Sonic Burst

Sonic Burst was released in 1998 as part of the Exodus expansion for Magic: The Gathering. As the second set in the Rath Cycle, Exodus introduced mechanics that emphasized sacrifice and graveyard utility, reflecting the high-stakes narrative of the Phyrexian invasion of the plane of Rath. The card itself serves as a tactical burn spell, allowing players to utilize their hand size to determine the potency of the damage dealt to a target.

The card features artwork by veteran illustrator Alan Rabinowitz, whose style during this period often leaned into the visceral and elemental themes characteristic of the late nineties era of the game. Designed to offer flexibility in red-aligned decks, Sonic Burst was received as a situational but effective tool in limited formats, valued for its ability to convert excess lands into late-game reach when the player held few other options.