Thermal Flux MTG Card


Thermal Flux’s ability to alter land types aids in disrupting opponent tactics while drawing cards. It allows instant speed play, giving users tactical flexibility and a surprise element of play. Despite its upsides, a mandatory discard and specific mana cost limit its widespread use.
Thermal Flux - Coldsnap
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2006-07-21
Set symbol
Set nameColdsnap
Set codeCSP
Number49
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJeff Miracola

Text of card

Choose one Target nonsnow permanent becomes snow until end of turn; or target snow permanent isn't snow until end of turn. Draw a card at the beginning of the next turn's upkeep.


Cards like Thermal Flux

Thermal Flux is a niche yet potent piece in the arsenal of any Magic: The Gathering deck that seeks to manipulate the basics of land types. It shines in its ability to temporarily change the land type of a basic land. When you consider a card like Sea’s Claim, which also changes the land type but on a permanent basis, Thermal Flux offers a tactical, short-term strategy ideal for surprising your opponent or enabling a combo.

Another relevant comparison is with the card Convincing Mirage. It too serves the purpose of transforming the land types, although it does this permanently and can target any land, not just the basic ones. The flexibility of Convincing Mirage comes at a higher mana cost, rendering Thermal Flux more efficient in decks focused on quick plays and land type synergy.

Assessing the strength and applications of Thermal Flux amongst its peers reveals its unique position. As a quick and versatile spell, it can be a game-changer in the right deck, granting unexpected advantages during the crucial moments of a match.

Sea's Claim - MTG Card versions
Convincing Mirage - MTG Card versions
Sea's Claim - MTG Card versions
Convincing Mirage - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Thermal Flux 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
Spell Blast - MTG Card versions
Magical Hack - MTG Card versions
Sea Kings' Blessing - MTG Card versions
Enchantment Alteration - 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
Curfew - MTG Card versions
Ertai's Trickery - 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
Spell Blast - MTG Card versions
Magical Hack - MTG Card versions
Sea Kings' Blessing - MTG Card versions
Enchantment Alteration - 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
Curfew - MTG Card versions
Ertai's Trickery - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Thermal Flux provides a unique benefit by changing a land’s basic land type, which can disrupt your opponent’s strategies and offer you a card draw for only one mana. This can be particularly advantageous when you are looking to maintain a steady flow of options in your hand.

Resource Acceleration: By potentially transforming lands into those that can produce different colors of mana, Thermal Flux can be a form of resource acceleration, setting you up for subsequent turns and enabling multicolored decks to better access the mana needed for diverse spellcasting.

Instant Speed: The capacity to cast Thermal Flux at instant speed provides significant flexibility. It allows you to wait until the opportune moment during your opponent’s turn, possibly affecting their calculations and combat decisions, while also holding up mana for other potential plays, thus preserving the element of surprise and tactical advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Thermal Flux requires players to discard a card, which can be a setback when your hand is already depleted. It’s especially problematic when facing strategies that drain resources, forcing you to choose between fueling the spell or holding onto potential answers for future threats.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a very specific mana cost, which includes one blue. This can restrict the card’s flexibility, confining it primarily to blue-centric decks and potentially causing it to be a dead draw in multicolored decks that are strapped for blue mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For what Thermal Flux offers, its mana value may seem disproportionately high. Alternative cards at lower mana costs provide more immediate impact or versatility, making Thermal Flux less attractive in a meta where efficiency is key.


Reasons to Include Thermal Flux in Your Collection

Versatility: Thermal Flux offers a unique ability to temporarily change a land’s elemental type, potentially enabling mana fixing or enhancing land-based strategies. This can be particularly advantageous for decks that capitalize on specific land types.

Combo Potential: In combination-centric decks, Thermal Flux can be a key piece. It can act as a trigger for landfall abilities or switch a land’s type to interact with cards that respond to certain land types entering the battlefield or being tapped for mana.

Meta-Relevance: As the game ebbs and flows with different strategies dominating the play environment, a card like Thermal Flux can gain significance, especially in formats where the manipulation of land types can disrupt an opponent’s strategy or enhance your own.


How to beat

Thermal Flux presents a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering. This card can be a game-changer, allowing a player to change the land type to snow until end of turn and drawing a card at the next upkeep. Yet, the key to overcoming Thermal Flux lies in anticipating and reacting to the temporary snow conversion. Since this effect can open the door for snow-dependent abilities only for a short window, ensure you have a counter ready or a strategy to respond to these enhanced capabilities.

One efficient tactic is to limit your opponent’s use of snow synergies. Counter spells that deter snow land transformation or instant removal that disrupts timing can be incredibly effective. Additionally, keep an eye on the board and maintain flexible mana to thwart any large plays that rely on the brief snow status. Lastly, cards that restrict card drawing or limit hand size can blunt the advantage Thermal Flux provides by drawing cards, keeping the playing field level and your defenses solid.

Ultimately, with the right planning and a keen sense of your opponent’s strategies, you can counteract Thermal Flux’s potential impact and maintain control over the game. Adaptability and preparedness are key in turning the tide against this icy manipulation.


BurnMana Recommendations

The versatility and unique tactical opportunities that Thermal Flux offers make it a card worthy of attention for MTG aficionados. Exploring its potential to shift the tides of a game with a wisely timed change in land type can both elevate your strategy and surprise opponents. Given its knack for disrupting opponent maneuvers, enriching resource acceleration, and catalyzing combos, enthusiasts keen on sharpening their deck’s edge should consider Thermal Flux. These attributes, alongside the continuous evolution of the MTG meta, could make this card a dark horse in future matchups. Keen on exploring further? Embark on enhancing your game with our insights and advice at BurnMana.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thermal Flux MTG card by a specific set like Coldsnap, 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 Flux and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Thermal Flux has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2006-07-15 Thermal Flux adds or removes the supertype snow from a permanent. Adding or removing a supertype doesn’t affect any other types, supertypes, or subtypes that permanent has.