Powerstone Shard MTG Card
2018-04-27 - Number 227
2020-09-26 - Number DOM-227
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
: Add for each artifact you control named Powerstone Shard.
"Light passing through a powerstone is refracted by eternity and colored by planar energy. I wonder how the world appeared through Urza's eyes?" —Teferi
Cards like Powerstone Shard
In the landscape of resource acceleration in Magic: The Gathering, Powerstone Shard stands out as a unique Mana artifact. Its closest kin could perhaps be considered the iconic Mana rock, Manalith, which also provides one Mana of any color. However, Powerstone Shard has the potential to dwarf Manalith in power as it taps for colorless Mana for each artifact you control named Powerstone Shard. The synergy with multiples makes it a vastly scalable option in comparison.
Another counterpart often discussed is Prismatic Lens. While Prismatic Lens offers flexibility in Mana fixing by allowing you to filter colorless Mana into one Mana of any color, it cannot replicate the exponential growth that Powerstone Shard can achieve in the right deck. Lastly, Guardian Idol is a competitor too as an artifact that can become a creature in addition to generating Mana. While it adds a different strategic angle, Guardian Idol doesn’t offer the same scalability in Mana production.
Conclusively, for players looking to build a deck that can exponentially increase its Mana resources over time, Powerstone Shard proves to be a powerful choice. Its true strength shines in a deck tailored to maximize its inherent potential for Mana multiplication.
Cards similar to Powerstone Shard by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Powerstone Shard offers a cumulative effect, creating an opportunity for significant card advantage in decks that are focused on artifact synergy or those reliant on heavy mana investment.
Resource Acceleration: Each Powerstone Shard can tap for one colorless mana for every copy of itself on the battlefield, potentially leading to massive resource acceleration as more Shards are played.
Instant Speed: While Powerstone Shard itself doesn’t function at instant speed, the mana it provides can be crucial in enabling instant-speed interactions and responses, keeping you flexible and resourceful during the critical moments of a match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While no discard is directly tied to Powerstone Shard itself, harnessing its full potential often means running it alongside cards with discard stipulations to free up the necessary mana, which can put a strain on hand resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Powerstone Shard requires three generic mana to play, making it neutral in terms of color but also prohibitive for decks looking to curve out more efficiently in the early game.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The initial investment in Powerstone Shard is notably high for the immediate output it provides. Given that it produces only one mana first, other accelerants or mana rocks available in MTG might be considered more cost-effective for the same or less mana input.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Powerstone Shard offers flexibility in various decks, especially those that scale with artifacts or require substantial mana. Its ability to generate more mana for each Shard in play caters to manifold strategies.
Combo Potential: With each Powerstone Shard on the field, its mana-generation capability magnifies, laying the groundwork for powerful combos. It’s a keystone in decks that aim to unleash large spells or activate demanding abilities swiftly.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where ramp decks or artifact synergies are prevalent, Powerstone Shard shines by accelerating your gameplay and fuelling costly spells that can dominate the board.
How to beat
Powerstone Shard can be a potent tool in the right Magic: The Gathering deck, capable of ramping up your mana to overwhelming levels. It’s a card that thrives in artifact-centric decks, echoing the mana acceleration of classic cards like Thran Dynamo or Gilded Lotus. However, its true strength lies in redundancy, empowering decks that can clone or replicate it to generate massive amounts of colorless mana.
To counter this, consider incorporating artifact removal in your deck. Cards such as Naturalize or Disenchant that specifically target artifacts reduce the threat by removing Powerstone Shard from the board altogether. Efficiency is key, and it’s essential to eliminate the Shard before your opponent can capitalize on the mana boost.
Keep an eye on the battlefield for clues that your opponent is setting the stage for a Powerstone Shard strategy. Quick action can prevent the situation from escalating, keeping you firmly in the lead. Overall, addressing the threat directly and swiftly will dismantle the advantage of Powerstone Shard and protect you from the potential ramp in your opponent’s strategy.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Powerstone Shard MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria and The List, 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 Powerstone Shard and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Powerstone Shard Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2018-04-27. Illustrated by Lindsey Look.
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Powerstone Shard 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 |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Powerstone Shard card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-04-27 | Powerstone Shard’s activated ability is a mana ability. It doesn’t use the stack and can’t be responded to. |