Flameblast Dragon MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Dragon
Abilities Flying
Power 5
Toughness 5

Key Takeaways

  1. Flameblast Dragon transforms excess mana into significant direct damage, enhancing player gameplay strategies.
  2. The dragon’s ability for damage at instant speed offers tactical flexibility during combat phases.
  3. Despite its power, Flameblast Dragon’s high mana cost and color specificity can limit deck-building versatility.

Text of card

Flying Whenever Flameblast Dragon attacks, you may pay . If you do, Flameblast Dragon deals X damage to target creature or player.

Dragon lords of Jund rule by edicts of flame.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Invoking fear in the hearts of your opponents, Flameblast Dragon brings destruction to the board as soon as it flies into play. With its formidable power, each attack phase becomes an opportunity to tactically remove opposing creatures from the battlefield while swinging for significant damage.

Resource Acceleration: Efficient use of mana is key in any match, and Flameblast Dragon excels by turning any land drawn late game into potential direct damage. This not only accelerates your gameplay but can also catch your adversary off guard by converting excess resources into a punishing firestorm.

Instant Speed: Although Flameblast Dragon itself does not operate at instant speed, its activated ability can be utilized anytime you could cast an instant. This enables strategic players to unleash fiery havoc during the combat phase or even in response to an opponent’s moves, thus broadening your range of tactical options and keeping rivals on their toes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Flameblast Dragon does not have a discard requirement itself, it demands a considerable investment in both mana and board presence, potentially leaving you with fewer cards in hand to react to opponent’s threats.

Specific Mana Cost: As a card highlighting red mana, Flameblast Dragon requires a heavy commitment to red mana sources. This specific mana cost can restrict deck-building options, making it challenging to integrate into multicolored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of six mana, including a significant amount of red, Flameblast Dragon may arrive on the battlefield later than other impactful creatures. In fast-paced games, its high mana cost can impede your tempo, making it less favorable compared to lower-cost creatures with immediate board impact.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Flameblast Dragon is not just a powerhouse in Dragon tribal decks, but also excels in any deck seeking a flexible finisher. Its ability to deal damage directly to any target as you attack allows you to adapt to various board states effortlessly.

Combo Potential: This dragon synergizes with decks that can generate large amounts of mana or double damage effects, paving the way for explosive turns that can quickly end the game or wipe out key threats on the board.

Meta-Relevance: As creature-based strategies often dominate the battlefield, having a flying titan that can also control the board by targeting creatures or players is incredibly valuable, making Flameblast Dragon a strong contender in many metas.


How to beat

The Flameblast Dragon poses a fiery challenge on the battlefield with its formidable ability to deal damage upon attacking. However, every dragon has its weakness, and the key to triumphing over this creature lies in timing and resource management. In its essence, Flameblast Dragon requires an investment of mana to unleash its power, a clear invitation for opponents to outmaneuver this strategy by leaving appropriate mana open for response spells.

Counterspells become your best ally, allowing you to neutralize the threat before it spirals out of control. Instant-speed removals also play a pivotal role in maintaining the balance. Dismember or Path to Exile can effectively exile the dragon before it breathes destruction onto your permanents. Don’t overlook the power of board wipes like Wrath of God, which can reset the playing field. Furthermore, creature-focused strategies anchoring on cards like Pacifism or Arrest can effectively clip the dragon’s wings, rendering it harmless.

In summary, preemptive control and disruption tactics are the cornerstones for countering Flameblast Dragon. Managing your mana wisely and wielding your spells at just the right moment can extinguish this fiery threat, maintaining dominance over the game’s tempo and leading you to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the nuances of Flameblast Dragon can be the key to unlocking its full potential in your MTG deck. Recognizing its strengths in card advantage, resource acceleration, and the tactical play of its instant-speed ability illuminates its role as a game-changer on the battlefield. While the dragon’s high mana cost and specific color requirement pose challenges, its versatility and combo potential can make it a formidable asset. Whether you’re tweaking your collection or strategizing for your next match, delving deeper into the world of MTG can elevate your game. Dive into our resources to sharpen your skills and turn every match into a fiery victory.


