Pyroclasm MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 24 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 2 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Pyroclasm deals 2 damage to each creature.
"Leaves more room for the big ones to fight in, you know." —Jaya Ballard, Task Mage
Cards like Pyroclasm
Pyroclasm is a card that often finds its way into decks seeking to control the board early in Magic: The Gathering. It serves as an efficient red sweeper by dealing 2 damage to each creature for just two mana. This makes it comparable to other low-cost board clearing options such as Volcanic Fallout, which deals 2 damage to each creature and player and can’t be countered, but costs an additional mana to cast.
Anger of the Gods is another card that stirs up comparisons. It has a higher mana cost but also inflicts a devastating 3 damage and exiles any creatures it destroys, circumventing death triggers and graveyard strategies. Similarly, Slagstorm is flexible, allowing players to choose between dealing 3 damage to each creature or each player, giving it a dual-purpose role in games.
All things considered, these alternatives highlight Pyroclasm’s role as a cost-effective and swift answer to an early swarm of creatures, while each similar card brings additional benefits that may suit different scenarios or deck strategies in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Pyroclasm by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Pyroclasm. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Oath Ponza | Premodern | $1K - Pre-Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Saturday - 9:30 am | ||
RG Oath | Premodern | $1K - Pre-Modern - SCG CON Hartford - Sunday - 9:30 am | ||
Grixis Control | Legacy | Charlotte Legacy League Season 1 Week 4 | ||
Jund Control | Legacy | Charlotte Legacy League Season 1 Week 2 | ||
Temur Midrange | Legacy | Legacy $5k | ||
Lands | Legacy | Lands | Legacy Last Chance 2023-11-27 | |
Izzet Tempo | Canadian Highlander for Duals - Tundra Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Pyroclasm offers strategic removal as it can clear multiple smaller creatures from the board with a single card, effectively outpacing your opponent by diminishing their creature presence while using minimal resources from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: By dealing with creatures through a low-cost spell, you free up your mana for future turns. This means you can advance your board while your opponent’s resources are set back, allowing you to take the lead in mana efficiency and board development.
Instant Speed: Although Pyroclasm is a sorcery, its impact on the game is felt as if it possesses the flexibility of an instant — reshaping the battlefield on your terms before you start your turn, putting your opponent on the defensive and giving you the initiative.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Pyroclasm does not have a discard requirement; this section is not applicable to the card’s features.
Specific Mana Cost: Pyroclasm has a red mana requirement in its casting cost. This condition can sometimes restrict the card’s use to red-centric or multi-colored decks that incorporate red. Players running decks without red mana sources will be unable to take advantage of this sweeping spell.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Pyroclasm’s mana cost isn’t exceptionally high, there are alternative cards in MTG with lower mana costs that can deliver similar damage to all creatures. These alternatives are often preferred in faster, more aggressive decks aiming to control the board early on in the game.
Reasons to Include Pyroclasm in Your Collection
Versatility: Pyroclasm is a flexible option for decks seeking to control the board. It’s capable of wiping out swathes of low-toughness creatures early in the game, setting back aggro opponents and maintaining board presence in various deck types.
Combo Potential: This card can be instrumental in decks that capitalize on noncreature permanents or sacrifice mechanics. It can clear the board for big swing turns or simply act as an enabler for strategies that flourish once the creatures are out of the way.
Meta-Relevance: With creature-heavy decks often dominating play, Pyroclasm provides a cost-effective solution to keep pace with the current competitive environment. In a meta filled with utility creatures and token strategies, it often acts as a reset button, allowing you to stabilize and regain control of the game.
How to beat
Pyroclasm is a card that can have a dramatic effect on the board, especially against decks that rely on numerous early-game creatures. Its ability to deal two damage to each creature for a low mana cost makes it an excellent tool for clearing away swarms of smaller creatures. To mitigate its impact, consider playing creatures with toughness greater than two or utilize instant-speed spells that can bolster their toughness in response to Pyroclasm’s casting. Additionally, saving key creatures by using spells that grant indestructibility or by bouncing them back to your hand can also be an effective strategy to negate the damage dealt by Pyroclasm.
Another strategy is to employ creatures with abilities that trigger upon death, turning Pyroclasm’s board-clearing disadvantage into a strategic advantage for you. Cards like “Selfless Spirit” that can sacrifice itself to provide indestructibility to your other creatures, can outmaneuver this spell’s destructive potential. Lastly, playing patient and not overcommitting to the board can force Pyroclasm to be a less efficient removal tool, as you maintain resources in-hand to rebuild after it’s cast. Understanding and anticipating this red sweeper allows a player to craft a game plan that renders Pyroclasm far less threatening.
BurnMana Recommendations
Mastering the ebb and flow of MTG gameplay can often hinge on the right card choices, and Pyroclasm is a formidable option when creating a strategy against creatures-based decks. By wiping the board clean of smaller threats, it enables you to maintain control and pave the way for your own offensive. Whether it’s seizing the moment with a sweeping clear or carefully choosing when to deploy this efficient removal, Pyroclasm could be the game-changer you’re looking for. Ready to explore how this card can ignite your deck’s potential? We encourage you to delve deeper into strategies and card synergies that harness the fiery power of Pyroclasm.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Pyroclasm MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Portal, 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 Pyroclasm and other MTG cards:
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- 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 Pyroclasm Magic the Gathering card was released in 20 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2018-03-16. Illustrated by 5 different artists.
Show/hide all sets# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 214 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Pat Lewis | |
2 | 1997-05-01 | Portal | POR | 143 | 1997 | Normal | Black | John Matson | |
3 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 209★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Monte Michael Moore | |
4 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 209 | 1997 | Normal | White | Monte Michael Moore | |
5 | 2001-08-08 | World Championship Decks 2001 | WC01 | tvdl209sb | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Monte Michael Moore | |
6 | 2001-08-08 | World Championship Decks 2001 | WC01 | ar209sb | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Monte Michael Moore | |
7 | 2001-12-01 | Deckmasters | DKM | 19 | 1997 | Normal | White | Pat Lewis | |
8 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 35168 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Dorman | ||
9 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 210 | 2003 | Normal | White | John Avon | |
10 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 210★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
11 | 2003-08-07 | World Championship Decks 2003 | WC03 | pk210sb | 2003 | Normal | Gold | John Avon | |
12 | 2004-09-01 | World Championship Decks 2004 | WC04 | mb210sb | 2003 | Normal | Gold | John Avon | |
13 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 208★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
14 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 208 | 2003 | Normal | White | John Avon | |
15 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | K27 | 2003 | Normal | White | John Avon | |
16 | Magic Player Rewards 2006 | P06 | 3 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Dorman | ||
17 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 222 | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
18 | 2009-07-17 | Magic 2010 | M10 | 152 | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
19 | 2010-07-16 | Magic 2011 | M11 | 154 | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
20 | 2013-03-15 | Duel Decks: Sorin vs. Tibalt | DDK | 62 | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
21 | 2013-09-06 | Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters | DDL | 63 | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
22 | 2017-03-17 | Modern Masters 2017 | MM3 | 107 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
23 | 2018-03-16 | Masters 25 | A25 | 146 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
24 | The List | PLST | POR-143 | 1997 | Normal | Black | John Matson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Pyroclasm has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |