Boulder Salvo MTG Card


Boulder Salvo shifts board control by effectively removing threats and altering game dynamics. Its surge mechanic rewards strategic play, allowing for resourceful mana utilization. Despite restrictions, it offers consistency in creature-heavy metagames for red decks.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Surge

Text of card

Surge (You may cast this spell for its surge cost if you or a teammate has cast another spell this turn.) Boulder Salvo deals 4 damage to target creature.

"If someone claims the sky is falling, I listen." —Yon Basrel, Oran-Rief survivalist


Cards like Boulder Salvo

Boulder Salvo solidifies its presence in the realm of removal spells in Magic: The Gathering. When aligning it alongside similar cards, such as Flame Slash, we notice that both have the capability to deal 4 damage to a creature. Boulder Salvo takes it a step further with surge, reducing its cost under the right circumstances and enabling a strategic play in multi-spell turns. Whereas Flame Slash boasts a lean mana cost upfront, it lacks the potential cost reduction offered by the surge.

Another card worth mentioning is Searing Spear, known for its direct 3 damage to any target. Although it can hit players or planeswalkers, which Boulder Salvo cannot, it falls short in the sheer damage potential. Pyrokinesis enters the fray as a free alternative provided you exile a red card from your hand. Despite that advantage, Pyrokinesis requires a greater sacrifice, while Boulder Salvo maintains card advantage.

Considering the nuances of using resources efficiently and maximizing damage output, Boulder Salvo presents itself as a versatile and often preferable choice for players aiming to seamlessly integrate removal within their gameplay strategies in Magic: The Gathering.

Flame Slash - MTG Card versions
Searing Spear - MTG Card versions
Pyrokinesis - MTG Card versions
Flame Slash - MTG Card versions
Searing Spear - MTG Card versions
Pyrokinesis - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Boulder Salvo provides a significant shift in board presence by enabling you to eliminate a key threat from the opponent’s side. This not only disrupts their strategy but also paves the way for your creatures to attack without obstruction, maintaining your advantage in the game.

Resource Acceleration: As part of the surge mechanic, Boulder Salvo may be cast for its reduced cost if you or your teammates have cast another spell this turn, effectively making it easier to utilize your mana resources efficiently and accelerate your game plan. This cost reduction is pivotal in casting multiple spells in one turn and in maximizing the impact of your plays.

Instant Speed: Even though Boulder Salvo is a sorcery, its relatively low surge cost allows for a quick response to an evolving board state when played correctly, imitating the flexibility that instant speed spells offer. By carefully planning your turn to include another spell before Boulder Salvo, you ensure that you can answer threats swiftly and keep up the pressure on your opponent.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Boulder Salvo compels you to relinquish a card when playing, which isn’t ideal during those critical moments when every card in your hand counts toward your planned strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Necessitating red mana can be restrictive, binding the card’s potential to decks that run mountain lands or have a mana base that can generate red mana efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its damage output, the required three generic and two red mana may seem excessive when there are alternatives available that can accomplish similar results at a lower cost or with additional benefits.


Reasons to Include Boulder Salvo in Your Collection

Versatility: Boulder Salvo is a flexible card that can adapt to various Red deck strategies. Whether you’re playing an aggressive deck that needs to clear blockers or a slower, control-oriented deck removing key threats, it provides substantial removal capabilities at a relatively low cost if you meet its surge condition.

Combo Potential: For players who enjoy synergizing their plays, Boulder Salvo works wonders in decks that consistently cast another spell in the same turn. It pairs well with cheap cantrips or creature spells, allowing you to maximize both board control and resource utilization.

Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-based decks are a constant in many metagames, having a card like Boulder Salvo that can efficiently deal with mid-size creatures is immensely beneficial. In matchups where tempo plays are crucial, it can significantly shift the tide in your favor.


How to beat

Boulder Salvo represents an efficient removal tool in Magic: The Gathering, especially potent in decks that excel at casting multiple spells in a single turn. The key to overpowering this card lies in dodging its surge cost advantage. Since Boulder Salvo’s surge cost is considerably lower than its regular cost, it encourages players to cast another spell before it. Therefore, by strategically timing your creatures’ entrance to the battlefield after the first spell they cast, you can mitigate the risk of your creatures becoming targets for Boulder Salvo’s reduced cost.

Another tactic is to focus on creatures with higher toughness. Since Boulder Salvo deals four damage, creatures that can withstand that hit won’t succumb to its surge. Indestructible creatures or those with damage prevention abilities can also nullify the impact of Boulder Salvo entirely. Lastly, spells that counter noncreature spells or provide hexproof can effectively neutralize Boulder Salvo, keeping your creatures safe and maintaining board presence. By anticipating its surge potential and protecting key creatures, you can successfully navigate around Boulder Salvo’s explosive power.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Boulder Salvo MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch and Mystery Booster, 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 Boulder Salvo and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Boulder Salvo Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-01-22 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Vincent Proce.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-01-22Oath of the GatewatchOGW 1022015NormalBlackVincent Proce
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 8702015NormalBlackVincent Proce
32020-09-26The ListPLST OGW-1022015NormalBlackVincent Proce

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Boulder Salvo has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2016-01-22 Casting a spell for its surge cost doesn’t change its mana cost or its mana value.
2016-01-22 For some cards, surge represents only an alternative cost, a discount that applies if you or a teammate has cast another spell this turn. Other cards, like Reckless Bushwhacker, have additional abilities or effects if you paid the surge cost to cast the spell.
2016-01-22 If an instant or sorcery spell cast for its surge cost is copied, the copy is also considered to have had its surge cost paid.
2016-01-22 The other spell that you or a teammate cast can be one that’s resolved, one that was countered, or (for instants with surge) one that’s still on the stack.