Cards like Flameblast Dragon

Flameblast Dragon is a formidable presence in MTG, comparable to other dragons that pack a punch while soaring through your decks. Much like the dragonic terror of the skies, Moonveil Dragon offers players the chance to deal damage upon attacking, granting a power-up to your other creatures instead of targeting direct damage. Flameblast requires a mana investment to activate its ability, whereas Moonveil Dragon’s effect is a fixed cost with a broader impact.

Dragonlord Atarka blazes a similar trail, embodying the destructive blend of flying and fire, but it differentiates itself with an entrance ability, dishing out damage divided as you choose among any number of creatures and/or planeswalkers. This edges out Flameblast’s focused, singular damage output. Additionally, Thundermaw Hellkite stands out for its hasty entrance and immediate board impact, clearing the skies of potential blockers and dealing a swift blow. However, Flameblast Dragon excels in the flexibility of its fire-breathing, allowing you to adjust your burn to match the pace of the duel.

In essence, while MTG boasts a legion of dragons, Flameblast Dragon distinguishes itself with its adaptable damage mechanism, making it a unique and strategic choice for players who enjoy controlling the flames of the battlefield.

Moonveil Dragon - MTG Card versions
Dragonlord Atarka - MTG Card versions
Thundermaw Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Moonveil Dragon - Dark Ascension (DKA)
Dragonlord Atarka - Dragons of Tarkir (DTK)
Thundermaw Hellkite - Magic 2013 (M13)

Cards similar to Flameblast Dragon by color, type and mana cost

Shivan Dragon - MTG Card versions
Firestorm Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Crater Hellion - MTG Card versions
Callous Giant - MTG Card versions
Halam Djinn - MTG Card versions
Bloodshot Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Worldgorger Dragon - MTG Card versions
Two-Headed Dragon - MTG Card versions
Iron-Barb Hellion - MTG Card versions
Ryusei, the Falling Star - MTG Card versions
Ronin Cavekeeper - MTG Card versions
Oni of Wild Places - MTG Card versions
Thundermare - MTG Card versions
Pardic Dragon - MTG Card versions
Tectonic Fiend - MTG Card versions
Etali, Primal Storm - MTG Card versions
Kamahl, Pit Fighter - MTG Card versions
Sunrise Sovereign - MTG Card versions
Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms - MTG Card versions
Inferno Titan - MTG Card versions
Shivan Dragon - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Firestorm Phoenix - Legends (LEG)
Crater Hellion - Eternal Masters (EMA)
Callous Giant - Invasion (INV)
Halam Djinn - Invasion (INV)
Bloodshot Cyclops - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Worldgorger Dragon - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Two-Headed Dragon - From the Vault: Dragons (DRB)
Iron-Barb Hellion - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Ryusei, the Falling Star - Iconic Masters (IMA)
Ronin Cavekeeper - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Oni of Wild Places - Commander 2011 (CMD)
Thundermare - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Pardic Dragon - Time Spiral (TSP)
Tectonic Fiend - Time Spiral (TSP)
Etali, Primal Storm - Dominaria United Commander (DMC)
Kamahl, Pit Fighter - Duels of the Planeswalkers (DPA)
Sunrise Sovereign - Lorwyn (LRW)
Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms - Masters Edition III (ME3)
Inferno Titan - Commander Masters (CMM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Flameblast Dragon MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara and Archenemy, 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 Flameblast Dragon and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Flameblast Dragon Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2008-10-03 and 2022-10-14. Illustrated by Jaime Jones.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-10-03Shards of AlaraALA 1002003normalblackJaime Jones
22010-06-18ArchenemyARC 382003normalblackJaime Jones
32011-07-15Magic 2012M12 1332003normalblackJaime Jones
42018-08-09Commander 2018C18 1232015normalblackJaime Jones
52022-10-14Game Night: Free-for-AllGN3 772015normalblackJaime Jones

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Flameblast Dragon has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2008-10-01 You choose the target when the ability triggers. When the ability resolves, you choose a value for X and decide whether to pay . If you do decide to pay , it’s too late for any player to respond since the ability is already in the midst of resolving.

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