Volcanic Hammer MTG Card
1997-05-01 - Number 154
1998-06-24 - Number 119
1999-07-01 - Number 123
1999-12-01 - Number 7
2001-04-11 - Number 226★
2001-04-11 - Number 226
2003-01-01 - Number 1N03
2003-07-28 - Number 231
2003-07-28 - Number 231★
2005-07-29 - Number 226
2005-07-29 - Number 226★
2005-08-22 - Number K17
2005-08-22 - Number C43
2005-08-22 - Number K31
2002-06-24 - Number 36102
| Card sets | Released in 15 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Volcanic Hammer deals 3 damage to any one creature or player.
Cast the weight as though it were a die, to see a rival's fate.
Cards like Volcanic Hammer
Volcanic Hammer is a staple spell in Magic: The Gathering for players seeking straightforward damage dealers. It’s often compared to other burn spells like Lightning Bolt, famous for its efficiency at one mana for three damage. Despite Volcanic Hammer’s higher mana cost, it shares Lightning Bolt’s damage output, but as a sorcery, it lacks the instant speed versatility.
There’s also Incinerate, another comparable card that prevents regeneration on the damaged creature, giving it an edge over Volcanic Hammer in specific scenarios. While Incinerate shares the same mana cost, this added ability can be a game-changer against decks that utilize regeneration. Another similar card is Searing Spear, which, like Volcanic Hammer, inflicts three damage at sorcery speed. However, Searing Spear doesn’t offer additional effects, placing it on equal footing with Volcanic Hammer in terms of raw damage delivery.
Comparing these cards helps players understand the trade-offs between mana efficiency, speed, and added abilities. While Volcanic Hammer may not be the quickest tool in the burn spell arsenal, its direct three damage for two mana makes it an enduring choice for MTG players building classic red decks.
Cards similar to Volcanic Hammer by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Volcanic Hammer doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its direct damage capability can eliminate threats or clear the way for your creatures, effectively keeping more of your cards in play while depleting your opponent’s resources.
Resource Acceleration: Volcanic Hammer requires a modest two mana to cast, one of which is generic, making it a highly efficient use of your resources. This allows you to allocate mana elsewhere, maintaining the pace of your game plan without significant investment.
Instant Speed: Although Volcanic Hammer is a sorcery and can’t be cast at instant speed, its simple and guaranteed two damage deliver immediate impact during your turn, freeing up subsequent turns for other strategic plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Volcanic Hammer doesn’t require you to discard a card, it’s worth noting that cards needing a discard can set you back in terms of card advantage, something to consider when deck building.
Specific Mana Cost: Volcanic Hammer requires a specific mana combination, one red and one generic mana, which can be restrictive for non-red or multicolored decks aiming for a smooth mana curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its straightforward damage dealing, the card’s cost is somewhat steep for the effect delivered. In many cases, players may find other cards offering similar effects with lower mana requirements or additional benefits.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Volcanic Hammer is a utility player in red decks. Its simple requirement of one red mana plus one colorless makes it easy to include in almost any deck featuring red. It serves as a quick solution to early threats or a direct route to your opponent’s life total.
Combo Potential: This spell isn’t just about dealing damage; it plays well with cards that benefit from casting spells or using instants and sorceries. Think of synergy with prowess creatures or cards that trigger upon casting a red spell.
Meta-Relevance: Volcanic Hammer stays relevant in formats where quick removal can make or break a game. In a meta with critical low-toughness creatures, it can be a game-changer, removing key pieces from the opponent’s strategy and paving the way for victory.
How to beat
Volcanic Hammer is a straightforward yet potent spell in the red mage’s arsenal within Magic: The Gathering. Its simple nature – dealing 3 damage to any target at the cost of two mana (one of which must be red) – makes it a versatile tool capable of removing early threats or even closing out a game. However, players have several strategies to mitigate the impact of this card.
Counterspells are the most direct way to prevent the damage from Volcanic Hammer, with low-cost options like Spell Pierce being ideal in this situation. Protective spells, such as those that grant hexproof or indestructible to your creatures or you, can also effectively nullify the Hammer’s blow. Additionally, instant-speed healing spells can offset the damage and keep your life total stable.
Understanding the opponents’ deck and playing style is also key. By anticipating when they might cast Volcanic Hammer, you can arrange your plays to avoid being caught off guard — keeping creatures with toughness greater than 3 or, for advanced plays, baiting the Hammer out and responding with your own instants.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Volcanic Hammer MTG card by a specific set like Portal and Portal Second Age, 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 Hammer 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 Volcanic Hammer Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 1997-05-01 and 2005-08-22. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-05-01 | Portal | POR | 154 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | |
| 2 | 1998-06-24 | Portal Second Age | P02 | 119 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Edward P. Beard, Jr. | |
| 3 | 1999-07-01 | Starter 1999 | S99 | 123 | 1997 | Normal | White | Edward P. Beard, Jr. | |
| 4 | 1999-12-01 | Junior Super Series | PSUS | 7 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | |
| 5 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 226★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ben Thompson | |
| 6 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 226 | 1997 | Normal | White | Ben Thompson | |
| 7 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 36102 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | ||
| 8 | 2003-01-01 | Japan Junior Tournament | PJJT | 1N03 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | |
| 9 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 231 | 2003 | Normal | White | Ben Thompson | |
| 10 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 231★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ben Thompson | |
| 11 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 226 | 2003 | Normal | White | Ben Thompson | |
| 12 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 226★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ben Thompson | |
| 13 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | K17 | 2003 | Normal | White | Ben Thompson | |
| 14 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | C43 | 2003 | Normal | White | Ben Thompson | |
| 15 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | K31 | 2003 | Normal | White | Ben Thompson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Volcanic Hammer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |