Pyroclasm MTG Card


Pyroclasm excels in removing clusters of low-toughness creatures, controlling the board dynamically. Red mana dependency limits its use to certain decks, requiring consideration in deck building. Its meta relevance and cost-effectiveness make Pyroclasm a staple in red control decks.
Card setsReleased in 24 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Pyroclasm deals 2 damage to each creature.

"Leaves more room for the big ones to fight in, you know." —Jaya Ballard, Task Mage


Cards like Pyroclasm

Pyroclasm is a card that often finds its way into decks seeking to control the board early in Magic: The Gathering. It serves as an efficient red sweeper by dealing 2 damage to each creature for just two mana. This makes it comparable to other low-cost board clearing options such as Volcanic Fallout, which deals 2 damage to each creature and player and can’t be countered, but costs an additional mana to cast.

Anger of the Gods is another card that stirs up comparisons. It has a higher mana cost but also inflicts a devastating 3 damage and exiles any creatures it destroys, circumventing death triggers and graveyard strategies. Similarly, Slagstorm is flexible, allowing players to choose between dealing 3 damage to each creature or each player, giving it a dual-purpose role in games.

All things considered, these alternatives highlight Pyroclasm’s role as a cost-effective and swift answer to an early swarm of creatures, while each similar card brings additional benefits that may suit different scenarios or deck strategies in Magic: The Gathering.

Volcanic Fallout - MTG Card versions
Anger of the Gods - MTG Card versions
Slagstorm - MTG Card versions
Volcanic Fallout - MTG Card versions
Anger of the Gods - MTG Card versions
Slagstorm - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Pyroclasm by color, type and mana cost

Scent of Cinder - MTG Card versions
Spitting Earth - MTG Card versions
Volcanic Hammer - MTG Card versions
Rolling Thunder - MTG Card versions
Fanning the Flames - MTG Card versions
Strategy, Schmategy - MTG Card versions
Disorder - MTG Card versions
Fit of Rage - MTG Card versions
Warrior's Oath - MTG Card versions
Last Chance - MTG Card versions
Tribal Flames - MTG Card versions
Breath of Darigaaz - MTG Card versions
Lava Blister - MTG Card versions
Book Burning - MTG Card versions
Incendiary Flow - MTG Card versions
Embereth Shieldbreaker // Battle Display - MTG Card versions
Nahiri's Lithoforming - MTG Card versions
Mizzium Mortars - MTG Card versions
Shatterskull Smashing // Shatterskull, the Hammer Pass - MTG Card versions
Burning Wish - MTG Card versions
Scent of Cinder - MTG Card versions
Spitting Earth - MTG Card versions
Volcanic Hammer - MTG Card versions
Rolling Thunder - MTG Card versions
Fanning the Flames - MTG Card versions
Strategy, Schmategy - MTG Card versions
Disorder - MTG Card versions
Fit of Rage - MTG Card versions
Warrior's Oath - MTG Card versions
Last Chance - MTG Card versions
Tribal Flames - MTG Card versions
Breath of Darigaaz - MTG Card versions
Lava Blister - MTG Card versions
Book Burning - MTG Card versions
Incendiary Flow - MTG Card versions
Embereth Shieldbreaker // Battle Display - MTG Card versions
Nahiri's Lithoforming - MTG Card versions
Mizzium Mortars - MTG Card versions
Shatterskull Smashing // Shatterskull, the Hammer Pass - MTG Card versions
Burning Wish - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Oath PonzaOath Ponza Premodern$1K - Pre-Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Saturday - 9:30 am
RG OathRG Oath Premodern$1K - Pre-Modern - SCG CON Hartford - Sunday - 9:30 am
Grixis ControlGrixis Control LegacyCharlotte Legacy League Season 1 Week 4
Jund ControlJund Control LegacyCharlotte Legacy League Season 1 Week 2
Temur MidrangeTemur Midrange LegacyLegacy $5k
LandsLands LegacyLandsLegacy Last Chance 2023-11-27
Izzet TempoIzzet Tempo Canadian Highlander for Duals - Tundra Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Pyroclasm offers strategic removal as it can clear multiple smaller creatures from the board with a single card, effectively outpacing your opponent by diminishing their creature presence while using minimal resources from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: By dealing with creatures through a low-cost spell, you free up your mana for future turns. This means you can advance your board while your opponent’s resources are set back, allowing you to take the lead in mana efficiency and board development.

Instant Speed: Although Pyroclasm is a sorcery, its impact on the game is felt as if it possesses the flexibility of an instant — reshaping the battlefield on your terms before you start your turn, putting your opponent on the defensive and giving you the initiative.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Pyroclasm does not have a discard requirement; this section is not applicable to the card’s features.

