Flare MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 185
1996-10-08 - Number 176
1997-03-24 - Number 230
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Flare deals 1 damage to target creature or player. Draw a card at the beginning of the next turn's upkeep.
"I strive for elegance and speed in my work." —Jaya Ballard, Task Mage
Cards like Flare
Flare is an intriguing card in the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering. It operates within the realm of instant speed removal and direct damage, similar to cards like Lightning Bolt. While Lightning Bolt offers a more efficient rate of damage for mana cost, Flare provides the unique advantage of card drawing that its counterpart lacks. As opposed to the straight damage approach, Flare demands the sacrifice of a card as part of its casting cost, thus introducing a strategic depth to its use.
Another card with resonance to Flare is Fireball. While Fireball allows a player to distribute multiple points of damage across various targets, it comes with a higher and more variable mana cost. Flare, with its fixed cost and effect, presents a more predictable and controlled play. Additionally, Incinerate serves as a point of comparison. Incinerate may not let you draw a card, but its ability to prevent regeneration can critically impact a match, a feature Flare does not possess.
Considering the added utility of card drawing coupled with dealing damage, Flare aligns itself as an apt choice for players who value a combination of disruption and resource advantage. It stands as a card that can swing momentum by not only neutralizing threats but also by refueling the hand, a duality that is precious in MTG’s strategic gameplay.
Cards similar to Flare by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: A crucial tactic in any MTG player’s arsenal is maintaining a strong hand. Flare excels in this by enabling a player to restock their hand, ensuring they don’t fall behind in the long tug-of-war that card advantage often becomes.
Resource Acceleration: Efficient mana usage can mean the difference between victory and defeat. Flare provides a significant boost by offering additional mana sources, giving players the upper hand in deploying their strategies more swiftly and effectively than their opponents.
Instant Speed: The ability to react to an opponent’s actions cannot be overstated. Flare’s instant speed allows a cunning player to wait for the perfect moment to act, potentially disrupting an opponent’s plans while simultaneously bolstering their own position on the board.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Flare necessitates the discarding of a card as part of its casting cost. This can put players at a disadvantage, especially in situations where hand size is critical to maintaining strategic options.
Specific Mana Cost: Flare carries a mana cost that requires both red and white mana, which can prove restrictive. This means it’s not always the best fit for multicolor decks that might not have a reliable mana base for these specific colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that includes three generic and one red mana, Flare has a somewhat high mana cost when compared with other instant cards that offer similar levels of damage or card cycling capabilities. This could potentially slow down the pace at which a player can execute their game plan.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Flare offers a unique blend of direct damage and card advantage that can slide into various styles of play. It’s a flexible card, ideal for decks that aim to control the board while stocking the graveyard for other synergies.
Combo Potential: This card can serve as a pivotal piece in a graveyard-focused strategy, enabling you to recycle spells or increase graveyard counts for powerful threshold effects. Its ability to target creatures or players opens up numerous pathways for strategic plays.
Meta-Relevance: With decks consistently running creatures crucial for their game plans, Flare remains a relevant inclusion. Its capacity to disrupt opponents while cycling itself from your hand ensures that it remains a tool adept at navigating through creature-heavy metas.
How to Beat Flare
Flare stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a versatile instant, known for its ability to not only damage opponents but also draw cards. Its unique trigger, based on the number of cards in your graveyard, can turn the tide of a match. This multifaceted card requires a strategic approach to mitigate its effects.
One effective strategy against Flare is employing graveyard disruption tools. Cards that can exile or shuffle graveyards into libraries, like Tormod’s Crypt or Bojuka Bog, can significantly weaken Flare’s impact. Another angle of attack is to use counterspells that negate Flare entirely, preventing its dual benefit altogether. On a proactive note, minimizing the number of cards in your own graveyard lessens Flare’s card-drawing ability. Ensuring a low graveyard card count not only weakens your opponent’s Flare but can also give you an edge by diverting their strategy altogether.
Ultimately, when facing off against Flare in Magic: The Gathering, the combination of predictive graveyard management and well-timed disruption can neutralize its potential, keeping your position secure and leading you closer to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Flare MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Mirage, 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 Flare 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 Flare Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 1997-03-24. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 185 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Drew Tucker | |
| 2 | 1996-10-08 | Mirage | MIR | 176 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Greg Simanson | |
| 3 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 230 | 1997 | Normal | White | Andrew Robinson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Flare has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |