Rockslide Ambush MTG Card
1999-05-01 - Number 121
2011-01-10 - Number 134
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Rockslide Ambush deals to any one creature damage equal to the number of mountain cards you have in play. (This includes both tapped and untapped mountain cards.)
Cards like Rockslide Ambush
Rockslide Ambush is a niche yet relevant card in the world of Magic: The Gathering. Comparable to other damage-dealing spells, it deals damage to a single target creature for a cost of three mana. Cards like Lightning Strike and Shock emit echoes in its design, offering direct damage strategies. However, Lightning Strike and Shock are more efficient with lower mana costs and instant speed, giving them the upper hand in terms of flexibility and surprise factor during gameplay.
Yet, Rockslide Ambush has a differentiating edge in the realm of creature-heavy decks, inflicting damage equal to the number of mountains you control. Rolling Thunder resonates with this scalable effect, allowing for damage to be divided as you choose among any number of targets, though it demands a heftier mana investment. In addition, the sorcery subtype of both Rockslide Ambush and Rolling Thunder means strategic planning is key, fine-tuning the timing of these spells for maximum impact in a game.
Examining these cards, Rockslide Ambush sets its terrain in MTG, particularly for players who cultivate a mountain-based land strategy, looking to sweep opposing creatures off the board and pave the way for victory.
Cards similar to Rockslide Ambush by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Rockslide Ambush may not directly provide card draw, but it can take out multiple creatures with a single card if you control a high number of mountains. This “one to many” potential effectively increases your card advantage by neutralizing more of your opponent’s resources.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting resource acceleration, Rockslide Ambush can prevent resource loss by eliminating threats without expending multiple cards. Keeping your board intact allows for sustained pressure and reduces the need for further resource investment in your defense.
Instant Speed: Rockslide Ambush’s instant speed is a key strategic advantage, offering flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s strategies during their turn. This allows you to manage threats on-the-fly and capitalize on the number of mountains you control at an opportunistic moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Rockslide Ambush demands a specific board state to be effective, often necessitating sacrifices in the form of strategically placed creatures, which can be burdensome if your board is not well-prepared.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost is strictly red, demanding a heavy commitment to red mana sources in a player’s deck, which can hinder the flexibility in deck building, particularly in multi-colored decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its cost standing at three mana, including two red, it can be argued that the expected damage output doesn’t always justify the investment, especially when there are alternative removal options available that are more cost-effective or provide additional benefits.
Reasons to Include Rockslide Ambush in Your Collection
Versatility: Rockslide Ambush proves to be a flexible card, capable of fitting into decks that require a non-targeted damage solution against numerous creatures. Its ability to potentially scale up in damage makes it a formidable inclusion in decks running many Mountains.
Combo Potential: This card thrives in synergy with land ramp and deck manipulation strategies. As the number of Mountains grows, so does the impact of Rockslide Ambush, making it perfect for decks that can manipulate land count and control board state.
Meta-Relevance: With creature-heavy decks commonly piloted by players, Rockslide Ambush can serve as a key sideboard card, or even a mainboard card for meta-games dominated by swarming tactics. Its capacity to clear multiple creatures at once can turn the tides of a match where board presence is the pathway to victory.
How to beat
Rockslide Ambush has a situational impact in a game of Magic: The Gathering, depending on the number of mountains you control. To outmaneuver this card, you could adopt a strategy that reduces your opponent’s mountain count. Land destruction or land type alteration effects can be quite useful in these scenarios, mitigating the damage potential of Rockslide Ambush.
Alternatively, ensuring your creatures have toughness greater than the number of mountains your opponent controls creates a formidable barrier against the spell. Another strategy is to utilize instant-speed removal or counterspells to disrupt the play before it even gets the chance to resolve. By keeping a close eye on your opponent’s land base and being prepared to respond to their spells, you can effectively neutralize Rockslide Ambush and maintain control of the battlefield.
Always remember to adapt your tactics according to your opponent’s strategy and the current state of the game. By doing so, you’ll increase your ability to handle Rockslide Ambush and other similar threats that come your way during a match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rockslide Ambush MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms and Masters Edition IV, 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 Rockslide Ambush 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 Rockslide Ambush Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-05-01 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Inoue Junichi.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-05-01 | Portal Three Kingdoms | PTK | 121 | 1997 | Normal | White | Inoue Junichi | |
| 2 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 134 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Inoue Junichi |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rockslide Ambush has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |