Fists of Flame MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. The card offers a power boost and card draw, potentially swinging the game in your favor.
  2. Limited by red mana and discard requirements, its versatility is somewhat constrained.
  3. Countering its impact involves timely spell removal or robust defenses in MTG.

Text of card

Draw a card. Until end of turn, target creature gains trample and gets +1/+0 for each card you've drawn this turn.

"Fire has always been my most faithful companion." —Jared Carthalion


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Fists of Flame not only boosts a creature’s power for a crucial attack but also grants you the opportunity to draw a card, reinforcing your hand and options on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Casting this spell can be a key move in increasing a creature’s power, which can lead to a faster victory, thereby accelerating the end of the game in your favor.

Instant Speed: The immediacy of this effect can surprise opponents by turning an unassuming creature into a formidable threat at a moment’s notice, perfectly syncing with your combat strategy.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: This spell necessitates the discard of a card as part of its casting conditions. This can deplete your hand, particularly if your deck isn’t set up to capitalize on discarding or if you’re already playing with limited card resources, making each card in your hand more valuable.

Specific Mana Cost: Fists of Flame calls for red mana, which pigeonholes it into red or multicolored decks. Players who do not run these types of decks are unable to utilize this card due to its specific mana requirements, limiting its versatility across various playstyles and deck structures.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Charging two and a red mana may consume a significant part of your available resources for the turn. It competes for a slot with other cards at similar mana costs that might provide more immediate board presence or longer-term advantages. This can hinder tempo for players who need to keep up with faster opponents or maintain a consistent curve in their deck build.


Reasons to Include Fists of Flame in Your Collection

Versatility: Fists of Flame offers incredible flexibility for your deck by providing both a card draw and a temporary boost in power. This allows creatures to perform double duty, engaging both in combat and as tools for strategic plays.

Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with creatures that have trample or double strike, turning them into significant threats. Additionally, it can be a key piece in storm decks, where each spell cast increases the damage potential exponentially.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment dominated by aggressive strategies, Fists of Flame can be a game-changer by rapidly increasing a creature’s power to take opponents by surprise and alter the pace of the game.


How to Beat Fists of Flame

Overcoming the challenge of Fists of Flame in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) hinges on an understanding of its mechanics. This card can propel an opponent to a swift victory by boosting a creature’s power and granting it trample and card draw. Thwarting this strategy requires timely counterspell deployment, which nullifies Fists of Flame before it can affect the game. Efficient counterspells such as Negate or Essence Scatter, which are staples in blue control decks, can play a crucial role in this scenario.

Another key strategy involves removing potential targets before Fists of Flame can be cast. Utilizing spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push allows you to pre-emptively eliminate creatures that could become threatening. Additionally, maintaining a robust defensive line with creatures bearing high toughness can diminish the impact of a powered-up attacker.

Engaging wisely in MTG often means anticipating powerful plays like those enabled by Fists of Flame. By having the right answers at the right time, whether through disruption, counterspells, or timely creature removal, you increase your chances of emerging victorious against decks leveraging this dynamic card.


BurnMana Recommendations

MTG is a game of intricate combinations and strategic depth, and Fists of Flame adds an exciting layer to this dynamic environment. Whether you’re crafting a storm deck or boosting creatures with trample or double strike, this card offers that surprise factor that could swing the game in your favor. Its ability to both pump up your creatures and replenish your hand makes it a valuable asset. Seize the moment during combat, turn the tide in your matches, and perhaps pull off that unforgettable victory. Curious to see how Fists of Flame could revolutionize your gameplay? Dive into its potential and refine your deck with us.


Cards like Fists of Flame

Fists of Flame stands out in Magic: The Gathering as an intriguing option for players looking to amplify a single creature’s power for a decisive turn. It’s similar to Crimson Wisps, which also grants a creature +1/+0 and haste, enabling it to attack unexpectedly. However, Fists of Flame pushes the envelope further by not only bestowing haste but also drawing a card and increasing a creature’s power for each card you’ve drawn this turn.

Comparing it to Expedite, another card that offers haste and card draw, Fists of Flame edges ahead with its potential for a massive spike in power. Expedite, while at a lower mana cost, lacks the scalable power boost that can make Fists of Flame a game-changer. Then there’s Samut’s Sprint, which grants haste and a +2/+1 increase but without the card draw. While it assures a strength boost, the lack of draw makes Fists of Flame’s versatility and potential card advantage more alluring in dynamic gameplay situations.

Ultimately, Fists of Flame carves a unique niche with its combo of haste, card draw, and a potentially massive power boost, situating it as a powerful choice for explosive plays in Magic: The Gathering, especially for those who strategize around card draw synergies.

Crimson Wisps - MTG Card versions
Expedite - MTG Card versions
Samut's Sprint - MTG Card versions
Crimson Wisps - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Expedite - Oath of the Gatewatch (OGW)
Samut's Sprint - War of the Spark (WAR)

Cards similar to Fists of Flame by color, type and mana cost

Shatter - MTG Card versions
Word of Blasting - MTG Card versions
Incinerate - MTG Card versions
Guerrilla Tactics - MTG Card versions
Gorilla War Cry - MTG Card versions
Aleatory - MTG Card versions
Orcish Catapult - MTG Card versions
Blood Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Fling - MTG Card versions
Falter - MTG Card versions
Shattering Pulse - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Strike - MTG Card versions
Shrapnel Blast - MTG Card versions
Glacial Ray - MTG Card versions
Smash to Smithereens - MTG Card versions
Comet Storm - MTG Card versions
Starstorm - MTG Card versions
First Volley - MTG Card versions
Blazing Shoal - MTG Card versions
Surging Flame - MTG Card versions
Shatter - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Word of Blasting - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Incinerate - Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra (JVC)
Guerrilla Tactics - Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils (FMB1)
Gorilla War Cry - Alliances (ALL)
Aleatory - Mirage (MIR)
Orcish Catapult - Astral Cards (PAST)
Blood Frenzy - Tempest (TMP)
Fling - Jumpstart (JMP)
Falter - Urza's Saga (USG)
Shattering Pulse - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Flowstone Strike - Nemesis (NEM)
Shrapnel Blast - Mirrodin (MRD)
Glacial Ray - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Smash to Smithereens - Modern Masters 2015 (MM2)
Comet Storm - Commander 2017 (C17)
Starstorm - Neon Dynasty Commander (NEC)
First Volley - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Blazing Shoal - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Surging Flame - Arena League 2006 (PAL06)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fists of Flame MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons and Commander Legends, 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 Fists of Flame and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Fists of Flame Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2019-06-14 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Steve Argyle.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-06-14Modern HorizonsMH1 1232015normalblackSteve Argyle
22020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 4142015normalblackSteve Argyle
32021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 4432015normalblackSteve Argyle
42023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 2232015normalblackSteve Argyle

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fists of Flame has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Fists of Flame card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2019-06-14 If a spell or ability causes you to put cards into your hand without specifically using the word "draw," Fists of Flame's effect doesn't count them.
2019-06-14 If the target creature is an illegal target by the time Fists of Flame tries to resolve, the spell doesn't resolve. You won't draw a card.
2019-06-14 The bonus that the target creature receives is locked in as Fists of Flame resolves, counting the card drawn during its first effect. The creature won't get an additional +1/+0 if you draw another card later in the turn.

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