Volcanic Wind MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Released | 1999-10-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Mercadian Masques |
| Set code | MMQ |
| Number | 223 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | normal |
| Border | black |
| Illustred by | Rebecca Guay |
Key Takeaways
- Shifts the game’s pace, cleaning out creatures and clearing the path for direct attacks.
- Limited utility in multicolor decks due to its specific red mana requirement.
- Ideal for countering creature-heavy strategies in various meta environments.
Text of card
Volcanic Wind deals X damage divided as you choose among any number of target creatures, where X is the number of creatures in play.
The Cho-Arrim call it "the fury of Ramos."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Although not a conventional source of card advantage, the Volcanic Wind card can still dictate the tempo of the game, clearing multiple creatures at once and paving the way for further strategic plays.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting resource acceleration, the effect of Volcanic Wind can indirectly hasten your game plan by eliminating your opponent’s blockers, allowing for more direct attacks, and potentially reducing the need for further resource investments in removing creatures.
Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Volcanic Wind doesn’t benefit from the flexibility of instant speed casting, but its potentially game-altering impact when timed correctly can be equally devastating, especially after an opponent’s critical tap-out.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Volcanic Wind demands that you discard a card, which could unnecessarily drain your hand, especially if your strategy requires maintaining a robust collection of options.
Specific Mana Cost: The particular need for red mana means it might not seamlessly fit into multicolor deck strategies, limiting its versatility across various playstyles.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a considerable cost to initiate its effect, it’s worth considering whether its impact on the board justifies the investment compared to other spells in the same mana range.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Volcanic Wind fits neatly into a variety of red-based deck strategies, applying direct damage across multiple targets which can shift board states in your favor.
Combo Potential: This card can synergize with spell-boosting effects or abilities that trigger upon casting an instant or sorcery, potentially clearing the field while advancing your own game plan.
Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of creature-heavy decks in certain meta environments, Volcanic Wind can act as a potent counter to swarm strategies, ensuring your deck stays competitive.
How to beat
Volcanic Wind is a potent damage-dealing card in MTG, capable of targeting multiple creatures and even players. It allows a strategic player to distribute a considerable amount of damage across various targets, making it a formidable spell when cast at the right moment. But, like any other card in the game, there are ways to overcome it.
Key to surviving a Volcanic Wind onslaught is understanding that it relies on the number of creatures you control. Therefore, by limiting the number of creatures on your side of the battlefield, you can minimize the impact of the spell. Counter spells are particularly effective in handling Volcanic Wind, as they can prevent it from resolving altogether. Cards that grant your creatures indestructibility or damage prevention for a turn can also help you weather the storm until you can mount a counter-offensive.
Lastly, keeping in mind that Volcanic Wind is costly mana-wise, you can often predict when an opponent might be gearing up to cast it. Take preemptive measures by either putting pressure that forces them to spend mana elsewhere or by maintaining open mana for your own responses. Overall, while Volcanic Wind can turn the tide of a game, a well-timed strategy can certainly diffuse its explosive potential.
Cards like Volcanic Wind
Volcanic Wind is an intriguing spell that stands out in the realm of damage-dealing cards. One could place it alongside Thunderous Wrath, which also delivers a substantial amount of damage. Both cards have the potential to change the landscape of the game when played, yet Thunderous Wrath boasts the advantage of being able to deal its damage for a single mana with its Miracle cost. Conversely, Volcanic Wind’s cost is less flexible and does not offer such a cost reduction option.
Another comparable card is Rolling Thunder, which provides a similar scalable effect, allowing you to split the damage across several targets. While Volcanic Wind is fixed in the damage it deals, Rolling Thunder offers more versatility, giving the player full control over how the damage is allotted. Additionally, Volcanic Wind’s multiplayer-focused damage distribution sets it apart from the more targeted approach that Rolling Thunder allows.
In assessing the options for players seeking impactful damage spells, Volcanic Wind is noteworthy for its ability to impact multiple opponents in a single stroke, making it a card with potential in multi-player formats where multiple threats can be neutralized at once.
Cards similar to Volcanic Wind by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Volcanic Wind MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Volcanic Wind 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 Magic products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Volcanic Wind has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Volcanic Wind card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | If there are no creatures on the battlefield when you cast this, you do not pick any targets and it deals no damage. |
| 2004-10-04 | The value of X is determined at the time you announce this spell, and you choose the targets and the division of damage among those targets as part of the announcement as well. |
