Winter Blast MTG Card
1994-06-01 - Number 213
1995-04-01 - Number 290
1995-04-01 - Number 290
1995-08-01 - Number 169
1996-07-01 - Number 46
1996-12-31 - Number 47
1997-03-24 - Number 343
2007-09-10 - Number 138
| Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
X target creatures become tapped. Winter Blast does 2 damage to each target creature that has flying.
"Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! rage! blow!" —William Shakespeare, *King Lear*
Cards like Winter Blast
Winter Blast slots into the niche category of green crowd control within Magic: The Gathering. It shares the stage with cards like Squall Line and Hurricane, which offer a similar board impact by dealing damage to creatures with flying. Winter Blast’s unique edge lies in its capability to tap a number of creatures equal to the snow mana paid, a feature that neither Squall Line nor Hurricane possess, granting it a strategic flexibility in freezing opponents’ offense.
Taking a closer look at Hornet Sting, another green spell that can deal damage to any target, we notice a more direct and less conditional approach, albeit at a much lower scale of damage. In contrast, although Winter Blast demands more specific mana to utilize its full potential, its scope of influence can be game-altering.
By analyzing the utility and cost-effectiveness of Winter Blast compared to its counterparts, we recognize its role as not just a damage dealer but also a tactical play that can significantly influence the board state, coupling area damage with the potential to stall advancing threats.
Cards similar to Winter Blast by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Winter Blast offers a unique edge when it comes to managing the battlefield. By tapping several of your opponent’s creatures, you’re indirectly gaining card advantage by mitigating potential threats and maintaining control.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly related to mana acceleration, Winter Blast can be employed as a tempo play, slowing down your opponent and effectively giving you the upper hand. This equates to a sort of resource acceleration as you’re indirectly gaining time—just as valuable as mana in many game states.
Instant Speed: The ability to use Winter Blast at instant speed cannot be overstated. This feature offers strategic flexibility, allowing you to wait for the most opportune moment to disrupt your opponent’s plan, be it during their attack phase or in response to a game-changing spell.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Winter Blast demands discarding a card when you cast it. This can put players at a significant disadvantage, especially in the later stages of the game when every card in hand counts towards strategic plays and maintaining options.
Specific Mana Cost: The specific mana cost of Winter Blast requires one green mana, which may not integrate well in multicolored decks that are tight on mana fixing, potentially making it a less flexible choice for players valuing mana diversity.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana needed to cast Winter Blast is relatively high when considering its effect on the game. For three mana, players might expect more impact, but the card provides a singular effect, which may not always justify the investment, given that other cards might offer more versatile or powerful effects for a similar or lower mana cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Winter Blast offers a unique toolbox card that can serve multiple roles across various archetypes. With its capacity to tap or destroy creatures and even snipe artifacts, it’s a utility spell that can adapt to changing board states and strategies.
Combo Potential: This card is a staple for decks that capitalize on tapping and untapping mechanics. It can be used to disrupt enemy defenses or clear the way for a decisive attack. It synergizes with cards that benefit from tapping mechanics or require the removal of problematic artifacts to secure victory.
Meta-Relevance: As the competitive scene shifts and creature-based strategies become prevalent, Winter Blast holds its ground as an effective tool. It can tilt the odds in your favor by offering control over the battlefield, aligning well with decks designed to handle creatures and artifacts that dominate the meta.
How to beat Winter Blast
Winter Blast is a unique card that presents strategic challenges in a match. Its ability to tap down multiple targets can be quite disruptive, hindering your capacity to attack or block effectively. When facing this icy enchantment, one of the best countermeasures is proactive removal. Cards like Naturalize or Disenchant that can directly destroy an enchantment are key pieces in your arsenal, allowing you to eliminate the threat before it freezes over your game plan.
In addition to direct removal, having a deck that operates efficiently with untapped creatures is another smart strategy. Cards that offer vigilance to your creatures ensure they remain untapped after they attack, allowing them to circumvent the frigid grip of Winter Blast. Lastly, instant-speed spells that can bounce Winter Blast back to the opponent’s hand temporarily can open a window of opportunity for a decisive turn.
Overall, while Winter Blast can apply pressure by controlling the battlefield, preparing your deck with enchantment removal, vigilance granters, and bounce spells will help keep the board state fluid and maintain the warmth of your offense against a potentially cold defeat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Winter Blast MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border, 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 Winter Blast 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 Winter Blast Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2007-09-10. Illustrated by Kaja Foglio.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-06-01 | Legends | LEG | 213 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Kaja Foglio | |
| 2 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 290 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Kaja Foglio | |
| 3 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 290 | 1993 | Normal | White | Kaja Foglio | |
| 4 | 1995-08-01 | Renaissance | REN | 169 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Kaja Foglio | |
| 5 | 1996-07-01 | Rivals Quick Start Set | RQS | 46 | 1993 | Normal | White | Kaja Foglio | |
| 6 | 1996-12-31 | Introductory Two-Player Set | ITP | 47 | 1993 | Normal | White | Kaja Foglio | |
| 7 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 343 | 1997 | Normal | White | Kaja Foglio | |
| 8 | 2007-09-10 | Masters Edition | ME1 | 138 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Kaja Foglio |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Winter Blast has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Winter Blast card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2007-09-16 | Checks if the creatures are Flying on resolution and not on announcement. It’s not a targeting restriction. |
| 2007-09-16 | Winter Blast can target tapped creatures. If they have flying, the second part of the effect will still affect them. |