Magmaroth MTG Card

Hour of Devastation (HOU)
2017-07-14 - Number 102

Amonkhet Remastered (AKR)
2020-08-13 - Number 165

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Elemental
Power	5
Toughness	5

Key Takeaways

Challenges and rewards strategic players who excel in managing spells and pacing the game.
Demands a spell-centric approach, potentially shaping deck construction towards noncreature strategies.
Excels within appropriate decks, serving as a flexible offensive tool in spell-heavy setups.

Text of card

At the beginning of your upkeep, put a -1/-1 counter on Magmaroth. Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, remove a -1/-1 counter from Magmaroth.

Sand into glass and flesh into ash—such are the markers of its domain.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When it comes to resource management, Magmaroth provides a tactical benefit. With its ability to diminish in power less rapidly under the right conditions, it allows for strategic plays that could help in retaining board control.

Resource Acceleration: This formidable creature can be an asset in a deck that capitalizes on spells per turn. By planning your spell casting effectively, Magmaroth can essentially help accelerate your gameplay without the need for additional mana investment, facilitating a solid board presence quickly.

Instant Speed: While Magmaroth itself isn’t an instant, it synergizes exceedingly well with instant speed spells. Casting instants on your opponent’s turn not only buffs Magmaroth by shrinking its -1/-1 counters but also upholds a responsive playstyle allowing for greater control of the game’s pace.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For dedicated players who fine-tune their strategies, one drawback of Magmaroth is that during your upkeep, you must either cast a noncreature spell or Magmaroth prompts you to place a -1/-1 counter on it. This pushes players towards a spell-heavy deck, potentially compromising the creature-based synergies.

Specific Mana Cost: Magmaroth comes with a stringent mana requirement, specifically demanding three red mana to cast. This can pose a deck-building challenge, especially for those looking to integrate this fiery elemental in multi-colored decks, potentially restricting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a casting cost of four mana, Magmaroth’s initial stat line of 5/5 isn’t always competitive enough when compared to other creatures in its class. Given that many games can be decided by this stage, the mana investment may not yield the board influence needed to secure a win in the current metagame.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Magmaroth’s ability to adapt to different game situations makes it a valuable addition to any deck that thrives on casting noncreature spells. Each time you play an instant or sorcery, it shrinks, offering flexibility in managing board state and timing your attacks.

Combo Potential: With its scaling power, Magmaroth offers synergy with strategies aiming to cast multiple spells in a turn. It becomes a formidable force when combined with cards that untap creatures or grant additional combat phases.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where slower, spell-heavy decks prevail, Magmaroth can quickly become a major threat. Its inherent pressure forces opponents to deal with it or risk facing significant damage each turn, making it a strong consideration for standard Red-deck lineups.

How to beat

Magmaroth is a formidable creature card that can pose a significant threat on the battlefield due to its power to grow stronger as spells are cast. It’s vital to manage its abilities, much in the way one would handle a rampaging Baloth or an escalating Pyromancer’s Assault. The key strategy against Magmaroth involves minimizing spell casting, especially within your own turn, to prevent feeding its power gain ability.

Another tactic is to employ removal spells strategically. Since Magmaroth’s vulnerability increases as the number of spells cast goes up, timing your removal spell right after your own spell casting can maximize the chance of successfully dealing with it. Counterspells, on the other hand, can prevent it from entering the battlefield in the first place, although they also count towards Magmaroth’s ability if it’s already in play.

In decks without blue, direct damage spells or those that provide -1/-1 counters can effectively keep Magmaroth’s power in check, ensuring that this creature doesn’t overwhelm you. As such, while Magmaroth is a potent force in MTG, careful planning and control of spell interactions are keys to overcoming this fiery behemoth.

Cards like Magmaroth

Magmaroth stands out in the world of creature cards in MTG for its unique attributes and play mechanics. This fiery beast shares some similarities with cards like Obsidian Fireheart, which also has a focus on dealing damage over time. Obsidian Fireheart leaves a lasting impact on lands, causing them to burn opponents, much like Magmaroth’s gradual strength reduction that requires tactical play to counteract.

Another card worthy of comparison is Spellheart Chimera, which, like Magmaroth, thrives on the casting of spells. The Chimera’s power grows with each instant and sorcery card in your graveyard, offering a different, yet similarly evolving threat on the battlefield. Magmaroth, however, provides initial high power that prompts a mindful approach to spellcasting to maintain its dominance.

When considering the dynamics of these creature cards, Magmaroth offers an intriguing challenge to players, encouraging a spell-heavy deck to keep its might intact and dominate. Its ability to dictate the pace of spellcasting sets it apart, making it a compelling choice for players who enjoy strategic planning and a powerful presence on the board.

Cards similar to Magmaroth by color, type and mana cost

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Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Magmaroth MTG card by a specific set like Hour of Devastation and Amonkhet Remastered, 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 Magmaroth and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Magmaroth Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-07-14 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Yeong-Hao Han.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2017-07-14	Hour of Devastation	HOU		102	2015	Normal	Black	Yeong-Hao Han
2	2020-08-13	Amonkhet Remastered	AKR		165	2015	Normal	Black	Yeong-Hao Han

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Magmaroth has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Magmaroth card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.