The Difference Between Blue Elemental Blast and Hydroblast

[Fortifitakitors]

What IS the difference between Blue Elemental Blast and Hydroblast?
Thank you.

[President Skroob]

Blue Elemental Blast:
Choose one — Counter target red spell; or destroy target red permanent.

Hydroblast:
Choose one — Counter target spell if it’s red; or destroy target permanent if it’s red.


Basically, BEB cannot target a spell or permanent that is not red. Hydroblast can, it simply won't do anything to that target. This makes Hydroblast useful for just casting on useless targets to build storm if you need it, or just to get it in your graveyard.

[Fortifitakitors]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!! Thank you for the clarification Pres. Skroob!!

[The Atog Lord]

Hydroblast can be randomly cast to drop hand size due to Black Vice. What might be more worth keeping in mind is that Blue Elemental Blast can't be Misdirected onto Misdirection.