Volatile Claws MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2019-06-14 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Modern Horizons |
| Set code | MH1 |
| Number | 154 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Paul Scott Canavan |
Text of card
Until end of turn, creatures you control get +2/+0 and gain all creature types.
Whether modeled after bear, bird, or baloth, all claws send the same message.
Cards like Volatile Claws
Volatile Claws stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a unique combat trick that can turn the tide of a skirmish in an instant. Its closest relatives on the battlefield could be seen in cards like Titanic Growth and Larger Than Life. Titanic Growth offers a similar sudden surge in power, granting a creature +4/+4 until the end of the turn. While not as broad in effect, focusing on a single creature, it shares that momentous power spike that can catch an opponent off guard.
Considering Larger Than Life, it not only boosts a creature’s power by +4/+4 until end of turn but also grants trample, pushing the limits of what an overwhelmed opponent must block. Volatile Claws sets itself apart by affecting all creatures you control, potentially multiplying its impact across the battlefield. However, it lacks the trample provided by Larger Than Life, which could be crucial in certain game situations for dealing damage through blockers.
Assessing the utility and strategy, Volatile Claws can offer unparalleled advantage when timing is right and the board is ripe for a decisive attack, marking its place as a significant option among the various power-boosting spells in a Magic: The Gathering player’s arsenal.
Cards similar to Volatile Claws by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Volatile Claws stands out for transforming your entire creature lineup into threats by bestowing each with additional power. Enhancing your battlefield presence is a clear path to card advantage, as each creature becomes a more substantial part of your strategic arsenal.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing traditional mana acceleration, Volatile Claws could be considered a sort of resource acceleration for aggressive strategies. By amplifying several creatures’ power at once, it accelerates the clock against your opponent, potentially turning multiple turns of combat into one decisive strike.
Instant Speed: The capability to activate at instant speed offers tactical flexibility that is critical in MTG. Deploying Volatile Claws during combat or at the end of an opponent’s turn can catch them off-guard, turning defense into offense or securing a game-winning play. This surprise element can be particularly devastating in timed matches, where instant speed plays disrupt opponents’ calculations.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Volatile Claws demands players to discard a card to activate its ability. This can pose a challenge, especially when your hand is already depleted, reducing your strategic options and potentially placing you at a disadvantage.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s cost includes both green and red mana, which necessitates a deck built around these colors. Players using other color combinations might find it difficult to integrate Volatile Claws without making significant alterations to their deck’s mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that might be seen as steep for its temporary boost, it’s worth considering other cards that could offer more lasting benefits or greater impact on the game for a similar mana investment.
Reasons to Include Volatile Claws in Your Collection
Versatility: Volatile Claws is a card that offers a dynamic edge in creature-based decks. It can turn an unassuming board of creatures into a lethal force, especially in formats where surprise attacks can swing games in your favor.
Combo Potential: This instant elevates combos by adding significant power to your creatures at a moment’s notice. It’s perfect for strategies that thrive on temporary power boosts or for turning utility creatures into heavy hitters when it matters most.
Meta-Relevance: As the battlefield often gets cluttered with creatures, Volatile Claws becomes an essential inclusion in a meta that values instantaneous board state changes. The ability to quickly alter combat math can be the difference between victory and defeat in tight matches.
How to beat
Volatile Claws can create an unexpected power surge in creature-heavy decks, granting a temporary but significant advantage in combat. Its ability to give all creatures you control +2/+2 until the end of turn makes it an impactful play, especially in aggressive strategies where timing is crucial. However, even the most ferocious of attacks can be mitigated.
One effective strategy is to maintain instant-speed removal or damage mitigation spells. Cards like Unsummon or Fog can disrupt the momentum gained from Volatile Claws, nullifying the combat boost when it matters most. Spot removal spells like Murder can also reduce the threat by eliminating key creatures before the buff takes effect.
Being mindful of your opponent’s mana and playing around combat tricks is essential. Counterspells remain a powerful tool, with options like Cancel available to prevent Volatile Claws from resolving. Board control with sweepers like Wrath of God can clear the field, leaving no creatures to benefit from such effects. It’s important to consider these strategies when facing an opponent who may have Volatile Claws at their disposal.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Volatile Claws MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons, 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 Volatile Claws 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Volatile Claws has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |