Burn Away MTG Card
2014-09-26 - Number 104
2016-08-26 - Number 151
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Burn Away deals 6 damage to target creature. When that creature dies this turn, exile all cards from its controller's graveyard.
"Your corruption will burn, serpent, until there is nothing left to defile." —Asmala, bloodfire mystic
Cards like Burn Away
In analyzing Burn Away’s place in Magic: The Gathering, we observe its unique position among removal spells. Burn Away not only deals six damage to a target creature, but also exiles all cards from that creature’s controller’s graveyard. This is a significant upgrade from spells like Lightning Strike or Incinerate, which solely focus on damage and don’t affect the graveyard.
Considering other similar spells, we have Scorching Dragonfire which also exiles the target it destroys if it’s a creature or planeswalker. However, it only deals three damage, half of what Burn Away provides. Then there’s Roast, a spell capable of dishing out five damage to a target creature without flying for two mana, but without the graveyard control Burn Away offers.
When comparing these cards, Burn Away shows versatility with its dual utility in damaging creatures and inhibiting graveyard strategies. It’s a powerful tool especially in formats where graveyard interactions are prevalent. With its higher mana cost than some direct-damage spells, Burn Away is a strategic choice for those looking to control the board and disrupt the opponent beyond mere damage.
Cards similar to Burn Away by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Burn Away offers a unique interaction with the graveyard that can often result in a two-for-one scenario. By dealing damage and removing a player’s graveyard, you can disrupt their strategy while maintaining card advantage for yourself.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly affecting mana resources, Burn Away can accelerate the game towards your favor by eliminating key resources in your opponent’s graveyard, potentially slowing down their game plan.
Instant Speed: The instant speed characteristic of Burn Away is a tactical advantage, allowing you to respond swiftly to threats or wait until the most opportune moment to disrupt your opponent’s strategy—be it during their end step or in response to graveyard-dependent abilities.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For players harnessing Burn Away, one stumbling block is that it necessitates tossing another card from your hand into the graveyard. This can put you at a strategic disadvantage, especially when you’re running low on cards and need to maintain options for your gameplay.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise blend of mana to cast—specifically, one red and four other mana. This rigid mana requirement can sometimes hinder its inclusion in multicolored decks that need a more flexible mana base to efficiently play their spells.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of five mana, Burn Away may not be the most mana-efficient choice in your arsenal. Given that MTG is replete with lower-cost spells that can deal damage or offer additional benefits, Burn Away’s cost-effectiveness is a legitimate concern for strategists looking to optimize their deck’s performance.
Reasons to Include Burn Away in Your Collection
Versatility: Burn Away is a utility card that serves multiple roles within a deck. It’s an effective removal spell that can target creatures, which helps control the board. Additionally, its graveyard-exiling effect is crucial for disrupting strategies that rely on graveyard recursion.
Combo Potential: The graveyard exile effect of Burn Away synergizes with cards and strategies that capitalize on shutting down opponent’s graveyard-based plays. It’s great for enabling plays that require an opponent’s graveyard to be empty, setting up for a strategic advantage.
Meta-Relevance: In formats where players frequently utilize their graveyards for various mechanics like Flashback, Delve, or other recursive abilities, Burn Away can significantly impact the game. Its ability to impede graveyard tactics makes it a wise choice in a constantly evolving MTG landscape where such strategies often emerge.
How to beat
Burn Away presents itself as a versatile and impactful removal spell in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. It offers both direct damage to creatures and a response to graveyard-based strategies by exiling cards from the opponent’s graveyard. Players seeking to outmaneuver this dual-use card should prioritize creatures with either an instant-speed self-protective ability or those that offer value upon entering the battlefield or dying.
Moreover, utilizing counter spells effectively to negate Burn Away before it resolves, or cards that grant hexproof or indestructible to target creatures can be an efficient way to preserve your board state. Another approach is leveraging the power of graveyard shuffling effects that preemptively remove cards from the graveyard, thereby negating Burn Away’s additional benefit. Managing your threats and resources carefully will also reduce the impact Burn Away has when cast, ensuring that the loss of one creature does not critically disrupt your game plan.
Ultimately, understanding the timing and strategic use of the options available within your deck to counter Burn Away’s removal and graveyard interaction is key to maintaining the upper hand. These tactics can help ensure the threat of this potent removal spell is mitigated and your path to victory remains clear.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Burn Away MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir and Conspiracy: Take the Crown, 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 Burn Away and other MTG cards:
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- 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 Burn Away Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2014-09-26 and 2016-08-26. Illustrated by Vincent Proce.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014-09-26 | Khans of Tarkir | KTK | 104 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Vincent Proce | |
| 2 | 2016-08-26 | Conspiracy: Take the Crown | CN2 | 151 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Vincent Proce |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Burn Away has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| 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 Burn Away card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-09-20 | If the creature doesn’t die that turn, the delayed triggered ability will simply cease to exist. It won’t trigger on a future turn. |