Pyroblast vs Red Elemental Blast
Legacy Deck Help forum
Posted on July 7, 2018, 2:35 a.m. by ToolmasterOfBrainerd
I know Pyroblast and Red Elemental Blast are very similar cards. My understanding is that Pyroblast can be cast even when there are no blue thing because everything is a legal target, but it only affects blue things.
But as I'm looking at Legacy sideboards I'm seeing a split of these cards. Like, people playing 2 REB and 1 Pyro. Why not play 3 of one?
Asking in the context of Jeskai DelverBlade, for which one to play.
Thanks!
ToolmasterOfBrainerd says... #3
Oh wait, I bet the advantage to splitting is to beat Cabal Therapy. I think I'll start with 1 of each.
If I were playing young pyromancer, then pyroblast would be better, but as such I think 1 of each will be better.
July 7, 2018 3:14 a.m.
Pyroblast can also be used to increase storm count, since it can be cast at any time on a land/spell/creature or what-have-you.
This is helpful when you're trying to force a Flusterstorm to resolve, or in the case of decks like ANT or Belcher, build up a larger Empty the Warrens or Tendrils of Agony.
Caerwyn says... #2
You are correct that Pyroblast van target non-Blue items, while REB can not.
Gatherer ruling for Pyroblast:
Pyroblast can target any spell or permanent, not just a blue one. It checks the color of the target only on resolution.
I suspect REB is more common for that exact reason - your opponent can not use Misdirection to change REB’s target to one of your spells/permanents, limiting the number of valid legal targets your opponents can misdirect toward.
In the alternative, REB requires a legal target, and can’t always hit cards like Phantasmal Image.
Their use is similar, but that key distinction means neither card is always the right answer.
July 7, 2018 2:57 a.m. Edited.