Ember Beast MTG Card
2001-10-01 - Number 190
2013-02-01 - Number 89
2016-08-26 - Number 155
2018-06-08 - Number 175
2023-01-13 - Number 117
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Beast |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Ember Beast can't attack or block alone.
Spot one ember beast, attack. Spot a second, best fall back. —Dwarven saying
Cards like Ember Beast
Ember Beast is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering, sharing common grounds with many other three-mana cost creature cards. Similar to the likes of Centaur Courser and Goblin Smuggler, Ember Beast offers players a robust body to contend with on the battlefield. Centaur Courser boasts a static power and toughness of 3/3 without additional abilities, putting it on par with Ember Beast in terms of board presence. Meanwhile, Goblin Smuggler lacks the same stats but offers a tactical advantage by making another creature unblockable for a turn.
Other related cards in this space include the likes of Nessian Courser, which presents another straightforward 3/3 creature without abilities, emphasizing the simple yet effective role these creatures fulfill in early to mid-game strategies. The widely appreciated Hill Giant also falls into this comparison, serving as a direct parallel with its 3/3 stance, however it typically sees less play due to its lack of elemental synergies that Ember Beast may benefit from.
When evaluating Ember Beast against its peers, it is its minimalistic yet formidable structure that emerges as a hallmark. It can be a pivotal player on the battlefield, particularly when coupled with other cards that capitalize on its elemental type, adding a layer of strategic depth beyond its basic stats.
Cards similar to Ember Beast by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Ember Beast’s presence on the battlefield can deter your opponent from swinging in with weaker creatures, passively helping you to maintain board control without having to expend additional cards.
Resource Acceleration: Whilst primarily not a direct enabler for resource acceleration, this card’s mana cost of three allows early deployment, meaning it doesn’t delay your curve and enables you to keep building up your board while bringing substantial presence early in the game.
Instant Speed: Although Ember Beast itself does not have any abilities that function at instant speed, its solid stats for cost allow you to develop your board presence effectively, leaving mana open for other instant speed interactions within your deck.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside of the Ember Beast card is that its effectiveness is contingent on controlling another creature. If you’re struggling to keep a board presence, this creature loses much of its utility, making it less reliable in situations where you’re playing from behind.
Specific Mana Cost: While designed for red-based decks, Ember Beast’s casting cost demands both generic and red mana, potentially complicating its inclusion in multicolored decks that may struggle to consistently meet the red mana requirement in the early game.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a total of three mana, including two red, Ember Beast’s cost is a consideration when evaluating its power and toughness against other creatures in the same mana range. Players may find that other options could provide more value, versatility, or lower mana alternatives for achieving a similar board impact.
Reasons to Include Ember Beast in Your Collection
Versatility: Ember Beast’s solid 3/4 body for three mana can be a reliable addition to aggro and midrange decks alike, providing a substantial presence on the board early in the game.
Combo Potential: This creature pairs well with cards that allow it to bypass its inability to attack alone, such as those that provide additional combat phases or generate numerous creature tokens to accompany it.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where speed can be critical, Ember Beast offers a cost-effective way to apply pressure and maintain tempo against slower, setup-heavy decks.
How to Beat Ember Beast
Ember Beast may appear intimidating with its raw power and low mana cost in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. This creature requires the presence of another creature to attack, making it a bit clunky in the early game stages. It’s essential to control the creature count on your opponent’s side of the battlefield to neutralize this threat.
Removal spells are highly effective in this scenario. Options such as Murder to eliminate the Beast outright or Lightning Strike to take out accompanying creatures can severely dampen its offensive capabilities. Focusing on these strategies can effortlessly turn the table on Ember Beast, confining it to a passive role.
Moreover, including efficient blockers in your deck is a sound tactic. Creatures with high toughness can easily withstand Ember Beast’s onslaught, especially if it’s alone in the battlefield. By managing your opponent’s board and understanding Ember Beast’s reliance on teamwork, you can outmaneuver and mitigate the impact of this fiery foe, maintaining control over the course of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ember Beast MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey and Gatecrash, 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 Ember Beast 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 Ember Beast Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-10-01 | Odyssey | ODY | 190 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Wayne England | |
| 2 | 2013-02-01 | Gatecrash | GTC | 89 | 2003 | Normal | Black | David Rapoza | |
| 3 | 2016-08-26 | Conspiracy: Take the Crown | CN2 | 155 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Rapoza | |
| 4 | 2018-06-08 | Battlebond | BBD | 175 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Rapoza | |
| 5 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 117 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wayne England |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ember Beast has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ember Beast card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-12-08 | Ember Beast can’t attack or block unless another creature is also assigned to attack or block at the same time. Notably, two Ember Beasts can attack or block together. |
| 2022-12-08 | Once Ember Beast has been declared as an attacker or blocker, it doesn’t matter what happens to the other creature(s). |
| 2022-12-08 | Other creatures assigned to attack alongside Ember Beast don’t have to attack the same player or planeswalker. Other creatures assigned to block alongside Ember Beast don’t have to block the same creature as Ember Beast. |