Ride the Avalanche MTG Card


This instant spell grants significant card play advantage and strategic depth during your turn. Accelerating resource availability can upset the usual game tempo in your favor. Instant speed play allows reactive strategies and a strong element of surprise.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Text of card

The next spell you cast this turn can be cast as though it had flash. When you cast your next spell this turn, put X +1/+1 counters on up to one target creature, where X is the mana value of that spell.


Cards like Ride the Avalanche

Ride the Avalanche is a unique card within the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering instant spells. It allows players to cast a second spell as though it had flash, provided it shares a color with the mana spent to cast Ride the Avalanche. This effect is reminiscent of cards like Vernal Equinox, which grants all players the ability to cast creature and enchantment spells as though they had flash. However, Ride the Avalanche focuses this ability on a single pivotal turn rather than opening the possibility throughout the game.

Another card with a somewhat similar concept is Alchemist’s Refuge, a land that grants your other spells flash at the cost of mana and tapping. The card’s flexibility is noteworthy, allowing any type of spell to be cast at instant speed, though it requires the land to remain untapped and additional resources. Compared to Ride the Avalanche’s single burst of speed, Alchemist’s Refuge provides a slower but more persistent advantage.

In evaluating these cards’ roles in a player’s deck, Ride the Avalanche holds a specific niche, enabling sudden, swift interplays that could turn the game’s tide in a single, well-timed moment. This makes it exceptionally powerful within decks that aim to exploit synergies between spells and surprise opponents during critical phases of the game.

Vernal Equinox - MTG Card versions
Alchemist's Refuge - MTG Card versions
Vernal Equinox - MTG Card versions
Alchemist's Refuge - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ride the Avalanche by color, type and mana cost

Decisive Denial - MTG Card versions
Double Major - MTG Card versions
Memory's Journey - MTG Card versions
Simic Charm - MTG Card versions
Hydroform - MTG Card versions
Biomass Mutation - MTG Card versions
Applied Biomancy - MTG Card versions
Growth Spiral - MTG Card versions
Square Up - MTG Card versions
Joint Exploration - MTG Card versions
Repulsive Mutation - MTG Card versions
Decisive Denial - MTG Card versions
Double Major - MTG Card versions
Memory's Journey - MTG Card versions
Simic Charm - MTG Card versions
Hydroform - MTG Card versions
Biomass Mutation - MTG Card versions
Applied Biomancy - MTG Card versions
Growth Spiral - MTG Card versions
Square Up - MTG Card versions
Joint Exploration - MTG Card versions
Repulsive Mutation - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ride the Avalanche can grant you a commanding presence in the game by providing an additional card play opportunity. This additional action can outpace your opponent by doubling down on threats or answers within a single turn cycle.

Resource Acceleration: With Ride the Avalanche, you can potentially cast a more expensive spell earlier than usual. This can be game-changing as it could enable casting high-impact cards ahead of schedule, hence disrupting the expected flow of the game in your favor.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Ride the Avalanche at instant speed adds a tactical layer to your gameplay. It allows you to react swiftly to your opponent’s moves or maximize the element of surprise by casting spells during their turn, potentially leading to advantageous board states.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One drawback of Ride the Avalanche is the need to discard a card to utilize its cascade mechanic. This can lead to a loss of valuable hand resources, particularly if your hand is already low on cards and you need to maintain options for future turns.

Specific Mana Cost: Ride the Avalanche requires a mix of green and red mana to cast. This can sometimes be restrictive when you’re playing a multicolored deck that struggles to produce the right mana combination, or if your mana base is disrupted by your opponent.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana, it may seem initially cost-effective, but the card’s overall impact can be underwhelming when compared with other two-mana spells. In a fast-paced game, the resources might be better allocated elsewhere to establish board presence or disrupt opponents.


Reasons to Include Ride the Avalanche in Your Collection

Versatility: Ride the Avalanche presents players with a unique opportunity to accelerate their plays. Capable of being slotted into a variety of green and blue decks, it allows you to cast creatures or spells with flash during a ramp phase, effectively giving you a strategic speed boost.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combo-driven decks. Casting spells during your ramp can lead to unexpected combos, and when paired with other cards that benefit from casting multiple spells in one turn, Ride the Avalanche can be a game-changer.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where quick maneuvers and responding to opponents’ actions are key, Ride the Avalanche provides the agility to adapt and overcome. Deck builders considering the current pace and playstyle of competitive play will find that this card holds its ground in various meta situations.


How to beat

Ride the Avalanche is an enticing green and blue instant spell in Magic the Gathering, known for granting creatures haste and allowing you to cast another spell with converted mana cost equal to or less than the creature’s cost. Addressing this card requires strategic countering and timing. To mitigate its impact, instant speed removal spells can dismantle the plan by eliminating the hasted creature before it can swing for damage.

When anticipating an opponent’s Ride the Avalanche play, leave mana open for spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile, thus reacting immediately to the summoning of a troublesome creature. Alternatively, counterspells such as Mana Leak or Dovin’s Veto can nullify Ride the Avalanche before it ever hits the field, preventing any advantage. While this card can seem imposing with its powerful cascade effect, a well-prepared defense exploiting instant speed interaction or counterspells can effectively neutralize the threat it poses to your board state.

Adeptly navigating the nuances of timing and resource management is key to outmaneuvering an adversary employing Ride the Avalanche, ensuring control of the game and maintaining a solid defense.


BurnMana Recommendations

Ride the Avalanche offers dynamic play options for MTG enthusiasts, allowing swift and unexpected plays. Its ability to potentially cast a high-impact spell early creates opportunities to surprise your opponent and gain an advantage. However, it demands strategic hand and mana management. When considering this card, think about how it can synergize with your deck’s strategy and adapt to the current competitive scene. For those looking to refine their gameplay and incorporate cards with combo potential and versatility, exploring how Ride the Avalanche fits into your collection can be worthwhile. Dive into the mechanics of Ride the Avalanche further and strengthen your deck by visiting our site for more insights.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ride the Avalanche MTG card by a specific set like Forgotten Realms Commander and Forgotten Realms Commander, 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 Ride the Avalanche and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Ride the Avalanche Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by Andrew Mar.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 3252015NormalBlackAndrew Mar
22021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 542015NormalBlackAndrew Mar

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ride the Avalanche has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-07-23 Casting Ride the Avalanche doesn't require a target. As you put the delayed triggered ability on the stack after casting your next spell, you choose the target creature, if any.
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.