in Phyrexia than dying for Yawgmoth's glorious vision.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Death Bomb presents a dual benefit in terms of card advantage. Upon resolution, it not only eliminates a creature your opponent controls, but it also allows you to draw a card, refilling your hand and maintaining momentum.
Resource Acceleration: In addition to its primary function, Death Bomb can subtly contribute to resource acceleration by potentially clearing the board of blockers or threats that prevent your creatures from connecting during combat, leading to direct damage and possible additional benefits from attack triggers.
Instant Speed: The power of instant-speed spells in shaping game outcomes is well-documented, and Death Bomb is no exception. Its ability to disrupt your opponent’s strategy at a moment’s notice, whether it’s in the middle of combat or in response to an on-stack action, makes it a versatile tool that keeps opponents guessing and protects your interests during their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Death Bomb requires the player to discard a card, a steep cost that can deplete hand advantage and potentially disrupt strategic plans, particularly in tight gameplay scenarios.
Specific Mana Cost: With a specific black mana cost, it demands a dedicated spot in black-aligned decks or a well-tuned mana base in multicolored ones, potentially reducing its versatility across various deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given its four total mana cost, including one black, some players might find it less efficient compared to other removal or creature sacrifice options. Alternative cards could offer similar or better effects without such a significant investment, making them preferable choices in a deck’s removal suite.
Reasons to Include Death Bomb in Your Collection
Versatility: Death Bomb is a multifaceted card that can be incorporated into different deck archetypes. It offers both creature removal and the ability to draw a card, making it a useful tool in various game situations.
Combo Potential: This spell’s ability to sacrifice a creature can synergize with decks that capitalize on death triggers or graveyard interactions, thereby enhancing existing combo strategies within your arsenal.
Meta-Relevance: Considering how creature-based strategies often dominate the play environment, having access to efficient removal like Death Bomb can be crucial. Its inclusion can help you maintain a competitive edge by disrupting your opponent’s key plays.
How to beat
When facing off against the Death Bomb card in Magic: The Gathering, it’s crucial to understand its mechanics. This card can be a turning point in a game due to its ability to destroy a creature and potentially cause life loss. To effectively counteract Death Bomb, consider holding onto creatures with regeneration or indestructible attributes as they can withstand the destruction effect.
Another strategy is keeping instant-speed removal or counterspells at the ready. This way, you can preemptively remove the creature targeted by Death Bomb, rendering the spell ineffective, or counter the spell outright. Additionally, maximizing the value of your creatures before they fall victim to Death Bomb can mitigate the card’s impact on the game flow.
Death Bomb demands specific conditions to be met for its full effect, so you can play around them. For instance, playing creatures with beneficial enter the battlefield or death triggers can turn the situation to your advantage, even when your creatures are targeted. By using these tactics, players can navigate around the hurdles posed by Death Bomb and maintain control over the game.
Cards like Death Bomb
Death Bomb stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a versatile option for players needing both removal and life drain. It shares similarities with cards like Chainer’s Edict, which also force opponents to sacrifice a creature. Unlike Chainer’s Edict, Death Bomb brings an additional feature to the table; it also causes an opponent to lose a chunk of their life total while offering you some life gain. This dual functionality provides a significant swing in board and life total advantage.
Examining cards such as Foul-Tongue Invocation reveals a direct comparison, with both cards requiring the sacrifice of an opponent’s creature and involving life gain. However, Death Bomb’s requirement of sacrificing one of your creatures and paying an additional mana cost sets it apart. Additionally, while Foul-Tongue Invocation has the potential upside of having a Dragon on the battlefield, Death Bomb maintains its impact without such a condition.
When considering inclusion in a deck, Death Bomb offers a mix of strategic flexibility and life total manipulation that is valuable in games where maintaining control and stabilizing your life are key.
Cards similar to Death Bomb by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Death Bomb MTG card by a specific set like Planeshift, 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 Death Bomb and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Death Bomb has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Death Bomb card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-04-15 | Players can only respond once this spell has been cast and all its costs have been paid. No one can try to destroy the creature you sacrificed to prevent you from casting this spell. |
| 2013-04-15 | You must sacrifice exactly one creature to cast this spell; you cannot cast it without sacrificing a creature, and you cannot sacrifice additional creatures. |
