Magma Jet MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 10 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Scry

Key Takeaways

  1. Magma Jet enables precise deck control, providing a strategic edge with its scrying ability after dealing damage.
  2. Instant speed grants Magma Jet versatility, allowing swift responses to threats and unforeseen combat advantages.
  3. While potent, Magma Jet’s exclusivity to decks managing red mana and its two-mana cost can limit its utility.

Text of card

Magma Jet deals 2 damage to target creature or player. Scry 2 (Look at the top two cards of your library. Put any number of them on the bottom of your library and the rest on top in any order.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Magma Jet offers the strategic edge of scrying two cards after the damage is dealt. This lets players sift through their deck and enhance their draw quality, setting up future turns.

Resource Acceleration: While Magma Jet doesn’t produce mana or tokens directly, the scry ability effectively accelerates your resource access by filtering out unnecessary cards and paving the way for you to draw into more useful spells or lands.

Instant Speed: The instant speed of Magma Jet allows for flexibility in gameplay. You can respond to threats, optimize your scrying during an opponent’s end step, or utilize it as a surprise element during combat, making it a versatile tool in any match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Magma Jet does not ask you to discard as a direct requirement, its place in a deck might necessitate pitching other cards to make room, leading to potential sacrifices in deck versatility.

Specific Mana Cost: Magma Jet’s reliance on red mana can be restrictive as it only fits comfortably within mono-red or certain multicolor decks that can accommodate the specific mana need.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing two mana might seem modest, but in the realm of burn spells, numerous options either match its damage output for less mana or offer greater damage at the same cost, potentially putting Magma Jet at a disadvantage in terms of efficiency.


Reasons to Include Magma Jet in Your Collection

Versatility: Magma Jet offers a unique blend that suits several decks, providing both immediate board impact and strategic setup through scrying. It’s a solid inclusion in burn-focused decks as well as others that value deck manipulation.

Combo Potential: The scry effect from Magma Jet enhances combo decks by helping sift through your deck to find key pieces. It is also an instant, allowing for end-of-turn plays that can maintain momentum.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta with small creatures or those reliant on early board presence, Magma Jet serves as an efficient removal tool. Its ability to help smooth out future draws keeps it relevant across various matchups.


How to beat

Magma Jet is a quintessential piece in the red player’s arsenal within Magic: The Gathering, known for its direct damage output and the deck manipulation it provides through scrying. To effectively counteract this card, you should consider strategies that mitigate the damage or negate the spell entirely. Health gain can help offset the damage sustained, while cards with abilities like ‘prevent all damage’ can neutralize the threat. Red decks employing Magma Jet often rely on momentum, so employing counterspells to disrupt their pace is a viable tactic.

Another strategy is to reduce the value of the scry ability. This can be achieved by utilizing cards that shuffle the opponent’s library, thus nullifying the careful deck arrangement provided by Magma Jet. In the game of control and counterplay, it’s also essential to maintain a healthy life total and have a responsive hand ready to intercept such direct damage spells. Cards with protection from red or those that can’t be targeted by spells or abilities can also serve as a sturdy line of defense against Magma Jet and similar burn spells.

Anticipating and preparing against these quick-hit spells can be the key to turning the tables. Understanding when to negate or redirect the damage can significantly affect the flow of the game, helping you preserve your vital resources and maintain an edge on the battlefield.


Cards like Magma Jet

Magma Jet is an impactful instant spell in Magic: The Gathering, known for its dual ability to deal damage and filter a player’s upcoming draws. This card can be compared to similar spells like Shock, which also deals 2 damage but lacks the scry mechanic. The ability to control your next draw makes Magma Jet a staple in decks that value precision and future play planning.

