Fireblast MTG Card
1997-02-03 - Number 79
1998-08-12 - Number br79
2008-11-07 - Number 55
2010-11-08 - Number B15
2014-06-16 - Number 159
2014-12-05 - Number 55
2023-01-13 - Number 119
2023-01-13 - Number 319
2001-01-01 - Number 12
2002-06-24 - Number 43598
2002-06-24 - Number 31401
| Card sets | Released in 11 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
You may sacrifice two mountains instead of paying Fireblast's casting cost. Fireblast deals 4 damage to target creature or player.
Embermages aren't well known for their diplomatic skills.
Cards like Fireblast
Exploring the dynamics of direct damage spells in Magic: The Gathering, Fireblast shines as a notable finisher. It stands in line with Lightning Bolt, known for its low cost and efficiency in dealing three damage. However, Fireblast elevates the stakes with the potential to deal a whopping four damage without spending mana at the critical endgame stage, provided you sacrifice two mountains instead.
Chain Lightning is another card that echoes a similar effect, giving players a reliable damage option. Like Lightning Bolt, it costs a single red mana but doesn’t offer the same zero-mana surprise factor that Fireblast boasts. Additionally, we have Flames of the Blood Hand, which also deals four damage but includes a restriction against life gain, a feature absent in Fireblast. While Flames of the Blood Hand has its utilities, the versatility and game-ending capacity of Fireblast at an opportune moment gives it a distinct advantage.
Assessing different burn spells in Magic: The Gathering, Fireblast secures a unique niche. Its ability to bypass traditional mana requirements under specific game states and deal significant damage makes it a formidable choice for players looking to harness the power of red decks.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Fireblast offers a strategic edge by enabling powerful plays without the need to tap mana, keeping your hand ready for other tactics and potentially overwhelming an unprepared opponent.
Resource Acceleration: Although Fireblast requires the sacrifice of two mountains, it can be seen as a form of resource acceleration in the sense that it propels you towards an expedited victory, eliminating the need for additional mana expenditure for a powerful effect.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of Fireblast being an instant means you can take your foes by surprise, making it a formidable tool for altering the tide of the game during critical moments or in response to an opponent’s actions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Fireblast MTG card comes with a significant trade-off. To cast it without paying its mana cost, you’re required to sacrifice two mountains. This can put you at a disadvantage, particularly in the later stages of the game when every land counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Even though you can opt to sacrifice lands instead of paying the mana cost, Fireblast’s specific mana cost of 4 red mana can be restrictive. This makes the card a less versatile option in multicolored decks that may not have the resources to meet such a demanding color requirement.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Should you choose to pay the mana cost outright, the price of 6 mana, including 4 red, is on the higher end for an instant direct damage spell. This can make Fireblast a heavy investment in decks that need to manage their mana efficiently or compete in faster-paced games.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Fireblast offers a powerful finisher for various red aggro or burn decks, fitting seamlessly due to its cost-free casting option when sacrificing two Mountains. This makes it a potential game-changer in a pinch.
Combo Potential: This card’s ability to deliver a high damage output without tapping mana can quickly turn the tide when combined with spells or abilities that capitalize on instant speed direct damage.
Meta-Relevance: As the MTG landscape frequently sees creature-heavy and aggressive strategies, Fireblast’s capacity to remove key threats or close out a game makes it an asset in maintaining relevance within the ever-shifting meta.
How to beat
Fireblast is a notorious card in MTG, known for its surprising finisher capability in red burn decks. It has the ability to deliver a staggering 4 damage without any mana cost, assuming you sacrifice two mountains instead. Understanding this, the key to counteract Fireblast starts with disrupting the player’s land base, reducing the number of mountains they control. Controlling impactful land destruction cards or strategies that can remove or tap down lands are effective measures.
Another line of defense lies in lifegain. By increasing your life total, you create a buffer against the burst of damage that Fireblast represents. Cards that can gain you life instantaneously, especially in response to a Fireblast, can turn the tides of the game. Furthermore, spell counter measures serve as direct answers. Instant speed counterspells can negate the fiery onslaught before it can scorch you, rendering your opponent’s sacrifice futile.
Overall, anticipating and preparing for a Fireblast requires tactical plays and the inclusion of cards that can mitigate its effect. Land interference, lifegain strategies, and counterspells are your arsenal to extinguish the threat of this blistering MTG spell and secure your victory on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Fireblast MTG card by a specific set like Visions and World Championship Decks 1998, 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 Fireblast 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 Fireblast Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 1997-02-03 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-02-03 | Visions | VIS | 79 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Michael Danza | |
| 2 | 1998-08-12 | World Championship Decks 1998 | WC98 | br79 | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Michael Danza | |
| 3 | Friday Night Magic 2001 | F01 | 12 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Michael Danza | ||
| 4 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 43598 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mike Bierek | ||
| 5 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 31401 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Michael Danza | ||
| 6 | 2008-11-07 | Duel Decks: Jace vs. Chandra | DD2 | 55 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Michael Danza | |
| 7 | 2010-11-08 | Magic Online Theme Decks | TD0 | B15 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Michael Danza | |
| 8 | 2014-06-16 | Vintage Masters | VMA | 159 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mike Bierek | |
| 9 | 2014-12-05 | Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra | JVC | 55 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Michael Danza | |
| 10 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 119 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mike Bierek | |
| 11 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 319 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mike Bierek |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Fireblast has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |