Thundering Sparkmage MTG Card

Offers dual utility by removing threats and providing a creature, facilitating effective board control. Can hinder opponent’s resource acceleration by targeting key mana-producing creatures. While sorcery speed, it complements decks that rely on instants for flexible play.

Thundering Sparkmage - Zendikar Rising (ZNR)

Zendikar Rising (ZNR)
2020-09-25 - Number 171

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number ZNR-171

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Wizard
Power	2
Toughness	2

Text of card

When Thundering Sparkmage enters the battlefield, it deals X damage to target creature or planeswalker, where X is the number of creatures in your party. (Your party consists of up to one each of Cleric, Rogue, Warrior, and Wizard.)

"Stay away from my friends!"

Cards like Thundering Sparkmage

Thundering Sparkmage stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a creature packed with a punch. This card invites comparisons with other creature cards such as Firefist Adept. Firefist Adept also deals damage to a target creature when it enters the battlefield, with the damage tally linked to the number of Wizards you control, much like Thundering Sparkmage. However, Thundering Sparkmage has an added flexibility, potentially targeting players as well.

Considering Vengeful Reaper, the damage output isn’t as player-directed but offers flying and deathtouch, expanding strategic board control. Another card worth mentioning is Goblin Chainwhirler, which deals one damage to each opponent and each creature and planeswalker they control upon entry – a different, yet broad coverage approach. While Goblin Chainwhirler requires a singular red mana devotion, Thundering Sparkmage doesn’t tie you down to one color, allowing for a more versatile deck construction.

Players should weigh these similarities and differences carefully. Thundering Sparkmage is adept at offering direct and selective damage plus versatility, making it a valuable asset for players looking to optimize their Wizard-centric strategies in MTG.

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Thundering Sparkmage shines by providing players with the ability to remove a creature or planeswalker while simultaneously offering a body on the board. This dual utility means you’re effectively gaining a two-for-one advantage, maintaining pressure on your opponent and leading the way in resource management.

Resource Acceleration: While not direct in producing additional resources, the Thundering Sparkmage can eliminate mana dorks or other creatures that provide your opponent with resource acceleration. By doing so, this card indirectly conserves your tempo advantage, keeping your own resources ahead in the race.

Instant Speed: Although the Thundering Sparkmage operates at sorcery speed, its interaction with instant-speed spells is noteworthy. It plays well in a deck that can hold mana open for instants, using this creature as a follow-up play to adapt to the state of the game post-opponent’s actions, which keeps your game plan flexible and reactive.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Thundering Sparkmage’s abilities can sometimes necessitate discarding a card, which might hinder your gameplay, especially when you’re trying to maintain card advantage over your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes red mana, this spell’s playability is restricted to decks that can produce that type of mana. Players running multi-colored decks might find it challenging to meet the condition, limiting the card’s versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Needing a total of four mana to cast might be taxing during the early game phases, where mana can be scarce. In addition, other creatures or spells in the same mana range might offer stronger effects or bodies, rendering Thundering Sparkmage a less appealing choice for competitive play.

Reasons to Include Thundering Sparkmage in Your Collection

Versatility: Thundering Sparkmage can be a key addition to a variety of decks with its ability to weave into multiple strategies. It functions well in decks that are looking to capitalize on the wizard tribal theme or simply need a flexible creature capable of dealing direct damage upon entering the battlefield.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes particularly well with any strategy that amplifies the number of wizards in play or effects that increase the damage of instants and sorceries. The Sparkmage can become a repeatable source of targeted damage with the right combination of cards.

Meta-Relevance: Given the rise of creature-based decks, having a versatile removal option like Thundering Sparkmage can be crucial for maintaining board control. Its relevance escalates in metas where smaller creatures dominate and require timely removal to disrupt opponents’ game plans.

How to beat Thundering Sparkmage

Thundering Sparkmage is a card that can influence the board state by its ability to deal damage upon entering the battlefield. This impact is contingent on the number of creatures and the presence of a non-Human creature, which increases its damage output. It shines in decks that focus on creature synergy and tribal themes, where it can often remove a key piece from the opponent’s side or provide that extra push for lethal damage.

To effectively counter Thundering Sparkmage, players should focus on controlling the number of creatures on their own battlefield, particularly non-Human ones. Removal spells that can target the Sparkmage before its ability resolves are crucial. Counterspelling it upon casting could save crucial resources. Additionally, cards with hexproof or shroud provide a level of protection against its ability. Graveyard recursion can also help recover from its enter-the-battlefield effect, as can playing creatures that offer immediate value or have leave-the-battlefield effects.

In essence, overcoming the challenge posed by Thundering Sparkmage involves anticipating its arrival and maintaining a strategic board state. Whether through creature management, targeted removal, or protective measures, there are several paths to diminish the impact of this fiery mage in your matches.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thundering Sparkmage MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar Rising and The List, 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 Thundering Sparkmage and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Thundering Sparkmage Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-09-25 and 2020-09-25. Illustrated by Billy Christian.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2020-09-25	Zendikar Rising	ZNR		171	2015	Normal	Black	Billy Christian
2	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST		ZNR-171	2015	Normal	Black	Billy Christian

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Thundering Sparkmage has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2020-09-25	An ability referring to the number of creatures in your party gets a number from zero to four. Such abilities never ask which creatures are in your party, and you never have to designate specific creatures as being in your party. You can’t choose to exclude creatures from this count to lower the number.
2020-09-25	If a creature has more than one party creature type, and there are multiple ways to count that creature that could result in a different number of creatures in your party, the highest such number is used. For example, if you control a Cleric and a Cleric Wizard, the number of creatures in your party is two. You can’t choose to have it be just one by counting the Cleric Wizard first as a Cleric.
2020-09-25	If an ability of a creature counts the number of creatures in your party, that number is counted as the ability resolves. If that creature is still on the battlefield when the ability resolves, it’ll be counted if appropriate.
2020-09-25	To determine “the number of creatures in your party,” check whether you control a Cleric, whether you control a Rogue, whether you control a Warrior, and whether you control a Wizard. The number is the total number of those checks to which you answered yes. Each creature you control can be counted for only one of those checks.