Wallop MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery
Released	2000-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Invasion
Set code	INV
Number	223
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Mike Ploog

Key Takeaways

Wallop’s instant speed can unexpectedly swing combat in your favor, ideal for ambushes.
The card’s drawback is its discard requirement, potentially leading to hand disadvantage.
Wallop’s niche utility shines in metas dominated by threatening flying creatures.

Text of card

Destroy target blue or black creature with flying.

In Yavimaya, flying low to join a battle can be a costly mistake.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Wallop doesn’t provide direct card draw, it can clear the way for your creatures to deal damage and potentially draw cards if synergized with abilities like “Whenever a creature you control deals combat damage to a player, draw a card.”

Resource Acceleration: Wallop, unfortunately, doesn’t offer any mana ramp or treasure tokens. However, by removing a key blocker, it accelerates your board presence and resource advantage in terms of creatures on the battlefield.

Instant Speed: The real strength of Wallop lies in its instant speed. This enables you to surprise your opponent by removing a would-be blocker during combat on their turn, altering the course of the battle in your favor without warning.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Wallop MTG card could put you at a card disadvantage, especially in longer games where each card in hand is valuable. Not only does it require the right setup to be effective, but the discard element can make it less favorable when trying to maintain card advantage against your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost that specifically requires green mana can be restrictive. This limits the card’s versatility since it’s fully reliant on green mana sources. For players running multicolor decks, fitting the Wallop MTG card might require careful mana base planning to ensure that its cost can be met consistently when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of four, including three generic and one green, Wallop may often be compared unfavorably with other creature control options in the MTG universe. There are numerous spells and abilities that can handle creatures for a lower cost or with additional benefits, which means Wallop could end up as a less attractive choice for the slot in your deck geared towards creature interaction. Its cost-effectiveness is something to consider when deck building.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Wallop is a flexible inclusion for decks that need to respond to flying threats. Its instant speed allows players to keep up the pressure while still holding up a defensive answer.

Combo Potential: While not traditionally a combo card, Wallop can serve a role in decks that aim to clear the air, allowing ground-based strategies or creatures with reach to dominate the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by flying creatures like angels or dragons, Wallop becomes an essential tool. Its cost-effectiveness and surprise factor can turn the tides in combat, giving players an upper hand against popular flying-centric strategies.

How to beat

Wallop is an intriguing card from the Magic: The Gathering universe, known for its ability to deliver a solid punch against creature-heavy decks. This green instant spell offers players the chance to target an attacking or blocking creature, dealing damage to that creature equal to the number of creatures you control. It’s a great tool for turning the tide in a creature standoff. However, opponents can strategize against Wallop by employing non-creature strategies or keeping the board clear to minimize its impact. For instance, relying on direct damage spells, enchantments, and planeswalker abilities can circumvent Wallop’s power, leaving the Wallop player at a disadvantage.

Another effective tactic to outmaneuver Wallop is to manage the number of creatures on the board, either by using removal spells to keep your own creature count low or by casting spells that limit creature play. Cards like Wrath of God or Damnation, which clear the board, can neutralize Wallop’s potential. Alternately, engaging in combat tricks or using flash creatures to alter the battlefield after Wallop is cast can also nullify its intended effect. Thus, understanding the versatility of your deck and the inherent strengths and weaknesses of Wallop is key to overcoming this spell in MTG matches.

Cards like Wallop

Wallop finds its niche within the pantheon of creature control spells in Magic the Gathering. Its commonality with cards like Plummet is evident, as both serve the purpose of dealing with flying creatures. Wallop stands out, though, with its ability to prevent all combat damage that would be dealt this turn to creatures without flying, giving you an edge in maintaining your ground forces.

Comparably, there’s Arachnogenesis, a card that not only blocks flying creatures but also creates spider tokens with reach equal to the number of creatures attacking you. While not providing the combat damage prevention of Wallop, it gives a lasting board presence. Wing Snare is another card that resonates with the function of Wallop, although it solely destroys a flying creature without offering the broad protective sweep of Wallop against all combat damage for a turn.

Ultimately, Wallop secures a position as a useful tactical spell for those valuing the protection of their non-flying units, simultaneously neutralizing aerial threats which is a trait not often found together in similar control cards in Magic the Gathering.

Cards similar to Wallop by color, type and mana cost

Nylea's Intervention - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wallop MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Wallop and other MTG cards: