Coal Stoker MTG Card
2006-10-06 - Number 150
2013-03-15 - Number 49
2021-03-19 - Number 159
2023-01-13 - Number 114
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
When Coal Stoker comes into play, if you played it from your hand, add to your mana pool.
"The day is mine! I sent three such creatures against my foe, then watched as my magefire popped her soldiers like overripe spleenfruits." —Dobruk the Unstable, pyromancer
Cards like Coal Stoker
Coal Stoker is an interesting creature card in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, offering both a solid body and a unique mana-generating ability when it enters the battlefield. Its closest relative is Priest of Urabrask, which has a comparable effect, granting three red mana to the player’s mana pool upon arrival. However, Coal Stoker, with its requirement to be cast from your hand, presents a slight constraint, unlike Priest of Urabrask.
Then there is Bogart Shenanigans, another goblin-themed card that introduces a different dynamic. While not providing direct mana, it excels in dealing damage through goblin interactions. This creates an alternate avenue for players who are seeking synergy over the immediate mana influx that Coal Stoker provides.
Comparing these cards reveals the specialized role that Coal Stoker plays within MTG. It serves as a bridge for explosive plays, particularly in allowing for additional spell casting in the same turn, a characteristic that is essential for tempo in red-centric decks. This strategic advantage is a testament to its valued place among the cards that offer mana upon entering the battlefield.
Cards similar to Coal Stoker by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When you play Coal Stoker, the immediate effect it has can be seen as generating card advantage, as it effectively pays for itself. By providing you with an additional three red mana for your next spell, it can allow you to deploy more threats or answers, keeping your hand stocked with options.
Resource Acceleration: Coal Stoker is a prime example of resource acceleration within the game. Upon its entrance to the battlefield, you gain a burst of mana, which can be crucial for advancing your board state ahead of your opponents. This can be particularly impactful in decks that thrive on casting numerous spells in a single turn.
Instant Speed: While Coal Stoker itself does not operate at instant speed, the mana it provides can empower you to make significant plays at instant speed afterward. With the acceleration it provides, you can keep your options open, making your gameplay more versatile and responsive to your opponent’s actions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Coal Stoker provides an additional red mana when it enters the battlefield, this advantage is limited if you have no other card to play or if it forces you to discard a valuable card from your hand to pursue a specific play.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes both generic and red mana, Coal Stoker can be difficult to fit into multi-colored decks that aren’t heavily red. This hinders its flexibility and can lead to mana issues if the deck is not properly built to accommodate it.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a cost of three mana, including two specific red mana, Coal Stoker may not always be the most efficient choice. There are other cards at a similar or lower mana cost that could provide more immediate impact on the game state or long-term advantages.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Coal Stoker offers flexibility to a variety of red-centric or multicolored decks. Upon entering the battlefield, this creature provides a burst of three red mana, making it an ideal inclusion for strategies that aim to deploy threats rapidly or require a surge of mana for a critical turn.
Combo Potential: The additional mana provided by Coal Stoker can be pivotal in executing combinations or enabling multi-spell turns. It pairs well with storm strategies or other archetypes that desire to cast several spells in a single turn. This makes it a potent accelerator in the right deck composition.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames where tempo is key and early game advantage can dictate the outcome, Coal Stoker’s ability to provide immediate mana can be a game-changer. It’s particularly useful in metas dominated by aggressive or combo decks that prioritize speed and efficiency.
How to beat
Coal Stoker is an intriguing card that delivers a burst of mana when it enters the battlefield. This ramp advantage allows players to cast additional spells that turn, supporting strategies that capitalize on speed and tempo. But this does not make Coal Stoker invincible. Understanding the card’s limitations and timing is key to countering it effectively. One way to mitigate its impact is by using instant-speed removal as soon as Coal Stoker hits the field. By doing this, you’ll negate the mana advantage before your opponent can benefit from it.
Similarly, including cards that hinder casting or punish the use of multiple spells in a single turn can be a strong countermeasure. Counter magic serves well here, especially if the Coal Stoker is meant to precede a high-cost spell in your opponent’s game plan. Deck-builders may want to incorporate cards that disrupt the flow of mana, challenging the very benefit Coal Stoker brings to the table.
Lastly, bear in mind that Coal Stoker’s effectiveness dwindles as the game progresses. Its strength is in the early to mid-game, so building a strong board presence and maintaining card advantage can outpace the tempo it tries to set. By preparing for these scenarios, you’ll be able to neutralize the momentum Coal Stoker aims to create.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Coal Stoker MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral and Duel Decks: Sorin vs. Tibalt, 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 Coal Stoker 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 Coal Stoker Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2006-10-06 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by Mark Zug.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral | TSP | 150 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 2 | 2013-03-15 | Duel Decks: Sorin vs. Tibalt | DDK | 49 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 3 | 2021-03-19 | Time Spiral Remastered | TSR | 159 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 4 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 114 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Coal Stoker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Coal Stoker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-12-08 | Coal Stoker’s ability isn’t a mana ability. It uses the stack and can be responded to. |
| 2022-12-08 | If a nontoken creature enters the battlefield as a copy of this creature, the copy’s enters-the-battlefield ability will still trigger as long as you cast the spell that became that nontoken creature from your hand. |
| 2022-12-08 | If a token is created that’s a copy of Coal Stoker, the token wasn’t cast, and Coal Stoker’s ability won’t trigger. Similarly, if an effect copies Coal Stoker while it’s on the stack, the copy becomes a token, but the copy was created on the stack and not cast from your hand, so the ability won’t trigger in that case either. |