Flame Sweep MTG Card

Flame Sweep grants card advantage by potentially removing more opponent creatures than yours. Speedy gameplay is enabled with its low cost and the flexibility provided by instant speed. Requires strategic play to avoid self-inflicted board damage and reduce mana constraints.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Released	2019-07-12
Set symbol
Set name	Core Set 2020
Set code	M20
Number	139
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Viktor Titov

Text of card

Flame Sweep deals 2 damage to each creature except for creatures you control with flying.

"I have calculated that a dragon in flight, in a single strafing run, can cover an area of—" —Thaedus the Clever, last words

Cards like Flame Sweep

Flame Sweep is a notable inclusion in the realm of red spells that deal damage to multiple creatures. It stands shoulder to shoulder with cards like Pyroclasm or Volcanic Fallout, both capable of altering the battlefield significantly. Unlike Pyroclasm, which also deals 2 damage to each creature, Flame Sweep is an instant, giving it the strategic advantage of timing over its sorcery-speed counterpart. However, Pyroclasm doesn’t discriminate against flyers, hitting all creatures equally.

Volcanic Fallout is another sibling in this suite of red sweepers, dealing 2 damage to each creature and player, ensuring a wider reach that encompasses not just creatures but also opponent life totals. Unlike Flame Sweep, Volcanic Fallout can’t be countered, making it reliable in certain matchups against blue control decks. That said, Flame Sweep’s one extra mana for its instant speed flexibility does offer a unique control option during the opponent’s turn.

Considering the player’s need for speed and tactical response, or the goal of achieving a broad damaging effect, Flame Sweep finds its place in MTG, offering a balanced trade-off between damage, deck speed, and strategic control of the game state.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Flame Sweep provides a substantial edge by dealing damage across the board, potentially eliminating multiple creatures at once. This sweep effect can tip the scales toward card advantage if it removes more of your opponent’s creatures than it does your own.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly affecting your mana resources, Flame Sweep’s low casting cost accelerates your game plan by clearing the battlefield efficiently, allowing you to develop your board without heavy mana investments.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Flame Sweep at instant speed gives you exceptional flexibility during the game. You can navigate through your opponent’s turn with mana open, ready to disrupt their strategy at the most opportune moment without preemptively committing your resources during your own turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Flame Sweep doesn’t directly require you to discard, it may indirectly lead to card disadvantage. This is because its indiscriminate damage can sweep away your smaller creatures alongside your opponent’s, effectively costing you cards from your own board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: Flame Sweep demands a specific mix of mana types, with one red required. This can be restrictive as only decks with red mana sources can utilize it effectively, limiting its versatility across different deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that includes two generic and one red mana, Flame Sweep can be seen as costly for the impact it has on the board. Alternative spells in MTG can offer similar or better effects for a lower investment, making it potentially less preferred in fast-paced or mana-efficient strategies. This notably affects its inclusion in decks where every mana point is critical for maintaining tempo and advantage.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Flame Sweep is a flexible inclusion, well-suited for decks that require board control without harming their own strategies. As an instant, it can be a game-changer in both aggressive and defensive situations.

Combo Potential: This card can be a crucial part of combos, particularly in red decks that thrive on spellslinging and utilize damage modifiers to maximize impact against opposing creatures.

Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-heavy decks are common in many current metas, Flame Sweep can provide a significant edge by clearing multiple threats at once, making it a valuable card for maintaining tempo and controlling the game.

How to beat

Flame Sweep is a potent board-clearing spell in Magic: The Gathering, particularly effective against decks that spawn a multitude of low-toughness creatures. It can swiftly change the dynamics of the battlefield by dealing 2 damage to each creature except for those with flying. This makes it indispensable in matches where crowd control is paramount, especially against tokens or weenie strategies.

To maneuver around Flame Sweep, savvy players tend to adopt a few strategic counters. Prioritizing creatures with toughness greater than 2 can nullify the impact of this card. Additionally, leveraging creatures with flying can sidestep the sweep entirely, giving you an aerial advantage. Including instant-speed indestructibility effects or using spells to grant your creatures temporary toughness boosts during your opponent’s turn are also effective methods to shield your board from this incendiary spell.

Considering these tactics, besting Flame Sweep requires a careful balance in deck construction and timing your plays wisely to mitigate its destructive potential. With the right preparations and responses, your creatures can survive the blaze and continue to exert pressure on your opponent.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Flame Sweep MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2020, 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 Sweep and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Flame Sweep has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Flame Sweep card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2019-07-12	The only creatures that avoid Flame Sweep’s damage are those you control with flying. The set of creatures dealt damage includes creatures you don’t control with flying and creatures you control without flying.