Starstorm MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 11 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeInstant
Abilities Cycling

Key Takeaways

  1. Starstorm provides massive utility, offering both creature removal and card advantage potential.
  2. Its instant speed allows for versatile response timing during crucial gameplay moments.
  3. While powerful, Starstorm’s high mana cost and specific color requirement can limit its utility.

Text of card

Starstorm deals X damage to each creature. Cycling o3 (o3, Discard this card from your hand: Draw a card.)

Pardic barbarians didn't complain when the Order started blaming every crisis on the Cabal.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Starstorm provides a sliding scale of utility by allowing you to strategically wipe out various creatures on the board, potentially clearing away multiple threats at once. This sweep can easily translate into a card advantage, as one Starstorm might handle several of your opponent’s creatures, putting you ahead in resource competition.

Resource Acceleration: While Starstorm itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its ability to reset the board can be pivotal in gaining tempo. By removing numerous mana-producing creatures or utility creatures from your opponent, you effectively stall their resource progression, potentially giving you the upper hand in subsequent turns.

Instant Speed: One of Starstorm’s significant advantages is its instant speed, allowing you fluid adaptability to your opponent’s actions. You have the luxury of end-step board management or an unexpected response to mass creature buffs and surprise attacks. This reactive capacity often leads to preserving your own resources while diminishing your opponent’s strategic options.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Starstorm requires coughing up your hand to fully leverage its cycling ability. This can set you back, especially when your hand’s brimming with potential.

Specific Mana Cost: Locked into a red mana mold, Starstorm might clash with the fluid mana bases of multicolored decks, limiting its versatility across varied strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a starting point at three red mana, Starstorm’s cost escalates for each damage increase, which can make it a ponderous option in fast-paced games where efficiency is key.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Starstorm offers a scalable option that suits control or tempo playstyles because of its flexible casting cost. It can be a game-changer whether you need to sweep the board or target a single threat.

Combo Potential: As an instant that deals damage, Starstorm works well with cards that trigger upon dealing damage or casting spells with a certain cost, opening up numerous combo possibilities and synergies within the game.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s creature-heavy or where boards can quickly become cluttered, Starstorm remains relevant by providing a reliable and adjustable wipe that can turn the tides in your favor.


How to beat Starstorm

Starstorm presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, positioning itself as a versatile spell that can clear out multiple creatures at once or cycle away for a fresh card. Much like other instant-speed sweepers, it allows players to respond decisively to growing threats.

However, to strategize effectively against Starstorm, consider employing indestructible creatures, as they remain unaffected by its damage-dealing capability. Additionally, leveraging spells that grant your creatures hexproof or shroud can be equally disruptive to your opponent’s plans, as Starstorm cannot target them. Utilizing counterspells to negate Starstorm entirely can also be a key tactic, especially during critical turns where a well-timed Starstorm could shift the game’s momentum.

It is also worth noting that Starstorm’s cycling ability can be less of a concern if you maintain a hand-size advantage, rendering one card draw less impactful. By understanding the mechanics behind Starstorm and preparing your deck with these strategies, you can mitigate its effect and maintain control over the game state.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the strategic depths of MTG, Starstorm stands as a formidable card for players who value versatility and timing. Its ability to control the field and outmaneuver opponents underscores its place in any red deck’s arsenal. Whether you’re facing a swarm of creatures or simply need to keep your opponent at bay, Starstorm provides the instant speed solution for swinging momentum in your favor. Ready to harness the full potential of this dynamic card and refine your deck-building strategies? Set your sights on our detailed guide where we dissect its mechanics and help you unlock new levels of gameplay. Join us to sharpen your MTG prowess with Starstorm.


Cards like Starstorm

Starstorm stands out in the pantheon of red instant spells in Magic: The Gathering with its versatile cyclone ability and direct damage potential. It shares the spotlight with cards like Rolling Thunder, which can also disperse damage across multiple creatures and players. Yet, Starstorm presents the option to be cycled away for a fresh draw if the situation doesn’t call for a sweeping effect.

Another relative is Comet Storm, which offers multifaceted damage distribution controlled by the amount of mana pumped into it. It’s a flexible tool in player arsenals, though it lacks the cycling feature that gives Starstorm that edge in adaptability. Earthquake is a card that could be seen in the same arena, dealing damage to each creature without flying and each player. However, Starstorm’s instant speed allows for a pivotal interruption during an opponent’s turn, something Earthquake can’t provide due to its sorcery speed.

Ultimately, comparing these direct damage spells shows why Starstorm is a staple in decks that require defensive depth and strategic versatility. Its dual-purpose function as both a threat management and card cycling option solidifies its place in the MTG universe.

Rolling Thunder - MTG Card versions
Comet Storm - MTG Card versions
Earthquake - MTG Card versions
Rolling Thunder - Tempest (TMP)
Comet Storm - Worldwake Promos (PWWK)
Earthquake - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)

Cards similar to Starstorm 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
Aleatory - 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
First Volley - MTG Card versions
Blazing Shoal - 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
Release the Ants - MTG Card versions
Magma Jet - MTG Card versions
Seismic Shudder - MTG Card versions
Fling - MTG Card versions
Shatter - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Word of Blasting - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Incinerate - Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra (JVC)
Guerrilla Tactics - Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils (FMB1)
Aleatory - Mirage (MIR)
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)
First Volley - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Blazing Shoal - 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)
Release the Ants - The List (PLST)
Magma Jet - Modern Masters 2017 (MM3)
Seismic Shudder - Zendikar (ZEN)
Fling - Magic 2012 (M12)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Starstorm MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught and World Championship Decks 2003, 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 Starstorm and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Starstorm Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-10-07OnslaughtONS 2381997normalblackDavid Martin
22003-08-07World Championship Decks 2003WC03 we328sb2003normalgoldDavid Martin
32013-11-01Commander 2013C13 1222003normalblackJonas De Ro
42014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 1892015normalblackJonas De Ro
52014-11-07Commander 2014C14 1822015normalblackJonas De Ro
62018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 1182015normalblackJonas De Ro
72020-04-17Commander 2020C20 1602015normalblackJonas De Ro
82022-02-18Neon Dynasty CommanderNEC 1102015normalblackJonas De Ro
92022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 2082015normalblackZhillustrator
102022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 208★2015normalblackZhillustrator
112022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 6072015normalblackJonas De Ro

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Starstorm has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2008-10-01 Cycling is an activated ability. Effects that interact with activated abilities (such as Stifle or Rings of Brighthearth) will interact with cycling. Effects that interact with spells (such as Remove Soul or Faerie Tauntings) will not.

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