Fire Elemental MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 148
1993-10-04 - Number 149
1993-12-01 - Number 149
1993-12-10 - Number 149
1993-12-10 - Number 149
1994-04-01 - Number 149
1994-04-01 - Number 149
1994-06-21 - Number 149
1995-04-01 - Number 191
1995-04-01 - Number 191
1999-04-21 - Number 176
1999-07-01 - Number 96
2001-04-11 - Number 183★
2001-04-11 - Number 183
2012-07-13 - Number 130
2018-04-27 - Number 120
2018-07-13 - Number 141
2019-07-12 - Number 138
2019-11-07 - Number 929
2022-11-28 - Number 441
2022-11-28 - Number 144
2020-09-26 - Number M19-141
| Card sets | Released in 22 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Cards like Fire Elemental
The Fire Elemental card is a classic creature staple in the fiery arsenal of Magic: The Gathering gameplay. It draws parallels to other elemental behemoths such as the Earth Elemental, which boasts a similar mana cost and power structure. However, the Fire Elemental, with its ability to deal damage solely through its considerable attack strength, diverges in tactics from its earthy cousin known for a more robust defense.
Branching out towards other flammable options, we encounter the Flameborn Hellion. At a comparable mana investment, the Hellion accelerates the aggression with haste, allowing for immediate impact on the battlefield, something the Fire Elemental lacks. On the flip side, the Hellion requires attacking each turn if able, a restriction the versatile Fire Elemental avoids, enabling a more controlled and strategic play.
Analyzing these elemental forces, the Fire Elemental holds its ground in MTG as an archetype of red creatures, offering raw power at a reasonable cost. It exemplifies the essence of red’s relentless assault strategy, although it might lack some of the tactical nuances newer cards introduce.
Cards similar to Fire Elemental by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Playing Fire Elemental can lead to indirect card advantage by pressing the opponent to use multiple resources or cards to deal with a single threat. With its considerable size, it’s often capable of besting smaller creatures in combat, allowing you to maintain or even improve your board presence.
Resource Acceleration: While Fire Elemental itself doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, its sheer presence can accelerate the game’s pace. It may force opponents to act more quickly or spend resources, which can indirectly benefit your strategy as the game develops.
Instant Speed: Fire Elemental is cast at sorcery speed, yet its impact on the game is felt immediately. Its entrance into the battlefield can alter the state of play akin to the surprise of an instant. Although it must be played during one of your main phases, its effect on the board can dictate the tempo, compelling your opponent to react swiftly.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Fire Elemental often means you’re putting all your mana into one creature, which can leave you vulnerable if you need to respond to an opponent’s moves with no cards in hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Fire Elemental carries a mana cost that requires a heavy commitment to red mana, potentially limiting its inclusion in multicolored decks or those with a diverse mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The Elemental’s cost might be a bit steep given its lack of utility or protection abilities, especially when there are other creatures in the same cost bracket that might offer immediate board impact or additional value.
Reasons to Include Fire Elemental in Your Collection
Versatility: Fire Elemental commands a presence on the battlefield that’s able to adapt to a range of aggressive strategies. It fits neatly into red-themed decks that benefit from solid, straightforward power.
Combo Potential: With its substantial strength, the Fire Elemental can be a lynchpin in decks that capitalize on high power creatures. It pairs well with cards that trigger effects whenever a creature with power 3 or greater enters the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: Within the dynamic MTG landscape, a robust creature like Fire Elemental remains relevant, especially in environments where combat-focused gameplay is prevalent. Its substantial 5/4 stats for a relatively low mana cost keep it perpetually useful.
How to beat
Overcoming the ferocity of the Fire Elemental card requires strategic thinking and a familiarity with the breadth of Magic: The Gathering gameplay mechanics. This formidable creature is known for its sheer power, making it a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. But fear not, there are several effective tactics to nullify its impact.
One efficient method is employing removal spells. Cards like Murder, which can destroy any creature at instant speed, or the sorcery-speed Damnation that wipes out all creatures, can deal with Fire Elemental directly without needing to engage in combat. Additionally, countermagic such as Cancel or the more specific Essence Scatter, which negates creature spells, can prevent the Elemental from entering play altogether.
Moreover, chump blocking with smaller creatures can be a viable strategy, especially if those creatures have benefits upon dying, like Doomed Traveler, which creates a token upon death. Last but not least, altering your game plan to outpace your opponent with quicker, more efficient creatures or overcoming them with superior card advantage can turn the tide in your favor. Ultimately, while the Fire Elemental poses a red-hot challenge, a cool-headed approach to game strategy will extinguish the threat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Fire Elemental MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Elemental and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Fire Elemental Magic the Gathering card was released in 20 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 4 different artists.
Show/hide all sets| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 148 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 149 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 149 | 1993 | Normal | White | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 149 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 149 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 149 | 1993 | Normal | White | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 149 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 149 | 1993 | Normal | White | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 191 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 191 | 1993 | Normal | White | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 11 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 176 | 1997 | Normal | White | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 12 | 1999-07-01 | Starter 1999 | S99 | 96 | 1997 | Normal | White | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 13 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 183★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
| 14 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 183 | 1997 | Normal | White | Douglas Shuler | |
| 15 | 2012-07-13 | Magic 2013 | M13 | 130 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Slawomir Maniak | |
| 16 | 2018-04-27 | Dominaria | DOM | 120 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Joe Slucher | |
| 17 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 | M19 | 141 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Slawomir Maniak | |
| 18 | 2019-07-12 | Core Set 2020 | M20 | 138 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Joe Slucher | |
| 19 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 929 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Slawomir Maniak | |
| 20 | The List | PLST | M19-141 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Slawomir Maniak | ||
| 21 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 441 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 22 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 144 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Fire Elemental has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |