Rocket Launcher MTG Card
1994-03-04 - Number 63
1994-04-01 - Number 272
1994-04-01 - Number 272
1994-06-21 - Number 272
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
: Do 1 damage to any target. Rocket Launcher may not be used until it begins a turn in play on your side. If it is used, Rocket Launcher is destroyed at end of turn.
What these devices lacked in subtlety, they made up in strength.
Cards like Rocket Launcher
Rocket Launcher emerges as a unique artifact in the MTG universe, offering a direct damage approach to gameplay. It’s akin to cards like Goblin Cannon, which also has the ability to deal damage directly to any target. The Rocket Launcher, however, is versatile with its no-limit activation, letting you unleash as much damage as your mana pool allows before it sacrifices itself at the end of the turn.
A parallel can be drawn with Triskelion, another artifact creature that enters the battlefield with charge counters and can remove them to ping any target, providing less flexible but more immediate impact minus the end-of-turn sacrifice. There’s also Walking Ballista, a more modern iteration that operates on the same principle but can be played using only colorless mana and can grow in size. Unlike Rocket Launcher, both Triskelion and Walking Ballista offer repeatable effects without self-sacrifice, at the cost of an additional setup through counters.
In summary, Rocket Launcher holds its ground in the direct damage category among artifacts in MTG, recognized for its singular use high-impact potential, especially in decks capable of generating substantial mana in a single turn.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Rocket Launcher card offers a strategic edge allowing for multiple uses per turn, which can equate to overwhelming card advantage if sustained over several rounds.
Resource Acceleration: While not a direct provider of mana, this artifact can essentially act as a repeating source of damage, potentially accelerating the game towards your victory without the need for further resource investments.
Instant Speed: Its ability to deal damage can be activated at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s moves or end the game unexpectedly during their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To utilize Rocket Launcher effectively, you need to discard a card, which can hinder your hand management, especially in games where card advantage is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: The Rocket Launcher card demands a mix of colorless and red mana for its activation, potentially restricting its integration into multicolored or colorless-only decks that do not support red mana well.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a notable mana investment required to bring Rocket Launcher into play and to activate its ability, it competes with other cards for the valuable slot of game-ending spells or creatures, possibly rendering it a less optimal choice in faster, more mana-efficient formats.
Reasons to Include Rocket Launcher in Your Collection
Versatility: Rocket Launcher is a flexible artifact that can be a game finisher in various deck builds. Its ability to deal damage directly allows for strategic plays no matter the board state. This adaptability makes it a valuable addition to decks that are looking for an alternative win condition or a way to remove pesky creatures.
Combo Potential: With the right setup, Rocket Launcher can become a key component in a combo to deal massive damage. Whether it’s increasing the artifact’s damage output with other cards or untapping it for multiple uses in a single turn, this card provides a wealth of opportunities for imaginative players to explore.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where creature-based strategies dominate, having Rocket Launcher ready serves as a powerful deterrent and control tool. Its presence alone can shift the opponent’s tactics, making it an impactful choice in decks that face creature-heavy meta-games.
How to beat
Rocket Launcher is a unique artifact card that brings an explosive potential to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Players may overlook its ability to deal damage at will, but with the right strategy, you can circumvent its destructive power. Understanding the pivotal role of artifact removal in MTG is key. One effective method to overtake Rocket Launcher is through direct artifact destruction spells, which are abundant in colors like green and red. Naturalize and Shatter are budget-friendly options that can immediately eliminate Rocket Launcher from the game.
Beyond direct destruction, blue’s counter spells offer another layer of protection. By countering Rocket Launcher upon its initial casting, you can prevent it from ever becoming a threat on the board. Lastly, taking advantage of the summoning sickness rule is also wise – since Rocket Launcher can only be activated the turn after it’s been played. This offers a crucial window to either disable or destroy it before it can be used against you. Diligence in leaving mana open for response spells can pay off significantly when countering artifacts like Rocket Launcher.
Control decks, known for their methodical approach to stabilizing the board and mitigating threats, can handle Rocket Launcher quite effectively. Incorporating a mix of artifact removal and counter spells will keep your opponent’s Rocket Launcher from firing off its damaging payload, thereby maintaining your stronghold in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rocket Launcher MTG card by a specific set like Antiquities and Foreign Black Border, 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 Rocket Launcher 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 Rocket Launcher Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1994-03-04 and 1994-06-21. Illustrated by Pete Venters.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-03-04 | Antiquities | ATQ | 63 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 2 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 272 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 3 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 272 | 1993 | Normal | White | Pete Venters | |
| 4 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 272 | 1993 | Normal | White | Pete Venters |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rocket Launcher has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Rocket Launcher card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Because it does not have tapping as part of its activation cost, you can activate the ability many times in one turn, but it is destroyed at the end of any turn in which you use it. |
| 2004-10-04 | It is only destroyed at end of turn if the ability resolved. If the ability is countered, it is not sacrificed. |
| 2004-10-04 | You can choose different targets for each use. |