Squall MTG Card
1999-07-01 - Number 143
1999-10-04 - Number 275
2001-04-11 - Number 271★
2001-04-11 - Number 271
2011-01-10 - Number 168
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Squall deals 2 damage to each creature with flying. (This includes your creatures.)
"To-night the winds begin to rise . . . The rooks are blown about the skies . . . ." —Alfred, Lord Tennyson, *In Memoriam*
Cards like Squall
Squall stands out in MTG as a classic example of an early game mass damage spell aimed at airborne creatures. It bears a resemblance to cards like Hurricane, which also deals damage to each creature with flying and each player. However, Squall brings a unique angle to the table by targeting only the opponents’ creatures, sparing the caster any direct life loss, unlike Hurricane that affects all players and flyers regardless of ownership.
Looking at other counterparts, we encounter Sandstorm, a similar direct-damage spell specifically designed to thwart flying creatures. Sandstorm is a quick and less expensive option, costing only one mana, but it delivers a lower damage output. Another spell that creates a parallel is Windstorm, which offers scalability in terms of damage, allowing players to tailor the damage output according to their mana availability, whereas Squall brings a flat, but consistent and considerable damage to the skyborne foes.
Assessing each card’s functionality, Squall’s role in providing reliable damage to flyers without the drawback of self-inflicted wounds places it in a unique niche within MTG’s pantheon of direct-damage spells tailored to disrupt strategies heavily reliant on flying creatures.
Cards similar to Squall by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: As a sweeping effect, Squall can clear multiple flying creatures off an opponent’s board, potentially turning the tide in your favor by diminishing their aerial threats.
Resource Acceleration: While Squall itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its potential to remove mana-intensive flying creatures can indirectly boost your mana efficiency by negating the need for more costly creature removal spells.
Instant Speed: Squall’s castability at instant speed offers flexibility, allowing you to disrupt opponents’ strategies during their turn or right before your own, ensuring your battlefield position is assured.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One notable downside to the Squall card is the necessity for the player to sacrifice a card from their hand. In MTG, maintaining a healthy pool of cards is often crucial for keeping strategic options open, and thus being compelled to discard can place you at a disadvantage, especially if hand size is already compromised.
Specific Mana Cost: Squall requires a blend of mana, including both generic and green mana. This specificity demands that your deck be aligned with the color green, restricting the card’s versatility across various deck builds. Those not playing with green mana sources may find this card less accessible.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana expenditure to cast Squall is relatively steep when considering the current pool of cards available in MTG. With the requirement of three mana — two of which must be green — players may find this cost somewhat disproportionate to the impact provided by the card’s effect, particularly when other cards could accomplish similar results for a lower investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Squall, a flavorful spell from the rich archives of Magic, offers a flexible approach to disrupting flying creature strategies, which are common across numerous formats.
Combo Potential: This card has the potential to combine with damage amplifiers or cards that reward you for damaging multiple creatures, creating room for strategic plays that could turn the tide of a match.
Meta-Relevance: With flying creatures frequently soaring at the top of player’s deck choices, Squall finds its place as a relevant sideboard option that can clear the skies and give you a strategic edge.
How to beat
Squall, a spell in the Magic: The Gathering universe, is a unique green card that can catch opponents off guard with its ability to deal damage to all creatures with flying. However, it’s not unbeatable. Staying grounded is a key strategy when facing a player who uses Squall. This means relying on creatures without flying to avoid the damage Squall could potentially deal.
Flexibility in your deck design comes into play too. Incorporating cards that can remove Squall from the opponent’s hand through discard effects or counter it when cast are invaluable during play. Anticipating and negating this card with such strategies can significantly reduce the threat it poses. Additionally, enchantments like Asceticism can provide your creatures with hexproof, shielding them from Squall’s reach. Keep in mind that Squall deals damage, so boosting your creatures’ toughness can help in ensuring they survive the assault.
Furthermore, tactical elements such as instant-speed creature buffs can save your key creatures in a pinch. By carefully considering the timing of your plays and understanding the dynamics of your opponent’s deck, you will increase your odds of successfully navigating around Squall’s tempestuous nature and maintain a strong position in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Squall MTG card by a specific set like Starter 1999 and Mercadian Masques, 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 Squall and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Squall Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1999-07-01 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-07-01 | Starter 1999 | S99 | 143 | 1997 | Normal | White | Carl Critchlow | |
| 2 | 1999-10-04 | Mercadian Masques | MMQ | 275 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Val Mayerik | |
| 3 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 271★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | |
| 4 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 271 | 1997 | Normal | White | Greg Staples | |
| 5 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 168 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Carl Critchlow |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Squall has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |