War Flare MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	2015-01-23
Set symbol
Set name	Fate Reforged
Set code	FRF
Number	158
Frame	2015
Layout	normal
Border	black
Illustred by	Karl Kopinski

Key Takeaways

Instantly bolster your creatures during combat, creating potential for significant board swings.
Casts at instant speed, allowing for strategic and surprising plays against opponents.
Demands a multicolored mana base and a well-established board presence for maximum effectiveness.

Text of card

Creatures you control get +2/+1 until end of turn. Untap those creatures.

"No sun or fire can warm my blood quite like a war flare." —Urut Barzeel, Mardu hordechief

Card Pros

Card Advantage: War Flare gives players the element of surprise and tactical edge by boosting each of your creatures during combat, effectively turning the tide in your favor and potentially leading to advantageous trades on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Although War Flare doesn’t directly accelerate resources through direct mana generation or treasure tokens, it allows for a more efficient use of mana during combat phases. By amplifying your army’s might at a critical moment, it ensures that the mana spent on creatures has greater impact, which can be considered an indirect form of resource acceleration through combat efficiency.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast War Flare at instant speed means you can wait until the most opportune moment during the combat phase to surprise your opponent. This holds strategic importance as it can significantly alter the power dynamics on the board, disrupt opponents’ calculations, and swing combat outcomes in your favor without prior warning.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: War Flare requires players to have a sufficient number of creatures on the battlefield to maximize its effect, which could limit its usefulness during the early game or in situations where board presence is low.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that includes both red and white, War Flare mandates a multicolored mana base, potentially confining it to only certain deck archetypes within the broader spectrum of available strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At four mana, including both red and white, War Flare’s casting cost can be seen as steep for an instant that primarily boosts attacking creatures, as similar or lower cost spells could provide more versatile benefits or instantaneous impact on the game state.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: War Flare is a powerful inclusion in decks that thrive on surprising opponents with sudden bursts of strength. This card easily fits into a variety of strategies, particularly those that emphasize creature aggression and board presence.

Combo Potential: With its ability to give your creatures a significant boost in power and toughness, it opens up various combo opportunities. It excels in decks designed around token generation, allowing for a massive swing in combat out of nowhere.

Meta-Relevance: Given the card’s capability to turn the tide of battle, War Flare proves its worth in a meta that rewards well-timed plays. Its use can be critical in matchups where combat math and creature-based strategies dominate.

How to beat War Flare

War Flare is a dynamic card known for its ability to suddenly turn the tide of a game, bolstering creatures with a sudden surge in power and toughness during combat. This makes it a formidable card, as it can catch an opponent off guard, leading to unexpected victories. However, like all cards in Magic: The Gathering, there are strategies to mitigate its impact.

One effective method for countering War Flare is through the use of instant-speed removal spells. Removal spells can pick off key creatures before the War Flare buff takes effect, diluting the card’s efficiency. Another approach is to manage the battlefield, keeping creature counts low, thereby reducing the overall boost that War Flare can provide to an opponent’s army. Additionally, counter-spells remain a universal answer, taking War Flare out of play before it can energize the opposing forces.

Lastly, keeping constant pressure on your opponent by maintaining a strong defense or presenting threats that demand answers can limit their opportunity to capitalize on War Flare’s potential. By understanding the timing and preparing for the possible casting of War Flare, players can preserve their advantage and keep this explosive card from tipping the scales against them.

Cards like War Flare

The card War Flare illuminates the battlefield in MTG, offering an explosive edge during combat. Its closest relative in function is Trumpet Blast, which also offers a bonus to attack power. Both cards grant creatures a sudden surge in strength, yet War Flare uniquely boosts defense as well. This dual benefit solidifies its role in player decks that favor aggressive strategies coupled with resilience.

Another akin card, Rally the Forces, echoes this combat enhancement but at a lower cost and without the defensive increment. It shines in a strategy where conserving mana is pivotal. Meanwhile, Inspired Charge strikes a similar chord to War Flare by providing a boost to both attack and defense but at a higher casting cost. This makes War Flare a more efficient choice in fast-paced scenarios where timing is everything.

Yet, it’s the instant speed of War Flare that truly sets it apart from contenders like Charge, which operates at sorcery speed. The ability to catch an opponent off-guard during combat can shift the tide of battle instantly. This distinction cements War Flare’s place as a formidable tool in MTG, striking a balance between cost efficiency and combat prowess.

Rally the Forces - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)

Cards similar to War Flare by color, type and mana cost

Heartwarming Redemption - MTG Card versions

Olórin's Searing Light - MTG Card versions

Warleader's Helix - Ultimate Masters (UMA)

Master Warcraft - Commander Legends (CMR)

Heartwarming Redemption - War of the Spark (WAR)

Zenith Flare - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)

Olórin's Searing Light - Tales of Middle-earth Commander (LTC)

Take the Bait - Murders at Karlov Manor Commander (MKC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase War Flare MTG card by a specific set like Fate Reforged, 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 War Flare and other MTG cards: