Silver Bolt MTG Card
2021-09-24 - Number 258
2022-01-28 - Number 258
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
, , Sacrifice Silver Bolt: It deals 3 damage to target creature. If a Werewolf is dealt damage this way, destroy it.
"When a werewolf charges, you'll only have time for one shot. Best make it count." —Captain Eberheart
Cards like Silver Bolt
Silver Bolt is a utility card for many Magic: The Gathering decks that require quick and efficient creature removal. When comparing it to other similar low-cost removal spells, Dead Weight springs to mind first. Though Dead Weight has a lower casting cost and can shrink larger creatures, Silver Bolt has the advantage of being able to directly bring down creatures with a toughness of 3 or less without the need for the creature to be attacking or blocking.
No less notable is Shock, a staple card that deals 2 damage to any target and has an immediate impact on the board. While Shock’s flexibility is unmatched, Silver Bolt’s ability to potentially deal a more significant 3 damage makes it a superior choice in situations where that extra point of damage is crucial for eliminating key threats.
Another card worth mentioning is Ghastly Demise, which operates on a different axis, offering potential for larger creature destruction at the cost of requiring a stocked graveyard. Unlike Silver Bolt, Ghastly Demise can scale through the game but lacks Silver Bolt’s unconditional targeting, making Silver Bolt a more reliable choice in decks that do not actively fill their own graveyard.
Ultimately, Silver Bolt’s advantage lies in its potency against specific types of creatures, combined with the flexibility of being an artifact that can be used at any time, offering strategic depth to players in MTG.
Cards similar to Silver Bolt by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Silver Bolt does not directly provide card draw, it does offer a removal option that can take out a threat on the board and potentially disrupt your opponent’s strategy, leading to a subtler form of card advantage by dealing with creatures that might otherwise generate value for your opponent over time.
Resource Acceleration: Silver Bolt does not generate mana or treasure tokens, but its low casting cost allows you to deploy other spells more efficiently. This helps maintain a mana advantage over your opponent, potentially freeing up resources to use on additional spells in a single turn.
Instant Speed: The capability to use Silver Bolt at instant speed provides a strategic edge allowing you to react to your opponent’s moves. You can wait until the opportune moment to remove a creature, possibly even in the middle of combat, which can swing the game in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Silver Bolt does not necessitate discarding a card. However, the strategy to maximize its potential might cause players to deplete their hand, particularly in decks focusing on graveyard mechanics.
Specific Mana Cost: While Silver Bolt’s mana cost is colorless and thus appears flexible, casting and activating its ability does require a fixed amount of mana, which can be prohibitive in the early game where mana efficiency is crucial.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Silver Bolt’s removal ability is useful, its combined cost for casting and activation results in a total of three mana. For the same or lower mana cost, other cards could provide instant-speed removal without necessitating an additional setup or cost.
Reasons to Include Silver Bolt in Your Collection
Versatility: Silver Bolt is easily included in a multitude of decks, including those that aim for efficient removal options. Its low mana cost and instant-speed activation allow for great flexibility during gameplay.
Combo Potential: Not only can Silver Bolt remove smaller creatures swiftly, but it can also serve as a surprise combo piece. In a deck where transforming a werewolf is part of the strategy, Silver Bolt shines by offering an unexpected way to trigger transformations.
Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-based decks are commonly seen in various formats, having Silver Bolt in your toolkit adds a level of preparedness for creatures that could otherwise pose a significant threat. Its presence in your collection means you’re ready for a meta that heavily features creature strategies.
How to beat
Silver Bolt is a versatile card that can pose a threat to creatures on the MTG battlefield. When facing this artifact, consider its ability to deal three damage to any creature or, with enough mana, remove a Werewolf transformation. To get around Silver Bolt, use creatures with toughness greater than three to withstand its damage. Also, prioritize instant-speed removal or counterspells to tackle Silver Bolt before it can be activated, effectively neutralizing its threat before it impacts the game.
Another strategic approach is employing hexproof or indestructible creatures, which are impervious to Silver Bolt’s effect. Additionally, artifact destruction spells are crucial – having a Naturalize or Shatter in your deck can easily handle artifacts like Silver Bolt. Lastly, don’t overlook the value of life gain or damage prevention; spells like Healing Salve can render the Silver Bolt null by preventing the damage it deals, keeping your formidable creatures on the board to press your advantage.
Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Silver Bolt can profoundly influence the outcome of a match. While it may seem like a minor threat, having a plan to counteract or bypass it can be the difference between victory and defeat in your MTG games.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Silver Bolt MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Silver Bolt 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 Silver Bolt Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Anna Fehr.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-09-24 | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt | MID | 258 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Fehr | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 258 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Fehr |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Silver Bolt has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |