Molten Rain MTG Card


Destroys lands and punishes nonbasic land controllers, shifting the game tempo in your favor. Limited to red-heavy mana bases due to its specific casting cost, impacting its deck versatility. An essential card for MTG players confronting decks reliant on nonbasic lands.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Destroy target land. If that land is nonbasic, Molten Rain deals 2 damage to the land's controller.

When the molten rains fall, entire landscapes melt and flow away in rivulets of fire.


Cards like Molten Rain

Molten Rain is a red destruction spell in Magic: The Gathering that has been around for some time, becoming a staple in formats where land destruction can be a key strategy. Similar to Molten Rain, Stone Rain is another land destruction card. Both share the ability to target and destroy a land, but Molten Rain adds to the devastation by dealing 2 damage to that land’s controller if the land was nonbasic.

Looking at another comparable card, we have Pillage. Apart from destroying a land, Pillage also offers the added versatility of being able to target artifacts. This can be a crucial advantage in games, though it doesn’t provide the direct damage bonus that Molten Rain does. Moreover, Craterize comes into comparison with a straightforward land-destruction effect but lacks the direct damage or artifact versatility of the previous spells.

To summarize, Molten Rain holds its ground among land destruction cards with its specific advantage of dealing extra damage upon destroying nonbasic lands. This can be pivotal in applying pressure and controlling opponents’ mana bases while inflicting additional pain beyond the land loss.

Stone Rain - MTG Card versions
Pillage - MTG Card versions
Craterize - MTG Card versions
Stone Rain - MTG Card versions
Pillage - MTG Card versions
Craterize - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Molten Rain by color, type and mana cost

Stone Rain - MTG Card versions
Game of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Evaporate - MTG Card versions
Steam Blast - MTG Card versions
Goblin Offensive - MTG Card versions
Desert Sandstorm - MTG Card versions
Arc Lightning - MTG Card versions
Pillage - MTG Card versions
Search for Survivors - MTG Card versions
Searing Rays - MTG Card versions
Rupture - MTG Card versions
Tundra Fumarole - MTG Card versions
Browbeat - MTG Card versions
Erratic Explosion - MTG Card versions
Threaten - MTG Card versions
Sizzle - MTG Card versions
Hammer of Bogardan - MTG Card versions
Fiery Gambit - MTG Card versions
Flamebreak - MTG Card versions
Panic Attack - MTG Card versions
Stone Rain - MTG Card versions
Game of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Evaporate - MTG Card versions
Steam Blast - MTG Card versions
Goblin Offensive - MTG Card versions
Desert Sandstorm - MTG Card versions
Arc Lightning - MTG Card versions
Pillage - MTG Card versions
Search for Survivors - MTG Card versions
Searing Rays - MTG Card versions
Rupture - MTG Card versions
Tundra Fumarole - MTG Card versions
Browbeat - MTG Card versions
Erratic Explosion - MTG Card versions
Threaten - MTG Card versions
Sizzle - MTG Card versions
Hammer of Bogardan - MTG Card versions
Fiery Gambit - MTG Card versions
Flamebreak - MTG Card versions
Panic Attack - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
WBRWBR ModernModern Challenge 64 2024-04-13
Land DestructionLand Destruction ModernLand DestructionModern Challenge 96 2024-02-17
LIBOR & TaxesLIBOR & Taxes Free formd00mwake's Pure Modern 5
DecklistDecklist Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Gruul AggroGruul Aggro ModernGruul MidrangeVestland Mesterskapet i Modern - Vr 2024
Gruul PonzaGruul Ponza ModernGruul Midrange$10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Philadelphia - Saturday - 9:00 am
Gruul Land DestructionGruul Land Destruction ModernLand DestructionNRG Series $10,000 Showdown - Madison, Wisconsin (Modern)
URUR PauperPauper Challenge 32 2024-01-21

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Molten Rain not only sets your opponent back by destroying one of their lands, but it also deals 2 damage to that land’s controller if the land was nonbasic. This two-fold effect can disrupt your opponent’s strategy while indirectly adding to your own battlefield presence.

Resource Acceleration: By removing a land from your opponent’s control, Molten Rain can effectively slow them down, giving you a comparative acceleration in resources. This time gained can be pivotal for you to develop your board and further your own game plan.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, the power of Molten Rain at sorcery speed lies in its capacity to precisely target your opponent’s mana base during your turn, paving the way for follow-up plays that can capitalize on their reduced resources.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Molten Rain doesn’t require discarding as an actual cost, it can indirectly lead to a decreased hand size. This comes about as players may have to hold onto this card for the right moment due to its specific destruction effect, leading to less flexibility and fewer cards in hand over time.

Specific Mana Cost: Molten Rain’s mana cost includes double red, which makes it less fluid for multicolor decks that may not always have the necessary red mana sources. This specificity can restrict its inclusion to primarily red or red-focused mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including two red, Molten Rain is moderately priced. However, when compared to other land destruction or player-damaging spells, it might come off as less mana efficient. Players may opt for alternatives that offer either cheaper land destruction or more damage output for the same or lower mana cost.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Molten Rain is a powerful choice for decks that aim to disrupt land bases while dealing damage, fitting seamlessly into aggressive red strategies.

Combo Potential: This card excels in combinations with land destruction or damage amplification effects, escalating the pressure on your opponents by targeting critical mana sources.

Meta-Relevance: In game environments where greedy mana bases are prevalent, Molten Rain shines by punishing non-basic land-heavy decks and shaping the battlefield to your advantage.


How to beat

Molten Rain is a card that challenges players with its land destruction and potential damage. To effectively counter Molten Rain, the key is to maintain a diverse mana base and prioritize lands that are not as critical to your strategy. This typically involves spreading out your resources to avoid a crippling setback from the loss of a single land. Another tactic includes utilizing cards that can either counter spells or bring lands back from the graveyard. Cards like Life from the Loam or Crucible of Worlds can turn the tide by recuperating the lost land, ensuring your mana access remains stable.

Deck resilience is also significant—incorporating land-like artifacts such as Mind Stone or creatures that generate mana like Birds of Paradise can reduce reliance on lands themselves. For those in control archetypes, having counter spells ready for when your opponent casts Molten Rain will prevent its effects entirely. Moreover, proactive strategies that can put pressure on the Molten Rain player or outpace the potential land destruction they bring to the table, can mitigate the card’s impact. By considering Molten Rain’s strengths, players can strategize against it, thereby blunting its disruptive power and maintaining the upper hand.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Molten Rain MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and Modern Masters 2017, 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 Molten Rain and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Molten Rain Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12003-10-02MirrodinMRD 1012003NormalBlackHugh Jamieson
22017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 1032015NormalBlackSung Choi
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 10162015NormalBlackSung Choi
42020-09-26The ListPLST MM3-1032015NormalBlackSung Choi
52021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 3481997NormalBlackHugh Jamieson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Molten Rain has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-03-19 If the target land is an illegal target by the time Molten Rain tries to resolve, the spell doesn’t resolve. No player is dealt 2 damage. If the target is legal but not destroyed (most likely because it has indestructible), its controller is dealt 2 damage.