Specific Mana Cost: Pyroclasm has a red mana requirement in its casting cost. This condition can sometimes restrict the card’s use to red-centric or multi-colored decks that incorporate red. Players running decks without red mana sources will be unable to take advantage of this sweeping spell.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Pyroclasm’s mana cost isn’t exceptionally high, there are alternative cards in MTG with lower mana costs that can deliver similar damage to all creatures. These alternatives are often preferred in faster, more aggressive decks aiming to control the board early on in the game.


Reasons to Include Pyroclasm in Your Collection

Versatility: Pyroclasm is a flexible option for decks seeking to control the board. It’s capable of wiping out swathes of low-toughness creatures early in the game, setting back aggro opponents and maintaining board presence in various deck types.

Combo Potential: This card can be instrumental in decks that capitalize on noncreature permanents or sacrifice mechanics. It can clear the board for big swing turns or simply act as an enabler for strategies that flourish once the creatures are out of the way.

Meta-Relevance: With creature-heavy decks often dominating play, Pyroclasm provides a cost-effective solution to keep pace with the current competitive environment. In a meta filled with utility creatures and token strategies, it often acts as a reset button, allowing you to stabilize and regain control of the game.


How to beat

Pyroclasm is a card that can have a dramatic effect on the board, especially against decks that rely on numerous early-game creatures. Its ability to deal two damage to each creature for a low mana cost makes it an excellent tool for clearing away swarms of smaller creatures. To mitigate its impact, consider playing creatures with toughness greater than two or utilize instant-speed spells that can bolster their toughness in response to Pyroclasm’s casting. Additionally, saving key creatures by using spells that grant indestructibility or by bouncing them back to your hand can also be an effective strategy to negate the damage dealt by Pyroclasm.

Another strategy is to employ creatures with abilities that trigger upon death, turning Pyroclasm’s board-clearing disadvantage into a strategic advantage for you. Cards like “Selfless Spirit” that can sacrifice itself to provide indestructibility to your other creatures, can outmaneuver this spell’s destructive potential. Lastly, playing patient and not overcommitting to the board can force Pyroclasm to be a less efficient removal tool, as you maintain resources in-hand to rebuild after it’s cast. Understanding and anticipating this red sweeper allows a player to craft a game plan that renders Pyroclasm far less threatening.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the ebb and flow of MTG gameplay can often hinge on the right card choices, and Pyroclasm is a formidable option when creating a strategy against creatures-based decks. By wiping the board clean of smaller threats, it enables you to maintain control and pave the way for your own offensive. Whether it’s seizing the moment with a sweeping clear or carefully choosing when to deploy this efficient removal, Pyroclasm could be the game-changer you’re looking for. Ready to explore how this card can ignite your deck’s potential? We encourage you to delve deeper into strategies and card synergies that harness the fiery power of Pyroclasm.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pyroclasm MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Portal, 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 Pyroclasm and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Pyroclasm Magic the Gathering card was released in 20 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2018-03-16. Illustrated by 5 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11995-06-03Ice AgeICE 2141993NormalBlackPat Lewis
21997-05-01PortalPOR 1431997NormalBlackJohn Matson
32001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 209★1997NormalBlackMonte Michael Moore
42001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 2091997NormalWhiteMonte Michael Moore
52001-08-08World Championship Decks 2001WC01 tvdl209sb1997NormalGoldMonte Michael Moore
62001-08-08World Championship Decks 2001WC01 ar209sb1997NormalGoldMonte Michael Moore
72001-12-01DeckmastersDKM 191997NormalWhitePat Lewis
82002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 351682003NormalBlackDave Dorman
92003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 2102003NormalWhiteJohn Avon
102003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 210★2003NormalBlackJohn Avon
112003-08-07World Championship Decks 2003WC03 pk210sb2003NormalGoldJohn Avon
122004-09-01World Championship Decks 2004WC04 mb210sb2003NormalGoldJohn Avon
132005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 208★2003NormalBlackJohn Avon
142005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 2082003NormalWhiteJohn Avon
152005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL K272003NormalWhiteJohn Avon
162006-01-01Magic Player Rewards 2006P06 32003NormalBlackDave Dorman
172007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 2222003NormalBlackJohn Avon
182009-07-17Magic 2010M10 1522003NormalBlackJohn Avon
192010-07-16Magic 2011M11 1542003NormalBlackJohn Avon
202013-03-15Duel Decks: Sorin vs. TibaltDDK 622003NormalBlackJohn Avon
212013-09-06Duel Decks: Heroes vs. MonstersDDL 632003NormalBlackJohn Avon
222017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 1072015NormalBlackJohn Avon
232018-03-16Masters 25A25 1462015NormalBlackJohn Avon
242020-09-26The ListPLST POR-1431997NormalBlackJohn Matson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pyroclasm has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal