Twin Bolt MTG Card
2015-03-27 - Number 164
2016-08-26 - Number 173
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Twin Bolt deals 2 damage divided as you choose among one or two target creatures and/or players.
Kolaghan archers are trained in Dakla, the way of the bow. They utilize their dragonlord's lightning to strike their target, no matter how small, how fast, or how far away.
Cards like Twin Bolt
When it comes to dealing damage in Magic: The Gathering, Twin Bolt holds its place as a versatile burn spell that can impact the board by distributing its damage across two targets. This aspect sets Twin Bolt apart from other single-target removal spells like Shock, which only deals 2 damage to any one target but at a lower cost of one mana. Twin Bolt’s flexibility to split damage can strategically dismantle an opponent’s early game creature setup.
Analogous to Twin Bolt in the realm of multi-damage spells is Forked Bolt. While Forked Bolt shares the split-damage feature and has the same converted mana cost, it lacks the instant-speed advantage that Twin Bolt offers, making Twin Bolt more reactive in response to your opponent’s moves. Pyrotechnics is another comparable spell that adds breadth by dealing 4 damage divided as you choose among any number of targets. However, the higher mana cost of five makes it a less efficient choice during the early phases of the game when compared to the swift and more affordable Twin Bolt.
Given the tactical advantages of instant cast timing and cost-effective damage distribution, Twin Bolt claims its rightful position among red spells in MTG as a powerful tool in any player’s arsenal for controlling the battlefield and applying pressure.
Cards similar to Twin Bolt by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Twin Bolt. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Gruul Land Destruction | Pioneer | Gruul Land Destruction | Pioneer Preliminary 2023-12-05 (1) |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sometimes dealing with multiple threats is necessary, and Twin Bolt shines in this scenario. It adeptly eliminates two creatures with just one card, allowing you to maintain or even swing the card advantage in your favor during a tight match.
Resource Acceleration: While Twin Bolt doesn’t directly impact your mana pool, effectively removing threats can save your resources. This means more mana to allocate towards your pivotal plays, keeping you ahead in the resource race.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of instant speed spells cannot be overstated. Twin Bolt’s instant nature lets you adapt reactively, making key strategic decisions in response to an opponent’s moves. This versatility makes Twin Bolt a strategic tool in any player’s arsenal, ready to disrupt your opponent’s strategy at the most opportune moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Twin Bolt doesn’t require a card to be discarded, its ideal play scenarios might force you to choose between holding onto the card for a decisive moment or using it prematurely due to lack of better options.
Specific Mana Cost: Twin Bolt requires red mana, which makes it a less flexible option in multicolor decks that might not always have the necessary red mana sources available when needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With Twin Bolt costing two mana, this spell is not as cost-effective when compared to other one-mana removal spells, especially when looking to maximize mana efficiency in a game.
Reasons to Include Twin Bolt in Your Collection
Versatility: Twin Bolt offers flexibility as it can target creatures, planeswalkers, or even players directly. This makes it a great addition to decks that need to manage multiple threats or just need a versatile damage spell.
Combo Potential: The ability to split damage opens up synergies with cards that care about dealing non-combat damage, playing well in decks that capitalize on damaging abilities or spellslinger strategies.
Meta-Relevance: Twin Bolt shines in a meta with an abundance of low-toughness creatures or token decks, allowing you to efficiently deal with multiple threats or finish off weakened opponents with a single card.
How to beat Twin Bolt
Twin Bolt is a versatile instant card in Magic: The Gathering that allows players to deal 2 damage divided as they choose among one or two targets. To effectively counter this card, it’s essential to strategize around its damage-splitting capability. The key is to maintain creatures with toughness greater than 2, which are out of reach for Twin Bolt’s direct impact.
Spellskite and Selfless Spirit are two creatures that can protect your board from cards like Twin Bolt. Spellskite has the unique ability to redirect the spell to itself, while Selfless Spirit can sacrifice itself to grant indestructible to your creatures for a turn. Additionally, consider cards that counter instants or utilize instant-speed removal to preemptively handle creatures that might be strengthened by Twin Bolt’s damage.
Ultimately, while Twin Bolt offers a quick solution for eliminating smaller threats or finishing off weakened creatures, its limitation lies in its fixed damage output. By playing creatures with higher toughness and including protective spells in your deck, you can minimize the disruption caused by Twin Bolt and maintain a strong board presence.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Twin Bolt MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir and Conspiracy: Take the Crown, 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 Twin Bolt 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
Printings
The Twin Bolt Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2015-03-27 and 2016-08-26. Illustrated by Svetlin Velinov.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-03-27 | Dragons of Tarkir | DTK | 164 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Svetlin Velinov | |
| 2 | 2016-08-26 | Conspiracy: Take the Crown | CN2 | 173 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Svetlin Velinov |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Twin Bolt has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Twin Bolt card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-02-25 | If you cast Twin Bolt with two targets and one of those targets becomes illegal before Twin Bolt resolves, the remaining legal target will be dealt 1 damage. You can’t change the original division of damage. |
| 2015-02-25 | You choose whether Twin Bolt has one target that will be dealt 2 damage or two targets that will each be dealt 1 damage as you cast Twin Bolt. |