Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle MTG Card
2009-10-02 - Number 228★
2009-10-02 - Number 228
2020-09-25 - Number 29
2002-06-24 - Number 35142
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle enters the battlefield tapped. Whenever a Mountain enters the battlefield under your control, if you control at least five other Mountains, you may have Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle deal 3 damage to any target. : Add .
Cards like Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle
Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle stands as an iconic land card, sharing some functional similarities with other MTG land cards that trigger upon certain conditions. A notable card with a related trigger effect is Crumbling Vestige, which also provides mana and an additional effect when it enters the battlefield. However, Valakut’s unique capability to deal damage directly to any target once you meet its conditions of having at least five other mountains is a distinct feature that sets it apart from Crumbling Vestige and most other lands.
Scapeshift is another card that indirectly complements Valakut’s strategy. While not a land card itself, it allows players to search their library for multiple lands and put them onto the battlefield simultaneously, potentially triggering Valakut’s damage multiple times in a single turn. This forms a powerful combo in decks tailored to exploit land-based synergies. Comparatively, Kessig Wolf Run grants instant power increase and trample to creatures but lacks Valakut’s ability to control the board and pressure opponents with direct damage.
Assessing the landscape of cards in MTG that align with Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle, it becomes evident that while there are other powerful lands and land-interaction cards, Valakut’s potential to change the game state with direct damage based on land play makes it a unique asset in MTG gameplay.
Cards similar to Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Amulet Titan | Modern | Amulet Titan | Modern Preliminary 2024-05-07 (1) |
 | UBG | Legacy | Legacy League 2024-05-09 | |
 | Gruul Scapeshift | Modern | Gruul Scapeshift | Modern Challenge 32 2024-05-07 |
 | 4c Omnath | Modern | 4/5c Omnath | Modern Preliminary 2024-05-08 (1) |
| Naya Scapeshift | Modern | Naya Scapeshift | Modern Preliminary 2024-05-08 (1) |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle provides repeated direct damage which can be considered a form of card advantage, transforming land drops into potential creature removal or opponent life reduction.
Resource Acceleration: As a land card that taps for red mana, it seamlessly integrates into your mana base, helping fuel spells while setting up its own powerful trigger condition.
Instant Speed: While Valakut itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it enables landfall abilities during any phase of the game. This includes playing lands on your turn for immediate effect or using land drop effects like fetch lands during your opponent’s turn to surprise them with sudden damage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle doesn’t directly require discarding cards, its inclusion in a deck necessitates a significant number of mountains to activate its ability. This could lead to a hand clogged with lands, effectively acting as a discard requirement since players may need to cycle or discard to obtain non-land cards.
Specific Mana Cost: Activation of Valakut’s ability hinges on having mountains. Decks that don’t run predominantly red mana or landscapes may struggle to fulfill this requirement. Thus, the card is less versatile, usually only fitting comfortably into mono-red or red-heavy land bases.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Valakut enters the battlefield tapped, delaying its impact and occupying a turn that could otherwise advance your game plan. While other lands provide immediate benefits or fit into a broader range of mana bases, Valakut demands a focused strategy and, comparatively, can be a slower play to reach its full potential.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle isn’t just a land; it’s a win condition that can be incorporated into a variety of red-based decks. It can be an effective tool in both control and ramp strategies, as well as being a reliable source of repeatable damage.
Combo Potential: When combined with cards like ‘Scapeshift’ or ‘Primeval Titan’, Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle becomes a core part of an explosive combo that can end games quickly. The ability to turn land drops into a barrage of damage gives it a synergy with land-centric strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In formats where slower, grindy games are prevalent, Valakut offers a consistent damage output that can tip the scales in your favor. Its presence in the deck forces opponents to adapt their playstyle or risk being overwhelmed by its triggered ability.
How to beat
Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle is a powerful land card capable of turning mountains into damaging spells against opponents. One effective strategy to counter this card is to control the number of mountains the player controls. Land destruction cards, such as Ghost Quarter or Field of Ruin, can keep the mountain count low and prevent Valakut’s ability from being triggered. Another method is using life-gain strategies to mitigate the damage dealt by Valakut. Cards that increase your life total can help you withstand the barrage of triggers from the famous land.
Surgical extraction can extricate Valakut from the game if it’s in the graveyard, rendering the land synergies inert. Countering key ramp spells also stifles an opponent’s ability to reach the critical mass of mountains needed to activate Valakut. Playing aggressive decks can put pressure on Valakut users early on before they set up their game-winning combo. Lastly, including Pithing Needle in your deck allows you to name Valakut and effectively shut down its ability, providing a direct and cost-efficient answer.
Strategy and adaptability are essential when up against Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle. Focusing on proactive measures and keeping a varied toolkit at your disposal will give you the edge you need to outplay opponents relying on this formidable land.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Zendikar Promos, 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 Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2020-09-25. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 35142 | 2003 | Normal | Black | James Paick | ||
| 2 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar Promos | PZEN | 228★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | James Paick | |
| 3 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar | ZEN | 228 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner | |
| 4 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising Expeditions | ZNE | 29 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-10-01 | If a Mountain you control leaves the battlefield between the time Valakut’s second ability triggers and the time it resolves, be aware if that was the Mountain that caused Valakut’s ability to trigger or not. If it was, Valakut’s count isn’t affected; if it wasn’t, Valakut’s count goes down by one. |
| 2009-10-01 | If multiple Mountains enter the battlefield under your control at the same time, Valakut’s second ability could trigger that many times. Each ability takes into consideration the other Mountains that entered the battlefield at the same time as the one that caused it to trigger. |
| 2009-10-01 | Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle’s triggered ability has an “intervening ‘if’ clause.” That means (1) the ability won’t trigger at all unless, at the time a Mountain enters the battlefield under your control, you control five or more Mountains other than that new one, and (2) the ability will do nothing if you control fewer than five Mountains other than that new one by the time it resolves. |
| 2009-10-01 | You target a permanent or player when the ability triggers. You decide whether to have Valakut deal damage to that permanent or player as the ability resolves. |