Spellshock MTG Card


Spellshock punishes frequent spell casting, making it a powerful deterrent against strategic plays. While not an instant, its ongoing effect simulates a constant threat on the board. Demands careful hand management to reduce its potential backlash on the user.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

Whenever any player successfully casts a spell, Spellshock deals 2 damage to him or her.

A snap of fingers, a snap of teeth.


Cards like Spellshock

In examining the landscape of punishing cards within Magic: The Gathering, Spellshock emerges as a particular menace to spell-heavy decks. It shares conceptual space with cards like Manabarbs, which also deals damage to players but does so whenever a player taps land for mana, not merely for casting spells. While Manabarbs can affect the game from earlier turns, Spellshock uniquely penalizes the succession of spells in a single turn, ideal against decks that cast multiples in a row.

Another analogous card is Pyrostatic Pillar, which echoes Spellshock’s essence by inflicting pain on players casting low-cost spells. Pyrostatic Pillar is more restrictive in its approach, targeting only spells with a converted mana cost of three or less, but it applies the burn more regularly due to its lower activation threshold. Meanwhile, Eidolon of the Great Revel offers a similar effect yet impacts both players equally for spells of low cost, promoting a careful game of resource management.

Evaluating these cards side by side, Spellshock stands out for its ability to scale its damage throughout the game, making it a potent choice in environments where the stack is consistently brimming with spells.

Manabarbs - MTG Card versions
Pyrostatic Pillar - MTG Card versions
Eidolon of the Great Revel - MTG Card versions
Manabarbs - MTG Card versions
Pyrostatic Pillar - MTG Card versions
Eidolon of the Great Revel - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Spellshock by color, type and mana cost

Mana Flare - MTG Card versions
Gravity Sphere - MTG Card versions
Goblin War Drums - MTG Card versions
Aggression - MTG Card versions
Goblin Warrens - MTG Card versions
Heat Stroke - MTG Card versions
Seismic Assault - MTG Card versions
Torch Song - MTG Card versions
Ghitu War Cry - MTG Card versions
Fervor - MTG Card versions
Mana Cache - MTG Card versions
Citadel of Pain - MTG Card versions
Insolence - MTG Card versions
Granite Grip - MTG Card versions
Steam Vines - MTG Card versions
Magma Vein - MTG Card versions
Pyromania - MTG Card versions
Curse of Hospitality - MTG Card versions
Anax, Hardened in the Forge - MTG Card versions
Draconic Destiny - MTG Card versions
Mana Flare - MTG Card versions
Gravity Sphere - MTG Card versions
Goblin War Drums - MTG Card versions
Aggression - MTG Card versions
Goblin Warrens - MTG Card versions
Heat Stroke - MTG Card versions
Seismic Assault - MTG Card versions
Torch Song - MTG Card versions
Ghitu War Cry - MTG Card versions
Fervor - MTG Card versions
Mana Cache - MTG Card versions
Citadel of Pain - MTG Card versions
Insolence - MTG Card versions
Granite Grip - MTG Card versions
Steam Vines - MTG Card versions
Magma Vein - MTG Card versions
Pyromania - MTG Card versions
Curse of Hospitality - MTG Card versions
Anax, Hardened in the Forge - MTG Card versions
Draconic Destiny - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Spellshock provides consistent damage dealing to all players for each spell cast, potentially punishing opponents for large plays and preserving your own card advantage as they might be deterred from casting spells to avoid taking damage.

Resource Acceleration: While Spellshock itself doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, it can indirectly accelerate your game by slowing down opponents’ spell usage due to the incurred cost of life, leaving you with more time to develop your board and resources.

Instant Speed: Although Spellshock is not an instant, it has ongoing effects that are always active, much like having a persistent instant on the board. This continuous presence means the card is constantly working for you from the moment it’s played, impacting the game each turn without the need for additional mana investment or waiting for the right moment to cast.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Spellshock doesn’t require a discard upon casting, it demands continuous strategic hand management to minimize self-inflicted damage, potentially resulting in the discard of valuable cards to maintain board stability.

Specific Mana Cost: Spellshock’s exclusive red mana cost can restrict deck-building options, ideally slotting into mono-red or red-centric strategies rather than multicolored ones that might not always have the required red mana available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including two red, Spellshock is an investment in the early game. Other cards in the same mana range could potentially offer immediate impact or advance your board state without the incremental damage drawback.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Spellshock is a unique enchantment that can be integrated into a variety of deck types, particularly those that focus on dealing non-combat damage or discouraging opponents from casting spells.

Combo Potential: This card is capable of creating synergies with strategies that incentivize players to cast spells, as well as those that punish them for doing so, making it an intriguing piece for combo decks.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where players frequently cast multiple spells per turn, Spellshock can serve as a powerful deterrent and an effective way to whittle down opponents’ life totals.


How to beat

Confronting Spellshock in a game of Magic: The Gathering can be quite the hurdle due to its ability to deal damage to players whenever they cast a spell. This enchantment can rapidly escalate the threat level on the board, particularly in multiplayer formats where numerous spells are cast. To successfully navigate this challenge, adapting your strategy is key. Focus on deploying spells that either neutralize or bypass enchantments. Consider using enchantment removal cards like Disenchant or Naturalize, which can directly target and dispose of Spellshock.

Another effective approach is to employ creatures with abilities that can destroy or suppress enchantments upon entering the battlefield such as Reclamation Sage. In addition, prioritizing instant-speed interactions will allow you to respond to Spellshock being cast before it can fully disrupt your game plan. Lastly, using cards that allow you to cast spells without paying their mana costs can also circumvent Spellshock’s taxing effect. Balancing your deck with such tools will ensure you’re well-equipped to overcome the challenges posed by Spellshock and secure your path to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the game of MTG takes a blend of skill and powerful card selections. Spellshock, with its persistent damage output to opponent strategies, can be a formidable tool in your arsenal—be it for controlling the game’s pace or complementing your damage-focused deck. Understanding its strengths and limitations is vital for leveraging its potential on the battlefield. If you’re keen to delve deeper into strategic plays, refining deck builds, or simply seeking to ward off your opponents with cunning tactics, Spellshock might just be the card to tip the scales. Join us for more insights and tips to harness the full might of your MTG collection.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spellshock MTG card by a specific set like Exodus and World Championship Decks 1999, 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 Spellshock and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Spellshock Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1998-06-15 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by Thomas M. Baxa.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-06-15ExodusEXO 1041997NormalBlackThomas M. Baxa
21999-08-04World Championship Decks 1999WC99 kb104sb1997NormalGoldThomas M. Baxa
32015-05-06Tempest RemasteredTPR 1602015NormalBlackThomas M. Baxa

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Spellshock has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Spellshock 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 It affects all players, including you.