My favorite thing about Rift Bolt is that it's the only burn spell I can think of that can clear away blockers without actually hitting them. Just the threat declaration of a suspended bolt will delay a Tarmogoyf or Dark Confidant from coming down on turn 2. Then it just burns the opponent for 3 having already kept the path clear for a pair of Spark Elementals or something. In that sense it's like a discounted Searing Blaze, coincidentally the next spell I plan to cast.
Posted By:
Minus_Prime
(11/28/2012 3:46:05 PM)
Now that Lightning Bolt is back I prefer Lava Spike over this.
Posted By:
Vedalken_Arbiter
(5/4/2010 8:16:33 PM)
A decent card. If you need to run a lot of cheap burn then I suppouse this could be good.
Posted By:
Silverware
(7/19/2010 6:37:10 PM)
I never liked this card even if it is a tournament winner. I just don't like doing turn one do 3 to the head.
Posted By:
Tommy9898
(2/22/2010 11:02:57 PM)
Now that Lightning bolt is back, no point in using this in extended for a quite awhile
Posted By:
OutlawD1
(10/4/2009 7:48:08 AM)
actually...I believe this is a Lightning Bolt that is uncounterable...or am I wrong about suspend?
Not STRICTLY better of course, but better than 'as good as'! Compared to Lightning Bolt, and even coming anywhere near that close to 'better than' makes this shockingly good. pun entirely intended.
this is like getting the crap beat out of you by Super Saiyan Goku, BUT YOU SURVIVED! wait no...Goku was too nice to kill...make that Super Saiyan Vegeta-AND YOU'RE STILL ALIVE! amazing. 3/20/11
EDIT: OK, so I knew nothing about Magic in 2011 :p
In one year, almost to the day, I've seen a lot more cards, built a lot more decks, and generally gotten better at Magic and evaluating cards and strategies. My new evaluation of this card is that, at 3 mana and sorcery speed for an effect that is fine at 2 mana and instant speed...
Always pay the Suspend Cost on Suspend cards. Always. Cyclical Evolution looks better once you realize it's two Giant Growths for about twice t... (see all)
Posted By:
DarthParallax
(3/26/2012 8:14:18 AM)
A very flavourful bolt, the storm clouds taking time to gather. If lightning bolt didn't exist, this would be much better, as would all burn spells.
Posted By:
Sironos
(1/13/2011 7:41:15 AM)
I remember when I first saw this, I thought "OMG! That´s the closest thing to Lightning bolt we are ever gonna get!"
Man was I naive back then...
Posted By:
Mightyass
(5/6/2011 2:24:59 PM)
DarthParallax, read suspend again. You cast it without paying it's mana cost when the time counter is removed, meaning you can counter it.
Posted By:
PhoenixZephyrus
(6/17/2012 10:24:11 PM)