Flame-Blessed Bolt MTG Card
2021-11-19 - Number 158
2022-01-28 - Number 425
2021-11-19 - Number 44
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Flame-Blessed Bolt deals 2 damage to target creature or planeswalker. If that creature or planeswalker would die this turn, exile it instead.
"I noticed you were short on party favors, so I brought my own." —Higa, slayer-captain of Gatstaf
Cards like Flame-Blessed Bolt
Flame-Blessed Bolt makes its mark as an efficient removal spell in the Magic: The Gathering pantheon. It echoes other damage spells like Lightning Bolt which also deals 3 damage, but Flame-Blessed Bolt costs an additional mana and comes with an exile clause. This can be a double-edged sword, as it restricts targeting only non-angel creatures, but ensures that problematic creatures don’t return from the graveyard.
Considering Searing Spear, this spell also inflicts 3 damage at the same mana cost, yet lacks the exiling benefit, allowing creature recursion strategies to flourish. Exiling is a crucial advantage Flame-Blessed Bolt holds, which can hinder decks relying on graveyard interactions. Then, we have Skewer the Critics with its spectacle cost, offering a more affordable alternative to deal damage if a condition is met, although it doesn’t feature the pivotal exile effect of Flame-Blessed Bolt.
Ultimately, Flame-Blessed Bolt positions itself as a viable card in any MTG player’s arsenal, especially in metagames where preventing creature reanimation is essential. It balances the scale with its cost, impact, and niche exile capability that can strategically suppress certain decks from gaining momentum.
Cards similar to Flame-Blessed Bolt by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Flame-Blessed Bolt. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Gruul Aggro | Standard | Gruul Aggro | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 8, 2024 |
 | URG | Standard | Standard Super Qualifier 2024-04-28 | |
 | Mono-Red Painter | Standard | Mono-Red Aggro | Jaffer's Mini Mosh - Standard |
| Izzet Control | Pioneer | Izzet Control | Pioneer League 2023-12-14 |
| Gruul Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Games: We're Back | |
| Mono-Red Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
 | All Other Decklists | Pioneer | Gruul Aggro | NRG Series $5,000 Trial - Madison, Wisconsin (Pioneer) |
 | Izzet Transmogrify | Pioneer | Izzet Transmogrify | 21Champions Cup Final Season 2 Round 1 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Flame-Blessed Bolt itself may not directly offer raw card advantage, its efficient removal effect can play a pivotal role in two-for-one scenarios. For example, eliminating a threatening creature that your opponent spent resources on can indirectly contribute to your overall card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Resource acceleration is not directly applicable to Flame-Blessed Bolt. However, its low mana cost is an asset. By only spending a single red mana, you can preserve your resources for other spells, effectively positioning yourself for future plays and maintaining a resource-rich grip.
Instant Speed: Flames-Blessed Bolt’s instant-speed nature gives you the upper hand by allowing reactive play. You can utilize it to interfere with enemy combat strategies or disrupt pivotal plays during your opponent’s turn, protecting your game state without skipping a beat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Even though Flame-Blessed Bolt can deliver a quick burst of damage, it demands players to part with another card from their hand. This could turn into a critical setback when your hand size is already dwindling, potentially costing you valuable momentum in the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Flame-Blessed Bolt’s mana cost necessitates a strategic deck build around red mana sources. This makes it less flexible for inclusion in multi-color decks where red mana might not be readily available or in abundance to meet the cost when needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Flame-Blessed Bolt boasts a decent damage output, its mana cost might be prohibitive considering alternative cards within the same mana range offer additional benefits or more versatile effects. This can make it a less attractive option, especially when building a deck with a focus on efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Flame-Blessed Bolt shines in various decks, offering both quick removal of early threats and direct damage that can swing games in your favor. Its flexibility is a boon for players needing efficient burn spells.
Combo Potential: This card easily slots into red-focused combo decks, playing a key role in eliminating blockers or damaging opponents directly. Its synergy with spell-boosting effects can amplify its impact significantly.
Meta-Relevance: Given the fast pace of the current MTG landscape, having access to instant-speed damage can disrupt opponent strategies while keeping you one step ahead. Flame-Blessed Bolt’s potency keeps it relevant as it adeptly handles prominent creatures and planeswalkers.
How to beat
Flame-Blessed Bolt is an impactful spell in MTG, known for its ability to deliver direct damage to creatures or planeswalkers. Its versatility ensures it can often remove threats from the board swiftly. To counteract this card, players need to be strategic with their valuable creatures, understanding that Flame-Blessed Bolt can target and potentially destroy key pieces if they are within its damage range.
One effective strategy is to employ creatures with toughness greater than three, ensuring they are out of reach of the Bolt’s direct damage. Another tactic is to utilize instant-speed spells that can buff your creatures’ toughness temporarily, thwarting the Bolt’s impact when it’s cast. Additionally, holding back on playing pivotal creatures until you’re able to protect them or until your opponent has used their Bolt, can sway the game in your favor.
Moreover, spells that grant your creatures indestructibility or regeneration for a turn can serve as potent shields against the Bolt’s flames. Being proactive with such defensive spells can make Flame-Blessed Bolt a far less intimidating challenge on the battlefield. Ultimately, understanding the timing and employing the right protective strategies are key to mitigating the threat posed by this efficient removal spell.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Flame-Blessed Bolt MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Crimson Vow and Crimson Vow Art Series, 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 Flame-Blessed Bolt 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
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Printings
The Flame-Blessed Bolt Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Andreas Zafiratos.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-11-19 | Innistrad: Crimson Vow | VOW | 158 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Andreas Zafiratos | |
| 2 | Crimson Vow Art Series | AVOW | 44 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Andreas Zafiratos | ||
| 3 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 425 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Andreas Zafiratos |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Flame-Blessed Bolt has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Flame-Blessed Bolt card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-11-19 | A creature or planeswalker dealt damage this way will be exiled instead of dying if it dies for any reason later in the turn, even if it initially survived the 2 damage. |