Shard Volley MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	2008-02-01
Set symbol
Set name	Morningtide
Set code	MOR
Number	103
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Franz Vohwinkel

Key Takeaways

Shard Volley’s instant speed and damage output offer late-game strategic advantages.
The land sacrifice requirement poses a significant drawback, affecting mana curves.
Despite needed resources, Shard Volley remains a staple in red burn strategies.

Text of card

As an additional cost to play Shard Volley, sacrifice a land. Shard Volley deals 3 damage to target creature or player.

"Let the mountain's teeth pierce our oppressors."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Shard Volley doesn’t draw cards directly, it offers an interesting trade-off. It’s a single card that can potentially remove a key threat or deal decisive damage, positioning you closer to victory in the late game when every card counts.

Resource Acceleration: Shard Volley itself does not generate additional resources. However, its low mana cost can be an asset, allowing players to execute multiple strategies in a single turn. It frees up mana to utilize other cards, thereby indirectly supporting resource acceleration.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Shard Volley at instant speed gives players the flexibility to react instantaneously to the game’s changing conditions. Whether it’s disrupting an opponent’s combo or delivering the final blow before they can stabilize, the timing can turn the tide of a match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Shard Volley demands the sacrifice of a land as an additional cost to cast it. This self-sac effect can set you back, especially when you’re trying to maintain a steady development of your resources on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Shard Volley requires a red mana to cast. This specific mana requirement means it’s only optimal in red or multi-color decks that include red mana. Decks without red mana sources cannot utilize this card, limiting its flexibility across different deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Shard Volley’s casting cost is low, the additional sacrifice of a land is a significant investment. The result is a single 3 damage output to a target, which may not be worth the land you lose, as land resources are crucial for playing higher-cost cards later in the game.

Reasons to Include Shard Volley in Your Collection

Versatility: Shard Volley offers a flexible role in a variety of red-based decks, serving as a swift and unexpected source of damage. It can substitute for other one-mana burn spells or add to a deck’s overall burn strategy.

Combo Potential: This card fits neatly into burn-combo decks, providing crucial reach to close out games. Its cost of one red mana makes it an ideal card to combo with cards that benefit from casting cheap spells or spellslinger synergies.

Meta-Relevance: Given its low mana cost and potent damage output, Shard Volley has maintained its relevance in formats where fast damage spells are crucial. Against decks that aim to stabilize early, it can act as an effective tool to apply pressure or finish an opponent before they establish control.

How to beat Shard Volley

Shard Volley is a powerful single red mana instant that packs a punch in Magic: The Gathering games, acting as a solid finisher or removal tool. When faced against this card, it’s crucial to keep in mind its significant downside—the requirement to sacrifice a land. This offers a strategic foothold for countering the card effectively.

The key to outmaneuvering Shard Volley lies in timing and resource management. Employ cards that provide land advantage or counteract land destruction, ensuring you have the upper hand when your opponent is set back by their own play. Mitigate the damage potential of Shard Volley with life gain strategies or by utilizing spells that can protect your creatures or your life total at a crucial moment.

Considering Shard Volley’s cost in board presence, maximizing your land drops and maintaining a stable board state can force your opponent into a situation where casting Shard Volley could be detrimental for them. Always be mindful of the potential burst of damage Shard Volley can deliver, but remember that with every cast, your opponent is one land down — pushing them further from recovering the intricate tempo and mana curve essential in winning MTG matches.

Cards like Shard Volley

In the action-packed world of Magic: The Gathering, Shard Volley stands out as a key player in the realm of direct damage spells. It mirrors other staples like Lightning Bolt, known for its iconic low-cost, high-impact punch. Like Lightning Bolt, Shard Volley deals a swift three damage to any target. The distinction lies in Shard Volley’s additional cost of sacrificing a land, which is a steep price for Mana curve strategies.

Comparatively, we have Rift Bolt, another spell with a tendency to deliver a cost-effective damage output. Rift Bolt can be suspended, making it a versatile option that can set the stage for future plays. While its initial delay may seem like a downside next to the immediacy of Shard Volley, it allows for strategic planning without immediate land loss.

Another relative to consider is Lava Spike, which channels its three damage solely to players, limiting its flexibility but bypassing creatures and planeswalkers. The specificity of Lava Spike underscores Shard Volley’s adaptability in targeting any threat on the board. Assessing these spells in Magic: The Gathering shows that Shard Volley is especially potent when the stakes are high, and a player is poised to deliver the finishing blow.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shard Volley MTG card by a specific set like Morningtide, 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 Shard Volley and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shard Volley has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal