Red Elemental Blast — Magic: The Gathering card

Red Elemental Blast

{R}
Instant

Choose one —<br>• Counter target blue spell.<br>• Destroy target blue permanent.

Set Fourth Edition
Rarity Common
Artist Richard Thomas

Why Play Red Elemental Blast

Red's answer to blue's dominance provides incredible flexibility at just one mana, functioning as both a counterspell and targeted removal. Aggressive red decks gain access to protection for their key threats while also being able to dismantle blue control strategies by destroying crucial permanents like Jace planeswalkers or Rhystic Study. The modal nature makes it never dead in your hand against blue opponents, whether you need to stop a Force of Will or clear away a problematic enchantment.

Format Notes

Legacy sees the most competitive play for this effect, where blue spells dominate the format and cheap interaction is premium. Commander players frequently include it as meta-dependent tech, particularly effective against blue-heavy pods running counterspells and card advantage engines. The card's Pauper legality gives red decks rare access to counterspell effects in that format, though blue's presence varies significantly in the common-only card pool.

Combos & Synergies

Pairs excellently with Pyroblast to create redundant anti-blue packages, giving red decks up to eight copies of this effect. Red Moon effects like Blood Moon become more powerful when protected by cheap counterspells that also handle opposing basics-fixing. Storm decks occasionally sideboard copies to push through combo-ending counterspells like Force of Negation, though the color requirements can strain mana bases built around artifacts and rituals.

Learn More

Instant Counterspell Removal