Slith Firewalker MTG Card
1999-12-01 - Number 10
2003-01-01 - Number 1N05
2003-10-02 - Number 107
2005-01-01 - Number 1E05
2008-11-07 - Number 39
2014-12-05 - Number 39
2002-06-24 - Number 35158
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Slith |
| Abilities | Haste |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Haste Whenever Slith Firewalker deals combat damage to a player, put a +1/+1 counter on it.
The slith incubate in the Great Furnace's heat, emerging on Mirrodin's surface only when the four suns have aligned overhead.
Cards like Slith Firewalker
Slith Firewalker holds a unique presence among creatures in Magic: The Gathering. In the realm of red aggressive creatures, there’s a distinction we can draw with cards like Ash Zealot. Both cards offer a fast-paced offensive advantage, yet Ash Zealot comes with an added ability to disrupt graveyard strategies. Slith Firewalker, conversely, grows stronger with each successful hit to an opponent, accentuating a relentless and scaling threat.
When considering other comparable cards, Rakdos Cackler deserves mention. It also presents as a formidable early-game creature with its unleash ability. However, it lacks the incremental growth potential of Slith Firewalker. Monastery Swiftspear shares the haste trait and has prowess, enhancing its power the more non-creature spells you play in a turn, providing versatility in spell-heavy decks. Nonetheless, it doesn’t have the natural growth in power and toughness that a Slith Firewalker achieves over consecutive combat phases.
Ultimately, evaluating similar MTG cards, we see that Slith Firewalker carves out its niche with its direct damage synergy and ability to become an increasingly larger threat, solidifying its position as an asset in many aggressive red decks. This card excels by offering players a reliable and potent force in fast-paced matches.
Cards similar to Slith Firewalker by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Slith Firewalker itself doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it has the potential to provide a subtle form of card advantage over time. As it deals combat damage to a player, it garners +1/+1 counters, effectively making it a growing threat that demands an answer. If left unchecked, this can lead your opponent to use more resources to deal with it than you’ve invested in it, tipping the scales in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Slith Firewalker may not produce additional mana or tokens, but the consistent growth in power for each successful attack can accelerate the damage you inflict on your opponent. This can shorten the game’s timeline and push you towards a win before your opponent can stabilize their resources to counter your strategy.
Instant Speed: Mobilizing the Slith Firewalker isn’t at instant speed; however, its continuous power boost after each attack demands that opponents keep instant-speed removal at the ready. They have to consider the growing threat, which can pressure their mana availability each turn, indirectly impacting their ability to manage other threats or progress their game plan effectively.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Slith Firewalker doesn’t make you discard, but its impact on the board is contingent on being able to deal combat damage, which can be restrictive given the need for a clear path.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both red mana can limit deck-building options, making the Slith Firewalker less versatile and harder to cast in multicolored decks without a solid mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While its mana cost isn’t exorbitant, for two red mana, players might expect a creature with an immediate impact, whereas Slith Firewalker needs to build up steam to become a significant threat.
Reasons to Include Slith Firewalker in Your Collection
Versatility: Slith Firewalker can seamlessly adapt to aggressive strategies, thriving in decks that aim to deal damage quickly. Its ability to grow larger with each successful hit to an opponent makes it a relentless threat in any red-based aggressive deck.
Combo Potential: This card’s scaling power creates opportunities to combine it with equipment or spells that provide trample, double strike, or additional combat phases, allowing its power to grow exponentially and overwhelm opponents unexpectedly.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where aggressive strategies are prominent, Slith Firewalker shines. Its ability to quickly become a formidable force on the board makes it an excellent choice against decks that may struggle to set up defenses early in the game.
How to beat
Slith Firewalker is one of those cards in Magic: The Gathering that can escalate quickly if not dealt with promptly. This red creature boasts the potential to become a significant threat due to its ability to accumulate +1/+1 counters with each hit to an opponent. It’s an early-game drop that demands an immediate answer, and knowing the right strategies to counter it is key for any player facing it.
One effective method is to remove it as soon as it hits the board. Instant speed removal spells like Lightning Bolt or Path to Exile can take it out before it has the chance to become too powerful. Alternatively, blockers with enough toughness can prevent it from connecting and thus from gaining counters. In a broader sense, controlling the board early and maintaining removal options are your best bets against the Slith Firewalker. Always be prepared with a response, and you won’t find yourself at the mercy of this progressively growing creature.
Ultimately, resilience in the early turns, combined with a strategy focused on removal or combat deterrence, can topple the momentum that Slith Firewalker aims to build, keeping your opponent’s board presence in check and the game in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Slith Firewalker MTG card by a specific set like Junior Super Series and Magic Online Promos, 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 Slith Firewalker and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Slith Firewalker Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 1999-12-01 and 2014-12-05. Illustrated by Justin Sweet.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-12-01 | Junior Super Series | PSUS | 10 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Justin Sweet | |
| 2 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 35158 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Justin Sweet | ||
| 3 | 2003-01-01 | Japan Junior Tournament | PJJT | 1N05 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Justin Sweet | |
| 4 | 2003-10-02 | Mirrodin | MRD | 107 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Justin Sweet | |
| 5 | 2005-01-01 | Junior Series Europe | PJSE | 1E05 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Justin Sweet | |
| 6 | 2008-11-07 | Duel Decks: Jace vs. Chandra | DD2 | 39 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Justin Sweet | |
| 7 | 2014-12-05 | Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra | JVC | 39 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Justin Sweet |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Slith Firewalker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |