Spell Blast MTG Card


Spell Blast adds strategic depth to gameplay, offering control players a way to counter key opponent spells. Its mana cost scales with the targeted spell, rewarding foresight and careful planning during matches. Spell Blast is versatile in various decks, making it a staple in blue control arsenals across multiple formats.
Card setsReleased in 18 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Target spell is countered; X is cost of target spell.


Cards like Spell Blast

Spell Blast is an exceptional member in the guild of counter spells belonging to Magic: The Gathering. It holds quite a few parallels with cards like Cancel, both with the power to thwart an opponent’s spell. However, Spell Blast wields its strength with an added requirement – the cost to play it equals the casting cost of the targeted spell. Whereas, Cancel works independently of what spell it counters, owing no extra mana.

Falling into the same category, Manaleak comes into consideration. It also counters spells, but only if the opponent doesn’t pay additional three mana. This conditional factor in Manaleak requires strategic play, while Spell Blast proves universal in its effect. However, it lacks the mana efficiency which other counters, like Snare, have. Although Snare can only counter spells with exact two mana, it costs less to cast, the bonus of mana efficiency.

Summarizing, Spell Blast holds a unique position within counter spells in Magic: The Gathering. Its gameplay impact weighed against resource demands provides an interesting dynamic that challenges players to make strategic choices.

Cancel - MTG Card versions
Cancel - MTG Card versions

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

Ancestral Recall - MTG Card versions
Jump - MTG Card versions
Sleight of Mind - MTG Card versions
Twiddle - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Siren's Call - MTG Card versions
Power Sink - MTG Card versions
Blue Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Magical Hack - MTG Card versions
Riptide - MTG Card versions
Winter's Chill - MTG Card versions
Mind Bend - MTG Card versions
Denied! - MTG Card versions
Hydroblast - MTG Card versions
Whispers of the Muse - MTG Card versions
Ertai's Trickery - MTG Card versions
Force Spike - MTG Card versions
Opt - MTG Card versions
Envelop - MTG Card versions
Brainstorm - MTG Card versions
Ancestral Recall - MTG Card versions
Jump - MTG Card versions
Sleight of Mind - MTG Card versions
Twiddle - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Siren's Call - MTG Card versions
Power Sink - MTG Card versions
Blue Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Magical Hack - MTG Card versions
Riptide - MTG Card versions
Winter's Chill - MTG Card versions
Mind Bend - MTG Card versions
Denied! - MTG Card versions
Hydroblast - MTG Card versions
Whispers of the Muse - MTG Card versions
Ertai's Trickery - MTG Card versions
Force Spike - MTG Card versions
Opt - MTG Card versions
Envelop - MTG Card versions
Brainstorm - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Spell Blast Mtg allows you to counter your opponent’s spell, letting you maintain or even boost your card advantage during the match. By stopping an opposing strategy in its tracks, you not only preserve your cards but also diminish your opponent’s resources.

Resource Acceleration: Playing Spell Blast Mtg requires X amount of mana plus one blue mana where X equals the casting cost of the target spell. It offers you strategic resource acceleration as you can flexibly determine how much mana you spend based on the importance of the spell you’re planning to counter.

Instant Speed: Spell Blast Mtg shines at instant speed. This means you can keep mana available for other necessities, using Spell Blast only when it’s most advantageous. Its instant speed allows you to disrupt an opponent’s action at any time, adding an element of surprise that boosts your strategy’s effectiveness.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Spell Blast doesn’t have a discard requirement, but the need to pay X amount of mana equivalent to the target spell’s cost can act like a deterrent if you’re low on available mana.

Specific Mana Cost: This card has a specific blue mana requirement. As a result, its use may be relatively restricted, primarily within blue or multicolored decks that can accommodate this cost effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Depending on the cost of the spell you’re targetting for counteraction, Spell Blast can potentially demand a hefty price. When considering other counterspells available in MTG, there are options that could provide a more cost-effective solution.


Reasons to Include Spell Blast in Your Collection

Versatility: Spell Blast presents adaptable uses in a variety of deck types. As an instant spell, it enables the player to counteract opponents’ moves at any moment, thereby increasing strategic potential. This makes it particularly indispensable in control decks.

Combo Potential: Having Spell Blast card in your arsenal enhances your deck’s combo potential. It pairs well with other cards that manipulate the mana cost, paving the way for powerful and unexpected counterplays that can swing the game in your favour.

Meta-Relevance: With the shifting sands of MtG’s meta-game, Spell Blast maintains relevance. Its ability to disrupt an opponent’s strategy by countering key spells is crucial in many matchup scenarios. Tailored to deal with decks that run high-cost spells, Spell Blast can provide invaluable control options in various formats.


How to beat

Overcoming spells like Spell Blast in MTG requires sound strategy and timing. This blue instant has the power to cancel another spell, but at a high cost. If played correctly, matching the cost of the opposing spell can mean commanding the game.

One approach to tackle Spell Blast is using low-cost, high-impact spells. It provides less fuel for Spell Blast, diminishing its effectiveness. Efficient mana usage is another tactic. Forcing your adversary to drain their mana reserves aids in neutralizing the threat of Spell Blast.

An equally vital strategy is strategic baiting. By initiating a spell that appears crucial, you could prompt an opponent to activate Spell Blast prematurely. This tactic leaves your more powerful or important spells safe from its ice-cold grasp.

Finally, cards that prohibit or limit the casting of instants, or manipulate your opponent’s mana, can be instrumental in weakening Spell Blast’s impact. In conclusion, while Spell Blast can be a tough opponent, thoughtful gameplay and a well-structured deck can curb its influence, allowing you to control the pulse of the match.


Conclusion

In wrapping up, mastering the game of Magic the Gathering is a blend of tactical acumen, in-depth knowledge, and the zest for exploration. Crafting the perfect deck is an ongoing process which encompasses understanding the dynamics of every card, such as the impact of a well-timed Spell Blast. We encourage every enthusiast to press onward in their MTG journey, embracing the process of learning and adaptation. Stay curious, keep refining your strategies, and don’t hesitate to deepen your expertise. Visit us for more insights, tips, and resources to help you on your path to becoming a seasoned player in the MTG realm.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spell Blast MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Spell Blast and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Spell Blast Magic the Gathering card was released in 17 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 791993NormalBlackBrian Snõddy
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 801993NormalBlackBrian Snõddy
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 801993NormalWhiteBrian Snõddy
41993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 801993NormalBlackBrian Snõddy
51993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 801993NormalBlackBrian Snõddy
61994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 821993NormalBlackBrian Snõddy
71994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 821993NormalWhiteBrian Snõddy
81994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 821993NormalWhiteBrian Snõddy
91995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 1031993NormalBlackBrian Snõddy
101995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 1031993NormalWhiteBrian Snõddy
111996-05-02Pro Tour Collector SetPTC shr1031993NormalGoldBrian Snõddy
121997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 1261997NormalWhiteGreg Simanson
131997-10-14TempestTMP 891997NormalBlackSteve Luke
141999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 1001997NormalWhiteGreg Simanson
152013-07-19Magic 2014M14 722003NormalBlackJaime Jones
162015-05-06Tempest RemasteredTPR 692015NormalBlackSteve Luke
172022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 3761997NormalBlackBrian Snõddy
182022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 792015NormalBlackBrian Snõddy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Spell Blast has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-07-01 Alternative costs, additional costs, cost increases, and cost reductions don’t affect a spell’s converted mana cost.
2013-07-01 If the target spell has in its mana cost, include the value chosen for that X when determining the value of the in Spell Blast’s mana cost. For example, if you wish to counter Volcanic Geyser (a spell with mana cost ) whose X is 7, you’ll need to choose 9 for Spell Blast’s X and pay .