Thermal Blast MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Threshold |
| Released | 2001-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Odyssey |
| Set code | ODY |
| Number | 224 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Franz Vohwinkel |
Text of card
Thermal Blast deals 3 damage to target creature. Threshold Thermal Blast deals 5 damage to that creature instead. (You have threshold if seven or more cards are in your graveyard.)
Cards like Thermal Blast
Thermal Blast is an intriguing card in the burn category of spells within Magic: The Gathering, offering direct damage akin to other spells in this class. It presents similarities to cards like Flame Slash, which also delivers a solid four damage to a creature. Nonetheless, Thermal Blast shines with its flexibility, being able to target players as well, which Flame Slash lacks. This dual purpose can turn the tides in a match by dealing unexpected damage to an opponent.
Another similar card would be Lightning Strike, which costs less mana and offers an instant-speed response. While Lightning Strike only offers three damage compared to Thermal Blast’s potential four, the lower mana cost and instant speed provide a strategic advantage for quick reactive play. Then we have Lava Spike, strictly geared towards dealing damage to players. While it’s efficient in that role, it does not afford the versatility of engaging creatures like Thermal Blast can.
When reflecting on playability and strategic depth, Thermal Blast is a competitive choice. Its utility in targeting both creatures and players sets it apart, ensuring it holds a steady position amidst the myriad of burn spells available to Magic: The Gathering players.
Cards similar to Thermal Blast by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Thermal Blast offers an efficient way to remove threats from the board while potentially drawing you into more valuable cards.
Resource Acceleration: By clearing the way of blockers or threats, it indirectly accelerates your resources, allowing for more direct attacks on your opponent.
Instant Speed: As an instant, Thermal Blast can be cast at the most opportune time during the game, such as in response to an opponent’s play or end of their turn, giving you tactical flexibility.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Thermal Blast demands that a player discards a card upon casting, which can be a steep price in game scenarios where hand size is precious. This condition can set a player back, particularly if they are struggling to maintain card advantage over their opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Thermal Blast is not only color-specific, requiring red mana, but also necessitates an additional two generic mana. This can present challenges in multicolor decks that may not always have the required red source available at the crucial moment, thereby limiting its versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of three mana, including two that are colorless, Thermal Blast might be considered inefficient, especially when evaluated against other removal spells in the same mana range. Such spells often come with additional benefits or lower costs, which could make alternatives more appealing to players looking to optimize their deck’s performance.
Reasons to Include Thermal Blast in Your Collection
Versatility: Thermal Blast is a flexible card that can be slotted into a variety of red decks. Its straightforward damage effect is useful for removing creatures or even directly targeting opponents, which aligns well with aggressive and control strategies alike.
Combo Potential: This card can work in tandem with spells that increase damage output or effects that trigger upon dealing damage to a creature or player. This synergy can turn Thermal Blast into a formidable weapon within the right deck composition.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creatures are a key component of winning strategies, having reliable removal like Thermal Blast can be crucial. Its ability to deal with threats on the board keeps it relevant and often a necessary inclusion in red decks facing a creature-heavy meta.
How to Beat Thermal Blast
The Thermal Blast spell in MTG stands out for its direct damage capability. It’s often compared to other burn spells, such as Lightning Strike, which also deals damage directly to any target. What makes Thermal Blast intriguing is the flexibility to amplify the damage by discarding a card, a versatility not found in Lightning Strike. Yet, Lightning Strike’s lower cost and instant speed offer its own strategic advantages.
Similarly, another parallel can be drawn with Searing Spear, a straightforward burn spell that also operates at instant speed. Searing Spear does not allow for increased damage through discarding, which positions Thermal Blast in a unique spot for potentially higher damage output. Nevertheless, the instant speed of Searing Spear can be crucial for interrupting an opponent’s strategy at the right moment.
To effectively counter Thermal Blast, one must utilize instant speed removal or protection spells that can be cast in response, or leverage cards that prevent the player from being targeted or taking damage. Utilizing strategies that minimize the advantage of Thermal Blast’s conditional damage increase can prove to be essential in outmatching an opponent relying on this fiery spell.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Thermal Blast MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Thermal Blast and other MTG cards:
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- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Thermal Blast has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |