Bituminous Blast MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 12 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Cascade

Key Takeaways

  1. Bituminous Blast offers board control and surprise value with its instant speed and cascade feature.
  2. Its specific mana cost limits its integration, gearing towards red-black or multicolor decks.
  3. When managed correctly, opposing strategies can minimize Bituminous Blast’s game impact.

Text of card

Cascade (When you play this spell, remove cards from the top of your library from the game until you remove a nonland card that costs less. You may play it without paying its mana cost. Put the removed cards on the bottom in a random order.) Bituminous Blast deals 4 damage to target creature.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Bituminous Blast presents an opportunity to potentially cast another spell for free off its Cascade ability, effectively generating additional board presence or options without spending extra mana.

Resource Acceleration: Through its Cascade mechanic, not only do you gain the immediate effect of Bituminous Blast, but you also bring another card into play, often ahead of its mana curve. This double play can escalate your resources significantly, outpacing your opponent in both mana usage and board development.

Instant Speed: The Instant classification of Bituminous Blast allows players to maintain flexibility, reacting to opponents’ actions during their turn. The strategic advantage of surprise cannot be overstated, offering both psychological pressure and tactical choice in the heat of battle.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Bituminous Blast does not require a direct discard, but its cascade mechanic could inadvertently lead to casting another spell that might not be optimal at the moment, potentially depleting valuable hand resources.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Bituminous Blast includes one Black and one Red mana, which may not align with all deck strategies, restricting its playability to primarily red-black combinations or multicolor decks that can accommodate these requirements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, Bituminous Blast is considered mana-intensive, especially in formats where tempo plays a crucial role. In some situations, players might prefer using their mana for multiple spells or more impactful single-card plays.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Bituminous Blast is a flexible addition to many deck archetypes, fitting seamlessly into strategies that thrive on surprise and value. Its ability to remove threats on the board while also potentially casting another spell for free makes it a double threat in games.

Combo Potential: This card shines in decks designed to exploit cascade mechanics. By triggering additional spells without any extra cost, players can chain powerful combinations that can quickly turn the tide of the game.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where board control can define victory, Bituminous Blast holds its own. Especially in formats where longer games are common, the disruptive capacity of this spell can be a game-changer, ensuring that your collection stays acutely attuned to competitive play.


How to beat

Bituminous Blast is a spell with the potential to swing the game in the caster’s favor with its cascade ability, allowing players to cast another, potentially powerful spell for free. To counter this effective card, players must be strategic in their approach. One successful tactic lies in playing instant speed removal or counter spells that can interrupt the sequence before Bituminous Blast resolves, ensuring the cascade effect never triggers.

Another strategy focuses on minimizing the value Bituminous Blast can bring. This can be accomplished by maintaining a less threatening board, thus reducing the impact of that free spell. Additionally, running cards like Leyline of Sanctity can protect a player from being targeted by the cascade spell, essentially nullifying Bituminous Blast’s advantage.

At its core, Bituminous Blast asks opponents to be mindful of their resources and to be prepared for sudden shifts in momentum. A well-timed counterspell or a well-placed defensive card can make all the difference, turning a potential game-ending cascade into a minor setback. Through awareness and preparation, players can navigate the explosive potential of Bituminous Blast and maintain control of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the strategic ebb and flow of MTG is akin to art, and Bituminous Blast is a brush in your ever-expanding canvas. With the potential to command the game by leveraging its cascade effect, Bituminous Blast can dramatically alter the battlefield in your favor. Its instant speed and versatility offer a blend of surprise and strategy, making it a must-consider for any player looking to diversify their playstyle. As the game of MTG continues to evolve, so too should your deck and approach. Immerse yourself in an ever-changing meta and let Bituminous Blast fuel your next ingenious play. Dive deeper with us to discover how this card can enhance your MTG journey.


Cards like Bituminous Blast

Bituminous Blast has carved its unique niche within the cascade spell category in Magic: The Gathering. It often draws comparison to spells like Bloodbraid Elf, which not only offers the cascade ability but also puts a creature on the board. While Bloodbraid Elf requires a creature slot in your deck, Bituminous Blast’s utility lies in its potential to deal direct damage and then flip into another potentially game-changing spell.

Another card in the same league is Violent Outburst. While it shares the cascade trait with Bituminous Blast, it functions primarily as a combat trick rather than a direct damage dealer. This showcases different strategic implementations even among cards with similar mechanics. Deny Reality is also an interesting candidate for comparison – it’s a cascade spell that allows for targeted bouncing of permanents, providing a different type of control while still maintaining the element of surprise inherent in the cascade mechanic.

Comparing these cards shows how Bituminous Blast offers a flexible combination of removal and surprise element, making it a powerful choice for players who love to blend direct control with the unpredictability of cascading into new spells.

Bloodbraid Elf - MTG Card versions
Violent Outburst - MTG Card versions
Deny Reality - MTG Card versions
Bloodbraid Elf - Alara Reborn (ARB)
Violent Outburst - Alara Reborn (ARB)
Deny Reality - Alara Reborn (ARB)

Cards similar to Bituminous Blast by color, type and mana cost

Twinstrike - MTG Card versions
Skeletonize - MTG Card versions
Breath of Malfegor - MTG Card versions
Get the Point - MTG Card versions
Carnival // Carnage - MTG Card versions
Kill! Maim! Burn! - MTG Card versions
Twinstrike - Dissension (DIS)
Skeletonize - Masters 25 (A25)
Breath of Malfegor - Starter Commander Decks (SCD)
Get the Point - Ravnica Allegiance (RNA)
Carnival // Carnage - Ravnica Allegiance (RNA)
Kill! Maim! Burn! - Warhammer 40,000 Commander (40K)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bituminous Blast MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Alara Reborn, 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 Bituminous Blast and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Bituminous Blast Magic the Gathering card was released in 11 different sets between 2009-04-30 and 2022-10-07. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 368572003normalblackAleksi Briclot
22009-04-30Alara RebornARB 342003normalblackRaymond Swanland
32010-01-01Magic Player Rewards 2010P10 72003normalblackAleksi Briclot
42010-06-18ArchenemyARC 812003normalblackRaymond Swanland
52012-06-01Planechase 2012PC2 832003normalblackRaymond Swanland
62016-11-11Commander 2016C16 1822015normalblackRaymond Swanland
72016-11-25Planechase AnthologyPCA 832015normalblackRaymond Swanland
82019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 13992015normalblackRaymond Swanland
92020-09-26The ListPLST PCA-832015normalblackRaymond Swanland
102021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 1812015normalblackRaymond Swanland
112022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 2212015normalblackJB Casacop
122022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 221★2015normalblackJB Casacop

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bituminous Blast has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Bituminous Blast card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2021-06-18 A spell's mana value is determined only by its mana cost. Ignore any alternative costs, additional costs, cost increases, or cost reductions.
2021-06-18 Cascade triggers when you cast the spell, meaning that it resolves before that spell. If you end up casting the exiled card, it will go on the stack above the spell with cascade.
2021-06-18 Due to a recent rules change to cascade, not only do you stop exiling cards if you exile a nonland card with lesser mana value than the spell with cascade, but the resulting spell you cast must also have lesser mana value. Previously, in cases where a card's mana value differed from the resulting spell, such as with some modal double-faced cards or cards with an Adventure, you could cast a spell with a higher mana value than the exiled card.
2021-06-18 If a spell with cascade is countered, the cascade ability will still resolve normally.
2021-06-18 If the card has in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost.
2021-06-18 If you cast a card “without paying its mana cost,” you can't choose to cast it for any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, you must pay those to cast the card.
2021-06-18 The mana value of a split card is determined by the combined mana cost of its two halves. If cascade allows you to cast a split card, you may cast either half but not both halves.
2021-06-18 When the cascade ability resolves, you must exile cards. The only optional part of the ability is whether or not you cast the last card exiled.
2021-06-18 You exile the cards face up. All players will be able to see them.

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