Akki Coalflinger MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Goblin Shaman
Abilities First strike
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Offers combat advantage with instant-speed first strike, crucial for outmaneuvering opponents during battle.
  2. Includes a discard requirement for activation, demanding strategic hand management from players.
  3. Though mana-cost specific, it remains a versatile and meta-relevant addition to red decks in MTG.

Text of card

First strike , : Attacking creatures gain first strike until end of turn.

No matter where you find them, goblins love rocks.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Enhances player tactics by allowing additional first strike opportunities, effectively broadening combat possibilities and generating more value from each creature engaged in battle.

Resource Acceleration: The goblin’s innate ability to give first strike can turn the tide of battle without expending multiple cards, preserving resources in hand for critical moments.

Instant Speed: Its activated ability can be used at instant speed, offering a surprise element during combat, and enabling strategic plays that can disrupt an opponent’s calculations.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike other creatures that might offer abilities simply with their presence on the battlefield, Akki Coalflinger asks players to take extra steps to leverage its full potential. Players will often find themselves needing to make strategic decisions about which cards to keep in hand when planning to activate its abilities.

Specific Mana Cost: Akki Coalflinger comes with a mana cost that requires a commitment to red mana. This can constrain deck-building options, particularly for players who are looking to construct multi-colored decks. The specific red mana cost means Akki Coalflinger slips seamlessly into mono-red decks but can be a heavier lift for more color-diverse strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a three mana value (two colorless and one red), Akki Coalflinger’s initial cost could be prohibitive for fast-paced aggressive red decks that prioritize a low mana curve. In the world of MTG, where speed and efficiency can be key, there might be alternative creatures or spells that offer similar effects or better value at a lower mana cost.


Reasons to Include Akki Coalflinger in Your Collection

Versatility: This goblin card is a flexible choice for players considering its duality as both an ally in combat and an enhancer for other creatures’ abilities. Its role in red-based decks adds a strategic layer, allowing for more dynamic play.

Combo Potential: Akki Coalflinger’s ability to give first strike can be pivotal in combination with cards that benefit from combat tricks. Crafty deck builders recognize the power of enabling surprise maneuvers during the battle phase.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where aggressive strategies are prevailing, having a card that can tip combat in your favor while staying mana-efficient is significant. The presence of Akki Coalflinger can be a game-changer in such a meta, making it an advisable pick for your red deck arsenal.


How to beat

The Akki Coalflinger is an intriguing creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering, capable of giving first strike to your other attacking creatures until end of turn. This capacity to surprise your opponents with sudden first strike can turn the tides of combat in your favor. However, there are strategies to outplay this fiery goblin.

One effective tactic is to remove the Akki Coalflinger before the attack phase, which can be achieved through instant-speed removal spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push. This preempts the first strike ability altogether and keeps combat on even footing. Counter magic like Counterspell or Mana Leak can also prove to be an invaluable asset when aiming to prevent the Akki Coalflinger from impacting the battlefield at all.

Additionally, cards that neutralize abilities such as Pithing Needle or creatures like Linvala, Keeper of Silence can render the Akki Coalflinger’s ability moot. Finally, simply having creatures with superior toughness or utilizing damage prevention spells can minimize the benefits of first strike, ensuring that the Coalflinger’s effect does not determine the outcome of battles.


Cards like Akki Coalflinger

Akki Coalflinger is a dynamic entry in the realm of red creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, adding strategic depth to game play with its first strike ability. Cards like Bloodmark Mentor share this trait, granting the valuable first strike to other red creatures you control. Nevertheless, Akki Coalflinger edges forward with the added flexibility of being able to give first strike until end of turn without tapping, allowing for a sudden combat advantage.

Looking at another parallel, Goblin Motivator stands out for its comparable function of granting haste to another creature for quick attacks. While it does not boost first strike, its ability to immediately affect the battlefield tempo can be crucial in certain situations. Akki Coalflinger, however, requires a red mana investment to activate its ability, making it a matter of strategic resource management.

Finally, pondering over both utility and versatility, Akki Coalflinger offers a unique balance between providing offensive capabilities and influencing combat outcomes. It carves its niche within the pantheon of red creatures in MTG by combining the potential for first strike with a body that can be a proactive part of the strategy.

Bloodmark Mentor - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Goblin Motivator - Core Set 2019 (M19)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Akki Coalflinger MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa and Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins, 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 Akki Coalflinger and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Akki Coalflinger Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2004-10-01 and 2014-12-05. Illustrated by Nottsuo.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12004-10-01Champions of KamigawaCHK 1522003normalblackNottsuo
22007-11-16Duel Decks: Elves vs. GoblinsDD1 332003normalblackNottsuo
32014-12-05Duel Decks Anthology: Elves vs. GoblinsEVG 332015normalblackNottsuo
42020-09-26The ListPLST EVG-332015normalblackNottsuo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Akki Coalflinger has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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