Fire Bowman MTG Card

Fire Bowman excels at removing threats and ramping up gameplay with its instant, mana-generating hits. Flexibility is slightly hampered by its discard requirement and specific red mana cost. Despite cost concerns, its damage capability makes it a formidable inclusion in red decks.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Soldier Archer
Released	1999-05-01
Set symbol
Set name	Portal Three Kingdoms
Set code	PTK
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	112
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	White
Illustred by	Cai Tingting

Text of card

On your turn, before you attack, you may destroy Fire Bowman to have it deal 1 damage to any one creature or player.

Cards like Fire Bowman

Fire Bowman carves its distinct niche in the pantheon of direct damage creatures in MTG. This card echoes the abilities found in cards like Goblin Arsonist, wherein death triggers a ping of damage, providing players a tactical edge. Unlike Goblin Arsonist, Fire Bowman requires additional mana to use its damage ability, but consequentially, it can target any creature, not just an opponent or a planeswalker.

Examining other parallels, Prodigal Pyromancer stands out for its tap-to-damage feature, striking each turn without the need to perish in combat. Fire Bowman, though, leverages its potential in the realm of single-use but higher impact plays. Comparatively, Thermo-Alchemist offers an untap mechanic for repeated use; however, it relies on casting instant or sorcery spells, unlike the straightforward activation of Fire Bowman’s ability.

In synthesis, when we survey the landscape of creatures with a knack for damage-dealing in MTG, Fire Bowman presents itself as a versatile choice. Its capacity for controlling the battlefield with targeted creature damage adds a robust tool to any player’s arsenal where strategic timing could shift the game’s balance.

Cards similar to Fire Bowman by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Balloon Brigade - MTG Card versions

Mons's Goblin Raiders - MTG Card versions

Mons's Goblin Waiters - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Fire Bowman card can potentially remove multiple threats or creatures in a single turn, keeping your hand equipped with options while depleting your opponent’s resources.

Resource Acceleration: With every successful hit, Fire Bowman adds a spark of mana to your pool, effectively speeding up your gameplay and allowing for additional actions to be taken sooner than expected.

Instant Speed: Fire Bowman’s ability can be activated at instant speed, providing flexibility in your strategy and the element of surprise, keeping opponents on their toes and disrupting their plans at critical moments.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Fire Bowman card enforces a discard action as part of its activation cost. This can potentially put you at a card disadvantage, particularly in games where maintaining a full hand is crucial for strategy execution and momentum.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a dedicated red mana cost, the Fire Bowman’s flexibility is restricted. Players not running red mana or multicolor decks with red may find it difficult to integrate this card effectively into their deck-building strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluated against other cards with similar effects, the Fire Bowman’s mana cost may be seen as steep. Players could encounter situations where utilizing the same amount of mana could result in a more impactful board presence or card advantage, hence questioning its cost-effectiveness within a given strategy.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Fire Bowman is a dynamic card that can seamlessly integrate into red-based decks. Its ability to deal direct damage makes it an excellent choice for control or aggressive strategies looking for that extra reach.

Combo Potential: This card becomes incredibly potent when combined with effects that double damage or with cards that untap creatures, allowing for multiple uses within a single turn.

Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-fluctuating nature of the MTG meta, the Fire Bowman’s utility as a quick damage dealer can be crucial in matches where swift answers to threats are necessary, particularly in formats where small creatures dominate the battlefield.

How to beat

Fire Bowman in Magic: The Gathering is a card that introduces unique challenges on the battlefield. Its ability to deal damage to creatures or players makes it a versatile threat. To counter this card effectively, the key is to minimize its impact. Employing removal spells like Murder or Fatal Push can dispatch Fire Bowman before its ability can be activated. Likewise, countering it upon casting with a spell like Mana Leak ensures Fire Bowman never even enters the field of play.

Another effective strategy involves using creatures with hexproof or shroud, such as Slippery Bogle or Invisible Stalker. These creatures are impervious to targeted abilities, making them excellent at bypassing Fire Bowman’s damage-dealing capability. Additionally, playing a deck that can outrace Fire Bowman, prioritizing speed and aggression, can outpace the damage potential this card presents. Lastly, incorporating life gain cards such as Kitchen Finks or gaining enough board presence with creatures that can block and survive the shot can dampen the blow from Fire Bowman.

No single card guarantees victory in Magic: The Gathering, but understanding and anticipating this card’s behavior can greatly improve your chances of neutralizing the threat it poses. Adapt your plays accordingly, and you may find Fire Bowman’s arrow missing its mark.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fire Bowman MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms, 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 Fire Bowman and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fire Bowman has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2013-09-20	If a turn has multiple combat phases, the ability can only be activated before the beginning of the declare attackers step of the first combat phase in that turn.