Lava Storm MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 1997-06-09 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Weatherlight |
| Set code | WTH |
| Number | 110 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Scott Kirschner |
Key Takeaways
- Lava Storm provides card advantage by potentially removing multiple threats with a single cast.
- Instant speed allows for flexible, reactionary gameplay, maximizing Lava Storm’s board impact.
- While impactful, it requires discarding, specific mana, and has a high cost, affecting versatility.
Text of card
Lava Storm deals 2 damage to each attacking creature or 2 damage to each blocking creature.
They say lava conquers all.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Lava Storm can be utilized to effectively dispatch multiple creatures at once, potentially eliminating several threats with a single card. This card can tip the scales to your favor by dealing with a swarm of smaller threats or even clearing out a couple of sizable ones in a single swoop, ensuring you maintain or gain card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While Lava Storm itself does not directly accelerate resources, the removal of opponents’ creatures can indirectly lead to resource acceleration by keeping the board clear. This allows you to attack more freely, potentially resulting in increased mana availability from sources like attack-triggered land drops or similar effects.
Instant Speed: As an instant, Lava Storm offers the flexibility to react to your opponent’s moves. You can wait for the perfect moment to cast it, such as in response to an opponent committing more creatures to the board or when creatures are tapped to maximize the unexpected impact. This strategic timing can often result in a more favorable outcome than if the spell was cast at sorcery speed.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Lava Storm necessitates the player to discard a card, which could pressurize your hand especially when managing limited resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Imposing a strict requirement for red mana, the card may not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks or strategies that draw from a broader color palette.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost on the heavier side, players might find alternative spells that achieve similar effects with less investment, thereby affecting deck efficiency.
Reasons to Include Lava Storm in Your Collection
Versatility: Lava Storm is a card that provides flexible damage options, capable of targeting multiple creatures or even dealing direct damage to players. This makes it a valuable tool in a wide range of decks—whether you aim to control the board or push for game-ending damage.
Combo Potential: As a damage source, Lava Storm pairs well with cards that capitalize on noncombat damage or spell-slinging. It can be a component in strategies seeking to benefit from casting multiple spells in a turn or to synergize with effects that increase damage output.
Meta-Relevance: Against decks that flood the board with creatures or operate with numerous targets for direct damage spells, Lava Storm can be a game-changer. Its ability to sway the tide during a match by addressing multiple threats at once keeps it relevant in various competitive scenes.
How to beat
Lava Storm is a notable card for dealing damage to each attacking or blocking creature. When facing off against this card, your strategy needs adjustment to mitigate its board-clearing potential. One effective method is to limit your attacks and instead build a board presence that doesn’t commit all creatures to a single combat phase. Cards with indestructible or protection from red can be pivotal in withstanding the storm.
Another avenue is to employ counter-magic. By keeping up mana for counterspells during critical turns, you can prevent Lava Storm from resolving and protect your team from its sweeping effect. Utilizing instant-speed tricks to boost the toughness of your creatures right before Lava Storm is cast can also save them from destruction, providing a buffer against the spell’s otherwise comprehensive reach.
Ultimately, defeating Lava Storm revolves around tactical deployment of creatures, smart usage of protective spells, and the timely disruption of your opponent’s plans. Adapt your playstyle to anticipate and circumvent its impact, and Lava Storm’s threat will dissipate like mist in the breeze.
Cards like Lava Storm
The card Lava Storm is an intriguing choice for players seeking to deal damage to multiple creatures in Magic: The Gathering. With its ability to spread damage across multiple targets, it can be likened to Pyroclasm. Pyroclasm, however, costs less mana and deals damage to all creatures, making it a more inclusive and somewhat predictable option for removing smaller creatures from the board.
Moving towards a card with a similar damage distribution, we find Seismic Spike, which carries the dual function of land destruction along with its ability to deal damage. Although its focus isn’t solely on creature damage like Lava Storm, the added versatility can be strategic in the right deck. Another related card is Flames of the Firebrand, which also allows for the division of damage across multiple targets, offering the player more control over the outcome.
When considering options for area damage spells in a player’s arsenal, Lava Storm has certain strengths in its direct multiple target damage capability. For players needing that specific tactical approach, it might edge out single-target damage spells or those with less flexibility in damage allocation.
Cards similar to Lava Storm by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lava Storm MTG card by a specific set like Weatherlight, 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 Lava Storm and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Lava Storm has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Lava Storm card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-04-01 | Lava Storm may be cast at any time, but it will have no effect unless there are attacking or blocking creatures on the battlefield (which exist only during certain steps of the combat phase). |
