Sonic Burst MTG Card

Sonic Burst enables virtual card advantage through timely removal of threats or blockers. Flexibility at instant speed for tactical play and maintaining game tempo. The card’s discard requirement may limit hand options, affecting overall strategy.

Exodus (EXO)
1998-06-15 - Number 103

Beatdown Box Set (BTD)
2000-10-01 - Number 46

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

Text of card

Discard a card at random: Sonic Burst deals 4 damage to target creature or player.

Music scythes the savage beast.

Cards like Sonic Burst

Sonic Burst is an intriguing piece in the array of damage-dealing spells in Magic: The Gathering. This instant spell shares similarities with other cards such as Lightning Bolt, a well-known option for delivering quick damage. Unlike Lightning Bolt, which does a solid 3 points of damage for one red mana, Sonic Burst demands the additional cost of discarding a card, but compensates with 4 points of damage to a target creature or player.

Then there’s Incinerate, offering a similar mana cost to Sonic Burst and dealing 3 damage, but without the need for discarding a card. What sets Incinerate apart is its ability to prevent the damaged creature from regenerating, giving it a situational edge. Another comparable option is Flame Rift, which costs the same as Sonic Burst and deals 4 damage, but affects all players, making it a double-edged sword in certain scenarios.

Assessing these alternatives illuminates the aggressive trading strategy Sonic Burst brings to the table. Its higher damage output is a worthwhile exchange for players willing to part with a card in hand. In environments where the tempo and card advantage can be pivotal, Sonic Burst claims its niche for red decks requiring impactful, instantaneous effects.

Cards similar to Sonic Burst by color, type and mana cost

Smash to Smithereens - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Sonic Burst does not directly allow you to draw cards, it can be considered a form of virtual card advantage by removing a potential blocker or threat swiftly. Thus, enabling your creatures to connect with your opponent, potentially drawing out more resources from them in the process.

Resource Acceleration: Sonic Burst itself doesn’t accelerate your resources in traditional ways like producing mana or reducing costs. However, by being a low-cost spell, it can maintain your tempo, allowing you to deploy other cards alongside it during your turn for a formidable board state.

Instant Speed: Sonic Burst’s real strength lies in its instant speed, offering you the flexibility to cast it during your opponent’s turn. This enables a reactive playstyle, removing creatures in the middle of combat or in response to an opponent’s actions, disrupting their strategy and maintaining the pace of the game in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Sonic Burst necessitates the player to forfeit another card from their hand to unleash its potential. This can lead to a reduction in your tactical options, especially if your hand is already running thin on cards.

Specific Mana Cost: This spell’s casting cost demands two red mana, which can restrict its inclusion to mono-red or red-heavy decks. Players running multicolored or less red-oriented decks might find it challenging to meet this specific mana requirement consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of two generic and two red mana, Sonic Burst is positioned on the higher end for its damage output. There are other spells in the MTG universe that can deal similar damage for a lower cost, making Sonic Burst a less economical choice for players looking to optimize their mana efficiency.

Reasons to Include Sonic Burst in Your Collection

Versatility: Sonic Burst offers quick and efficient damage potential, easily slotting into aggressive red decks that aim to reduce an opponent’s life total swiftly.

Combo Potential: This card can be part of a burst damage combo, working well with effects that either duplicate spell casts or benefit from spells with an additional cost such as discarding a card.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where speed is key, Sonic Burst can be a crucial tool, delivering a significant blow before opponents have the chance to establish their defenses or counterplays.

How to beat

Sonic Burst is a card that can catch players off guard with its potential for early game aggression. Its ability to deal 4 damage at the cost of discarding a card can be a double-edged sword, allowing a player to apply pressure but also depleting their resources. To counter this, the best strategy is to manage the flow of the game and protect key creatures from its reach. Playing creatures with toughness greater than 4 can ensure they survive the burst of damage.

Staying ahead in card advantage is also crucial. Since opponents must discard a card to activate Sonic Burst’s effect, this can be used to your advantage by including cards in your deck that allow you to draw or recur cards from your graveyard, mitigating the advantage they might gain from the initial burst of damage. Furthermore, using instant-speed removal or counterspells to disrupt your opponent’s tempo when they are down a card could turn the tide of the match in your favor.

Understanding the intricacies of when and how to deploy your resources against Sonic Burst can be key to overcoming this explosive spell and can make a significant difference in the outcome of your games.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sonic Burst MTG card by a specific set like Exodus and Beatdown Box Set, 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 Sonic Burst and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Sonic Burst Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-06-15 and 2000-10-01. Illustrated by Brian Snõddy.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1998-06-15	Exodus	EXO		103	1997	Normal	Black	Brian Snõddy
2	2000-10-01	Beatdown Box Set	BTD		46	1997	Normal	White	Brian Snõddy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sonic Burst has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sonic Burst 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	You can’t discard more than once to target more than one creature (or player) or to do multiple amounts of damage to a single creature (or player).
2004-10-04	You pick the target before you know which card is going to be discarded.