Galvanic Blast MTG Card


Galvanic Blast’s efficiency lends itself to removing creatures or dealing critical damage at pivotal moments. In artifact-heavy decks, it not only removes threats but accelerates your overarching game strategy. Having instant speed means Galvanic Blast offers players a significant tactical edge in matches.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Metalcraft

Text of card

Galvanic Blast deals 2 damage to target creature or player. Metalcraft — Galvanic Blast deals 4 damage to that creature or player instead if you control three or more artifacts.

Mirrodin has little weather, but it certainly has lightning.


Cards like Galvanic Blast

When players consider direct damage in Magic: The Gathering, Galvanic Blast is a card that often strikes a chord. It bears similarity to the iconic Lightning Bolt, one of the most efficient damage-dealing spells. Lightning Bolt delivers three damage to any target, a power move for just one red mana. Galvanic Blast also deals damage, starting at two for one red mana. However, its potential scales with the presence of metalcraft, where having three or more artifacts bolsters its damage to four.

Another comparable spell is Shrapnel Blast, which brings a heftier damage rate of five but at the steep price of sacrificing an artifact as an additional cost. While Galvanic Blast is versatile in its metalcraft condition, Shrapnel Blast requires a more significant immediate investment. There’s also Char, a spell that delivers four damage at a cost of two mana but also inflicts two damage to you. It provides a stable amount of damage regardless of the board state, unlike Galvanic Blast, which can vary.

Drawing comparisons, Galvanic Blast’s value truly shines in artifact-centric decks. While Lightning Bolt remains unmatched in terms of sheer efficiency, Galvanic Blast provides great utility and potential in the right deck, holding its own within the pantheon of direct damage spells.

Lightning Bolt - MTG Card versions
Shrapnel Blast - MTG Card versions
Char - MTG Card versions
Lightning Bolt - MTG Card versions
Shrapnel Blast - MTG Card versions
Char - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Galvanic Blast 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 Galvanic Blast. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
BurnBurn PauperBurnPauper League 2024-05-10
Mono-Red SynthesizerMono-Red Synthesizer PauperMono-Red SynthesizerPauper Challenge 32 2024-05-11
BRBR PauperPauper Challenge 32 2024-05-10
Boros SynthesizerBoros Synthesizer PauperBoros SynthesizerPauper Challenge 32 2024-05-10
Grixis AffinityGrixis Affinity PauperGrixis AffinityPauper Challenge 32 2024-05-11
Asmo FoodAsmo Food ModernAsmo FoodModern Challenge 32 2024-05-11
Mardu SynthesizerMardu Synthesizer PauperMardu SynthesizerPauper League 2024-05-10

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Galvanic Blast, efficiency is key. Dealing 2 damage to any target can take out a key creature or finish off a vulnerable opponent. If you control three or more artifacts, this bump to 4 damage can swing the game in your favor, often removing a high-value threat without losing any of your own resources.

Resource Acceleration: This card fits perfectly in artifact-centric decks, where it acts not just as a removal tool but also amplifies strategies tied to artifact counts. The potential for a stronger effect with more artifacts on the field encourages and rewards rapid artifact deployment, indirectly accelerating your game plan.

Instant Speed: Flexibility at instant speed empowers you to make decisions with full knowledge of your opponent’s actions. Use it to disrupt plays or protect your position during their turn, or as a surprise finisher when they least expect it. This responsiveness is a crucial tactical advantage in any MTG matchup.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Galvanic Blast doesn’t come with a discard requirement. However, this could be a point of consideration when looking for synergies with cards that capitalize on discard strategies, as this card won’t contribute to such mechanics.

Specific Mana Cost: Galvanic Blast requires red mana to cast. This specific mana cost means it fits primarily into red decks or multicolor decks that can produce red mana, potentially limiting its flexibility in deck construction.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For dealing 4 damage to a target when you have Metalcraft, a comparatively lower mana cost could be available with other spells in the game. Optimal mana expenditures are crucial in fast-paced games, and while its mana cost is low, players may consider options that provide additional effects or cost less for similar damage outputs.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Galvanic Blast is a powerful addition to any deck that can support a red mana base. As an instant, it offers the flexibility to be used as a removal tool for creatures or a direct damage spell to the opponent, making it adaptable for a wide range of game situations.

Combo Potential: This card shines in decks built around artifacts, where its potential damage output doubles if you have metalcraft — three or more artifacts on your battlefield. Pairing Galvanic Blast with inexpensive artifact creatures or token generators can swiftly turn it into a game-ending threat.

Meta-Relevance: Its usefulness in taking down key creatures or finishing off an opponent makes it relevant in various metagames. In an environment where small to medium-sized creatures dominate or where the pace of play is fast, Galvanic Blast offers significant impact for a minimal mana investment.


How to beat Galvanic Blast

Galvanic Blast is a potent staple in red MTG decks, renowned for its versatility and power. It’s often compared to Lightning Bolt, another classic removal spell with the ability to deal three damage to any target. However, Galvanic Blast has the potential to supersede this with its metalcraft bonus, hitting for a whopping four damage if you control three or more artifacts. Despite its strength, there are strategies to mitigate its impact.

One effective method to counter Galvanic Blast is through artifact removal spells or abilities, reducing your artifact count below three and thus preventing the metalcraft bonus damage. Spells like Naturalize or abilities like Thrashing Brontodon’s offer swift and cost-efficient ways to handle artifacts on the board. Additionally, utilizing instant-speed spells to remove artifacts during the stack phase before the Blast resolves can turn the tides in your favor.

Moreover, incorporating hexproof or shroud abilities on your key creatures can also safeguard them from Galvanic Blast, ensuring their survivability and keeping your board presence intact. By strategizing around Galvanic Blast’s conditional damage and maintaining control over the artifacts in play, players can effectively nullify the threat this card poses in an MTG match.


BurnMana Recommendations

Galvanic Blast stands as a potent force in MTG, offering strategic advantage and adaptability. Its conditional damage output encourages innovative deckbuilding around artifacts, rewarding players with a powerful tool for board control. With the right strategy, it can be your winning ace. Assess your current card inventory and consider how Galvanic Blast might enhance your arsenal. Whether you’re on the hunt for tactical spells or aiming to craft a deck that thrives on synergy, this card is worthy of attention. Discover more insights and refine your deck to unleash the full potential of Galvanic Blast in your battles ahead.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Galvanic Blast MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin 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 Galvanic Blast and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Galvanic Blast Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2010-10-01 and 2020-08-07. Illustrated by Marc Simonetti.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12010-10-01Scars of MirrodinSOM 912003NormalBlackMarc Simonetti
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 9432015NormalBlackMarc Simonetti
32020-08-07Double Masters2XM 1252015NormalBlackMarc Simonetti
42020-09-26The ListPLST DDU-452015NormalBlackMarc Simonetti

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Galvanic Blast has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal