Fall of the Hammer MTG Card


Offers card advantage by allowing for effective two-for-one plays, removing threats while keeping creatures on board. Leverages creatures’ power without extra mana, accelerating your strategy and impacting the board immediately. Requires red mana and careful play to balance resource management and capitalize on its removal ability.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Target creature you control deals damage equal to its power to another target creature.

It is unwise to insult the god of the forge. It is also unwise to stand near anyone else who has insulted him.


Cards like Fall of the Hammer

Fall of the Hammer is a unique instant spell that allows red decks in Magic: The Gathering to pack a punch by dealing damage equivalent to one creature’s power to another. This mechanic mirrors the purpose of cards like Soul’s Fire, which also transfers a creature’s power as direct damage, though Fall of the Hammer has the advantage of being able to target creatures without flying.

Comparing the two, Seize the Day stands out as another red spell enabling powerful combat tricks. But it’s more focused on untapping creatures and granting additional combat phases instead of direct removal. On the other hand, Prey Upon is a green spell that serves a similar creature fight function, but as a sorcery, it lacks the immediacy of Fall of the Hammer’s instant-speed response.

Evaluating these cards side by side, Fall of the Hammer’s blend of damage-dealing and tactical versatility makes it a formidable option in MTG, keeping opponents on their toes due to its potential for instant surprise attacks on their valuable creatures.

Soul's Fire - MTG Card versions
Seize the Day - MTG Card versions
Prey Upon - MTG Card versions
Soul's Fire - MTG Card versions
Seize the Day - MTG Card versions
Prey Upon - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Fall of the Hammer by color, type and mana cost

Shatter - MTG Card versions
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Incinerate - MTG Card versions
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Fists of the Anvil - MTG Card versions
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
Fling - MTG Card versions
Falter - MTG Card versions
Shattering Pulse - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Strike - MTG Card versions
Shrapnel Blast - MTG Card versions
Glacial Ray - MTG Card versions
Starstorm - 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

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When played strategically, Fall of the Hammer is highly efficient in dealing with threats, essentially acting as a two-for-one by using your creature to eliminate an opponent’s creature while retaining your board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Unlike spells that may require additional investment before affecting the board, Fall of the Hammer directly leverages existing resources—the power of your creatures—to influence the game state, accelerating your path to victory without the need for extra mana expenditure.

Instant Speed: Despite being a sorcery, the quick, decisive playstyle that Fall of the Hammer encourages allows you to exert immediate pressure on your opponent, simulating the tempo often associated with instant speed interactions by catching opponents off-guard during your turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Fall of the Hammer doesn’t directly require discarding cards, it’s important to recognize that using any removal spell, including this one, means you’re trading card-for-card. In some situations, especially when you’re behind, you might need to consider the impact this has on your available resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Fall of the Hammer requires red mana in its casting cost, making it exclusively viable in red or multicolored decks. Players running decks without red may have to seek alternative removal options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The two mana cost for this instant can be steep when you assess the market of removal spells. Some alternatives offer cheaper ways to deal with creatures or provide additional benefits, making Fall of the Hammer a less competitive choice in decks that need to maximize mana efficiency.


Reasons to Include Fall of the Hammer in Your Collection

Versatility: Fall of the Hammer is a flexible card capable of fitting into numerous red-based MTG decks, serving as a solid removal option while also enabling you to push through additional damage without engaging in combat.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with creatures that have powerful abilities when dealing damage or creatures with high power, allowing you to take advantage of those traits in a non-combat situation.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creatures play a key role, Fall of the Hammer can be a game-changer by removing key threats or clearing the way for an aggressive strategy to overpower your opponents.


How to Beat Fall of the Hammer

Fall of the Hammer is a notable instant in Magic: The Gathering that enables one of your creatures to deal damage equal to its power to another target creature. While the card can be a game-changer in combat scenarios, overcoming it requires strategic maneuvers. Targeted removal spells or counterspells like Negate or Essence Scatter can prevent Fall of the Hammer from impacting the board. Instant-speed removal spells that eliminate the creature before the Hammer falls are also key in deflecting this threat.

Indestructible creatures or those with protection from red can turn the tables against this card, rendering it ineffective. Additionally, having creatures with Hexproof ensures your opponent cannot target them with Fall of the Hammer, maintaining your board presence. Always be aware of your opponent’s mana availability and the potential for this instant as you navigate through your turns, and consider holding back instant-speed responses to strategically nullify their efforts and protect your creature assets.

Ultimately, maintaining control of the board and being mindful of the timing can mitigate the impact of Fall of the Hammer in your games, allowing you to preserve your creature’s advantage and pave the path to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the strategic depths of MTG is essential for optimizing your gameplay and finding success with every draw. Dive into the multifaceted world of MTG with a card like Fall of the Hammer, which can deliver a powerful blow to your opponent’s creatures while keeping yours in play. Cultivate the skill to use this spell with precision, and your deck will reap the benefits of its effective and resourceful removal capabilities. Enhance your red-themed arsenal and open doors to new combos, demonstrating to your opponents the raw power of instant speed. Want to turn the tide of battle with such crucial tricks? Connect with us and deepen your MTG knowledge to fully harness the potential of cards like Fall of the Hammer in your collection.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fall of the Hammer MTG card by a specific set like Born of the Gods and Commander 2015, 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 Fall of the Hammer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Fall of the Hammer Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2014-02-07 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Adam Paquette.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-02-07Born of the GodsBNG 932003NormalBlackAdam Paquette
22015-11-13Commander 2015C15 1542015NormalBlackAdam Paquette
32018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 972015NormalBlackAdam Paquette
42019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 9212015NormalBlackAdam Paquette
52020-09-26The ListPLST CM2-972015NormalBlackAdam Paquette

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fall of the Hammer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2014-02-01 As Fall of the Hammer tries to resolve, if only one of the targets is legal, Fall of the Hammer will still resolve but will have no effect: If the first target creature is illegal, it can’t deal damage to anything. If the second target creature is illegal, it can’t be dealt damage.
2014-02-01 The amount of damage dealt is based on the first target creature’s power as Fall of the Hammer resolves.