Thermal Blast MTG Card


Thermal Blast - Odyssey
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Threshold
Released2001-10-01
Set symbol
Set nameOdyssey
Set codeODY
Number224
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byFranz Vohwinkel

Key Takeaways

  1. Thermal Blast allows for efficient onboard threat removal and potential card draws for an advantage.
  2. The instant speed of Thermal Blast gives players strategic flexibility during critical game moments.
  3. Dual targets for damage make Thermal Blast a versatile choice in aggressive or control decks.

Text of card

Thermal Blast deals 3 damage to target creature. Threshold Thermal Blast deals 5 damage to that creature instead. (You have threshold if seven or more cards are in your graveyard.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Thermal Blast offers an efficient way to remove threats from the board while potentially drawing you into more valuable cards.

Resource Acceleration: By clearing the way of blockers or threats, it indirectly accelerates your resources, allowing for more direct attacks on your opponent.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Thermal Blast can be cast at the most opportune time during the game, such as in response to an opponent’s play or end of their turn, giving you tactical flexibility.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Thermal Blast demands that a player discards a card upon casting, which can be a steep price in game scenarios where hand size is precious. This condition can set a player back, particularly if they are struggling to maintain card advantage over their opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Thermal Blast is not only color-specific, requiring red mana, but also necessitates an additional two generic mana. This can present challenges in multicolor decks that may not always have the required red source available at the crucial moment, thereby limiting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of three mana, including two that are colorless, Thermal Blast might be considered inefficient, especially when evaluated against other removal spells in the same mana range. Such spells often come with additional benefits or lower costs, which could make alternatives more appealing to players looking to optimize their deck’s performance.


Reasons to Include Thermal Blast in Your Collection

Versatility: Thermal Blast is a flexible card that can be slotted into a variety of red decks. Its straightforward damage effect is useful for removing creatures or even directly targeting opponents, which aligns well with aggressive and control strategies alike.

Combo Potential: This card can work in tandem with spells that increase damage output or effects that trigger upon dealing damage to a creature or player. This synergy can turn Thermal Blast into a formidable weapon within the right deck composition.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creatures are a key component of winning strategies, having reliable removal like Thermal Blast can be crucial. Its ability to deal with threats on the board keeps it relevant and often a necessary inclusion in red decks facing a creature-heavy meta.


How to Beat Thermal Blast

The Thermal Blast spell in MTG stands out for its direct damage capability. It’s often compared to other burn spells, such as Lightning Strike, which also deals damage directly to any target. What makes Thermal Blast intriguing is the flexibility to amplify the damage by discarding a card, a versatility not found in Lightning Strike. Yet, Lightning Strike’s lower cost and instant speed offer its own strategic advantages.

Similarly, another parallel can be drawn with Searing Spear, a straightforward burn spell that also operates at instant speed. Searing Spear does not allow for increased damage through discarding, which positions Thermal Blast in a unique spot for potentially higher damage output. Nevertheless, the instant speed of Searing Spear can be crucial for interrupting an opponent’s strategy at the right moment.

To effectively counter Thermal Blast, one must utilize instant speed removal or protection spells that can be cast in response, or leverage cards that prevent the player from being targeted or taking damage. Utilizing strategies that minimize the advantage of Thermal Blast’s conditional damage increase can prove to be essential in outmatching an opponent relying on this fiery spell.


Cards like Thermal Blast

Thermal Blast is an intriguing card in the burn category of spells within Magic: The Gathering, offering direct damage akin to other spells in this class. It presents similarities to cards like Flame Slash, which also delivers a solid four damage to a creature. Nonetheless, Thermal Blast shines with its flexibility, being able to target players as well, which Flame Slash lacks. This dual purpose can turn the tides in a match by dealing unexpected damage to an opponent.

Another similar card would be Lightning Strike, which costs less mana and offers an instant-speed response. While Lightning Strike only offers three damage compared to Thermal Blast’s potential four, the lower mana cost and instant speed provide a strategic advantage for quick reactive play. Then we have Lava Spike, strictly geared towards dealing damage to players. While it’s efficient in that role, it does not afford the versatility of engaging creatures like Thermal Blast can.

When reflecting on playability and strategic depth, Thermal Blast is a competitive choice. Its utility in targeting both creatures and players sets it apart, ensuring it holds a steady position amidst the myriad of burn spells available to Magic: The Gathering players.

Flame Slash - MTG Card versions
Lightning Strike - MTG Card versions
Lava Spike - MTG Card versions
Flame Slash - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)
Lightning Strike - Theros (THS)
Lava Spike - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)

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

Fissure - MTG Card versions
Melee - MTG Card versions
Omen of Fire - MTG Card versions
Cinder Cloud - MTG Card versions
Lava Storm - MTG Card versions
Brawl - MTG Card versions
Radiate - MTG Card versions
Invoke Calamity - MTG Card versions
Pinpoint Avalanche - MTG Card versions
Forge Armor - MTG Card versions
Savage Beating - MTG Card versions
Rain of Rust - MTG Card versions
Feedback Bolt - MTG Card versions
Beacon of Destruction - MTG Card versions
Devouring Rage - MTG Card versions
Cleansing Beam - MTG Card versions
Word of Seizing - MTG Card versions
Riddle of Lightning - MTG Card versions
Chaotic Backlash - MTG Card versions
Act of Aggression - MTG Card versions
Fissure - Masters Edition (ME1)
Melee - Ice Age (ICE)
Omen of Fire - Alliances (ALL)
Cinder Cloud - Mirage (MIR)
Lava Storm - Weatherlight (WTH)
Brawl - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Radiate - Torment (TOR)
Invoke Calamity - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Promos (PNEO)
Pinpoint Avalanche - Onslaught (ONS)
Forge Armor - Mirrodin (MRD)
Savage Beating - Commander Masters (CMM)
Rain of Rust - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Feedback Bolt - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Beacon of Destruction - Duel Decks: Mind vs. Might (DDS)
Devouring Rage - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Cleansing Beam - Commander 2011 (CMD)
Word of Seizing - Commander Legends (CMR)
Riddle of Lightning - Time Spiral Remastered (TSR)
Chaotic Backlash - Eventide (EVE)
Act of Aggression - Commander 2015 (C15)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thermal Blast MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Thermal Blast and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Thermal Blast has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks