Aftershock MTG Card


Aftershock can destroy artifacts, creatures, or lands, making it a flexible removal option. It requires sacrificing a land and triple red mana, posing deck building challenges. When included in your collection, Aftershock can be decisive in certain metagames.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Destroy target artifact, creature, or land. Aftershock deals 3 damage to you.

"Every act of destruction has a repercussion." —Karn, silver golem


Cards like Aftershock

Aftershock is a unique card in the realm of removal options available in Magic: The Gathering. It resides within a spectrum where it bears similarities to cards like Fissure and Chandra’s Outrage. Aftershock stands out with its potent utility, capable of destroying any targetable artifact, creature, or land. Fissure demands a higher mana cost and strictly targets creatures or lands, lacking the broader reach that Aftershock provides.

Earthquake is another card that players might draw parallels with, yet it has a different scope. Earthquake deals damage to each creature without flying and each player, which sweeps across the battlefield compared to Aftershock’s precise, singular target removal. However, Aftershock’s versatility comes at a price – the need to sacrifice a land upon resolution, which Earthquake and Fissure do not require.

For those evaluating their removal options, Aftershock offers a versatile yet costly solution. Its ability to target a wide range of permanents on the battlefield gives it a unique place in Magic: The Gathering strategies that value flexibility and direct impact, though at the sacrifice of one’s land base.

Fissure - MTG Card versions
Chandra's Outrage - MTG Card versions
Earthquake - MTG Card versions
Fissure - MTG Card versions
Chandra's Outrage - MTG Card versions
Earthquake - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Aftershock by color, type and mana cost

Shatterstorm - MTG Card versions
Flashfires - MTG Card versions
Anarchy - MTG Card versions
Phoenix Heart - MTG Card versions
Reign of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Deadshot - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Flood - MTG Card versions
Relentless Assault - MTG Card versions
Flameshot - MTG Card versions
Bend or Break - MTG Card versions
Scorching Missile - MTG Card versions
Reckless Crew - MTG Card versions
Draconic Intervention - MTG Card versions
Demolish - MTG Card versions
Granulate - MTG Card versions
Touch and Go - MTG Card versions
Sunder from Within - MTG Card versions
Thoughts of Ruin - MTG Card versions
Inner Fire - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Slide - MTG Card versions
Shatterstorm - MTG Card versions
Flashfires - MTG Card versions
Anarchy - MTG Card versions
Phoenix Heart - MTG Card versions
Reign of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Deadshot - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Flood - MTG Card versions
Relentless Assault - MTG Card versions
Flameshot - MTG Card versions
Bend or Break - MTG Card versions
Scorching Missile - MTG Card versions
Reckless Crew - MTG Card versions
Draconic Intervention - MTG Card versions
Demolish - MTG Card versions
Granulate - MTG Card versions
Touch and Go - MTG Card versions
Sunder from Within - MTG Card versions
Thoughts of Ruin - MTG Card versions
Inner Fire - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Slide - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Aftershock offers a unique advantage by allowing you to destroy any artifact, creature, or land, providing flexibility in eliminating key threats or obstacles on the battlefield. This translates into potential card advantage as you can target the most pivotal elements of your opponent’s strategy.

Resource Acceleration: While not a direct source of resource acceleration, the ability to destroy a land can set your opponent back, indirectly accelerating your own position by comparison. This tactic can be particularly potent in formats where mana development is crucial.

Instant Speed: Aftershock, being a sorcery, requires strategic planning to maximize its impact during your turn. Although it doesn’t benefit from the flexibility of instant speed casting, its potent effect is well worth the advance planning and can be a game-changer when timed appropriately.


Card Cons

Understanding the limitations of the cards you use can be as crucial as capitalizing on their strengths. Let’s dive into Aftershock, a spell from the world of MTG, and discuss aspects of this card that might give players pause before including it in their deck.

Discard Requirement: Aftershock demands you to sacrifice a land in addition to its mana cost. This requirement can put you at a significant disadvantage, particularly in the early game where land development is critical for maintaining momentum against your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: Aftershock’s mana cost necessitates not one, but three red mana which restricts its utility to primarily mono-red or heavy red decks. For those utilizing a more diverse mana base, this could pose a deck construction challenge.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at four mana, with three being color-specific, Aftershock’s cost is on the higher end for its destructive capabilities. Considering the competitive card pool, there are options that offer similar or better effects for a lower investment, making Aftershock potentially less appealing for players looking for maximum efficiency.


Reasons to Include Aftershock in Your Collection

Versatility: Aftershock is a flexible card that can serve multiple roles within a game. It’s capable of removing problematic creatures, key artifacts, or even troublesome lands, making it a good fit for decks that need a utilitarian option.

Combo Potential: The ability to destroy a land can be particularly useful in combos that take advantage of land destruction strategies, or when paving the way for your big plays by temporarily setting back your opponents’ mana base.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state that heavily features artifact-based strategies or creature-heavy decks, Aftershock offers a direct answer. Its relevance escalates in metagames where disruption and precise removal can turn the tide of a match.


How to beat

Aftershock is a classic card with the power to disrupt an opponent’s strategy in Magic: The Gathering. It’s a red sorcery capable of destroying any artifact, creature, or land, but at the cost of sacrificing one of your own lands in the process. This trade-off means players should use Aftershock judiciously and strategically.

One way to get an upper hand against Aftershock is to employ the use of instant-speed land protection. Keeping counter spells handy can nullify its effect, preserving your crucial board presence. Moreover, cards that can swiftly regenerate or indestructible creatures are also invaluable, making the potential targets for Aftershock much less appealing to your opponent. In addition, deploying land-recovery spells or abilities after an Aftershock has been resolved can quickly balance the scales, mitigating its impact on your resources. Lastly, baiting this card out with less valuable targets can lead your opponent into a false sense of security before you play your significant threats.

Although Aftershock can be a game-changing card, knowing its vulnerabilities and having a plan in place can help turn the tide of the game in your favor.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Aftershock MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Vintage Masters, 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 Aftershock and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Aftershock Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-10-14TempestTMP 1601997NormalBlackHannibal King
22014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 1492015NormalBlackHannibal King
32015-05-06Tempest RemasteredTPR 1242015NormalBlackHannibal King
42022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 1292015NormalBlackDrew Tucker

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Aftershock has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal