Gempalm Incinerator MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Goblin
Abilities Cycling
Power 2
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Drawing a card plus targeting damage makes Gempalm Incinerator a potent tactical play in MTG.
  2. Instant speed cycling provides flexibility and disrupts opponent strategies effectively.
  3. Cycling demands discard, which could limit strategic options if hand size is low.

Text of card

Cycling (, Discard this card from your hand: Draw a card.) When you cycle Gempalm Incinerator, you may have it deal X damage to target creature, where X is the number of Goblins in play.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The cycling ability of Gempalm Incinerator lets you draw a card while also having the potential to clear a path for your creatures by dealing damage to an opponent’s creature.

Resource Acceleration: While not producing mana or Treasure tokens directly, playing Gempalm Incinerator efficiently can act as a form of resource acceleration by saving you mana you’d otherwise spend on a separate removal spell.

Instant Speed: Its cycling ability can be activated at instant speed, offering flexibility to disrupt an opponent’s strategy during their turn, making it a versatile inclusion in any deck. This speed is crucial for staying ahead in the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Gempalm Incinerator demands cycling to activate its damage-dealing ability. For players with a limited hand, this might force a difficult decision, potentially diminishing your pool of strategic options.

Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost necessitates at least one red mana. While this is thematic for goblins, it does mean that it may not fit with ease into multicolored or non-red decks, reducing its versatility across various deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The Incinerator comes with a fairly steep mana cost for its creature-targeted damage ability. In a fast-paced game, mana could be spent on spells or creatures that provide a greater impact or board presence.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Gempalm Incinerator is a highly adaptable card that can seamlessly integrate into various Goblin-themed decks and those that capitalize on cycling abilities, allowing players to draw cards while potentially clearing the board of smaller creatures.

Combo Potential: Beyond its direct damage capability, the Incinerator pairs well with cards that trigger upon cycling or when goblins enter the battlefield, providing numerous opportunities for synergy and combo plays.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature decks are prevalent, Gempalm Incinerator gains increased significance as it acts as both a removal option and a way to cycle through your deck for more answers or threats.


How to beat

Gempalm Incinerator is an intriguing utility creature that can shift the flow of the game in MTG. Its cycling ability not only allows you to draw a card but also deals damage to a target creature equal to the number of Goblins on the field, which can be particularly devastating in a Goblin-heavy deck.

To counter this card, it’s crucial to limit the number of Goblins your opponent controls. Removal spells that can wipe the board or target multiple creatures at once, such as Damnation or Blasphemous Act, can significantly reduce the Incinerator’s impact. Alternatively, preventing the Incinerator from entering the battlefield altogether with counterspells like Counterspell or Dovin’s Veto can nip the problem in the bud. Lastly, instant-speed removal such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push can disrupt your opponent’s plans before they have the chance to cycle Gempalm Incinerator and capitalize on its ability.

The key to overcoming Gempalm Incinerator lies in controlling the game’s pace and keeping the Goblin tribe in check. By managing the battlefield with strategic removals, you maintain the upper hand and diminish this card’s potential to turn the tables against you.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG gameplay involves deep knowledge of each card’s potential, like the dual-natured Gempalm Incinerator. Its multitasking ability to draw while dealing damage makes it a strong contender for your deck, especially if you’re into Goblin themes. For efficient play and a keen edge over your opponents, understanding the nuances of such utility-rich cards is vital. We encourage you to delve further into card synergies and strategies to boost your gaming experience. Enhance your collection and outsmart opponents with savvy plays. Discover more MTG insights and elevate your deck-building prowess with us.


Cards like Gempalm Incinerator

Gempalm Incinerator is a card that goblin enthusiasts in Magic the Gathering appreciate for its dual functionality. At first glance, Goblin Sharpshooter may come to mind as it too can act as a damage dealer without needing to attack. While the Sharpshooter requires more setup to effectively clear the board without tapping, Gempalm Incinerator circumvents this by cycling itself to deal damage immediately based on the number of goblins you control.

Skirk Fire Marshal offers another parallel with its explosive ability to deal damage to each creature and each player, which can be a game ender in a goblin-heavy deck. However, unlike the Incinerator, the Marshal’s ability requires a significant board presence and five mana to activate. This makes the Gempalm Incinerator preferable for its lower cost and instant impact through cycling. Siege-Gang Commander is another goblin that presents a damage-dealing option, creating multiple goblin tokens and offering a way to throw them at opponents. Though it provides a more sustained form of board presence than the Incinerator, it lacks the immediacy and surprise factor of Gempalm’s cycling ability.

Each card has its merits within goblin strategies in Magic the Gathering, but Gempalm Incinerator’s unique combination of cycling and direct damage based on goblin count makes it especially valuable in momentary tactics and board control.

Goblin Sharpshooter - Onslaught (ONS)
Skirk Fire Marshal - Onslaught (ONS)
Siege-Gang Commander - Scourge (SCG)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gempalm Incinerator MTG card by a specific set like Legions and World Championship Decks 2003, 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 Gempalm Incinerator and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Gempalm Incinerator Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2003-02-03 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12003-02-03LegionsLGN 941997normalblackLuca Zontini
22003-08-07World Championship Decks 2003WC03 we942003normalgoldLuca Zontini
32007-11-16Duel Decks: Elves vs. GoblinsDD1 372003normalblackLuca Zontini
42014-12-05Duel Decks Anthology: Elves vs. GoblinsEVG 372015normalblackLuca Zontini
52016-11-16Treasure ChestPZ2 658552015normalblackMark Behm
62017-10-24Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. GoblinsDDT 392015normalblackMark Behm
72023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 1222015normalblackAndrew Mar
82023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 3221997normalblackAndrew Mar

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gempalm Incinerator has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal

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