Flame Spirit MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 184
1997-03-24 - Number 229
1999-04-21 - Number 179
2008-09-22 - Number 126
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Elemental Spirit |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
oo R +1/+0 until end of turn
"The spirit of the flame is the spirit of change." —Lovisa Coldeyes, Balduvian Chieftain
Cards like Flame Spirit
Flame Spirit is an intriguing creature card that diversifies the fiery arsenal of elementals in Magic: The Gathering. In relation to its elemental kin, it holds similarities with cards like Fire Elemental, both sharing the fundamental trait of straightforward power and toughness without complex abilities. Flame Spirit, offering decent damage potential, can especially shine in mono-red decks focused on swift aggression.
Moving into cards that evoke a similar feel, we encounter the likes of Cinder Elemental. It not only poses a threat by its mere presence but also comes with an ability to trade itself for direct damage, lending players a tactical advantage. Unlike Flame Spirit, Cinder Elemental acts as a direct damage-dealer on top of being a creature. To contrast, Flame Spirit remains dedicated to combat damage, promoting a more predictable, albeit reliable, strategy.
Ultimately, Flame Spirit embodies the raw essence of red-elemental playstyle—direct and aggressive—solidifying its place in a lineup where straightforward attacking is the priority, standing tall amongst its fiery counterparts.
Cards similar to Flame Spirit by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gaining an upper hand in your deck’s dynamics is critical in MTG. Flame Spirit offers a unique edge by potentially discarding less useful cards to draw into more impactful ones, thereby maintaining pressure and flow throughout the match.
Resource Acceleration: Flame Spirit can be a catalyst for ramping up your resources. Its abilities may complement strategies geared towards accelerating your mana pool, allowing you to deploy threats earlier than expected, disrupting the tempo of the game in your favor.
Instant Speed: The ability to act at instant speed gives you the flexibility to respond to an opponent’s actions or end their turn, keeping them always guessing. Being able to interact on their terms or when it’s most advantageous for you is what makes instant speed cards like Flame Spirit so valuable in a strategist’s arsenal.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Flame Spirit card demands players to discard another card to utilize its abilities. This prerequisite can edge towards a setback for players who are running low on hand size, stripping them of precious resources that could be crucial at later stages of the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Harnessing the power of the Flame Spirit means you need to dedicate a portion of your mana pool specifically to red mana. This restriction can make it challenging for multi-color deck builders to consistently meet the Flame Spirit’s casting requirements, potentially hampering the versatility of their deck construction.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the overall efficiency of your deck, the Flame Spirit’s requirement for a considerable mana investment can be seen as an impediment. Given its mana cost, players might find that alternative creatures or spells offer more value or impact on the battlefield for a similar or lower mana commitment.
Reasons to Include Flame Spirit in Your Collection
Versatility: Flame Spirit offers a unique flexibility to decks that capitalize on both aggressive and spell-based strategies, fitting seamlessly into red burn or elemental tribal builds.
Combo Potential: This card has synergies with various instant and sorcery spells, increasing its power temporarily and potentially turning the tide of the game with an unexpected burst of damage.
Meta-Relevance: Considering its ability to match the pace of many fast-tempo decks, Flame Spirit holds its ground in a meta that favors quick, decisive plays, making it a noteworthy contender.
How to Beat Flame Spirit
The Flame Spirit card is an intriguing element in any MTG player’s deck, offering a spicy mix of firepower and potential board control. However, like any card in Magic: The Gathering, it comes with its own set of vulnerabilities. To overcome a Flame Spirit, consider using strategies that include direct removal spells or abilities. Spells known for their precision and efficiency, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, can dispatch Flame Spirit without batting an eye, bypassing its fiery presence on the battlefield.
Moreover, high-toughness blockers can stifle Flame Spirit’s impact, absorbing its attacks and neutralizing the threat. Look for creatures with robust defensive stats or ones that come with abilities that prevent or mitigate damage. On top of that, playing around Flame Spirit’s activation cost and timing your plays for when your opponent’s mana is tapped out, can give you an advantage. It’s crucial to understand your deck’s strengths and have a counter-strategy ready in your hand, ensuring the Flame Spirit doesn’t blaze through your defenses.
In essence, dealing with a Flame Spirit involves a blend of smart removal, strategic blocking, and precise timing. When all these elements come into play, not even the fiercest Flame Spirit can endure the onslaught of a well-prepared adversary.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Flame Spirit MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Fifth Edition, 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 Spirit 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 Flame Spirit Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Justin Hampton.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 184 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Justin Hampton | |
| 2 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 229 | 1997 | Normal | White | Justin Hampton | |
| 3 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 179 | 1997 | Normal | White | Justin Hampton | |
| 4 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 126 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Justin Hampton |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Flame Spirit has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |