Fire Shrine Keeper MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Abilities | Menace |
| Released | 2017-09-29 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ixalan |
| Set code | XLN |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 144 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Zoltan Boros |
Text of card
Menace , , Sacrifice Fire Shrine Keeper: It deals 3 damage to each of up to two target creatures.
Though grimed with the dust of centuries, the ancient shrine was not unguarded.
Cards like Fire Shrine Keeper
Fire Shrine Keeper enters the realm of Magic the Gathering as a versatile red creature. Its likeness to other one-drop creatures like Goblin Guide is evident in its potential for an aggressive start. However, this Keeper is unique with its Menace ability, requiring opponents to block with two or more creatures, a tactical advantage not found in the straightforward attack power of Goblin Guide.
Comparing Fire Shrine Keeper to Forge Devil illuminates the utility differences. Forge Devil deals a point of damage upon entry to any target at the cost of one life, a direct interaction absent in the Keeper. Yet, the Keeper’s endgame potential with its eight-mana activated ability to deal 3 damage to each of up to two targets sets it apart from the immediate yet singular effect of the Devil.
Taking a step back to analyze, Fire Shrine Keeper finds its place as a multifaceted card. Early in the game, it’s a menace threat, and later, it can be a significant game-changer with the potential to shift the board state considerably, a quality that certainly finds its niche in red creature decks within Magic the Gathering.
Cards similar to Fire Shrine Keeper by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Fire Shrine Keeper. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Red Aggro | Historic | Other | MTGA Pauper: Historic Pauper Tournament (6 Jan '24) |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Fire Shrine Keeper doesn’t directly draw cards, its menace ability makes it a pesky blocker for your opponent to deal with, potentially leading to favorable trades and indirectly contributing to card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: The Fire Shrine Keeper’s efficient cost of one red mana allows for swift plays, maintaining resource momentum and potentially freeing up mana for other crucial spells in the early game.
Instant Speed: The ultimate ability of Fire Shrine Keeper can be activated at instant speed, providing flexibility and surprise factor. You can unleash a damaging effect on your terms, clearing the way for a decisive strike or disrupting your opponent’s strategies when they least expect it.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside of Fire Shrine Keeper is its Menace ability, which, while useful, may require you to discard other cards from your hand to fully capitalize on its aggressive strategy. This could put you at a disadvantage, especially if you are already behind in card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a precise mana investment of one red mana. While this is easily accessible in mono-red or two-color decks, it could be restrictive for players experimenting with three or more colors, severely limiting its versatility in a wide array of deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Fire Shrine Keeper has an explosive late-game ability, the activation cost of eight mana to deal damage to each nonland permanent can be quite steep. Considering the rapid pace of most MTG games, there are other creatures or spells that might present a more cost-effective solution for dealing wide-spread damage without such a high resource commitment.
Reasons to Include Fire Shrine Keeper in Your Collection
Versatility: Fire Shrine Keeper offers flexibility in deck-building, easily slipping into red-based aggro or control strategies thanks to its low casting cost and Menace ability, which makes it harder for opponents to block effectively.
Combo Potential: Its activated ability provides a potent late-game explosion, capable of sweeping away small creatures and paving the way for a final assault. Strategically, this works well with sacrifice mechanics and damage amplification effects.
Meta-Relevance: As games evolve, the ability to deal with multiple creatures simultaneously becomes invaluable. In a meta with tempo-focused creature decks, Fire Shrine Keeper has the potential to turn the tide of battle with its board-altering ability.
How to Beat Fire Shrine Keeper
Fire Shrine Keeper represents an intriguing challenge in the lineup of one-drop creatures in MTG. Equipped with Menace, it demands careful strategy to effectively tackle it, ensuring that it’s not left unchecked to activate its formidable eight mana ability, which can deal damage to each of your creatures and opponent.
To outsmart your opponent’s Fire Shrine Keeper, consider cards that neutralize it before the activation cost becomes affordable. Removal spells such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can efficiently remove the Keeper from play without committing excessive resources. Similarly, utilizing bounce spells like Unsummon can temporarily disrupt your opponent’s board, buying you crucial turns against this one-drop minion.
Counterspells also offer a proactive solution, stifling the Keeper before it even hits the battlefield. However, if the game progresses and the Keeper’s lethal ability looms, ramping up your mana production with cards like Llanowar Elves or Birds of Paradise might provide the means for your own powerful plays to overshadow the fiery threat of the Fire Shrine Keeper. Above all, maintaining tempo and control over the board is key to ensuring this small creature doesn’t escalate into a larger issue.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Fire Shrine Keeper MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan, 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 Shrine Keeper 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Fire Shrine Keeper has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Fire Shrine Keeper card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-09-29 | You can’t target the same creature twice to have Fire Shrine Keeper deal 6 damage to it. |