Resounding Thunder MTG Card


Cycling provides card advantage and potential to uncover key deck components while maintaining resource flow. Instant speed casting offers tactical depth, disrupting opponents’ strategies during their turn. Although versatile, its specific mana cost and higher cycling cost may limit its deck inclusion.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Cycling

Text of card

Resounding Thunder deals 3 damage to target creature or player. Cycling (, Discard this card: Draw a card.) When you cycle Resounding Thunder, it deals 6 damage to target creature or player.


Cards like Resounding Thunder

Resounding Thunder is one of those versatile cards in MTG that can fit into numerous strategies, offering both direct damage and card cycling utility. This flexibility recalls Memory Lapse, which also has a cycling ability but the key difference lies in Memory Lapse being a counter spell that can disrupt opponents’ plays, rather than dealing damage.

When it comes to dealing damage with the added benefit of cycling, we might consider something like Blazing Volley. While it doesn’t have cycling, it can deal damage to each creature your opponent controls for a single red mana. However, it lacks the versatility of hitting players directly which can be a game-changer. Another comparable card is Fiery Fall, which provides a substantial damage output and similar cycling utility, yet it has a higher mana cost for its damage dealing effect.

A balance between cost, impact, and flexibility always comes into play when choosing the right card for your deck. Thus, while Resounding Thunder might not be the most efficient damage spell, its dual utility makes it a contender for many MTG player’s decks.

Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions
Blazing Volley - MTG Card versions
Fiery Fall - MTG Card versions
Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions
Blazing Volley - MTG Card versions
Fiery Fall - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Resounding Thunder by color, type and mana cost

Darigaaz's Charm - MTG Card versions
Jund Charm - MTG Card versions
Riveteers Charm - MTG Card versions
Darigaaz's Charm - MTG Card versions
Jund Charm - MTG Card versions
Riveteers Charm - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Resounding Thunder, you have the option to cycle it for a fresh card in hand, providing an opportunity to dig through your deck for key components and ensure a steady flow of resources.

Resource Acceleration: Those who invest in the card’s Cycling ability are rewarded with a card replacement plus a valuable shock to any target, a combo that can easily swing the momentum in your favor, keeping you ahead of the opponent.

Instant Speed: The flexibility to cast Resounding Thunder at instant speed offers tactical depth, allowing players to make decisions with full information on an opponent’s turn and to disrupt their strategy while keeping their own plans hidden as long as possible.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the critical downsides of Resounding Thunder is its cycling mechanic, which mandates that you discard the card itself to activate its alternative effect. This prerequisite might set you back when your hand is sparse, forcing you to choose between retaining the card for its primary use or cycling for potentially better options, a gamble that may not always pan out in your favor.

Specific Mana Cost: Resounding Thunder comes with a colored mana cost that is specifically red, constraining its playability to decks that can generate this type of mana easily. Players that have a deck focusing on a different color or a multicolored deck with limited red sources might find incorporating this card into their strategies somewhat challenging.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card’s mana cost is somewhat elevated compared to other instant spells with similar effects. For three mana, the direct damage dealt is decent, but when considering the wealth of other options available in the format, some players might find Resounding Thunder less attractive. The cost becomes especially apparent when a player seeks to leverage the cycling ability, which requires an even more significant mana investment for a more potent effect, but might not justify the additional resources spent.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Resounding Thunder is a flexible card that can adapt to different playstyles. Its basic effect is useful for direct damage, while its cycling ability can lead to late-game advantages with a powerful board impact.

Combo Potential: With the right deck, this card’s cycling feature can activate various draw-related abilities, or work with cards that capitalize on spells in the graveyard, creating synergy in decks that need it.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where controlling the board is crucial, Resounding Thunder can be an essential tool. It’s relevant for dealing with creatures or even finishing off opponents in long, drawn-out games.


How to beat

Resounding Thunder is a versatile card, known for its cycling ability which can keep opponents on their toes in Magic: The Gathering. This card can deal direct damage and its flexibility can catch many off-guard. To effectively counteract this, strategic play is key. One approach to beat Resounding Thunder is to deploy damage prevention or redirection spells that can neutralize the damage it deals, such as the spell Deflecting Palm or the artifact Aegis of the Gods.

Utilizing counterspells like Negate or Dispel can also be pivotal when playing against decks that feature Resounding Thunder. Timing is critical, as you’ll want to keep mana open to interrupt your opponent’s play and prevent the card from ever having an effect on the board. Furthermore, hand disruption techniques can preemptively remove Resounding Thunder from your opponent’s grasp before it becomes a threat, with cards such as Thoughtseize or Duress undercutting your opponent’s game plan.

Never overlook the power of a well-rounded deck plan that includes elements to address direct damage threats. By considering these tactics, players can reduce the impact of Resounding Thunder, maintaining control of the game’s tempo and ultimately securing the upper hand in their matchups.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Resounding Thunder MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara and Magic Online Theme Decks, 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 Resounding Thunder and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Resounding Thunder Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2008-10-03 and 2010-11-08. Illustrated by Jon Foster.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-10-03Shards of AlaraALA 1102003NormalBlackJon Foster
22010-11-08Magic Online Theme DecksTD0 A612003NormalBlackJon Foster

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Resounding Thunder has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2008-10-01 Cycling is an activated ability. Effects that interact with activated abilities (such as Stifle or Rings of Brighthearth) will interact with cycling. Effects that interact with spells (such as Remove Soul or Faerie Tauntings) will not.
2008-10-01 The cycling ability and the triggered ability are separate. If the triggered ability doesn’t resolve (due to being countered with Stifle, for example, or if all its targets have become illegal), the cycling ability will still resolve and you’ll draw a card.
2008-10-01 When you cycle this card, first the cycling ability goes on the stack, then the triggered ability goes on the stack on top of it. The triggered ability will resolve before you draw a card from the cycling ability.
2008-10-01 You can cycle this card even if there are no targets for the triggered ability. That’s because the cycling ability itself has no targets.