Storm World MTG Card
1994-06-01 - Number 165
2009-09-07 - Number 111
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | World Enchantment |
Text of card
If any player has less than four cards in hand at the end of his or her upkeep, Storm World does one damage to that player for each card less than four.
Cards like Storm World
Storm World, a notable Magic: The Gathering card, stands alongside other cards that deal damage based on specific conditions. It is reminiscent of Ankh of Mishra, which damages players when they play lands. Storm World, however, is more focused on card holding at the end of a turn. It delivers a unique challenge by punishing those who hoard too many cards in hand, something Ankh of Mishra does not do.
In direct comparison with Furnace of Rath, which doubles damage to players and features a broader impact in the game, Storm World’s effect is narrower but can be more controlled and predictable. It aligns more closely with Iron Maiden, providing a consistent pressure to opponents’ hand sizes but within a different context of gameplay as Iron Maiden targets a single opponent with a hand larger than four cards.
Together, these cards create interesting dynamics and strategic possibilities in MTG, but Storm World has its distinct place by incentivizing rapid play and disrupting opponents who might otherwise hold back their cards. Consequently, it finds its unique role in the array of cards that tactically affect life totals relative to player actions.
Cards similar to Storm World by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Storm World offers a subtle card advantage by indirectly depleting opponents’ hands. As players must discard down to four cards, those who often surpass this limit will consistently lose resources, potentially giving you a leg up in the long game.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana, Storm World can be seen as a form of resource acceleration as it can stifle opponents’ ability to develop their board. By keeping their hand size small, you indirectly have more opportunities to capitalize on your spells and plays.
Instant Speed: Although Storm World is an enchantment, its ability activates at the beginning of the upkeep, adding pressure on opponents during each of their turns. This constant threat can compel players to act much faster than they would like, playing into your strategy if you’re set up to operate efficiently with fewer cards.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Storm World’s effect forces each player with more than four cards in hand to discard down to four during the upkeep phase. This condition can backfire if you are holding onto key cards that you need to maintain a strategic advantage throughout the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Storm World has a mana cost that requires red mana. This specificity can limit the card’s inclusion, making it less versatile and more suitable for mono-red or two-color decks that can reliably produce the necessary mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Storm World’s effect of discarding can create a level of parity, the initial investment of three mana including one red can be quite steep. In the world of MTG, there are plenty of alternatives that may offer similar or better disruption effects at a lower cost, thereby providing more efficiency within a deck’s mana curve.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Storm World can serve as a powerful tool in decks that thrive on resource denial strategies. It fits seamlessly into builds that aim to limit opponents’ ability to maintain a large hand size, thus diminishing their tactical options.
Combo Potential: This card shines in combination with effects that force opponents to draw cards or skip their draw phase, creating situations where they are penalized for having too many or too few cards in hand, optimizing Storm World’s passive damage capability.
Meta-Relevance: In formats where decks are built to accumulate vast hand sizes for late-game plays, Storm World can disrupt those plans early on, making it a relevant sideboard option or even a main deck strategy against control or combo decks.
How to Beat Storm World
Storm World is a classic card from the Legends set that has a unique place among MTG cards. At the beginning of each player’s upkeep, Storm World deals damage to that player equal to the number of cards fewer than four in their hand. To navigate against this unusual card, effective hand size management is paramount. Strategies to beat Storm World involve maintaining a hand with at least four cards or employing card types that thrive on being played at instant speed, allowing you to refill your hand in response to the upkeep trigger.
Players may also focus on removal spells that can target enchantments, such as Disenchant or Naturalize, which are common in most deck colors. Cards with cycling abilities can also be a boon, providing you with the option to draw without committing to mana-heavy plays, essentially mitigating Storm World’s effect. Additionally, decks that capitalize on card advantage, like those featuring plentiful draw spells or recursion mechanics, can consistently keep a sufficient hand size, helping to offset the card’s potential damage.
While Storm World can be formidable in creating pressure on resource management, understanding its mechanism and countering it with strategic planning can turn the tide in your favor. Players who can balance their hand steadily hold the key to nullify Storm World’s impact in Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Storm World MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Masters Edition III, 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 Storm World 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 Storm World Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2009-09-07. Illustrated by Christopher Rush.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-06-01 | Legends | LEG | 165 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | |
| 2 | 2009-09-07 | Masters Edition III | ME3 | 111 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Storm World has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Storm World card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-10-01 | This has the supertype world. When a world permanent enters the battlefield, any world permanents that were already on the battlefield are put into their owners’ graveyards. This is a state-based action called the “world rule.” The new world permanent stays on the battlefield. If two world permanents enter the battlefield at the same time, they’re both put into their owners’ graveyards. |
| 2009-10-01 | If the player whose turn it is has four or more cards in their hand as Storm World’s ability resolves, the ability just won’t do anything that turn. |