Cinder Crawler MTG Card

Cinder Crawler scales in power, pressuring opponents to act, especially during combat. Requires red mana and discarding, limiting its use in multi-color decks. Flexible and threatening, it boosts red aggressive or midrange strategies.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Salamander
Released	1998-06-15
Set symbol
Set name	Exodus
Set code	EXO
Power	1
Toughness	2
Number	80
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jim Nelson

Text of card

oo R Cinder Crawler gets +1/+0 until end of turn. Use this ability only if Cinder Crawler is blocked.

The crawler doesn't care what gets in its way. It pushes everything into the boiling muck and waits for the meal to cook.

Cards like Cinder Crawler

Cinder Crawler finds its niche in the rich tapestry of red mana creatures in Magic: The Gathering. This card parallels others such as the classic Fire Elemental, which boasts a strong presence with its straightforward damage potential. Yet, Cinder Crawler offers flexibility, featuring the ability to pump its power for additional mana, a boon during prolonged battles.

Jackal Pup is another card with a red lineage akin to Cinder Crawler. It’s noted for its aggressive early-game potential with low mana cost. However, its downside is the damage dealt to its controller whenever it receives damage, an aspect Cinder Crawler deftly avoids. Comparatively, Raging Goblin provides the haste factor that Cinder Crawler lacks, ensuring immediate impact upon entering the battlefield. Although it has haste, it doesn’t offer the same late-game potential as Cinder Crawler, which can become a substantial threat over time.

Assessing the strategic benefits and deck compatibility, Cinder Crawler can be a formidable choice for players looking to outlast and overpower their opponents with a creature that grows in threat level with each passing turn and mana investment.

Cards similar to Cinder Crawler by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cinder Crawler can provide strategic advantage by pressuring opponents with its ability to scale in power, potentially forcing them to dedicate more resources to deal with it.

Resource Acceleration: While not a direct source of resource acceleration, its flexible mana cost can be advantageous in decks that can utilize additional mana efficiently to empower the creature.

Instant Speed: Cinder Crawler’s ability to pump its power at instant speed allows for unexpected combat tricks or responses during the opponent’s turn, complicating their combat calculations.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside to Cinder Crawler is that activating its ability requires you to discard a card. This potentially puts you at a card disadvantage, especially detrimental if you’re running low on hand size and need to maintain options to respond to your opponent’s plays.

Specific Mana Cost: Cinder Crawler’s activation cost is particularly color-intensive, demanding red mana. This can be restrictive and difficult to manage in multi-colored decks that may not consistently have the right mana available, thus limiting its inclusion to primarily mono-red builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is considered high for its base stats, players often find other creatures or spells more appealing for the same investment. Given the dynamic and fast-paced nature of the game, being able to utilize mana efficiently is key, and Cinder Crawler may not always represent the best usage of resources, particularly in a highly competitive setting.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Cinder Crawler shines in multiple deck archetypes, particularly those in red’s aggressive or midrange strategies. Its ability to scale in power with available mana makes it a flexible threat at various stages of the game.

Combo Potential: With its ability to pump up its attack, Cinder Crawler fits neatly into combos and synergies that capitalize on damage output or red’s penchant for boosting creature abilities.

Meta-Relevance: In a game climate where small, efficient creatures can define the pace, Cinder Crawler holds its ground. It serves as a useful tool against pervasive low-toughness creatures that dominate the board in the current meta.

How to Beat

Confronting a Cinder Crawler in your Magic: The Gathering match can be a significant challenge. This little creature comes with the potential to scale up in power, creating a threat that requires a timely response. To effectively neutralize this pesky menace, you’ll want to look into removal options that can bypass its key ability to pump its own power.

One effective strategy is to use instant-speed removal spells before your opponent has the chance to invest the necessary mana to strengthen the Cinder Crawler. Efficient removal spells such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push can be particularly effective against this creature before it becomes too large. Additionally, taking advantage of the fact that Cinder Crawler requires red mana to pump its power, you might consider mana disruption tactics to keep your opponent from being able to activate its ability. Cards like Damping Sphere can help slow down their mana acceleration, preventing them from amassing the resources needed to enhance the Cinder Crawler’s threat level.

Moreover, creatures with protection from red or those that can block and kill Cinder Crawler without taking damage themselves are valuable tools. As such, incorporating creatures with high toughness or those that come with deathtouch can deter your opponent from attacking and provide a solid defense against the Crawler’s fiery offense.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cinder Crawler MTG card by a specific set like Exodus, 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 Cinder Crawler and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cinder Crawler has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal