Skirk Fire Marshal MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Goblin
Abilities Protection
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Board clearing potential turns the Fire Marshal into a game-swerving power play.
  2. Goblin and token synergy offer accelerated gameplay and tribal cohesion.
  3. Activatable at instant speed, it presents a relentless threat to opponents.

Text of card

Protection from red Tap five untapped Goblins you control: Skirk Fire Marshal deals 10 damage to each creature and each player.

He's boss because he's smart enough to get out of the way.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: In an intricate game where resources can make or break your strategy, the Skirk Fire Marshal can be a game-changer by potentially wiping out smaller creatures and clearing the board. This tactical advantage can leave you with superior board presence, indirectly translating to card advantage as it diminishes your opponent’s assets.

Resource Acceleration: Skirk Fire Marshal fits seamlessly into decks that revolve around goblins or those that generate a multitude of tokens. Not only does it synergize with other goblin-themed cards for swifter and more resilient plays, but it also utilizes your existing goblins as resources for its powerful ability, mechanically accelerating your game plan.

Instant Speed: This card’s ability may not be an instant itself, but its influence on the game is felt on an instant-like level. With the ability to activate it whenever you have priority, the Fire Marshal can catch opponents off-guard, particularly during the combat phase or at the end of their turn, making it a fear-inducing presence once you have the requisite goblins in play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Skirk Fire Marshal demands a substantial build-up of creatures to activate its ability, necessitating that you tap five other Goblins which can be a significant drawback if your board presence is weak.

Specific Mana Cost: Activation of this creature’s ability requires a specific mana combination that leans heavily on red. This limits the card’s flexibility and can restrict its inclusion to mono-red or Goblin-centric decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a five mana investment to cast Skirk Fire Marshal, it’s often held back by its cost compared to other, more immediately impactful cards at lower mana values. Plus, it can be a risk given it deals 10 damage to each creature and each player, which could backfire if not used cautiously.


Reasons to Include Skirk Fire Marshal in Your Collection

Versatility: Skirk Fire Marshal offers a unique flexibility by fitting snugly into decks that thrive on goblins or red mana acceleration. This card is a game-changer for players keen on explosive strategies or those aiming for large, game-ending plays.

Combo Potential: Paired with a board full of goblins, Skirk Fire Marshal can be the keystone for some powerful combos. Its ability to deal an immense 10 damage to each creature and player can work as a finisher or turn the tides unexpectedly in a close match.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state that favors aggressive and swarm strategies, Skirk Fire Marshal stands out as more than just a tribal leader. Its ability to clear the board or end games makes it a relevant choice when shaping your deck to tackle the local or competitive meta.


How to beat Skirk Fire Marshal

Skirk Fire Marshal offers explosive capabilities in Magic: The Gathering, specifically within mono-red and goblin tribal decks. With an activated ability that deals 10 damage to each creature and each player, it’s a challenge worth preparing for. To gain the upper hand against this formidable goblin, there are several strategies players can employ.

Firstly, countering the Skirk Fire Marshal’s activation is key. Utilizing counterspells like Counterspell or Dovin’s Veto can halt the ability in its tracks, providing a direct response. Secondly, creature removal spells such as Path to Exile or Go for the Throat can remove the Fire Marshal before its ability is activated, neutralizing the threat immediately.

Another effective tactic is playing with damage prevention or lifegain spells. Cards like Healing Salve or Feed the Clan can offset the damage dealt, keeping your life total healthy. Artifact-based strategies can also be beneficial; cards like Witchbane Orb grant you hexproof, preventing the Marshal from targeting you directly.

Ultimately, understanding the timing of Skirk Fire Marshal’s ability and preparing your deck with responsive cards is essential in mastering the matchup. By anticipating this high-damage play, you can assure that your creatures and life total remain secure.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the world of MTG, sharp strategy and keen understanding of each card’s potential are crucial. As we’ve dissected the Skirk Fire Marshal, we’ve uncovered its power within goblin and token-heavy cohorts. Its blast radius can redefine board states, cementing it as a formidable force. As always, the path to becoming a formidable MTG player lies in comprehensive knowledge and versatility. With the insights we’ve furnished, harness the might of the Skirk Fire Marshal to forge ahead in your MTG quests. Keen to ramp up your deck’s firepower? Learn more with us and ignite your way to triumph.


Cards like Skirk Fire Marshal

Skirk Fire Marshal offers a unique spot in MTG’s lineup of explosive red cards, sharing space with the likes of Siege-Gang Commander and Goblin Chieftain. These cards are known for their tribal synergies, especially with Goblin decks. Skirk Fire Marshal steps it up with its ability to deal a whopping 10 damage to each creature and each player. This is a considerable activation cost but with certain setups, it turns into a game-ending move.

Comparing it with Siege-Gang Commander, both share the trait of empowering other Goblin creatures, but the Commander opts for a more controlled distribution of damage. It allows the player to tactically pick targets for its 2 damage grenades. Goblin Chieftain, on the other hand, doesn’t direct damage but instead, offers a global haste and power boost to fellow Goblins, setting the stage for a swift and overwhelming assault.

In the realm of red’s direct damage and tribal effects, Skirk Fire Marshal is a power player. It requires specific conditions but can deliver a devastating blow, often turning the tide of the game in your favor. It showcases MTG’s clever design in offering diverse strategic routes within a single creature type.

Siege-Gang Commander - Scourge (SCG)
Goblin Chieftain - Resale Promos (PRES)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Skirk Fire Marshal MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught 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 Skirk Fire Marshal and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Skirk Fire Marshal Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2014-12-05. Illustrated by 5 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-10-07OnslaughtONS 2291997normalblackGreg Hildebrandt & Tim Hildebrandt
22007-11-16Duel Decks: Elves vs. GoblinsDD1 502003normalblackGreg Hildebrandt & Tim Hildebrandt
32014-12-05Duel Decks Anthology: Elves vs. GoblinsEVG 502015normalblackGreg Hildebrandt & Tim Hildebrandt
42020-09-26The ListPLST ONS-2291997normalblackGreg Hildebrandt

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Skirk Fire Marshal has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2004-10-04 It can tap itself but is not required to do so.
2004-10-04 Since the ability does not have the symbol, you can use the ability before this creature begins a turn under your control.

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