Another card with kindred features is Incinerate. Although it deals 3 damage, its lack of a scry feature means Magma Jet offers a strategic advantage, despite the lower damage output. Searing Spear mirrors Incinerate in damage and cost but also doesn’t provide the crucial scry ability, highlighting Magma Jet’s unique role in a player’s arsenal. Lastly, Lightning Strike presents identical damage to Incinerate and Searing Spear, yet, it’s clear that the additional control over card draws that comes with Magma Jet often gives it an edge in gameplay.

Comparing these options, Magma Jet holds a distinguished position for players who value not just the immediate impact of their spells but also the capacity to shape their future turns.

Shock - MTG Card versions
Incinerate - MTG Card versions
Searing Spear - MTG Card versions
Lightning Strike - MTG Card versions
Shock - Stronghold (STH)
Incinerate - Ice Age (ICE)
Searing Spear - Magic 2013 (M13)
Lightning Strike - Theros (THS)

Cards similar to Magma Jet by color, type and mana cost

Shatter - MTG Card versions
Word of Blasting - MTG Card versions
Incinerate - MTG Card versions
Guerrilla Tactics - MTG Card versions
Orcish Catapult - MTG Card versions
Blood Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Falter - MTG Card versions
Shattering Pulse - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Strike - MTG Card versions
Starstorm - MTG Card versions
First Volley - MTG Card versions
Surging Flame - MTG Card versions
Psychotic Fury - MTG Card versions
Sudden Shock - MTG Card versions
Fists of the Anvil - MTG Card versions
Seismic Shudder - MTG Card versions
Fling - MTG Card versions
Comet Storm - MTG Card versions
Pyretic Ritual - MTG Card versions
Punishing Fire - MTG Card versions
Shatter - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Word of Blasting - Ice Age (ICE)
Incinerate - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Guerrilla Tactics - Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils (FMB1)
Orcish Catapult - Astral Cards (PAST)
Blood Frenzy - Tempest (TMP)
Falter - Urza's Saga (USG)
Shattering Pulse - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Flowstone Strike - Nemesis (NEM)
Starstorm - Onslaught (ONS)
First Volley - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Surging Flame - Arena League 2006 (PAL06)
Psychotic Fury - Dissension (DIS)
Sudden Shock - Time Spiral (TSP)
Fists of the Anvil - Tenth Edition (10E)
Seismic Shudder - Zendikar (ZEN)
Fling - Magic 2012 (M12)
Comet Storm - Commander 2017 (C17)
Pyretic Ritual - Magic 2011 (M11)
Punishing Fire - Commander 2011 (CMD)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Magma Jet MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Fifth Dawn, 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 Magma Jet and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Magma Jet Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 2004-06-04 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 361622003normalblackDarrell Riche
22004-06-04Fifth Dawn5DN 732003normalblackJustin Sweet
32008-11-07Duel Decks: Jace vs. ChandraDD2 522003normalblackJustin Sweet
42009-01-01Friday Night Magic 2009F09 12003normalblackDarrell Riche
52010-11-08Magic Online Theme DecksTD0 B222003normalblackJustin Sweet
62013-09-06Duel Decks: Heroes vs. MonstersDDL 222003normalblackJustin Sweet
72013-09-27TherosTHS 1282003normalblackMaciej Kuciara
82014-12-05Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. ChandraJVC 522015normalblackJustin Sweet
92017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 1002015normalblackMaciej Kuciara
102020-07-17JumpstartJMP 3462015normalblackMaciej Kuciara

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Magma Jet has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2013-09-15 Scry appears on some spells and abilities with one or more targets. If all of the spell or ability's targets are illegal when it tries to resolve, it won't resolve and none of its effects will happen. You won't scry.
2013-09-15 When you scry, you may put all the cards you look at back on top of your library, you may put all of those cards on the bottom of your library, or you may put some of those cards on top and the rest of them on the bottom.
2013-09-15 You choose how to order cards returned to your library after scrying no matter where you put them.
2013-09-15 You perform the actions stated on a card in sequence. For some spells and abilities, that means you'll scry last. For others, that means you'll scry and then perform other actions.

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