Pyre-Sledge Arsonist MTG Card


Gains card advantage by filtering your hand to improve card quality, enhancing your strategic options. Accelerates resource access by cycling through the deck, potentially finding crucial mana sources faster. Adds a layer of strategy with its sorcery-speed ability and instant-speed punishment to influence opponents.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Viashino Shaman
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

, : Pyre-Sledge Arsonist deals X damage to any target, where X is the number of permanents you've sacrificed this turn.

Everything from damaged furniture to inconvenient corpses becomes fuel for Ziatora's ever-burning foundry.


Cards like Pyre-Sledge Arsonist

Pyre-Sledge Arsonist emerges as a distinctive creature in the vast array of red aggressive options in MTG. Its similarities with creatures like Ember Hauler are noteworthy. Both have the ability to inflict damage directly to any target. However, the Pyre-Sledge Arsonist takes a more prolonged approach, providing a consistent damage output over multiple turns, rather than Ember Hauler’s one-time blast.

Analogous to the Arsonist, Chandra’s Pyreling offers an enticing proposition for red deck enthusiasts. While Chandra’s Pyreling grows in strength with noncombat damage, it does not have the same staying power or immediate threat level that the Pyre-Sledge Arsonist demonstrates. Another counterpart, the seasoned Incendiary Oracle, also asks players to make tactical decisions regarding when to apply its power buff and damage ability.

Assessing Pyre-Sledge Arsonist against its counterparts, one figures out the nuanced role it plays in shaping red deck strategies. It stands out through its damage-dealing endurance, proving that it holds its own amidst other fiery contenders. Especially for players seeking a solid damage-dealer that keeps the heat on opponents turn after turn, the Arsonist makes for an incendiary addition to their MTG deck arsenal.

Ember Hauler - MTG Card versions
Chandra's Pyreling - MTG Card versions
Incendiary Oracle - MTG Card versions
Ember Hauler - MTG Card versions
Chandra's Pyreling - MTG Card versions
Incendiary Oracle - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Pyre-Sledge Arsonist helps generate card advantage by potentially allowing you to draw extra cards through its ability to discard and draw, which could turn dead cards in your hand into better options.

Resource Acceleration: While the Pyre-Sledge Arsonist doesn’t directly produce extra mana, it does help in resource acceleration by enabling you to sift through your deck more consistently, to find your key mana-producing spells or lands quicker.

Instant Speed: This card operates at sorcery speed, which means you’ll need to strategize its use during your own turn. However, the instant speed of the punishment mechanic for an opponent can affect their decision-making, as they have to consider the potential for their creature to be destroyed if they take your dared challenge.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When you cast Pyre-Sledge Arsonist, it necessitates the player to discard a card. This cost can be especially taxing during moments in the game when maintaining card advantage is crucial, potentially putting the player at a disadvantage if they cannot afford the resource loss.

Specific Mana Cost: Sporting a precise mana requirement that includes red mana, Pyre-Sledge Arsonist may not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks that are not heavily red-oriented or those that struggle with mana fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The arsonist enters the battlefield with a demanding mana cost, and for the mana investment, players often expect an immediate effect on the game state. Other cards within the same mana range might offer instant impact or more versatile abilities, casting a shadow on the arsonist’s cost-effectiveness.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Pyre-Sledge Arsonist offers flexibility for various deck types, particularly those that capitalize on damage-dealing effects and aggressive strategies.

Combo Potential: With the right synergies, this creature can play a pivotal role in combos that focus on increasing damage or utilizing red’s direct damage capabilities to control the board.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors creature-based tactics or requires quick responses to threats, Pyre-Sledge Arsonist can provide timely board presence and pressure on opponents.


How to beat

Addressing the challenge posed by Pyre-Sledge Arsonist in your MTG battle necessitates a strategic approach. This red creature card is best known for its prowess in matches with a strong sacrificial component, often proving to be an asset for the player controlling it. To effectively counter Pyre-Sledge Arsonist, you’d benefit from leveraging removal spells capable of bypassing its ability triggers. Instant speed removals, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, can be particularly effective as they can be cast before the Arsonist’s ability has a chance to activate.

Additionally, playing cards that can exile it directly from the battlefield, such as Swords to Plowshares or Dire Tactics, minimizes the opportunity for your opponent to exploit its effects. It’s also prudent to maintain board control and prevent the buildup of expendable creatures that the Arsonist can capitalize on. Implementing these tactics will help weaken the impact of Pyre-Sledge Arsonist, allowing you to gain an upper hand during gameplay.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pyre-Sledge Arsonist MTG card by a specific set like Streets of New Capenna and Jumpstart 2022, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Pyre-Sledge Arsonist and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Pyre-Sledge Arsonist Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-04-29 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Kekai Kotaki.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-04-29Streets of New CapennaSNC 1182015NormalBlackKekai Kotaki
22022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 5822015NormalBlackKekai Kotaki

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pyre-Sledge Arsonist has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal