Flame-Kin Zealot MTG Card
2005-10-07 - Number 206
2014-09-05 - Number 17
2016-06-10 - Number 201
2019-11-07 - Number 1426
2020-09-26 - Number EMA-201
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Elemental Berserker |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
When Flame-Kin Zealot comes into play, creatures you control get +1/+1 and gain haste until end of turn.
Boros soldiers are like a cache of bombs ready to explode, and the flame-kin light their fuses.
Cards like Flame-Kin Zealot
Flame-Kin Zealot’s role in Magic: The Gathering is reminiscent of creatures that rally other units upon entering the battlefield. Like the esteemed Hero of Bladehold, Flame-Kin Zealot provides a boost to your army, though it offers a one-time effect rather than an ongoing benefit. Hero of Bladehold has a higher impact on the game with its additional token creation and battle cry advantage.
Comparisons can be made to Goblin Bushwhacker, which similarly gives other creatures a lift with its kicker cost that enhances the power of your offensive line for a turn. Although Goblin Bushwhacker is lower in cost and affects the board immediately, Flame-Kin Zealot compensates with a more substantial body and the ability to affect all your creatures without the need for a kicker payment.
Another parallel is found with Reckless Bushwhacker, which also accelerates your play with a surge cost. While this Bushwhacker offers a comparatively inexpensive surge option, Flame-Kin Zealot’s influence extends to a wider buff distribution and a relevant creature type for tribal synergies. Flame-Kin Zealot’s blend of tribal enhancement and universal appeal makes it a unique choice for decks seeking a decisive surge in power.
Cards similar to Flame-Kin Zealot by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Flame-Kin Zealot itself does not inherently provide card draw, its real potential to accumulate card advantage comes from its synergy with decks designed to flood the board with creatures. It can amplify the effects of token-generating cards, turning a filled board into a devastating army with its battle cry ability, effectively maximizing the value of each creature you control.
Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct source of mana acceleration, Flame-Kin Zealot can expedite the victory clock when it hits the battlefield. Its ability to give all your creatures +1/+1 and haste for the turn can transform a stable board state into an explosive one, potentially ending the game in a surprise onslaught well before your opponent stabilizes their resources.
Instant Speed: Flame-Kin Zealot acts at sorcery speed, demanding a strategic setup for its entry. Its greatest strength lies in timing the casting for maximum impact, prepping the stage with a legion of creatures ready to charge at haste. When played in concert with other instant-speed interactions or during a crucial turn, Flame-Kin Zealot elevates the pace of the game, forcing a reaction or sealing the deal against opponents.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Players often find themselves in a bind with the Flame-Kin Zealot’s need for a battalion to unleash its full potential. Without a sizable board presence, its impact diminishes significantly, making it a less ideal draw when you’re behind.
Specific Mana Cost: Flame-Kin Zealot’s casting cost includes both red and white mana, which can restrict deck-building options. Its specific mana requirements dictate a heavy commitment to a Boros color scheme, potentially sidelining the card in more diverse or flexible mana base strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three plus one red mana, Flame-Kin Zealot comes with a steep price relative to its stats and abilities. Players may opt for lower-cost creatures that offer similar or greater board presence, or for spells that provide more immediate and versatile effects for the same cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Flame-Kin Zealot fits neatly into various decks, especially those centering around creatures and aggro strategies. With its ability to give other creatures +1/+1 and haste, it can turn a formidable board position into an overwhelming one rapidly.
Combo Potential: This card shines in combination with strategies involving token generation. Unleashing a swarm of buffed creatures that can attack immediately can lead to game-ending scenarios, particularly in concert with cards that multiply tokens.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where aggressive strategies are favored, Flame-Kin Zealot can offer the crucial burst of speed and power to tip the scales in your favor, making it a meaningful consideration for your collection.
How to beat
Flame-Kin Zealot steps onto the battlefield with an explosive presence in the world of Magic: The Gathering. Bolstering its allies, this fiery warrior grants both +1/+1 and haste to other creatures when it enters the fray. This effect can quickly escalate the pressure on an opponent, especially when timed with a well-structured deck ready to capitalize on its abilities.
To outmaneuver Flame-Kin Zealot, players should anticipate its arrival with control elements that prevent creatures from benefiting from the Zealot’s buffs. This can be through countering the spell directly or by removing the Zealot before it triggers its enter-the-battlefield effect. Board wipes and spot removal are efficient ways to keep the creatures at bay and negate the Zealot’s potential impact. Frost Breath and other cards that tap down opponents’ creatures can stall the incoming onslaught, providing a strategic breathing room against an otherwise overwhelming tide.
In essence, staying one step ahead of Flame-Kin Zealot means keeping control options at the ready and disrupting your opponent’s tempo, consequently dimming the Zealot’s flame before it can become an inferno that consumes your chances of victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Flame-Kin Zealot MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds and Duel Decks: Speed vs. Cunning, 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-Kin Zealot 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
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Printings
The Flame-Kin Zealot Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2005-10-07 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Arnie Swekel.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2005-10-07 | Ravnica: City of Guilds | RAV | 206 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Arnie Swekel | |
| 2 | 2014-09-05 | Duel Decks: Speed vs. Cunning | DDN | 17 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Arnie Swekel | |
| 3 | 2016-06-10 | Eternal Masters | EMA | 201 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Arnie Swekel | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1426 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Arnie Swekel | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | EMA-201 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Arnie Swekel |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Flame-Kin Zealot has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Flame-Kin Zealot card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-06-08 | All creatures under your control when Flame-Kin Zealot’s triggered ability resolves are affected, including Flame-Kin Zealot itself. Ones that come under your control or become creatures later in the turn are not. |