Shrapnel Blast MTG Card

Delivers formidable instant damage by sacrificing artifacts, making every resource count. Low casting cost accelerates potential for early game pressure and surprise wins. Instant speed offers tactical advantage, disrupting opponents at crucial moments.

Mirrodin (MRD)
2003-10-02 - Number 106

Shrapnel Blast - World Championship Decks 2004 (WC04)

World Championship Decks 2004 (WC04)
2004-09-01 - Number ap106

Modern Masters (MMA)
2013-06-07 - Number 129

Magic 2015 (M15)
2014-07-18 - Number 161

Shrapnel Blast - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Magic Online Promos (PRM)
2002-06-24 - Number 31443

Card sets	Released in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant

Text of card

As an additional cost to play Shrapnel Blast, sacrifice an artifact. Shrapnel Blast deals 5 damage to target creature or player.

From trinket to trauma.

Cards like Shrapnel Blast

Shrapnel Blast has embedded itself as a powerful staple for artifact-heavy decks within the Magic: The Gathering landscape. This direct-damage spell mirrors others like Galvanic Blast, which can also deal significant damage provided you have the requisite artifact on the battlefield. But it’s Shrapnel Blast’s potential to inflict a massive 5 points of damage, without the metalcraft requirement, that clearly sets it apart. In this light, the card becomes significantly more reliable in delivering that punch, no matter the state of your board.

Examining Lightning Bolt, we find another card commonly evaluated against Shrapnel Blast. Both demand a low mana investment and deal damage directly to any target. However, Lightning Bolt doesn’t necessitate an additional cost like sacrificing an artifact—a factor worth considering when deciding between the immediacy of damage or the value of on-board resources.

It’s apparent that within the realm of direct-damage spells in Magic: The Gathering, Shrapnel Blast’s strength lies in its heavy hit at the expense of an artifact. It may not be as streamlined as Lightning Bolt, but in the right deck, its overwhelming power can turn the tides of a game in an instant.

Cards similar to Shrapnel Blast by color, type and mana cost

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Shrapnel Blast. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#	Name	Format	Archetype	Event
	Izzet Ensoul Artifact	Pioneer	Izzet Ensoul Artifact	Pioneer League 2024-04-30
	Asmo Food	Modern	Asmo Food	Modern Challenge 32 2024-05-03 (1)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Shrapnel Blast doesn’t directly offer card draw, it compensates with its powerful, arguably disproportionated effect. It allows players to convert unused or expendable artifacts into substantial damage, effectively using all available resources for maximum impact.

Resource Acceleration: Although Shrapnel Blast doesn’t generate resources in the traditional sense, its low mana cost is a form of acceleration, enabling players to deal significant damage early in the game. This can create a tempo gain that accelerates the path to victory by pressuring opponents quicker than they can respond.

Instant Speed: Its instant nature offers tactical flexibility, permitting players to react to an opponent’s play or end the game unexpectedly during the opposing turn. This unpredictability can be the key to bypassing an opponent’s defenses or disrupting their strategy at a critical moment.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Shrapnel Blast asks you to sacrifice an artifact as part of its casting cost. This demand can be a significant drawback when your board presence is crucial, or your artifact count is low, hindering the strategic timing of this spell.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both generic and red mana, Shrapnel Blast’s mana cost could be restrictive for multicolored decks that do not focus heavily on red sources. This could lead to mana color issues when you most need to cast it.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While dealing 5 damage to any target is powerful, the combined cost of two mana and an artifact can be steep compared to other removal options in MTG. Some players might find that this cost is not always justified by the output, especially if you’re sacrificing high-value artifacts.

Reasons to Include Shrapnel Blast in Your Collection

Versatility: Shrapnel Blast offers a flexible option for decks seeking a powerful finisher or emergency removal. Its ability to deliver a significant amount of damage with just one card makes it adaptable to a wide range of strategies, particularly in artifact-centered decks.

Combo Potential: Able to synergize with cards that have “when this artifact is sacrificed” effects, or with cards that produce a stream of artifacts to fling at your opponent, Shrapnel Blast is an integral piece in explosive combo decks. Its synergy with cheap or replicable artifacts can lead to game-ending moments.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame dense with creature-based strategies, having access to a quick and efficient removal option like Shrapnel Blast can be crucial. It’s especially potent in formats where artifacts are abundant and can catch opponents off-guard as an instant-speed threat.

How to beat

Shrapnel Blast stands out in MTG as a prime example of an artifact-synergizing direct damage spell. Commanding a mere two mana for a powerful five damage to any target, it becomes a pivotal play for explosive turns or sudden finishes. This instant speed spell does come with the hefty cost of sacrificing an artifact, but in the right deck, this is a negligible price.

However, like any formidable card in MTG, there are strategies to counteract Shrapnel Blast. Key tactics include artifact removal, countering the spell, and employing damage prevention or redirection effects. Disenchanting or destroying your opponent’s artifacts before they can utilize them for Shrapnel Blast can leave the card stranded in hand. Counterspells can effectively nullify its impact, protecting you from the significant life total hit. Lastly, cards that prevent or redirect the damage—such as Deflecting Swat or The Wanderer—can turn the tables and protect your in-game assets.

Every MTG card has its counterplays, and understanding how to navigate around powerful cards like Shrapnel Blast is crucial for any MTG player aiming for dominance at the tables. Far from unbeatable, it is the strategic preemption and reaction during gameplay that often defines victory or defeat.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shrapnel Blast MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Mirrodin, 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 Shrapnel Blast and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Shrapnel Blast Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2014-07-18. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	~~2002-06-24~~	Magic Online Promos	PRM	31443	2003	Normal	Black	Hideaki Takamura
2	2003-10-02	Mirrodin	MRD	106	2003	Normal	Black	Dave Dorman
3	2004-09-01	World Championship Decks 2004	WC04	ap106	2003	Normal	Gold	Dave Dorman
4	2013-06-07	Modern Masters	MMA	129	2003	Normal	Black	Hideaki Takamura
5	2014-07-18	Magic 2015	M15	161	2015	Normal	Black	Hideaki Takamura

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shrapnel Blast has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Predh	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2014-07-18	Players can only respond once this spell has been cast and all its costs have been paid. No one can try to destroy the artifact you sacrificed to prevent you from casting this spell.
2014-07-18	You must sacrifice exactly one artifact to cast this spell; you can’t cast it without sacrificing an artifact, and you can’t sacrifice additional artifacts.