Volcanic Geyser MTG Card
1996-10-08 - Number 202
1999-04-21 - Number 215
2012-07-13 - Number 154
2013-07-19 - Number 160
2017-06-16 - Number 61
2020-07-03 - Number 171
2000-01-01 - Number 4
2002-06-24 - Number 36004
| Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Volcanic Geyser deals X damage to target creature or player.
My thunder comes before the lightning; my lightning comes before the clouds; my rain dries all the land it touches. What am I? —Femeref riddle
Cards like Volcanic Geyser
Volcanic Geyser is a versatile damage-dealing spell in the world of Magic: The Gathering that lets players finish off opponents or take down threatening creatures. It finds its peers in the likes of Fireball, a classic card that also deals X damage divided as you choose among any number of targets. Unlike Volcanic Geyser, Fireball carries the additional constraint of increasing its cost for multiple targets, shaping how players strategize its use.
Another comparable card is Banefire, which not only enables you to deal X damage to any target but also guarantees that the damage can’t be prevented if X is five or more. This makes Banefire a more reliable choice for dealing with opponents wielding countermeasures. In contrast, despite Volcanic Geyser’s similar mana flexibility, it doesn’t offer the same level of assurance against control decks.
In assessing these options, Volcanic Geyser holds its ground in MTG as a damage inflictor due to its straightforward and adaptable nature, appealing to those who seek pure, unblockable damage output, leveraging its instant speed to navigate tight situations on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Volcanic Geyser by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Volcanic Geyser. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Temur Control | Premodern | Misty Premodern Winter Finals |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Volcanic Geyser can deal a significant amount of damage based on the mana invested. Although it doesn’t directly provide card draw, it has the potential to eliminate key threats, thereby generating card advantage indirectly. This can shift the game in your favor by taking out an opponent’s creature that may have taken them several cards to establish.
Resource Acceleration: While Volcanic Geyser itself doesn’t accelerate resources, in decks that are built to ramp mana, this card becomes a powerful tool. Its flexible X cost means the more mana you can produce, the larger the impact Volcanic Geyser can have on the board, whether that’s by removing a substantial threat or by being the game-ending play.
Instant Speed: Volcanic Geyser’s ability to be cast at instant speed offers significant strategic advantages. You can keep mana open to respond to your opponents’ moves and only cast Volcanic Geyser when the most opportune moment arises. This flexible timing allows for surprise plays and can catch an opponent unprepared, potentially turning the tide of a match by removing creatures during combat or directly damaging the opponent at the end of their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Volcanic Geyser does not have a discard requirement, its effectiveness can sometimes be diminished if you’re forced to use it earlier than planned due to pressure from your opponent. This can lead to a less optimal exchange, especially if you’re hoping to maximize the damage output based on the mana spent.
Specific Mana Cost: Volcanic Geyser’s mana cost demands both generic and red mana, which makes it a less flexible option in multicolored decks that might not always have the required red mana sources. This requirement can sometimes hinder its playability in formats where mana efficiency and flexibility are paramount.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card’s X cost, in addition to the two red mana, means that it can have a high mana investment for a significant damage output. In many situations, players could find other spells or abilities that deliver higher damage-to-mana cost ratios, particularly in constructed formats where efficiency is key to a deck’s success.
Reasons to Include Volcanic Geyser in Your Collection
Versatility: Volcanic Geyser offers a flexible damage solution that can be tailored to your mana availability. Whether you’re aiming to remove a threatening creature or deal a decisive blow to your opponent’s life total, this card scales with your game progress.
Combo Potential: This card excels in decks that ramp up mana quickly or generate a lot of mana through various means. Pairing Volcanic Geyser with mana doublers or untap mechanics can lead to explosive turns that overwhelm opponents.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where creatures are pivotal to most strategies, having a scalable removal spell can be a game-changer. As decks across the meta run creatures with varying toughness, the ability to adjust the damage output makes Volcanic Geyser a relevant choice for adaptation to the evolving battlefields.
How to beat
Volcanic Geyser is a powerful card in the Magic: The Gathering arsenal, often turning the tides of a game with its scalable damage output. The red instant allows players to deal damage directly to any target based on the amount of mana invested into it. Overcoming this card can be challenging, yet it’s not insurmountable if approached strategically.
To effectively counter Volcanic Geyser, players should consider cards that either negate the spell or minimize the potential damage it can inflict. Counterspells like Negate or Mana Leak can be used to disrupt the spell before it takes effect, providing a timely solution to the imminent threat. Another strategy includes increasing your life total beyond the reach of the Geyser’s damage with cards like Sphinx’s Revelation or momentous life gain effects.
Lastly, utilizing disruption through hand-attack cards like Thoughtseize can preemptively remove Volcanic Geyser from an opponent’s grip, ensuring it never has the chance to unleash its fury. By implementing these tactics, players enhance their resilience against such direct damage spells, preserving their stance on the battlefield and maintaining control of the game’s pace.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Volcanic Geyser MTG card by a specific set like Mirage and Classic Sixth Edition, 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 Volcanic Geyser 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
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Printings
The Volcanic Geyser Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 2020-07-03. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996-10-08 | Mirage | MIR | 202 | 1997 | Normal | Black | David O'Connor | |
| 2 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 215 | 1997 | Normal | White | David O'Connor | |
| 3 | Friday Night Magic 2000 | FNM | 4 | 1997 | Normal | Black | David O'Connor | ||
| 4 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 36004 | 1997 | Normal | Black | David O'Connor | ||
| 5 | 2012-07-13 | Magic 2013 | M13 | 154 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Clint Cearley | |
| 6 | 2013-07-19 | Magic 2014 | M14 | 160 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Clint Cearley | |
| 7 | 2017-06-16 | Archenemy: Nicol Bolas | E01 | 61 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Clint Cearley | |
| 8 | 2020-07-03 | Core Set 2021 | M21 | 171 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Clint Cearley |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Volcanic Geyser has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |