Solfatara MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	1997-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Visions
Set code	VIS
Number	93
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Omaha Pérez

Key Takeaways

Solfatara offers hand disruption plus card draw, potentially accelerating one’s game pace notably.
As a dual-purpose card, it enables land untapping and instant speed adaptability in play.
Despite its strengths, Solfatara’s red mana requirement and high cost may limit its versatility.

Text of card

Target player cannot play any land cards this turn. Draw a card at the beginning of the next turn's upkeep.

"A burst of hot air tossed the moon into the air, and the moon liked it up there so much it never needed the ground again." —Azeworai, "Glitter Moon"

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Solfatara presents the opportunity to upset the balance of the hand, forcing one’s opponent to discard a card while you get to draw one. This exchange can be pivotal in outpacing rival decks and preserving the upper hand.

Resource Acceleration: Add to that, when you cast Solfatara, it lets you untap up to four lands. This opens up a potential surge in mana availability the same turn, possibly allowing you to cast more spells or deploy further strategies without missing a beat.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Solfatara at instant speed provides a strategic edge. You can adapt on the fly, choosing the optimal moment during your opponent’s turn to disrupt their plans, all while ensuring your resources remain fluid for a swift response.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Players must forfeit a card from their hand to utilize Solfatara’s ability. This could potentially put a player at a disadvantage, especially in situations where hand size is crucial for maintaining control of the game’s pace.

Specific Mana Cost: Like many other specific spells, Solfatara requires a red mana to play. This restriction means that it fits primarily within a red deck or a multicolor deck that includes red, thereby limiting its overall deck compatibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an activation cost that’s higher than some other mana-generating cards, Solfatara may not be the most effective choice. There are alternatives available that may provide more immediate value or synergy with other deck components for a lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include Solfatara in Your Collection

Versatility: Solfatara offers flexibility in deck building as it functions as both land acceleration and a means to fix mana troubles. An excellent addition for any player looking to optimize their mana curve in formats where it’s legal.

Combo Potential: This card can be an essential enabler for combo decks, as it permits casting of pivotal cards a turn earlier or helps recover from a set-back, making it a strategic powerhouse when timing is everything.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where quick setup is crucial to outpace opponents, Solfatara’s dual functionality can swing the tempo in your favor, giving it a significant edge in the ever-shifting MTG meta.

How to beat

Solfatara is a unique card in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, presenting a tactical challenge for many players. Comparable in some ways to effects that prevent spell casting, such as Silence, Solfatara has its own twist by denying land untapping on the opponent’s next turn. This creates an opportunistic window to attack your opponent’s resources and control the flow of the game.

To counter this card, one must adapt by utilizing instant spells that can be played on the opponent’s turn, similar in strategy to employing cards like Quicken, which allows for casting at times that Solfatara aims to restrict. In addition, one could use mana artifacts or creatures like Birds of Paradise, which aren’t affected by Solfatara’s land-targeting limitations. By doing so, the impact of Solfatara’s ability is mitigated, ensuring that your gameplay remains fluid and uninterrupted.

Mastery in Magic: The Gathering often comes down to strategic foresight and flexibility. When facing disruptive cards like Solfatara, the ability to adapt and employ alternate means of resource management can often be the key to maintaining control and ultimately securing victory in the match.

Cards like Solfatara

Solfatara is an intriguing entry among red cards in Magic: The Gathering that force a penalty on your opponent’s ability to cast spells. Like Solfatara, the card Mana Leak presents a challenge to an opponent’s plans, asking them to pay an additional cost or their spell gets countered. However, Solfatara has an edge by being highly specific—it doesn’t counter the spell, but rather punishes the opponent if they cast more spells, often resulting in a smarter play for the controller.

Delay is another spell that goes hand in hand with Solfatara in terms of controlling the tempo of the game. Delay temporarily counters a spell by exiling it with three time counters. While Solfatara doesn’t counter directly, it indirectly discourages the casting of additional spells by imposing a penalty of four damage. This can be seen as a softer yet more taxing form of control when compared to Delay’s temporary solution.

Considering the finesse required to strategically leverage timing and penalties in Magic: The Gathering, Solfatara stands out with its unique punishment mechanic. Its ability to restrict opponents’ actions through the threat of damage sets it apart from other control spells, making Solfatara a noteworthy card in the red control arsenal.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Solfatara MTG card by a specific set like Visions, 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 Solfatara and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Solfatara has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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