Red Elemental Blast is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.

Official card text

Choose one — • Counter target blue spell. • Destroy target blue permanent.

Complete guide

Red Elemental Blast is a classic color-hoser that provides red mages with precision tools to dismantle blue strategies. Whether you are stopping a powerful spell on the stack or removing a problematic permanent from the battlefield, this versatile instant is a staple for sideboard play.

Dual Utility of the Blast

Red Elemental Blast offers two distinct modes: countering a blue spell or destroying a blue permanent. When you cast it, you must choose one of these modes and select a legal target that is blue. If the target is not blue, the spell cannot be cast targeting that object.

Resolving the Spell

Upon resolution, the spell checks if the target is still blue. If the target has changed color or left the zone, Red Elemental Blast will fail to resolve. If the first mode was chosen, the targeted blue spell is moved from the stack to its owner's graveyard. If the second mode was chosen, the targeted blue permanent is moved from the battlefield to the graveyard.

Timing and Targeting

A common mistake is trying to target a spell or permanent that is not blue. Unlike its cousin Pyroblast, Red Elemental Blast requires the target to be blue at the time of casting. You cannot cast it targeting a red creature just to trigger prowess; the target must be blue for the spell to even be placed on the stack.

When to Use Red Elemental Blast

This card is best utilized in matchups against control or tempo decks where blue spells are prevalent. It is an efficient one-mana answer to high-cost blue threats or protective counterspells, allowing you to force through your own game plan.

Interaction examples

Handling Different Threats

Lightning Bolt

If your opponent controls a blue creature and a non-blue creature, you must use Red Elemental Blast for the blue one. For the non-blue creature, you would instead use Lightning Bolt to deal 3 damage, as Red Elemental Blast cannot target non-blue permanents.

Choosing the Right Tool

Abrade

When facing a blue artifact creature, you have options. You can use Red Elemental Blast to destroy it because it is blue. Alternatively, you could use Abrade to destroy it because it is an artifact or deal 3 damage to it. Red Elemental Blast is often the more efficient choice here, costing only one red mana.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.