The skip-attack rule simplifies combat, focusing the game entirely on managing the bomb. This creates a unique hot potato dynamic that differs from standard formats.
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Questions about Bombomb
What is Bombomb?
Bombomb is a custom Magic: The Gathering format built around a mono-red shared deck centered on the card Bomb Squad. It is played by 2 to 4 players who skip their attack step and instead pass a "hot potato" creature back and forth using effects like Harmless Offering, Wrangle, Portent of Betrayal, and Reroute before the bomb deals damage. The decklist consists of 96 cards plus 1 Goblin Bomb per player, with starting life totals scaling down as the number of players increases.
How does the Bomb Squad engine work?
The only rule in Bombomb is to skip the attack step, meaning there is no combat. The only way anyone takes damage is the bomb going off in the wrong hands. Every copy of Bomb Squad acts as a lit fuse that taps to drop a fuse counter on any creature, and every upkeep those counters multiply until a creature hits four fuse counters, at which point it is destroyed and deals 4 damage to its controller.
How are starting life totals and deck sizes determined?
Players start with a life total that scales down based on the number of participants: 20 starting life for 2 players, 12 starting life for 3 players, and 8 starting life for 4 players. The deck is specifically 96 cards on purpose, and players add 1 Goblin Bomb per player to reach a clean 100 sleeved deck.
What specific cards are used to pass the bomb?
The core mechanic involves using cards like Harmless Offering, Wrangle, Portent of Betrayal, and Reroute to shove the ticking bomb across the table. Players must donate, steal, and redirect the fused creature onto the other side before it detonates, making the game a hot potato where everyone tries to avoid holding the bomb when it blows.
Who is Bombomb suitable for?
Bombomb is designed for 2 to 4 players who want to play a mono-red shared deck format. The format is fan-made and casual, focusing on the unique interaction of passing a ticking bomb rather than traditional combat.
How can players build and access the decklist?
The website provides rules, setup details, and links to a buildable decklist on Scryfall and TCGplayer. Players can create their own deck by adding all 96 cards to TCGplayer, making it easy to get started with the format.
What are the key cards in the decklist?
The deck includes specific cards for removal and reach, such as Chaos Charm for flexible red removal and Last Chance as an extra-turn finisher. Other key cards include Faithless Looting and Wheel of Fortune for card advantage, and Magewright's Stone and Ruby Medallion for ramp and untapping Bomb Squad.
Is Bombomb an official Magic: The Gathering format?
Bombomb is a fan-made casual format that is not officially affiliated or endorsed by Wizards of the Coast. The card art and Bomb Squad are copyrighted by Wizards of the Coast, but the format itself is community-created.
How does the bomb deal damage to its controller?
The format relies on specific interactions where a creature with four or more fuse counters is removed from the battlefield and destroys itself, dealing 4 damage to its controller. This mechanic ensures that the bomb always deals damage to the player currently holding the fused creature.
What lands are included in the deck?
The decklist includes 26 Mountains, 6 Crystal Grottoes, 6 Nesting Grounds, and 2 Dwarven Ruins to support the mono-red strategy. Additional lands like Treasure Map // Treasure Cove and Outpost Siege provide ramp and untap capabilities for Bomb Squad.
What is the Trustburn rating for Bombomb?
The Trustburn rating for Bombomb is 4.2 out of 5 from 5 reviews. This rating reflects the positive reception of the format's mechanics and the ease of getting started with the provided decklist.
How recent is Bombomb?
Bombomb has been gaining popularity recently, as indicated by the description that it is "blowing up right now." The format is relatively new, as it is described as a fan-made casual format that is currently trending.
Where can players find more information about Bombomb?
The website bomb-bomb.com provides all the necessary information for players to understand and start playing Bombomb. It includes detailed rules, setup details, and links to external resources for building the deck.
What is the official website of Bombomb?
The official website of Bombomb is bomb-bomb.com.
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5 Reviews
The Bombomb format presents a convenient shared-deck structure that is easy to pick up. The decklist is clearly defined with ninety-six cards, and the addition of one Goblin Bomb per player brings the total to a clean one hundred sleeved cards. This standardization is appealing for casual groups who want consistent board states without extensive deckbuilding. The engine relies on Bomb Squad, which ticks fuse counters and explodes for four damage to its controller. Tools like Harmless Offering and Wrangle allow players to pass the threat around. However, the format’s reliance on specific card interactions might limit accessibility for those without the full roster. The bigbombomb variant adds complexity with a second fuse, which could be overwhelming for new players. While the concept is sound, the damage distribution feels somewhat arbitrary since it targets the controller rather than the player who lit the fuse. This might reduce strategic depth in favor of luck and immediate redirection.
From the information available, Bombomb offers a fresh take on multiplayer Magic with its mono-red theme. The hot potato dynamic ensures that every player remains engaged as they try to pass the fuse counters to others. The structured decklist of ninety-six cards plus one Goblin Bomb per player provides a consistent foundation. While the damage mechanism is simple, it creates genuine tension at the table. It seems well-suited for groups looking for a janky, shared-deck microformat that emphasizes redirection and betrayal over traditional combat.
Bombomb is a lively format where passing the bomb keeps everyone involved. The only rule being to skip attacks simplifies things nicely. I appreciate the clear decklist, but the damage mechanic might feel random to newcomers.
The mono-red shared deck format seems engaging for two to four players. The hot potato mechanic creates tension, though the starting life totals vary significantly depending on group size.
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About Bombomb
Bombomb is a custom Magic: The Gathering format built around a mono-red shared deck centered on the card Bomb Squad. It is played by 2 to 4 players who skip their attack step and instead pass a "hot potato" creature back and forth using effects like Harmless Offering, Wrangle, Portent of Betrayal, and Reroute before the bomb deals damage. The decklist is 96 cards plus 1 Goblin Bomb per player, with starting life totals scaling down as the number of players increases. The site provides rules, setup details, and links to a buildable decklist on Scryfall and TCGplayer.
- Website
- bomb-bomb.com
