Fire Imp MTG Card


Fire Imp provides instant board impact by dealing damage on entry, shaping the flow of the game. Its entrance effect synergizes with damage-based strategies, enhancing red deck builds. Awareness of its discard cost and mana requirements ensures optimal deck inclusion.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Imp
Power 2
Toughness 1

Text of card

When Fire Imp comes into play from your hand, it deals 2 damage to any one creature. (If you're the only player with creatures, Fire Imp deals 2 damage to one of your creatures.)


Cards like Fire Imp

Fire Imp joins the storied ranks of creature cards with direct damage abilities in MTG. Mirroring the Fire Imp’s ability, Goblin Arsonist also offers a way to deal damage upon exiting the battlefield, albeit only a single point. The difference lies in their mana cost and the impact upon departure; the Fire Imp dishes out a larger punch with three points of damage, demonstrating its value for a higher mana investment.

Another kin in function is Ember Hauler. This creature presents the flexibility of controlled damage, allowing the player to choose the target for its fire, similar to the Fire Imp’s targeting condition. However, Ember Hauler requires a sacrifice and additional mana to activate the effect, whereas the Fire Imp’s ability is automatic upon entry, making it straightforward and effective in dealing immediate damage.

When evaluating these cards side by side, it becomes apparent that Fire Imp is a strong contender for those looking to inflict damage early in the game. Its three damage point ability is particularly efficient for clearing smaller creatures from the board or chipping away at an opponent’s life total, solidifying its place in decks that favor aggressive strategies.

Goblin Arsonist - MTG Card versions
Ember Hauler - MTG Card versions
Goblin Arsonist - MTG Card versions
Ember Hauler - MTG Card versions

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

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions
Blind-Spot Giant - MTG Card versions
Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions
Blind-Spot Giant - MTG Card versions
Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Fire Imp may not draw you cards directly, eliminating a key creature from your opponent’s board effectively tips the scales in your favor. Removing blockers or threats can indirectly lead to card advantage as you’re able to attack freely or prevent your opponent’s card synergies.

Resource Acceleration: Though the Fire Imp itself doesn’t ramp up your mana resources, its primary function is to help maintain your lead on the board. By removing an opponent’s creature, you’re accelerating your path to victory, as each play you make post-Imp has a greater impact.

Instant Speed: The dynamic aspect of Fire Imp isn’t its speed but its immediacy upon entering the battlefield. The creature arrives with a mission, and that immediate impact can prove as crucial as an instant by disrupting your opponent’s strategy at a pivotal moment.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When playing the Fire Imp card, you’re met with the mandatory action to discard a card from your hand. This can put you at a disadvantage, especially if your hand size is already dwindling. It’s important to consider the timing of this play to ensure you’re not depleting your resources too quickly.

Specific Mana Cost: The Fire Imp requires a precise mana combination to cast—a demand for both red and generic mana. This can be restrictive, making it less flexible for inclusion in decks that aren’t heavily invested in red mana or those that try to maintain a diverse color balance.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost sitting at a point that may seem steep for its immediate impact, the Fire Imp might not be the go-to option when efficiency is top of mind. There are other creatures and spells in the vast pool of cards that could offer similar or greater effects for the same, if not lower, mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Fire Imp card offers a flexible option for players seeking to enhance their red deck builds. Its ability to deal 2 damage upon entry makes it a solid choice for both creature removal and direct player damage strategies.

Combo Potential: Players can exploit Fire Imp’s entrance ability to synergize with cards that trigger off dealing damage, or use it to quickly reduce creature-based board presence, paving the way for larger combo plays.

Meta-Relevance: Given its potential to disrupt opponent plays early in the game, the Fire Imp card is particularly effective in a meta that favors creature-heavy decks or those that rely on utility creatures for momentum.


How to beat

The Fire Imp is a creature card that brings a little extra heat to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This menacing creature comes with an immediate effect upon entering the battlefield, delivering damage to a target creature. The key to countering this fiery foe is to be proactive and maintain creature protection. Strategic use of instant spells that grant indestructibility or hexproof can save your creatures from its searing entrance. Alternatively, employing countermeasures like negating spells or utilizing instant-speed removal can neutralize the Imp before its ability triggers.

Keep in mind the Imp’s limitations; it can only target creatures upon arrival, so its impact is solely based on timing. Also, the Fire Imp is fragile. With so many ways to deal with creatures after they hit the board, removing it post-cast is a viable option. Instant-speed removal spells that can target and eliminate the Fire Imp regardless of its power level, or board wipes that clear all creatures, serve as efficient solutions. Ultimately, staying one step ahead of this creature and managing threats immediately keeps the Fire Imp from causing any real commotion in your MTG games.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fire Imp MTG card by a specific set like Portal and Masters Edition IV, 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 Imp and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Fire Imp Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1997-05-01 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by DiTerlizzi.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-05-01PortalPOR 1261997NormalBlackDiTerlizzi
22011-01-10Masters Edition IVME4 1131997NormalBlackDiTerlizzi

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fire Imp has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal