Built to Smash MTG Card


Boosts creatures at low cost, enabling bigger threats and potential card advantage for the player. Provides instant speed flexibility, aiding in surprise combat tricks or closing out games. Requires an attacking creature and specific mana, limiting its use in non-red or passive decks.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Target attacking creature gets +3/+3 until end of turn. If it's an artifact creature, it gains trample until end of turn.

Free from Consulate regulations, renegade-built automatons push performance to the limit.


Cards like Built to Smash

Built to Smash elevates the aggressive playstyle of red decks in Magic: The Gathering. It’s in direct competition with combat tricks such as Brute Strength, which also provides a power boost and trample to creatures. Nonetheless, Built to Smash offers a distinct advantage—cost efficiency for creatures with the added bonus of no damage dealt to them if they’re attacking. Brute Strength doesn’t offer such protection despite its similar mana cost and boost.

Looking further, we see Titan’s Strength. It comes with a cheaper mana cost but with a smaller power increase and the scry benefit. While it enhances the creature’s power and allows deck manipulation, it lacks the protective aspect of Built to Smash when it comes to keeping your creatures safe during combat.

In the realm of red combat tricks, Built to Smash stands out for its dual-purpose nature. It’s not only bolstering your attacking creatures but ensuring their survival through the fray. It’s a solid choice for players aiming to maintain momentum and press the advantage with minimal investment and maximized outcomes.

Brute Strength - MTG Card versions
Titan's Strength - MTG Card versions
Brute Strength - MTG Card versions
Titan's Strength - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Built to Smash by color, type and mana cost

False Orders - MTG Card versions
Chaoslace - MTG Card versions
Red Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Tunnel - MTG Card versions
Artifact Blast - MTG Card versions
Lightning Bolt - MTG Card versions
Active Volcano - MTG Card versions
Shock - MTG Card versions
Panic - MTG Card versions
Vertigo - MTG Card versions
Hearth Charm - MTG Card versions
Pyroblast - MTG Card versions
Fighting Chance - MTG Card versions
Shower of Sparks - MTG Card versions
Heat Ray - MTG Card versions
Overload - MTG Card versions
March of Reckless Joy - MTG Card versions
Burst Lightning - MTG Card versions
Fever Charm - MTG Card versions
Electrostatic Bolt - MTG Card versions
False Orders - MTG Card versions
Chaoslace - MTG Card versions
Red Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Tunnel - MTG Card versions
Artifact Blast - MTG Card versions
Lightning Bolt - MTG Card versions
Active Volcano - MTG Card versions
Shock - MTG Card versions
Panic - MTG Card versions
Vertigo - MTG Card versions
Hearth Charm - MTG Card versions
Pyroblast - MTG Card versions
Fighting Chance - MTG Card versions
Shower of Sparks - MTG Card versions
Heat Ray - MTG Card versions
Overload - MTG Card versions
March of Reckless Joy - MTG Card versions
Burst Lightning - MTG Card versions
Fever Charm - MTG Card versions
Electrostatic Bolt - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Built to Smash. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Red AggroMono-Red Aggro PioneerMono-Red AggroPioneer Preliminary 2023-11-22
Mono-Red BurnMono-Red Burn GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Izzet EnsoulIzzet Ensoul PioneerIzzet Ensoul ArtifactSat. 9:30 AM U.S. Regional Championship - Dreamhack Atlanta 2023
Izzet OboshIzzet Obosh PioneerIzzet OboshPioneer League 2023-12-02

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Built to Smash might not directly allow you to draw more cards, its efficient cost to power ratio can turn your creatures into significant threats, potentially forcing card disadvantage upon your opponent as they must use more resources to deal with your beefed-up creatures.

Resource Acceleration: One of the key benefits of Built to Smash is its low mana cost, enabling you to use your resources on other spells or creatures that turn. This effectively accelerates your game by maximizing the use of your mana each turn and applying pressure early on.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Built to Smash at instant speed gives you the flexibility to surprise your opponent during combat. This unpredictability can serve as both a combat trick to eliminate an opposing creature or as a sudden burst of damage to close out a game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Built to Smash mandates that you control an attacking creature to activate its benefits. If you find yourself without an attacker at the crucial moment, this card becomes a dead draw, contributing nothing to your gameplay strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires red mana for its casting, anchoring it firmly in red decks. Players wielding multicolor decks or those focused on other hues may find the red mana requirement a stumbling block to including this card in their diverse strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though it might seem economical at a single red mana, Built to Smash is a situational card. Other cards at similar or lower costs could provide a wider range of advantages without the limitation of requiring an attacking creature, potentially offering better value for the mana spent.


Reasons to Include Built to Smash in Your Collection

Versatility: Built to Smash is not restricted to a single archetype. Its applicability in both aggressive and creature-centric decks makes it a versatile addition, suitable for a variety of strategies focusing on combat.

Combo Potential: This card offers great synergy with vehicles or creatures with trample, turning any attacking creature into a significant threat. Its ability to amplify damage makes it a candidate for combo finishes that can surprise an opponent.

Meta-Relevance: In formats where creature-based aggro decks are prominent, Built to Smash enhances their offensive capabilities. As the metagame evolves, its value in enabling fast, aggressive starts cannot be overlooked, making it a smart inclusion for players looking to outpace control and combo decks.


How to beat Built to Smash

Built to Smash stands out in the arena of aggressive combat tricks in Magic: The Gathering. This card can be a game-changer by granting an attacking creature a substantial power boost and potentially trample if it’s an artifact creature, turning the tide of battle in a single turn. However, despite its explosive impact, there are strategies to mitigate its influence and maintain control of the game.

Counterspells are your first line of defense against spells like Built to Smash. Since it’s an instant, having a counterspell ready can neutralize the threat before it alters the combat phase. There’s also the option of removal spells which can be used in response to Built to Smash, eliminating the target creature before the buff takes effect. Additionally, playing cards that prevent your opponent from attacking, such as those setting up a defensive wall or decreasing the power of your opponent’s creatures, can weaken the impact of Built to Smash.

In essence, while Built to Smash can be a powerful addition to an aggressive deck, understanding your deck’s defensive capabilities and anticipating your opponent’s moves can help you prepare effective countermeasures, ensuring that such combat tricks don’t catch you off guard.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’re looking to optimize your MTG deck, embracing the agility and force of Built to Smash can be a game-changer. Its low mana cost and instant speed can catch opponents off-guard, turning an ordinary attack into a winning move. While it’s tailor-made for aggressive red decks, don’t overlook its limitations. Ensuring you have a creature ready to attack is crucial, and its specificity to red mana can be a setback in multicolored strategies. Consider pairing it with trample-enabling cards or vehicles to maximize its impact. To delve deeper into optimizing Built to Smash for your arsenal, continue your MTG journey with us and master the strategies that will lead you to triumph.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Built to Smash MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh 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 Built to Smash and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Built to Smash Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2020-11-12. Illustrated by Svetlin Velinov.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-09-30KaladeshKLD 1082015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 8782015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
32020-09-26The ListPLST KLD-1082015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
42020-11-12Kaladesh RemasteredKLR 1152015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Built to Smash has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2016-09-20 An artifact creature gains trample in addition to getting +3/+3, not instead of it.