Squall Line MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Instant
Released	2006-10-06
Set symbol
Set name	Time Spiral
Set code	TSP
Number	222
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Lars Grant-West

Key Takeaways

Squall Line provides versatile board control and direct player damage, impacting the entire MTG game state.
This card demands careful mana management and could strain resources in decks not heavily green-focused.
Inclusion in collections depends on its fit within meta-game strategies and individual playstyles.

Text of card

Squall Line deals X damage to each creature with flying and each player.

The constant shifting of Dominaria's shredded timeline played havoc with its atmosphere, combining savage electrical storms from ages past.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Squall Line, the power to deal damage to each creature with flying and each player presents a unique twist on card advantage. It could decimate a board full of aerial threats, pivoting the game in your favor while maintaining your hand size.

Resource Acceleration: While Squall Line itself doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, deploying it effectively can pave the way for faster plays after clearing the skies. It leaves your opponents’ resources depleted, giving you a relative acceleration in board presence and momentum.

Instant Speed: Squall Line’s instant speed capability is a strategic asset. It allows you to adapt to the unfolding game, disrupting opponents at the end of their turn or in response to their plays. This flexibility makes it a powerful tool for controlling the pace and flow of the match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Squall Line requires a significant card investment with no way to mitigate the cost. Leveraging its full potential often means dwindling your hand size, which may leave you vulnerable in later turns.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise blend of green mana, constraining its inclusion to decks heavily invested in green or those with reliable mana fixing capabilities. This requirement can be a barrier in multi-color decks that already face complex mana demands.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an X cost plus green mana, Squall Line can be quite taxing on your mana resources to inflict substantial damage or gain a crushing board advantage. In situations where your mana pool is limited, its impact may not justify the investment, especially when there are alternative spells that can deal damage or provide control at a lower cost.

Reasons to Include Squall Line in Your Collection

Versatility: Squall Line offers a unique utility in green decks, functioning as both a game-ending threat and a way to disrupt flying creatures. Its adjustable damage based on available mana makes it suitable for various situations.

Combo Potential: In combination with cards that prevent damage to you or increase your life total, Squall Line can be a decisive finisher. It seamlessly integrates into strategies that exploit life as a resource.

Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of creature-heavy decks and airborne threats in many formats, Squall Line can serve as an effective board sweep. Its capability to target players also makes it a relevant choice in metas where life points are a closely contested resource.

How to beat

Squall Line presents itself as a game-changer in certain late-game scenarios in MTG, acting as both a potential win condition or a mass creature removal, depending on the situation. Its ability to deal X damage to each creature with flying and each player offers endless strategic possibilities, making it a card to watch out for during play.

Shielding yourself against Squall Line’s impact involves a few strategies. Firstly, maintaining a healthy life total ensures that its symmetrical damage doesn’t become your downfall. Cards with lifelink can shore up your defenses in this regard. Secondly, countering Squall Line with blue instants like Negate can nullify the threat entirely. Additionally, utilizing creatures without flying keeps your board presence secure against its targeted removal capabilities. It’s critical to identify and leverage these tools at just the right moment to turn the tide against Squall Line. Remember, it is the anticipation of such threats and preparing countermeasures that puts a player at the forefront in MTG.

Thus, when facing off against this versatile card, smart deck construction and tactical foresight can mitigate the dangers it poses. Whether you’re dodging lethal damage or preserving your creature army, understanding the nuances of Squall Line is key to overcoming its challenges.

Cards like Squall Line

Squall Line is an intriguing card within the realm of direct damage spells in Magic: The Gathering. It draws comparisons to Hurricane, a classic card which also deals damage to each creature with flying and each player. What sets Squall Line apart is its instant speed, allowing for sudden shifts in the game’s dynamic during any player’s turn. On the other hand, Hurricane operates at sorcery speed, giving opponents time to prepare or recover.

Another kindred spell is Windstorm, which also inflicts damage to flying creatures. However, Windstorm does not affect players, which limits its utility when trying to close out a game or make decisive moves against an opponent. Windstorm’s variable cost can be an advantage when dealing with a singular powerful flyer but lacks the blanket coverage provided by Squall Line.

What makes Squall Line uniquely attractive is its dual-function as both a creature control tool and a potential game-ender due to its capability to hit players directly. When examining functionality and tactical versatility, Squall Line proves to be a potent option for MTG players seeking to incorporate a reactive and impactful card in their green-heavy decks.

Cards similar to Squall Line by color, type and mana cost

Might of the Nephilim - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Squall Line MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral, 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 Line and other MTG cards: