Burning-Fist Minotaur MTG Card
2017-07-14 - Number 85
2020-08-13 - Number 143
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Minotaur Wizard |
| Abilities | First strike |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
First strike , Discard a card: Burning-Fist Minotaur gets +2/+0 until end of turn.
"There is no afterlife. Not for me, and not for you. So think again before getting in my way."
Cards like Burning-Fist Minotaur
Burning-Fist Minotaur stands out in the pantheon of aggressive creatures within Magic: The Gathering. Of note, it shares some similarities with cards like Viashino Pyromancer, which also delivers immediate impact with its comes-into-play effect, dealing 2 damage to a player or planeswalker. What elevates the Minotaur is its first strike, granting it a powerful edge in combat.
Comparing it further to Goblin Heelcutter, whose ability to prevent a creature from blocking mirrors the disruptive capability of the minotaur, the Burning-Fist Minotaur still maintains superiority with its activated ability of discarding a card to gain an attack boost. While the Heelcutter might have a larger immediate effect on the board state, the Minotaur’s ongoing potential to apply pressure and transform hand resources into damage cannot be underestimated.
Another card to consider in conjunction to the Minotaur is Ahn-Crop Crasher. This creature also exerts influence by impeding a defender each attack. However, the Crasher lacks the persistent threat of power enhancement that Burning-Fist Minotaur offers. This duality of immediate board impact and longer-term power growth positions Burning-Fist Minotaur as a formidable option for Red aggro decks in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Burning-Fist Minotaur by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Though the Burning-Fist Minotaur doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its ability to discard a card and gain first strike can indirectly lead to card advantage by efficiently dealing with opposing creatures without losing card resources in the exchange.
Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t provide traditional resource acceleration, but with its low casting cost and strategic first strike capability, it enables you to play a tempo game, keeping pace and pressure on your opponent while leveraging your mana efficiently.
Instant Speed: While the Minotaur itself is not an instant, its first strike ability can be activated at instant speed. This gives it a level of flexibility and surprise, as you can decide whether to boost its combat prowess during the heat of battle, keeping your adversaries on their toes.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the notable drawbacks of Burning-Fist Minotaur is its activated ability, which requires the player to discard a card. This can be a steep price, particularly in situations where card advantage is key, or when the player’s hand is nearly empty, thus potentially compromising their strategic position.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature card demands a red mana to both cast and activate its ability. This can impose restrictions on deck building, as players will need to have a red mana source available to utilize the Minotaur to its full potential, making it less flexible in multi-color decks that may not focus on red mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While a 2/1 creature with first strike for two mana is reasonable in cost, the additional mana required to activate its ability can be seen as a high investment for the benefit gained. The competition is stiff with various two-mana red creatures that could fit more seamlessly into a deck’s curve without the additional cost for an activated ability.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Burning-Fist Minotaur slots neatly into a wide variety of red-based aggro or midrange decks. Its first strike ability makes it a formidable early game threat that can hold its own on defense as well as offense.
Combo Potential: With a built-in ability to discard a card for a power boost, this Minotaur synergizes well with strategies revolving around graveyard mechanics or madness. This opens doors for inventive plays that can turn the tide of the game.
Meta-Relevance: Given that aggressive red decks often have a place in the ever-changing meta, Burning-Fist Minotaur can be consistently relevant. It’s particularly effective against decks that struggle to handle early pressure, making it a prudent choice for your collection.
How to beat
Burning-Fist Minotaur joins the realm of aggressive red creatures in Magic: The Gathering, offering nimble support in aggressive strategies. With its first strike ability, it’s well-equipped to dispatch smaller blockers before they can deal combat damage. The Minotaur’s prowess shines in the early-to-mid game, where it can push through defensive lines with its inherent combat advantage.
To effectively counter this fiery adversary, one must exploit its relatively low toughness. Spells like Shock or Fatal Push can dispatch the Minotaur without much fuss, especially before it gets a chance to leverage its activated ability. Prioritizing the removal of Burning-Fist Minotaur before it becomes a larger threat with additional mana investment is key in limiting the damage it inflicts.
Beyond direct removal, employing creatures with higher toughness can stonewall this creature, forcing it into unfavorable trades or deterring attacks altogether. When it comes down to defending against the Minotaur’s onslaught, the focus should be on either removing it quickly or ensuring it encounters a formidable defensive presence on the battlefield, mitigating the impact of its aggressive potential.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Burning-Fist Minotaur 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 Burning-Fist Minotaur 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
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Printings
The Burning-Fist Minotaur Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-07-14 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Matt Stewart.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-07-14 | Hour of Devastation | HOU | 85 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 2 | 2020-08-13 | Amonkhet Remastered | AKR | 143 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Burning-Fist Minotaur 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 |
| Timeless | Legal |