Volley of Boulders MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 9 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Sorcery |
Abilities | Flashback |
Text of card
Volley of Boulders deals 6 damage divided as you choose among any number of target creatures and/or players. Flashback o Ro Ro Ro Ro Ro R (You may play this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then remove it from the game.)
Cards like Volley of Boulders
Volley of Boulders is a powerful finisher in MTG, offering a massive punch with its ability to deal damage divided as you choose among any number of targets. Compared to other large-scale damage spells, it stands out with its flexibility. Fallout, for example, delivers a set amount of damage across the board but doesn’t allow for the precision that Volley of Boulders provides in targeting multiple creatures or players.
Then there’s Rolling Thunder, which shares the distribution aspect, giving players the control to allocate damage across the battlefield. Although relatively similar, Volley of Boulders has the additional upside of Flashback, granting it a second life and reinforcing its place in decks seeking value from graveyard mechanics. On the other hand, Blaze offers simplicity with a single, hefty blow to any target, but it lacks the multitarget capability and recurrence that makes Volley of Boulders appealing for its strategic depth in gameplay.
Taking a step back to consider these comparisons, Volley of Boulders holds its own as a versatile damage dealer that can swing the game’s momentum, especially in the late game where its Flashback can be a game-changer, situating it as a top pick for players crafting destructive red spells in MTG.
Cards similar to Volley of Boulders by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Casting Volley of Boulders can provide a significant shift in the control of the game board. Though it doesn’t allow you to draw cards directly, it effectively deals with multiple creatures at once, potentially clearing out smaller threats on your opponent’s side of the field. This can equate to a form of card advantage, as you may eliminate numerous cards played by your opponent with just one from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: While this card itself doesn’t directly offer resource acceleration, its hefty mana cost can be turned into an advantage in decks that benefit from casting high-cost spells. Some archetypes, such as those playing with ramp strategies or spells that measure power off of the mana spent, can leverage the significant mana investment in Volley of Boulders for greater impacts or synergistic benefits.
Instant Speed: Although Volley of Boulders is cast at sorcery speed, it compensates with its overwhelming presence. This card’s design focuses on delivering a game-changing effect rather than the flexibility of instant speed. It’s tailored to be a heavy hitter during your own turn, setting up a board state that could heavily favor you when passing the turn to your opponent.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The card Volley of Boulders comes with no discard condition but demands a hefty toll of mana, which can be particularly taxing during crucial game phases when players need to maximize their resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Volley of Boulders requires a significant amount of red mana, making it potentially cumbersome in multicolored decks that can struggle to produce the exact mana distribution required to cast this spell.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that climbs to a total of eight mana, including six that must be red, the card stands on the expensive side of red’s spell spectrum. For such a large investment, players could debate whether the damage output equates to an efficient use of mana, especially when compared to other lower-cost spells or creatures that could offer similar or superior board impact over time.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Volley of Boulders can be an adaptable addition to decks played in formats that allow for higher mana curves, such as Commander or Cube Draft. Its ability to deal widespread damage makes it useful in multiple scenarios, whether for clearing a board of smaller creatures or dealing direct damage to opponents.
Combo Potential: When paired with damage doublers or effects that copy spells, Volley of Boulders can quickly escalate in power. It also has synergy with effects that reduce the cost of spells or benefit from casting high-cost spells.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames with creature-heavy decks, this card can act as a powerful board wipe. Moreover, if the current meta includes decks that can ramp up quickly, Volley of Boulders can be a significant threat that can close out games or shift the tide in your favor.
How to beat
Volley of Boulders is a powerful finisher in Magic: The Gathering, especially known for its formidable ability to deal a massive amount of damage divided as you choose among any number of targets. The initial cost is steep, but the flashback mechanic allows for a second wave of impact, which can be daunting to overcome. However, there are strategies to mitigate the damage or even neutralize this card’s effect entirely.
One effective strategy is to use damage prevention spells or abilities that can absorb the brunt of the spell’s output. Cards like Healing Salve or specific creatures with protection from red can be critical in thwarting the damage. Another approach is to counter the spell outright. Counterspells can intercept both the original casting and an attempted flashback, provided you have the mana to do so. Additionally, removing the card from a player’s graveyard before they can use flashback disrupts the dual-use potential, making cards like Tormod’s Crypt invaluable. Proper timing and a keen understanding of your opponent’s strategy are essential when facing off against Volley of Boulders—anticipation and prevention will be your greatest assets.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Volley of Boulders MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey and Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth, 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 Volley of Boulders 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 Volley of Boulders Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2012-03-30. Illustrated by Tony Szczudlo.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2001-10-01 | Odyssey | ODY | 227 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Tony Szczudlo | |
2 | 2012-03-30 | Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth | DDI | 73 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Tony Szczudlo |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Volley of Boulders has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Volley of Boulders card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2021-03-19 | A spell cast using flashback will always be exiled afterward, whether it resolves, is countered, or leaves the stack in some other way. |
2021-03-19 | If a card with flashback is put into your graveyard during your turn, you can cast it if it’s legal to do so before any other player can take any actions. |
2021-03-19 | To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost (such as a flashback cost) you’re paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. The converted mana cost of the spell is determined only by its mana cost, no matter what the total cost to cast the spell was. |
2021-03-19 | You can cast a spell using flashback even if it was somehow put into your graveyard without having been cast. |
2021-03-19 | You must still follow any timing restrictions and permissions, including those based on the card’s type. For instance, you can cast a sorcery using flashback only when you could normally cast a sorcery. |
2021-03-19 | “Flashback -ost]” means “You may cast this card from your graveyard by paying -ost] rather than paying its mana cost” and “If the flashback cost was paid, exile this card instead of putting it anywhere else any time it would leave the stack.” |