Flame Lash MTG Card

Instant speed grants flexibility and a strategic edge, letting players respond on-the-fly to in-game actions. Deals 4 damage to any target, allowing for removal of larger threats or direct player damage to secure wins. Key role in spell-synergy decks, benefiting from damage triggers and prowess-like mechanics for strategic advantage.

Kaladesh (KLD)
2016-09-30 - Number 266

Jumpstart (JMP)
2020-07-17 - Number 316

Jumpstart 2022 (J22)
2022-12-02 - Number 534

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant

Text of card

Flame Lash deals 4 damage to target creature or player.

"This is just my warm-up."

Cards like Flame Lash

Flame Lash serves as a potent spell in Magic: The Gathering, offering a blend of direct damage and versatility. When it comes to comparison, Lightning Strike stands out as a notable counterpart. Both cards deliver a swift 3 damage to any target, but Flame Lash edges ahead with its ability to deal 4 damage. This extra point of damage can be critical in taking down larger creatures or closing a game.

Another spell worth mentioning is Searing Spear, which, much like Lightning Strike, holds the same cost and ability to inflict 3 damage. Where Flame Lash excels is in its capacity to reach 4 damage, underscoring its efficiency against more formidable foes. Incinerate, however, provides an additional deterrent against regeneration, offering a strategic advantage in specific situations although it matches Flame Lash in mana cost and damage.

Assessing these comparisons, Flame Lash showcases a robust position among direct damage spells in Magic: The Gathering. Its greater damage output for the same cost as others in its class lends players a slight edge, especially pivotal in moments where that additional point of damage can turn the tide of battle.

Cards similar to Flame Lash by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Flame Lash doesn’t directly contribute to card advantage in the traditional sense, its ability to deal with either creatures or direct to a player’s life total offers flexibility that can indirectly lead to gaining control over the game. Removing a key creature can disrupt your opponent’s strategy, maintaining your own advantage on the board.

Resource Acceleration: Resource acceleration isn’t a direct effect of Flame Lash, but by eliminating potential threats or reducing opposing life totals, you’re effectively speeding up your victory clock. This can be seen as a form of accelerating your path to winning the game, even if not in the manner of producing mana or resources.

Instant Speed: Flame Lash operates at instant speed, providing a strategic edge for players who can keep mana open and respond to an opponent’s actions. The ability to choose between casting it during your turn or holding it until just the right moment adds an element of surprise and tactical versatility to your gameplay, disrupting enemy plays or finishing them off unexpectedly.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While this card does not require a discard as a cost, having it in your hand instead of a more versatile spell can feel like an indirect card disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Flame Lash demands a double red mana cost, which can strain mana bases not heavily tailored to red. This makes it less flexible for inclusion in multicolor decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring four mana, two of which must be red, can be steep when you need to respond quickly to threats. There are instances where more cost-effective removal spells would suit your strategy better.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Flame Lash is a flexible tool, capable of targeting both creatures and players. This allows it to serve multiple roles in your deck, from removal of troublesome creatures to a direct finisher to close out games.

Combo Potential: This card can work well with spell-synergy decks that capitalize on casting instants and sorceries. Its ability to deal 4 damage also means it can be a key component in strategies looking to activate damage-based triggers or prowess-like mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where decisive plays make or break a match, Flame Lash can be particularly effective. In a meta with an abundance of creature-based strategies, having such a direct answer to threats gives your deck a competitive edge at a critical moment.

How to beat

Understanding how to navigate around Flame Lash can give players a significant edge in MTG gameplay. This instant card can deal 4 damage to a creature or player, tipping the scales in tight matches. To effectively counter this, players should consider strategies that protect their key creatures, or avoid deploying them when an opponent has untapped mana and could potentially cast Flame Lash.

Options include using cards that grant hexproof to shield from targeted spells, or holding up counterspells to negate Flame Lash directly. Another approach is to bait out the Flame Lash before playing more valuable creatures. Creatures with toughness greater than 4 can also withstand the Lash, thereby minimizing its impact on your board presence. Efficient use of life gain strategies might help absorb the damage aimed at players, preserving your foothold in the game.

Ultimately, staying one step ahead with anticipation of possible removal spells, and sophisticated timing of your own threats is the crux of outpacing an opponent wielding cards like Flame Lash. Familiarity and strategic depth go a long way in not only countering Flame Lash but also in mastering MTG’s dynamic gameplay.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Flame Lash MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Jumpstart, 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 Lash and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Flame Lash Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Viktor Titov.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2016-09-30	Kaladesh	KLD	266	2015	Normal	Black	Viktor Titov
2	2020-07-17	Jumpstart	JMP	316	2015	Normal	Black	Viktor Titov
3	2022-12-02	Jumpstart 2022	J22	534	2015	Normal	Black	Viktor Titov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Flame Lash has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Timeless	Legal