Sparkmage's Gambit MTG Card
2016-01-22 - Number 117
2022-07-08 - Number 124
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Sparkmage's Gambit deals 1 damage to each of up to two target creatures. Those creatures can't block this turn.
"A touch of lightning, and anyone can be taught to dance." —Tobin, sparkmage
Exploring Alternatives to Sparkmage’s Gambit
Sparkmage’s Gambit is an intriguing option for players looking to produce a combination of damage and tempo control within a Red deck in Magic: The Gathering. This card allows a player to deal 1 damage to each of up to two target creatures and also provides the added advantage of preventing those creatures from blocking this turn. This serves as a tactical spell both for board control and for clearing a path for your own creatures to attack.
Cards like Sparkmage's Gambit
In comparison, we can observe cards like Arc Lightning, which shares the concept of dividing damage among several targets. Arc Lightning offers more flexibility with its ability to deal 3 damage divided as you choose among one, two, or three targets. While Arc Lightning does not prevent creatures from blocking, it can become a tool for removing multiple smaller creatures from the board. Another card in this category is Pyroclasm, which deals 2 damage to each creature. Although Pyroclasm affects all creatures and doesn’t prevent blocking, its wider impact can be a game-changer against decks with lots of low-toughness creatures.
While these alternatives differ in their specific mechanics, Sparkmage’s Gambit stands out by affecting the combat dynamic immediately, giving it a unique position in a player’s arsenal. Its low cost and dual-purpose design make it a strategic choice, particularly in aggressive Red strategies that aim to keep the path clear for attackers.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sparkmage’s Gambit isn’t traditionally seen as a card advantage tool, yet it can offer a subtle edge in this department. By potentially removing two of your opponent’s creatures from the battlefield, this card can help tilt the balance of control in your favor, ensuring that your resources have a greater impact on the game state.
Resource Acceleration: While Sparkmage’s Gambit does not directly accelerate your resources in terms of mana, it’s low casting cost aids in curving out your plays efficiently. This allows players to develop their board and still have the ability to interact with the opponent’s board without falling behind in their own game plan.
Instant Speed: The ability to play Sparkmage’s Gambit at instant speed gives you the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s attacks or end-of-turn plays. This adaptability is key in maintaining momentum and can force your opponent to play around the potential of you having this card in hand, thereby influencing their decisions and tempo.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Sparkmage’s Gambit doesn’t force a discard; however, it’s essential to weigh this spell against others in your arsenal that might require a discard to see if it could lead to resource depletion in your overall strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both red and another mana can be restrictive. Decks not focused on red may find Sparkmage’s Gambit challenging to cast, making it less ideal for multi-color strategies that can’t reliably produce red mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a spell that only deals 1 damage to each of up to two target creatures, the mana cost of Sparkmage’s Gambit might be considered steep. Other cards at a similar cost can offer more significant board impact or flexible options.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Sparkmage’s Gambit stands out due to its flexibility in dealing with multiple creatures. This card shines in red decks that need to clear out swarms of tokens or hold back early aggressive plays from your opponents.
Combo Potential: Apart from being an efficient creature removal spell, Sparkmage’s Gambit can be incorporated in decks that capitalize on spellslinger strategies. Pairing this card with creatures that have prowess or with the ones that benefit each time you cast an instant or sorcery raises the potential for powerful combos.
Meta-Relevance: Given how the current MTG landscape often leans towards decks that rely on many small creatures, Sparkmage’s Gambit could serve as an essential tool. Its ability to tip the scales in your favor during a meta dominated by weenie strategies or token generation makes it a potent inclusion in your arsenal.
How to beat Sparkmage’s Gambit
Sparkmage’s Gambit is a niche red card from Magic: The Gathering that offers a savvy player both creature removal and a pathway to swing through for damage. Notably, its ability to deal 1 damage to each of up to two target creatures and prevent them from blocking can disrupt your opponent’s defense. However, beating this card often comes down to strategic creature deployment and timing.
For example, creatures with toughness greater than 1 are unaffected by the Gambit’s damage, so fielding sturdy creatures can nullify the impact. Additionally, having instant-speed tricks to buff your creatures in response to Sparkmage’s Gambit can turn the tables, preserving your blockers or potential attackers. Cards that grant indestructibility or hexproof are also effective countermeasures against this sorcery.
In essence, while Sparkmage’s Gambit can momentarily tilt the battlefield in your opponent’s favor, understanding its limitations and preparing your deck with answers will ensure you maintain control. Key to this is a deck with robust creatures and responsive spells that allow you to adapt to and ultimately withstand the Sparkmage’s Gambit.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sparkmage's Gambit MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch and Double Masters 2022, 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 Sparkmage's Gambit and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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Printings
The Sparkmage's Gambit Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-01-22 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by Mathias Kollros.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-01-22 | Oath of the Gatewatch | OGW | 117 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mathias Kollros | |
| 2 | 2022-07-08 | Double Masters 2022 | 2X2 | 124 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mathias Kollros |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sparkmage's Gambit has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sparkmage's Gambit card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-01-22 | If Sparkmage’s Gambit has two targets, and one of them is illegal as Sparkmage’s Gambit resolves, only the remaining legal target will be affected. The illegal target won’t be dealt damage and will be able to block that turn. If both targets are illegal as Sparkmage’s Gambit tries to resolve, it won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen. |
| 2016-01-22 | If Sparkmage’s Gambit resolves, but the damage is prevented or redirected, the target creatures still won’t be able to block that turn. |