Flamewave Invoker MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Goblin Mutant
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Invoker’s late-game power converts excess mana into direct opponent damage without depleting hand resources.
  2. Mana ramp decks elevate Flamewave Invoker to a win-condition with its repeatable, instant-speed damage ability.
  3. Balance and strategic hand management are critical in utilizing the Flamewave Invoker’s full potential effectively.

Text of card

: Flamewave Invoker deals 5 damage to target player.

The Mirari burns in his heart.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Flamewave Invoker provides a significant advantage in games that stretch into the late phase. Its activated ability can turn the tide by dealing repeated damage without the need to commit additional cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: In decks that can efficiently ramp mana, Flamewave Invoker becomes a formidable threat. The ability to unload excess mana into direct damage accelerates the game’s conclusion in your favor.

Instant Speed: The Invoker’s ability to activate at instant speed grants flexibility, enabling you to end the game on an opponent’s turn or respond to threats dynamically during the course of play without needing to telegraph your moves during your own turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Flamewave Invoker requires careful hand management, since leveraging its ability means you can’t be reckless with your card resources. It tends to demand that you maintain a balance between cards in hand and the need to trigger its effect, which could strain your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Although red mana can be readily available in mono-red or red-centered decks, the Flamewave Invoker’s activation cost is locked into a color-specific demand. This fact limits its versatility across various deck archetypes that might not generate red mana as efficiently or prefer a different color synergy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With the Invoker’s ability costing a significant amount of mana to trigger, it may not always align with a player’s tempo, particularly in the early game. There are alternative cards within the same mana range that provide immediate impact without the hefty investment, thus potentially rendering the Invoker less attractive for deck builders looking for cost-effective solutions.


Reasons to Include Flamewave Invoker in Your Collection

Versatility: Flamewave Invoker offers a flexible role in many red-based decks. Its ability to deal damage directly to opponents makes it a potent tool for both aggressive and late-game strategies.

Combo Potential: In combination with unlimited mana sources, Flamewave Invoker can lead to an explosive finish by repeatedly activating its ability. This synergy is particularly notable in decks that can generate large amounts of mana quickly.

Meta-Relevance: With an ever-evolving competitive scene, having a card like Flamewave Invoker can adapt to various matchups. Against slower, controlling decks, the Invoker serves as a consistent threat that must be answered.


How to beat

Flamewave Invoker presents as a unique challenge in MTG games, boasting an ability to deal substantial damage under the right circumstances. This creature card becomes a pressing concern when it can leverage its mana activation ability, dealing significant direct damage to a player or creature. To successfully navigate against Flamewave Invoker, players must prioritize resource management while staying vigilant. Interrupting mana acceleration can cripple its threat level, as without ample mana, the Invoker’s ability cannot be utilized effectively.

Furthermore, strategies that include removal spells are particularly effective. Cards that can swiftly remove creatures from the battlefield at a low cost, thereby undermining the potential buildup of mana necessary for the Invoker’s activation, can neutralize this fiery adversary. Counterspells also excel in preempting the Invoker’s arrival on the battlefield altogether, or at least impeding its activation. Mitigating the risks posed by Flamewave Invoker is a matter of hindering its mana sources, utilizing instant speed removals, and remaining proactive in countering key plays.

Ultimately, understanding and anticipating the mana curve within the context of your opponent’s deck is crucial. Calculated disruption can effectively dismantle the threat posed by Flamewave Invoker, ensuring the flames it wishes to summon never reach their full conflagration.


Cards like Flamewave Invoker

Flamewave Invoker is an interesting card choice for players who love to ramp up damage in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to deal significant damage makes it comparable to creatures like Embermaw Hellion. Embermaw Hellion boosts the damage of red sources, which can synergize well with Flamewave Invoker’s activated ability. However, the Hellion itself doesn’t provide a direct damage source like the Invoker does.

Looking at Fire Servant, another card that amplifies red spell damage, we notice that while it doubles the effect of red instant and sorcery spells, it does not offer the same repeatable damage potential on its own. Flamewave Invoker can repeatedly deal damage to the opponent, granting a potential win condition if unchecked, unlike the conditional support of Fire Servant.

Ultimately, Flamewave Invoker showcases its strength as a standalone card with a built-in damage-dealing ability and becomes a formidable force in the long game. Its versatility and independence make it a solid contender in red-centered decks aiming for a powerful late-game presence.

Embermaw Hellion - Magic Origins (ORI)
Fire Servant - Magic 2011 (M11)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Flamewave Invoker MTG card by a specific set like Legions and Tenth Edition, 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 Flamewave Invoker and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Flamewave Invoker Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 2003-02-03 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Dave Dorman.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12003-02-03LegionsLGN 921997normalblackDave Dorman
22007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 2022003normalblackDave Dorman
32007-11-16Duel Decks: Elves vs. GoblinsDD1 362003normalblackDave Dorman
42008-11-07Duel Decks: Jace vs. ChandraDD2 402003normalblackDave Dorman
52014-12-05Duel Decks Anthology: Elves vs. GoblinsEVG 362015normalblackDave Dorman
62014-12-05Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. ChandraJVC 402015normalblackDave Dorman
72018-06-08BattlebondBBD 1782015normalblackDave Dorman
82019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 9332015normalblackDave Dorman
92020-09-26The ListPLST BBD-1782015normalblackDave Dorman

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Flamewave Invoker has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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