Ashen Firebeast MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 8 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Elemental Beast |
| Released | 2001-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Odyssey |
| Set code | ODY |
| Power | 6 |
| Toughness | 6 |
| Number | 174 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Mark Tedin |
Text of card
o1o R: Ashen Firebeast deals 1 damage to each creature without flying.
"I'm not sure which impresses me most, its thoroughness or its intensity." —Matoc, lavamancer
Cards like Ashen Firebeast
Ashen Firebeast is an intriguing entry in the Magic: The Gathering roster of hefty red creatures. It shares the stage with other formidable beasts, such as Inferno Titan, which also commands a dominant presence. Like the Firebeast, Inferno Titan deals damage to creatures, but it does so more flexibly, allocating damage as you choose upon entering the battlefield or attacking. Moreover, Inferno Titan’s ability scales with the mana pumped into it, presenting potential for increased damage.
Comparably, we see Flameblast Dragon which embodies the pay-and-pump mechanic to unleash damage. While Ashen Firebeast requires a substantial fixed cost to activate its ability, Flameblast Dragon provides a versatile damage output that corresponds to the mana you spend as it attacks. This offers a dynamic approach to controlling the battlefield.
Lastly, don’t overlook Balefire Dragon, another giant winged threat that clears out creatures upon dealing combat damage to a player. Unlike the Ashen Firebeast’s even-handed area of effect, Balefire Dragon selectively decimates the creatures of an opponent who takes hit, making it a drastic measure against creature-heavy decks.
Evaluating Ashen Firebeast alongside its kindred spirits reveals its unique position as a consistent yet resource-intensive option for players who enjoy wielding the raw might of red’s late-game behemoths.
Cards similar to Ashen Firebeast by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The power of the Ashen Firebeast lies not in card draw, but in its potential to act as a board sweeper. Its ability to deal damage to each creature ensures you can clear multiple threats with a single activation, evening the battlefield and often swinging the momentum in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: While the Ashen Firebeast itself doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, its high mana cost encourages deck builders to include mana ramp cards in their strategy. This encourages a deck framework that accelerates resources, getting the Firebeast onto the battlefield ahead of schedule.
Instant Speed: The activation of Ashen Firebeast’s ability can be executed at instant speed, giving players the flexibility to disrupt opponents’ strategies during their turn. This surprise element can be pivotal in maintaining board control and timing your sweeps for maximum impact.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the challenges with Ashen Firebeast is that its ability to deal damage to creatures necessitates the discarding of a card. For players, the need to discard can often mean the difference between holding onto key strategy pieces or sacrificing them for a temporary board advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Ashen Firebeast requires a particular combination of mana inputs, which includes a substantial amount of red mana. This specific mana cost can limit its integration into multi-color decks that may not have the consistent mana base required to summon it effectively.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an eight mana cost to get Ashen Firebeast on the board, it falls on the higher end of the mana curve. In many game scenarios, there are alternative creatures or spells that could provide a more immediate impact or better value for that level of mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Ashen Firebeast offers a unique board control option, capable of slotting into decks that aim to manage multiple creatures at once. Its ability to deal damage to each creature without flying can turn the tides in creature-heavy matchups.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies focused on damaging all creatures, such as with enrage mechanics or when combined with effects that prevent damage to your own creatures. This creates opportunities for various ingenious combos within your deck design.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta populated by token strategies or decks reliant on numerous small creatures, Ashen Firebeast can act as a countermeasure, keeping the board clear and maintaining pressure on the opponent’s strategy.
How to beat
The Ashen Firebeast presents a unique challenge in the arena of MTG due to its ability to deal widespread damage across the board. Players often find themselves needing a strategy to circumvent or eliminate this formidable creature. One approach to consider is deploying spells that prevent or counteract the activation of its ability. Counterspells, for instance, can be an effective solution to interrupt the Firebeast’s special skill activation, ensuring your creatures stay out of harm’s way.
Moreover, since the Ashen Firebeast thrives in environments where it can continuously unleash its 1-damage area effect, utilizing removal spells that can target it directly, such as Path to Exile or Murder, can swiftly remove the threat from the field. Additionally, enchantments like Pacifism can neutralize the Firebeast without having to destroy it, rendering its ability unavailable for use by the opponent.
In summary, the key to countering the Ashen Firebeast is preparedness with answers to its activation, direct exile or destroy spells, or board-altering enchantments. Fine-tuning your deck to include such measures will certainly improve your chances of successfully handling the fiery challenge it poses.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ashen Firebeast MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Ashen Firebeast and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ashen Firebeast has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |