Time Bomb MTG Card


Time Bomb offers a strategic edge, setting up critical board clears for future turns. Instant speed ticking enhances gameplay flexibility, keeping opponents guessing. Although powerful, Time Bomb requires careful timing to avoid self-sabotage.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeArtifact

Text of card

During your upkeep, put a time counter on Time Bomb. o1,oc T: Sacrifice Time Bomb to have it deal * damage to each creature and player, where * is equal to the number of time counters on Time Bomb.


Cards like Time Bomb

The Time Bomb card presents a unique approach to board control in Magic: The Gathering. Sitting in the same category as the aging, yet similarly conceived, Powder Keg, Time Bomb also allows players to tick down to an inevitable detonation, clearing out smaller creatures and artifacts. However, unlike Powder Keg, which can be calibrated to the player’s advantage, Time Bomb’s explosion is not optional and is based on time, giving opponents the chance to prepare or respond.

Another related card is Ratchet Bomb, which offers a more flexible and immediate impact. Players can choose when to activate Ratchet Bomb, allowing a more controlled demolition of the battlefield without the waiting period. By contrast, the delayed nature of Time Bomb provides a psychological edge, setting a doomsday clock that can alter how opponents play their hand.

In examining these comparable mechanics, Time Bomb poses a strategic waiting game that can be a double-edged sword. It excels in games where anticipation can be used tactically, in stark contrast to the immediacy and adaptability of cards like Ratchet Bomb and Powder Keg.

Powder Keg - MTG Card versions
Ratchet Bomb - MTG Card versions
Powder Keg - MTG Card versions
Ratchet Bomb - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Time Bomb by color, type and mana cost

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Conservator - MTG Card versions
Jayemdae Tome - MTG Card versions
Juggernaut - MTG Card versions
Dancing Scimitar - MTG Card versions
Grinning Totem - MTG Card versions
Lodestone Myr - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions
Ur-Golem's Eye - MTG Card versions
Jester's Cap - MTG Card versions
Bottled Cloister - MTG Card versions
Gnarled Effigy - MTG Card versions
Scrapbasket - MTG Card versions
Magnetic Mine - MTG Card versions
Eye of Doom - MTG Card versions
Well of Lost Dreams - MTG Card versions
Coercive Portal - MTG Card versions
Aetherworks Marvel - MTG Card versions
Nevinyrral's Disk - MTG Card versions
Sword of the Paruns - MTG Card versions
Grappling Hook - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Time Bomb offers a delayed, but potentially significant, advantage by setting up a future turn where you can clear the board of creatures. This not only disrupts your opponent’s strategy but also conserves the cards in hand you might otherwise use in combat or for removal.

Resource Acceleration: Although Time Bomb itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the form of mana, its presence can indirectly lead to resource acceleration by dictating the pace of the game. Opponents might hesitate to commit more resources to the board, giving you time to build up your own, unthreatened.

Instant Speed: Time Bomb’s ability to tick up at instant speed provides flexibility in your gameplay. By advancing the clock outside of your main phases, you maintain the element of surprise and can adapt to the evolving game state without telegraphing your intentions too early.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Time Bomb necessitates a sacrifice at the final tick, which can mean losing key permanents if not timed right. This could set you back, especially if your battlefield position is perilous.

Specific Mana Cost: Time Bomb’s activation relies on a colorless mana cost, which might not be a drawback for certain decks but does mean you need available resources to ensure its explosion triggers at the most opportune moment.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Deploying Time Bomb requires an initial investment of four mana for a delayed payoff. In fast-paced games or formats, this cost can hinder your curve, as other cards could provide immediate impact or more direct control.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Time Bomb offers a unique twist to any deck it’s slotted into. Its ability to tick down each turn and eventually explode makes it a useful tool for controlling the pace of the game. It can blend into various strategies, from control decks seeking to ward off threats to aggressive strategies that benefit from forcing opponents into difficult positions.

Combo Potential: This card has profound synergy with effects that benefit from or manipulate counters. Pairing Time Bomb with proliferate cards or those that can add or remove time counters can create devastating combinations and unexpected win conditions.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta with decks that tend to build towards late-game dominance, Time Bomb acts as a potential equalizer. It can deter certain strategies, remind opponents of a looming threat, and influence their play patterns. Its threatening presence on the board can shape the flow of the match in your favor.


How to beat

Time Bomb is an artifact card in Magic: The Gathering, known for its potential to wreak havoc. At the start, it might seem inconsequential, tickling down counters each turn. However, as it edges towards detonation, it can spell sudden demise for an unwary player’s board state. To dismantle this ticking threat, savvy players recommend a few strategies. Keeping enchantment or artifact removal cards like Disenchant or Naturalize in your deck can be a game-changer. It’s essential to have an answer ready and waiting for when Time Bomb lands on the battlefield.

Alternatively, you can redirect the threat back to the opponent. Cards like Redirect or Deflecting Swat can turn the tables, making your adversary think twice before winding up their own doomsday device. It’s all about timing and having the right counters in your arsenal. Players can also focus on speeding up their game, swarming the board with threats that demand answers before Time Bomb can tick to its explosive conclusion. With these tactics, the possibility of it decimating your board becomes merely a tick in time, rather than a full-scale blowout.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Time Bomb MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Fifth Edition, 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 Time Bomb and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Time Bomb Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11995-06-03Ice AgeICE 3421993NormalBlackAmy Weber
21997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 4041997NormalWhiteGeorge Pratt
32008-09-22Masters Edition IIME2 2231997NormalBlackAmy Weber

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Time Bomb has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal