Hail Storm MTG Card

Alliances (ALL)
1996-06-10 - Number 95

Hail Storm - Time Spiral Timeshifted (TSB)

Time Spiral Timeshifted (TSB)
2006-10-06 - Number 79

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant

Key Takeaways

Offers card advantage by potentially removing multiple threats at once with its sweeping damage.
Instant speed utility allows for flexible play and unexpected combat tricks during games.
Might impose a hand disadvantage, as it requires the discarding of a card upon use.

Text of card

Hail Storm deals 2 damage to each attacking creature and 1 damage to you and each creature you control.

"If they can't take the hail, they'd better stay home." —Arna Kennerüd, Skycaptain

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Hail Storm provides a unique advantage by potentially dealing with multiple creatures simultaneously. Thanks to this ability, it can lead to considerable card advantage if it neutralizes several threats with just one card.

Resource Acceleration: While Hail Storm isn’t a direct provider of mana or acceleration, its low casting cost aids in resource efficiency. This can allow a player to stabilize the board without falling behind in the race for mana development.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Hail Storm at instant speed gives players the significant benefit of flexibility. It can be used tactically during an opponent’s turn, potentially disrupting their offensive strategies, or as a surprise element that can sway the battle in your favor without tapping out during your own turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In strategic gaming, maintaining hand advantage is crucial and Hail Storm requires you to discard a card, potentially putting you at a disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Hail Storm’s unique mana cost demands both green and red, which could be restrictive for decks that aren’t built around these colors, reducing its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While its ability to damage each creature and player can alter the course of the game, Hail Storm’s mana cost is substantial, competing with other impactful options that could be more efficient or provide additional benefits for the same investment.

Reasons to Include Hail Storm in Your Collection

Versatility: Hail Storm adds a versatile option to your arsenal, fitting neatly into green decks that appreciate having control elements. Its ability to deal damage to each attacking creature makes it ideal for dealing with swarm strategies.

Combo Potential: With any deck that benefits from having creatures survive damage or requires spell casting to trigger specific abilities, Hail Storm serves as more than just a deterrent. It can be a catalyst for combo plays, potentially clearing the board while synergizing with key deck mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta full of aggressive creature decks, Hail Storm can be a game-changer. This card swats down early-game creature rushes and can swing the momentum in your favor, making it a relevant sideboard option or even a main-deck consideration depending on the current trends.

How to beat

Hail Storm is a noteworthy card in Magic: The Gathering due to its unique capacity to deal damage to both creatures and players. With its ability to inflict 2 damage to each attacking creature and 1 damage to you and your creatures, facing Hail Storm can be a complex challenge. The key to overcoming this card is strategic play and wise creature management.

To effectively bypass the impact of Hail Storm, consider deploying creatures with higher toughness to withstand the damage. Alternatively, playing creatures with abilities like hexproof or indestructible can neutralize Hail Storm’s adverse effects. Moreover, spells that counter noncreature spells are also a valuable asset, allowing you to negate Hail Storm before it unsettles your battlefield presence. Employing instant-speed removals to take out potential attackers can also preemptively reduce the effectiveness of Hail Storm in your opponent’s strategy.

In essence, mitigating the Hail Storm’s influence means building a deck with resilience in mind. Balancing your play with a mix of robust creatures, protective spells, and strategic timing can assure that when the storm hits, your army stands strong and your defenses remain unbreached.

Cards like Hail Storm

Hail Storm is an intriguing instant spell that gives Magic: The Gathering players a distinctive way to deal damage to creatures and players. In comparison, cards like Pyroclasm and Volcanic Fallout offer similar mass damage capabilities but differ in execution. Pyroclasm doesn’t hit players and is more limited in scope, dealing only 2 damage to each creature without the ability to potentially harm players. Volcanic Fallout, on the other hand, can hit both creatures and players, but always causes 2 damage to them all and can’t be prevented.

Another card worth mentioning is Hurricane, a spell that deals damage to each creature with flying and each player, much like Hail Storm. However, Hurricane is restricted to only flying creatures, whereas Hail Storm has the versatility to affect all creatures but then adjusting its damage if flying is involved. This gives Hail Storm a different strategic use, especially in formats where flying creatures dominate the skies.

Reflecting on these alternatives, Hail Storm has its niche thanks to the balance between creature-wide damage and reaching flying creatures more effectively. For players seeking to clear the board or specifically target aerial threats, Hail Storm offers a unique solution with its conditional damage modality.

Cards similar to Hail Storm by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hail Storm MTG card by a specific set like Alliances and Time Spiral Timeshifted, 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 Hail Storm and other MTG cards: