Firebolt MTG Card
2001-10-01 - Number 193
2008-11-07 - Number 49
2014-12-05 - Number 49
2016-06-10 - Number 130
2017-03-31 - Number 37
2019-06-14 - Number 122
2019-11-07 - Number 927
2022-12-02 - Number 532
2002-06-24 - Number 31469
2020-09-26 - Number DDS-37
| Card sets | Released in 10 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Abilities | Flashback |
Text of card
Firebolt deals 2 damage to target creature or player. Flashback o4o R (You may play this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then remove it from the game.)
Reach out and torch someone.
Cards like Firebolt
Firebolt stands as a unique option among direct damage spells in MTG’s vast arsenal. It shares some similarities with Lightning Bolt, one of the most iconic spells that deals three damage to any target for a single red mana. While not as potent in its initial cast, Firebolt offers flexibility with its flashback ability, allowing a second use from the graveyard. This feature is absent in Lightning Bolt, giving Firebolt an edge in games that draw out over several turns.
Considering Shock, another staple in the red spell lineup, we see that it delivers an instant two damage for one red mana without the additional utility Firebolt presents. On the other hand, Flames of the Firebrand is a spell with a broader reach, distributing three damage as players choose among up to three targets, although it lacks the recycle potential that the flashback mechanic grants Firebolt.
Hence, Firebolt holds a favorable position in the realm of red spells in Magic: The Gathering. It strategically balances immediate impact with late-game staying power, offering versatility that can sway the momentum of a match when used thoughtfully.
Cards similar to Firebolt by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Firebolt. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Izzet Faeries | Pauper | Izzet Faeries | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-01-06 |
 | Burn | Pauper | Burn | Pauper League 2024-04-30 |
| Rakdos Burn | Pauper | Black Burn | Pauper League 2024-04-23 |
 | Goblin Burn | Pauper | Burn | Monthly Tournament #37 |
 | R | Modern | Modern Preliminary 2024-03-27 (1) | |
 | Mono-Red Tron | Pauper | Tron | MKM Pauper UOL 2024 |
 | Mono-Red Burn | Premodern | $1K - Pre-Modern - SCG CON Hartford - Sunday - 9:30 am | |
| Tron | Pauper | Tron | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-01-20 |
 | Boros Bully | Pauper | Boros Bully | Pauper Challenge 32 2023-12-30 |
 | Burning Oath | Free form | Middle School World Championships |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Firebolt offers a double-play opportunity thanks to its flashback ability. Initially cast from your hand, the card can be played a second time from your graveyard, providing you with an additional resource from a single card.
Resource Acceleration: Despite Firebolt not directly accelerating resources in the traditional sense of mana generation, it does promote a faster gameplay by efficiently removing early-game creatures. This action can maintain or increase your tempo, an indirect form of resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: While Firebolt is cast at sorcery speed, its strength is not diminished. Its ability to be cast from the graveyard at mere instant speed can catch an opponent off guard, disrupting their strategies during their turn with well-timed removal.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Firebolt’s flashback capability, while a flexible feature, necessitates the discard of a card. This can be a hindrance during gameplay, especially in situations where maintaining a full hand is crucial to your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Being a red spell, Firebolt requires red mana to cast. This may not align well with decks that run on a diverse mana base or those that have a minor red component, limiting its versatility across various deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Firebolt’s initial casting cost is relatively low. However, its flashback cost may be seen as steep, considering that there are alternative spells available that can deal similar or more damage for the same or less mana investment.
Reasons to Include Firebolt in Your Collection
Versatility: Firebolt is a card that can be used in a variety of decks, enabling both early-game removal and late-game value through its flashback ability. It is flexible enough to be relevant at various stages of the game.
Combo Potential: This card works well with strategies that take advantage of spells in the graveyard. The ability to cast it from the graveyard gives players an edge by effectively doubling its usage and synergizing with spells-matter decks.
Meta-Relevance: In metas where small creatures or utility creatures dominate, Firebolt offers an efficient solution to keep the board clear. Its presence in your collection ensures you have an answer to aggressive starts by opponents, remaining relevant across various meta shifts.
How to beat
The Firebolt card casts its presence across the battlefield with its ability to deal direct damage, making it a staple in many burn strategies. Its low-cost damage output and flashback capability give it a level of persistence and utility that can be troublesome to opponents.
To effectively counter Firebolt, consider including cards that grant you life. Cards like Feed the Clan or Rest for the Weary can negate the damage dealt by Firebolt and similar burn cards, providing you with a buffer and the chance to stabilize your board. Also, leveraging counterspells such as Negate or Counterspell can stop Firebolt before it impacts the battlefield, nullifying the threat it poses entirely. Reflect on the meta of your game, and if direct damage spells are prevalent, incorporating these defensive strategies will enhance your resilience against such aggressive tactics.
Understanding the mechanics of Firebolt and preparing your deck with countermeasures will position you favorably during matches. Recognizing when to absorb the damage and when to counter will be crucial in navigating your way to victory against an opponent relying on this efficient damage dealer.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Firebolt MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey and Magic Online Promos, 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 Firebolt 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 Firebolt Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-10-01 | Odyssey | ODY | 193 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | |
| 2 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 31469 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | ||
| 3 | 2008-11-07 | Duel Decks: Jace vs. Chandra | DD2 | 49 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | |
| 4 | 2014-12-05 | Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra | JVC | 49 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | |
| 5 | 2016-06-10 | Eternal Masters | EMA | 130 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | |
| 6 | 2017-03-31 | Duel Decks: Mind vs. Might | DDS | 37 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | |
| 7 | 2019-06-14 | Modern Horizons | MH1 | 122 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | |
| 8 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 927 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | |
| 9 | The List | PLST | DDS-37 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis | ||
| 10 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 532 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rallis |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Firebolt has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Firebolt card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-03-19 | A spell cast using flashback will always be exiled afterward, whether it resolves, is countered, or leaves the stack in some other way. |
| 2021-03-19 | If a card with flashback is put into your graveyard during your turn, you can cast it if it’s legal to do so before any other player can take any actions. |
| 2021-03-19 | To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost (such as a flashback cost) you’re paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. The mana value of the spell is determined only by its mana cost, no matter what the total cost to cast the spell was. |
| 2021-03-19 | You can cast a spell using flashback even if it was somehow put into your graveyard without having been cast. |
| 2021-03-19 | You must still follow any timing restrictions and permissions, including those based on the card’s type. For instance, you can cast a sorcery using flashback only when you could normally cast a sorcery. |
| 2021-03-19 | “Flashback -ost]” means “You may cast this card from your graveyard by paying -ost] rather than paying its mana cost” and “If the flashback cost was paid, exile this card instead of putting it anywhere else any time it would leave the stack.” |