Brothers of Fire MTG Card
1994-08-01 - Number 59
1995-04-01 - Number 179
1995-04-01 - Number 179
1995-08-01 - Number 76
1997-03-24 - Number 214
2007-09-10 - Number 89
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Shaman |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
o1o Roo R Brothers of Fire do 1 damage to any target and 1 damage to you.
Fire is never a gentle master.
Cards like Brothers of Fire
Brothers of Fire stands out in Magic: The Gathering for its ability to deal direct damage at a gradual but consistent pace. It shares some similarities with cards like Prodigal Sorcerer, infamous for its “ping” ability, tapping to deal one damage to any target. However, Brothers of Fire’s unique offering is the damage potential it scales with the mana you invest, unlike the fixed ability of the sorcerer.
Examining other comparable cards brings Goblin Fireslinger into the discussion. This creature also has the capability to tap and deal one damage to a player, providing a similar direct damage effect without a mana cost, albeit limited to targeting players only. Comparatively, Cunning Sparkmage brings another dimension with its one damage tap ability that can target creatures or players, offering more flexibility at the expense of a higher mana cost for both playing and activating.
When we weigh the abilities and strategic flexibility of these cards, Brothers of Fire offers a distinct advantage in games where investing mana into repeated damage can change the board state significantly, showcasing its potential within its niche in Magic: The Gathering’s intricate ecosystem of damage-dealing creatures.
Cards similar to Brothers of Fire by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Brothers of Fire allows for tactical plays by potentially removing key opponent creatures, indirectly maintaining your card advantage by diminishing the opponent’s board presence.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing resource acceleration, this card can benefit decks that profit from the presence of a robust creature strategy, enabling more efficient use of mana in the long run.
Instant Speed: While Brothers of Fire operates at sorcery speed, its ability can be activated at instant speed, offering the flexible option to cast during the end step of an opponent’s turn or in response to actions, effectively utilizing your mana each round.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Brothers of Fire does not directly entail a discard requirement, it requires a steady inflow of resources to maintain its effect. In some instances, this could translate to discarding cards for additional mana, which can deplete your hand quickly.
Specific Mana Cost: Brothers of Fire demands a precise combination of mana to cast — two red and one generic. This makes it a less flexible choice for multi-colored decks that may struggle with generating the necessary red mana consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Brothers of Fire comes with a mana value of three, which can be substantial in fast-paced games. Considering its ability that requires additional mana to activate, the total investment can be steep compared to other cards with immediate impact or those that offer alternative, more versatile abilities for the same cost.
Reasons to Include Brothers of Fire in Your Collection
Versatility: Brothers of Fire can be a flexible addition to any red-based deck, capable of dealing damage to various targets. This capability allows it to operate as both a creature on the board and a source of direct damage, making it multifaceted in its role.
Combo Potential: This card has a natural synergy with decks that can manipulate damage or increase the power of direct damage effects. Also, in conjunction with other cards that allow untapping or generating additional mana, Brothers of Fire can become a repeatable damage source.
Meta-Relevance: At different points in MTG’s rotating formats, direct damage can be extremely powerful. In an environment where creatures play a significant role in winning strategies, having an efficient and repeatable source of damage, like Brothers of Fire, might tip the scales in your favor.
How to beat
Brothers of Fire is a classic from the depths of Magic: The Gathering history, known for its slow burn potential in games. To gain the upper edge against this card, swift removal is key – cards like Lightning Bolt or Doom Blade can handle it before the damage stacks up. If your aim is to keep it off the board, consider counterspells such as Cancel or Essence Scatter that can negate its cast altogether.
It’s critical to remember that Brothers of Fire’s ability costs mana to activate, meaning that deploying land destruction strategies or mana denial can effectively neuter its threat. Cards like Stone Rain or Rain of Tears can disrupt your opponent’s mana base, leaving Brothers of Fire a dormant presence on the board. Effective sideboarding is also a strategic move, bringing in cards that specifically target this vintage threat, ensuring it never truly ignites.
Time is on your side as long as Brothers of Fire is not backed by swift mana acceleration. Maintain control, disrupt your opponent’s resources, and keep efficient removal at hand to ensure that these old-school elementals never fan the flames of victory against you.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Brothers of Fire MTG card by a specific set like The Dark and Fourth Edition, 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 Brothers of Fire 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
Printings
The Brothers of Fire Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1994-08-01 and 2007-09-10. Illustrated by Mark Tedin.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-08-01 | The Dark | DRK | 59 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 2 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 179 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Tedin | |
| 3 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 179 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 4 | 1995-08-01 | Renaissance | REN | 76 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 5 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 214 | 1997 | Normal | White | Mark Tedin | |
| 6 | 2007-09-10 | Masters Edition | ME1 | 89 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Brothers of Fire has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |