Fireball MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 40 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 1 |
Rarity | Common |
Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Fireball does X damage total, divided evenly (round down) among any number of targets. Pay 1 extra mana for each target beyond the first.
Cards like Fireball
Fireball, a spell of destruction well-known among MTG players, holds particularity in the roster of burn spells due to its customisable damage output and target flexibility. As a comparison, the card Disintegrate also delivers significant direct damage, but it holds the perk of not allowing regeneration, something Fireball lacks.
Flame Rift and Earthquake share defining aspects with Fireball. Both cards offer similar damage scales with multiple target options. However, Flame Rift lacks adjustability in damage assignment, and Earthquake, while impacting all players and flying creatures, could lead to your own loss if not used judiciously. Chain Lightning is another worthy mention here, dealing damage not just to one target, but also providing an opportunity for retaliatory counter damage.
On a comparative note, while Fireball possesses a scalability dependent on mana investment, it distinctly shines because of its potential for multiple target assignment, making it a lethal weapon in any player’s arsenal. Its value undeniably places it as a unique card in MTG, due to its damaging potential and multi-target strategy.
Cards similar to Fireball by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Fireball mtg gives the player the opportunity to eliminate multiple targets using a single card. This makes Fireball a valuable tool for achieving card advantage, as it helps maintain a strong board presence against the opponent.
Resource Acceleration: The dynamic nature of Fireball’s mana cost allows for resource acceleration. As the game progresses, Fireball becomes even more impactful as it can accommodate larger amounts of mana, increasing the damage it can inflict.
Instant Speed: Fireball is a sorcery-speed spell, which means it can’t be used in response to other spells like instants. However, its versatility and power often compensate for this minor setback. The timing of when it is played can strategically manipulate the game, providing the user with more control over the board state.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Fireball is if it is employed with the X value set to zero, a counterintuitive strategy, you are required to discard a card. For players trying to optimize their resources, unavoidably parting with a card could be a significant disadvantage.
Specific Mana Cost: The spell’s primary requirement for red mana restricts its use predominantly to decks that incorporate red. Therefore, this specific mana requirement might not cater to all MTG players’ needs or strategies. While versatility can be a strength, here it becomes restrictive.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering the game’s dynamic, it’s important to note that Fireball’s effectiveness is proportional to the mana spent on it. Elementally, you would need an adequate mana pool to maximize its effect. In an unfavorable game progression, there might be other cards that could provide more cost-efficient solutions.
Reasons to Include Fireball in Your Collection
Versatility: Fireball is a classic spell that can be incorporated into multiple deck types. As it connects to both direct damage and variable mana cost, it is a flexible card suitable for many game situations.
Combo Potential: Though seemingly straightforward, Fireball carries significant combo potential. It pairs supremely well with cards increasing mana resources or doubling the damage, making it a card combo aspirant to leverage.
Meta-Relevance: In an MTG meta-game where direct damage spells are always in style, Fireball remains a timeless spell. Whether you play it to target an opponent or his creatures, this spell’s contribution to meta-relevance can’t be understated.
How to beat
The Fireball spell card is renowned for its brute force in Magic: The Gathering. This powerful magic, which deals x damage spread across any number of targets, has earned a reputation for its annihilating force. Fireball’s formidable control over the amount of damage and its allocation make it a significant card to counter.
Yet, Fireball has its limitations too. It comes at the cost of tapped mana, limiting the user’s other resources. Preventive strategies against Fireball drop into two main categories: Counter-magic and Life gain. Counter-magic cards like Cancel can neutralize Fireball, efficiently countering its destruction. Lifegain cards, on the other hand, boost you above the fatal Fireball blow, protecting your life total.
Another counter-strategy is using damage redirection or reduction. Protection-based cards such as Healing Salve or Deflecting Palm can either absorb or redirect the incoming Fireball damage respectively, giving you another chance to survive the onslaught.
In conclusion, Fireball may pack a punch, but apt strategies can help you dodge its fatal blow. It’s all about assessing your cards and employing a tactical response to Fireball’s threatening strength.
BurnMana Recommendations
Mastering the fiery arcs of Fireball in MTG can shift the tide in any match. This powerhouse of destruction serves as a keystone in red decks, carving paths to victory through direct, adaptable damage. Delve deeper into strategies surrounding this sorcery to recognize its true potential in achieving card advantage, discovering combos, and maintaining meta-relevance. Enhance your MTG expertise with us as you explore the versatility of Fireball, learn to overcome its restrictions, and effectively incorporate it into your deck. Don’t let this spell’s power remain untapped; allow us to guide you through its mastery for an invincible board state.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Fireball 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 Fireball 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
Printings
The Fireball Magic the Gathering card was released in 34 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 5 different artists.
Show/hide all sets# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 149 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 150 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 150 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Tedin | |
4 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 150 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
5 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 150 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
6 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 150 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
7 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 150 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Tedin | |
8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 150 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Tedin | |
9 | Media Inserts | PMEI | 4 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Tedin | ||
10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 192 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
11 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 192 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Tedin | |
12 | 1996-05-02 | Pro Tour Collector Set | PTC | mj192 | 1993 | Normal | Gold | Mark Tedin | |
13 | 1996-05-02 | Pro Tour Collector Set | PTC | et192 | 1993 | Normal | Gold | Mark Tedin | |
14 | 1996-05-02 | Pro Tour Collector Set | PTC | gb192 | 1993 | Normal | Gold | Mark Tedin | |
15 | 1996-07-01 | Rivals Quick Start Set | RQS | 31 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Tedin | |
16 | 1996-08-02 | Arena League 1996 | PARL | 7 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Jock | |
17 | 1996-12-31 | Introductory Two-Player Set | ITP | 32 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Tedin | |
18 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 227 | 1997 | Normal | White | Mark Tedin | |
19 | 2000-10-01 | Beatdown Box Set | BTD | 37 | 1997 | Normal | White | Mark Tedin | |
20 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 31485 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | ||
21 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 36321 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Jock | ||
22 | 2004-02-06 | Darksteel | DST | 60 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Dorman | |
23 | 2004-09-01 | World Championship Decks 2004 | WC04 | mb60 | 2003 | Normal | Gold | Dave Dorman | |
24 | Magic Player Rewards 2005 | P05 | 3 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | ||
25 | 2008-11-07 | Duel Decks: Jace vs. Chandra | DD2 | 56 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Dorman | |
26 | 2009-07-17 | Magic 2010 | M10 | 136 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Dorman | |
27 | 2010-06-18 | Archenemy | ARC | 37 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Dorman | |
28 | 2010-07-16 | Magic 2011 | M11 | 138 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Dorman | |
29 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 115 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
30 | 2011-07-15 | Magic 2012 | M12 | 131 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Dorman | |
31 | 2013-11-01 | Commander 2013 | C13 | 106 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Dorman | |
32 | 2014-12-05 | Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra | JVC | 56 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dave Dorman | |
33 | 2017-11-17 | Iconic Masters | IMA | 128 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dave Dorman | |
34 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 926 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dave Dorman | |
35 | The List | PLST | DD2-56 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Dorman | ||
36 | The List | PLST | IMA-128 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dave Dorman | ||
37 | 2022-06-10 | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate | CLB | 175 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Xavier Ribeiro | |
38 | 2022-06-10 | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate | CLB | 397 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Justine Jones | |
39 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 145 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
40 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 442 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Fireball has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Oldschool | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Fireball card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2017-11-17 | Fireball's damage is divided as Fireball resolves, not as it's cast, because there are no choices involved. The division involves only targets that are still legal as Fireball resolves. |
2017-11-17 | For example, if X is 5 and you choose three target creatures, Fireball has a total cost of (even though its mana cost is just and its mana value is 6). If those creatures are all still legal targets as Fireball resolves, it deals 1 damage to each of them. |
2017-11-17 | You can target more than X creatures. However, if the number of legal targets at the time Fireball resolves is greater than X, none of them will be dealt any damage. |
2017-11-17 | You may cast Fireball with zero targets, regardless of the value chosen for X. If you do so, it will not be a targeted spell, and no damage will actually be dealt when it resolves. |