Psionic Blast MTG Card


Psionic Blast combines damage and card draw, offering a distinctive edge by outpacing opponents in resources. Instant speed versatility heightens board state control, allowing for responsive play during critical turns. While powerful, the card’s self-damage and blue mana commitment can challenge deck construction and in-game stability.
Card setsReleased in 10 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Psionic Blast does 4 damage to any target, but it does 2 damage to you as well.


Cards like Psionic Blast

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Psionic Blast is an intriguing option in the suite of direct damage spells. Its closest relatives include the likes of Char, which, akin to Psionic Blast, inflicts 4 damage albeit at the cost of 2 life to its caster. Psionic Blast is distinguished by its ability to target creatures or players, which offers flexibility similar to Char.

Examining Blue’s spell arsenal, we find Prophetic Bolt. While more mana-intensive, this instant not only deals 4 damage but also grants card advantage through its additional draw effect, adding a strategic depth missing in Psionic Blast. Prophetic Bolt and Psionic Blast share the trait of instant speed, a vital aspect that permits players to adapt to their opponent’s moves and maintain tempo.

Ultimately, Psionic Blast stands out for being a Blue spell with direct damage capability—a rarity in Magic: The Gathering. While generally Blue spells focus on control and manipulation, Psionic Blast enables Blue players to surprise opponents with a burst of damage, traditionally a hallmark of Red’s territory. The unique crossover of this card’s abilities ensures its continued popularity and distinctive place in MTG strategies.

Char - MTG Card versions
Prophetic Bolt - MTG Card versions
Char - MTG Card versions
Prophetic Bolt - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Psionic Blast by color, type and mana cost

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Mana Short - MTG Card versions
Capsize - MTG Card versions
Intuition - MTG Card versions
Forbid - MTG Card versions
Frantic Search - MTG Card versions
Exclude - MTG Card versions
Crystal Spray - MTG Card versions
Hibernation - MTG Card versions
Circular Logic - MTG Card versions
Keep Watch - MTG Card versions
Archmage's Charm - MTG Card versions
Commander's Insight - MTG Card versions
Rushing River - MTG Card versions
Ixidor's Will - MTG Card versions
Catalog - MTG Card versions
Vex - MTG Card versions
Thirst for Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Murmurs from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Venser's Diffusion - MTG Card versions
Dream Fracture - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Izzet ControlIzzet Control ModernBlue-Red Control$10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Hartford - Saturday - 9:00 am

Card Pros

Card Advantage: By dealing damage while simultaneously enabling card draw, Psionic Blast provides a unique advantage, setting you ahead in resources compared to your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration. However, its ability to remove key threats can indirectly speed up your game plan by disrupting your opponent’s development.

Instant Speed: Its casting flexibility as an instant means you can adapt to the board state more fluidly, responding to threats or creating opportunities at the end of your opponent’s turn before taking your own actions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Psionic Blast’s power comes at a cost, requiring players to carefully consider hand management. With no direct card discard involved, the downside emerges from the self-inflicted damage, effectively reducing your own life total when casting it, potentially putting you at a disadvantage in close matches.

Specific Mana Cost: As a card with a cost that includes one blue mana, Psionic Blast mandates a commitment to blue mana sources within your deck. This may restrict deck-building flexibility, as players need to ensure a reliable source of blue mana to utilize the card effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including one blue, Psionic Blast is considered to have a high mana requirement for its effect. When comparing it to other direct damage spells in MTG, some may offer similar or greater damage output or additional benefits for the same or less mana investment.


Reasons to Include Psionic Blast in Your Collection

Versatility: Psionic Blast is a unique piece in blue’s arsenal, offering direct damage which is rare for this color. It can be a game-changer in decks that need alternative win conditions or a surprise finisher.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with spell-copying effects or be used to manipulate life totals for cards that thrive on such interactions, thus enabling diverse and powerful combos.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames that are creature-heavy or if you’re facing off against decks with key creatures, Psionic Blast serves as both, an unexpected removal and a direct route to your opponent’s life total.


How to beat

Psionic Blast, known for delivering a potent mix of damage and surprise within the Magic: The Gathering universe, is a force to be reckoned with. It’s a card that can turn the tide of a game by dealing 4 damage to any target while dealing 2 damage to you. To outmaneuver this card, consider adopting strategies that focus on life gain or damage prevention. Cards such as Leyline of Sanctity can provide a protective barrier by making you hexproof, effectively shielding you from Psionic Blast’s reach. Alternatively, employing cards like Shalai, Voice of Plenty secures not just your life total but also guards your board against any direct threats.

Maintaining a higher life total through cards like Sphinx’s Revelation can offset the self-inflicted damage from Psionic Blast, keeping you safely ahead in the life race. Moreover, always be prepared for the unexpected blue burst damage by keeping counterspells like Negate at the ready, which can directly negate Psionic Blast, keeping your defenses solid and your game plan uninterrupted.

A comprehensive understanding of both timing and damage mitigation plays a pivotal role in gaining an upper hand against a card with the capabilities of Psionic Blast. By being proactive and anticipating key moments, you can secure your position and possibly turn what would be a drawback into a decisive advantage.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Psionic Blast MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Psionic Blast and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Psionic Blast Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 741993NormalBlackDouglas Shuler
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 751993NormalBlackDouglas Shuler
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 751993NormalWhiteDouglas Shuler
41993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 751993NormalBlackDouglas Shuler
51993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 751993NormalBlackDouglas Shuler
62002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 350582003NormalBlackAleksi Briclot
72006-10-06Time Spiral TimeshiftedTSB 301997NormalBlackDouglas Shuler
82007-01-01Magic Player Rewards 2007P07 42003NormalBlackAleksi Briclot
92022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 3711997NormalBlackDouglas Shuler
102022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 742015NormalBlackDouglas Shuler

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Psionic Blast has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal