Flame Wave MTG Card
1998-03-02 - Number 81
2005-07-29 - Number 182
2005-07-29 - Number 182★
2015-05-06 - Number 131
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Flame Wave deals 4 damage to target player and each creature he or she controls.
"I hear the roaring of a wave whose waters are red and whose mists are black." —Oracle *en*-Vec
Cards like Flame Wave
In Magic: The Gathering, Flame Wave offers players a powerful board control option. It’s often talked about in the same breath as Earthquake, for their ability to deal a substantial amount of damage across the board. Earthquake, however, can be scaled to suit your mana availability and additionally hits players, which allows for more tactical flexibility when managing life totals.
Another card that turns heads is Rolling Earthquake. Unlike Flame Wave, this spell hits each creature without flying and each player, setting it apart with its indiscriminate damage distribution, making it a viable choice for a variety of situations. The aspect where Flame Wave shines is in its ability to selectively affect only the opponent’s creatures and planeswalkers, leaving your side of the battlefield unscathed.
When evaluating the strategic uses of sweepers in your deck, Flame Wave occupies a unique position with its four-turn span of damage output, potentially clearing out consecutive waves of threats. While its higher mana cost can be a drawback, the unidirectional damage can be pivotal in matches where preserving your own board is crucial.
Cards similar to Flame Wave by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Flame Wave delivers a significant board impact by dealing 4 damage to target player and each creature they control. This sweeping effect can often clear multiple creatures off the board in one fell swoop, potentially translating into a formidable card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: In environments or decks that capitalize on spell synergies, Flame Wave can contribute towards resource acceleration. Specific deck archetypes might reward you for casting high-cost spells or simply using spells to fuel other abilities or conditions for victory.
Instant Speed: While Flame Wave doesn’t operate at instant speed, its substantial effect at sorcery speed sets a pace that can drastically change the state of the game. Knowing when to deploy this impactful card is key, as it can serve as a turning point when used strategically after committing your opponents to overextend their board presence.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Flame Wave necessitates a significant setup by discarding cards to fuel its high mana cost. Should your hand be running thin, deploying this spell could put you at a strategic disadvantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Casting this spell requires four red mana, making it a challenging fit for multi-colored decks and less versatile than cards with more flexible mana requirements.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The steep cost of eight mana makes Flame Wave a late-game option. Earlier in the game, when mana is scarce, other spells could offer faster and potentially more impactful plays.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Flame Wave adds a powerful dimension to red decks, fitting nicely into strategies that demand a broad sweep to clear multiple threats at once. It’s a game-changer in both casual and more competitive play formats.
Combo Potential: When synergized with cards that reduce the cost of instants and sorceries, or with those that copy spell effects, Flame Wave can be a centerpiece in devastating combinations that turn the tide of a game.
Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-shifting landscape of the MTG meta, Flame Wave holds its ground as an impactful card against decks that flood the board with creatures. It’s a solid inclusion in a meta where creature-heavy strategies are prevalent.
How to beat
Flame Wave presents a formidable challenge for MTG players with its potent ability to deal significant damage across the board. This red sorcery can shift the tide of the game, especially in a mono-red or red-heavy deck where maximizing damage is key. Flame Wave not only deals 4 damage to each creature but also scathes the opponent, chipping away at their life total. However, it is not without its weaknesses.
Utilizing counterspells such as Counterspell or Mana Leak can effectively prevent Flame Wave from resolving. For those playing within green’s domain, leveraging spells like Heroic Intervention can protect your side of the field, preserving your creatures from the blaze. Efficient mana usage and timing are vital; having mana open to cast these protective spells when your opponent taps out for a Flame Wave can be a game-changer.
In essence, Flame Wave’s high mana cost and its sorcery speed give opponents a window to prepare and counteract. Successful navigation involves foresight and a strategic balance of resource management, ensuring that the necessary defenses or counters are at the ready when this fiery wave threatens to engulf the board.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Flame Wave MTG card by a specific set like Stronghold and Ninth 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 Wave and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Wave Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1998-03-02 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by Donato Giancola.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-03-02 | Stronghold | STH | 81 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola | |
| 2 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 182 | 2003 | Normal | White | Donato Giancola | |
| 3 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 182★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola | |
| 4 | 2015-05-06 | Tempest Remastered | TPR | 131 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Flame Wave has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |