Otherworldly Outburst MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2016-07-22 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Eldritch Moon |
| Set code | EMN |
| Number | 138 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Kieran Yanner |
Key Takeaways
- Boosts creature power and rewards with a 3/2 Eldrazi, maintaining board pressure while conserving hand resources.
- Accelerates resources through creature count, pairs well with sacrifice strategies for increased deck synergy.
- Instant speed grants surprise and flexibility, making it a critical inclusion for tactical MTG gameplay.
Text of card
Target creature gets +1/+0 until end of turn. When that creature dies this turn, put a 3/2 colorless Eldrazi Horror creature token onto the battlefield.
A tiny crack is enough to open the mind to Emrakul.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Otherworldly Outburst furnishes a creature boost upon demise, not only keeping pressure on the board but also gifting you with a new 3/2 Eldrazi creature token. This switch in creature equity maintains your card advantage, keeping your hand free for further tactical plays.
Resource Acceleration: While it doesn’t directly generate mana, the spawned Eldrazi token from Otherworldly Outburst can be instrumental in strategies that leverage creature count for resource acceleration. Pairing it with sac outlets or effects that capitalize on creature presence could rev your engine.
Instant Speed: The instant nature of Otherworldly Outburst means it can effortlessly slot into the rhythm of your plays, offering a surprise element against an adversary. Whether saving your creature for a robust block or optimizing the timing of your creature’s death for maximum impact, the speed is a pivotal tactical boon.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Otherworldly Outburst demands a card from your hand to be discarded, which can be a steep price if you’re already struggling with card availability or aiming to keep a strategic advantage with a full grip of options.
Specific Mana Cost: Otherworldly Outburst’s requirement for red mana makes it a less flexible choice for multi-color decks that may not reliably have the necessary red sources available at the moment it’s needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that matches or exceeds many impactful cards in the game, Otherworldly Outburst might not always be the optimal play, especially when you consider the added cost of discarding another card from your hand.
Reasons to Include Otherworldly Outburst in Your Collection
Versatility: Otherworldly Outburst can seamlessly slide into a wide array of deck strategies. It excels in decks that strive on instant-speed interactions, allowing you to turn a blocked or targeted creature into an unexpected threat.
Combo Potential: The card crafts a platform for powerful synergies, particularly in decks utilizing sacrifice mechanics or those that capitalize on the arrival of Eldrazi tokens with their inherent benefits.
Meta-Relevance: Given its efficiency at only one red mana and the element of surprise it provides, Otherworldly Outburst can offer an edge within various meta environments, especially where creature-based strategies prevail.
How to beat
Confronting Otherworldly Outburst in Magic: The Gathering can be a nuanced challenge. This card, upon first glance, serves as a way to empower a creature at a critical moment, especially when that creature is about to be destroyed. It transforms a potential loss into a sudden boon, creating a new creature with formidable power on the spot. However, there are strategies to minimize its impact.
Timing is crucial when playing against Otherworldly Outburst. Being an instant, it thrives in the element of surprise. A well-timed counterspell can nullify the outburst before it affects the board. Alternatively, exile effects bypass the death-trigger mechanism entirely, ensuring that no creature is left behind for the outburst to affect. Moreover, using instant-speed removal in response to the casting of Otherworldly Outburst can disrupt your opponent’s plans and preserve play balance.
Understanding the decks that incorporate Otherworldly Outburst is also vital. They often rely on sacrificing a creature for strategic benefit. By keeping pressure on these creatures and reducing the opportunities for advantageous sacrifices, you can dampen the potential impact of the card and maintain control over the game.
Cards like Otherworldly Outburst
Otherworldly Outburst is a unique spell in the MTG universe, providing a blend of creature enhancement and unexpected token generation. This spell is akin to cards like Unearth, which also deals with the graveyard to surprise opponents with a sudden creature on the battlefield. However, Unearth brings back a specific creature from the graveyard, whereas Otherworldly Outburst gives life to a new 3/2 Eldrazi creature token upon the enchanted creature’s demise.
Examining cards like Supernatural Stamina, we notice that it too bolsters a creature and has a rebirth mechanic, granting another round on the battlefield post death. Though Supernatural Stamina returns the original creature, not a separate entity like the Eldrazi token produced by Otherworldly Outburst. Additionally, we can observe parallels with Undying Evil, which also grants a creature a return from the dead, this time with a +1/+1 counter—an alternate take on resilience and battlefield presence.
In essence, Otherworldly Outburst presents an intriguing mix of characteristics. It stands out thanks to the fresh twist of creating a token, which can significantly affect board state dynamics and offer MTG players new strategic openings.
Cards similar to Otherworldly Outburst by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Otherworldly Outburst MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon, 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 Otherworldly Outburst 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 Otherworldly Outburst has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Otherworldly Outburst card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-07-13 | If the targeted creature dies before Otherworldly Outburst resolves, the spell doesn’t resolve. You won’t get an Eldrazi Horror token. |
| 2016-07-13 | If the targeted creature doesn’t die this turn, the delayed triggered ability simply won’t trigger. |
