Frantic Firebolt MTG Card


Frantic Firebolt aids in drawing cards and strategizing future plays through deck surveillance. The card offers instant play flexibility, crucial for adapting strategies mid-game. Despite its utility, a high mana cost and a discard requirement limit its play scenarios.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Frantic Firebolt deals X damage to target creature, where X is 2 plus the number of cards in your graveyard that are instant cards, sorcery cards, and/or have an Adventure.

Johann's conjecture about draconic fire dispelling rainwater elementals proved to be correct. Now he just needed a way to dispel draconic fire.


Cards like Frantic Firebolt

Frantic Firebolt joins the vibrant tapestry of damage-dealing spells in Magic: The Gathering. It finds its kin in cards like Shock, which also deal a quick two damage to any target. Frantic Firebolt, however, adds a twist with its additional graveyard effect that can be utilized later in the game to draw a card, setting it a notch higher in versatility compared to Shock’s straightforward approach.

Another relative in this area of direct damage spells is Incinerate. Like Frantic Firebolt, it dishes out damage but with an increased potency of three damage instead of two. While Incinerate denies regeneration, Frantic Firebolt offers strategic depth with its card drawing capability from the graveyard—broadening the tactical plays available to Red deck enthusiasts.

Ultimately, Frantic Firebolt presents itself as a compelling choice within Red’s arsenal, balancing immediate impact with a potential for card advantage down the line. Its dual-mode functionality provides it an edge in games where longer-term planning can be as critical as the immediate board state.

Shock - MTG Card versions
Incinerate - MTG Card versions
Shock - MTG Card versions
Incinerate - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Frantic Firebolt by color, type and mana cost

Disharmony - MTG Card versions
Solfatara - MTG Card versions
Flare - MTG Card versions
Trumpet Blast - MTG Card versions
Urza's Rage - MTG Card versions
Turf Wound - MTG Card versions
Char - MTG Card versions
Chaos Warp - MTG Card versions
Merchant of the Vale // Haggle - MTG Card versions
Seething Song - MTG Card versions
Unforge - MTG Card versions
Aura Barbs - MTG Card versions
Path of Anger's Flame - MTG Card versions
Smash - MTG Card versions
Fiery Temper - MTG Card versions
Orcish Cannonade - MTG Card versions
Chaos Wrap - MTG Card versions
Fatal Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Puncture Blast - MTG Card versions
Seismic Strike - MTG Card versions
Disharmony - MTG Card versions
Solfatara - MTG Card versions
Flare - MTG Card versions
Trumpet Blast - MTG Card versions
Urza's Rage - MTG Card versions
Turf Wound - MTG Card versions
Char - MTG Card versions
Chaos Warp - MTG Card versions
Merchant of the Vale // Haggle - MTG Card versions
Seething Song - MTG Card versions
Unforge - MTG Card versions
Aura Barbs - MTG Card versions
Path of Anger's Flame - MTG Card versions
Smash - MTG Card versions
Fiery Temper - MTG Card versions
Orcish Cannonade - MTG Card versions
Chaos Wrap - MTG Card versions
Fatal Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Puncture Blast - MTG Card versions
Seismic Strike - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Frantic Firebolt. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Gruul AggroGruul Aggro Free formStandard Pauper Tournament Feb 2024
Mono-Red AggroMono-Red Aggro StandardMono-Red AggroThe Pizza Box Open: Standard
Rakdos AggroRakdos Aggro PioneerPeasant Pioneer Showdown - A Josh and Pat's MTG Bazaar Sponsored Event

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Frantic Firebolt offers a subtle boost in card flow. As you cast it, the chance to survey your deck’s top card streamlines your strategy, ensuring that your next draws align with your game plan. This function tidies up your deck, possibly digging you closer to the cards you need to secure a win.

Resource Acceleration: In the fast-paced world of MTG, resource management is key. Frantic Firebolt can turn the tide by possibly revealing a land on the library’s top, thus allowing for an additional land drop. This swift leap in resources can catapult you ahead, giving you just the edge needed to outmaneuver your opponent.

Instant Speed: Flexibility is often what separates the champions from the rest. The ability to cast Frantic Firebolt at instant speed means you can adapt to the unfolding game without tipping your hand prematurely. Whether it’s interrupting your opponent’s flow or simply optimizing your own plays after their turn, this instant speed can pivot the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Integrating Frantic Firebolt into your gameplay comes with the condition of having to discard another card, which can prove detrimental to your hand. This stipulation tends to hamper strategies that rely on maintaining a full grip of cards to ensure options and flexibility during critical turns.

Specific Mana Cost: Accessing the fiery capabilities of this spell is contingent on tapping into red mana, necessitating a strict adherence to decks that can generate this resource. In the diverse world of Magic the Gathering, this requirement can potentially restrict its integration into multicolored deck strategies or those that don’t heavily feature red mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Allocating resources to cast Frantic Firebolt demands a significant investment of four mana. In a game where efficiency is paramount, its mana cost may not coincide with the tempo of fast-paced matches, especially when other spells in the same mana bracket could offer more immediate board impact or game-changing effects. Players must weigh its cost against its benefits, considering the many alternative spells available.


Reasons to Include Frantic Firebolt in Your Collection

Versatility: Frantic Firebolt adds value to a wide array of decks given its dual nature. It serves both as a damage-dealing instant, perfect for quick removal of creatures, and as a card-drawing tool when you need to dig deeper into your deck.

Combo Potential: With its capacity to be played from the graveyard, Frantic Firebolt can enable and enhance graveyard-based strategies. This dynamic can be integral in decks focusing on recursion or spellslinger themes.

Meta-Relevance: Should the prevailing decks in the meta be creature-heavy or aggressive, having a quick and recyclable removal option like Frantic Firebolt can tip the scales in your favor during matches.


How to beat

Frantic Firebolt is a card that can catch players off guard, delivering a quick and unexpected blow to creatures or opponents in Magic: The Gathering. To mitigate the impact of this swift spell, it’s essential to have a strategy that can withstand such surges of direct damage. A straightforward approach is to maintain a higher life total, providing some buffer against the damage it can inflict. Utilizing life-gain cards effectively can ensure you stay out of range of a knockout punch.

Another key to staying one step ahead of Frantic Firebolt is creature resilience. Prioritize creatures with toughness that exceeds its damage output, ensuring they can survive an attack, or employ creatures with indestructibility or protection from red to completely nullify its effect. Additionally, counterspells serve as a direct answer to keep Frantic Firebolt at bay, negating the spell before it has a chance to influence the battlefield. Ultimately, being proactive in countering its capabilities can help you maintain control and reduce its potential to turn the tide of the game.

By incorporating these tactics into your deck, you give yourself a formidable defense against the surprise impact of cards like Frantic Firebolt, helping you to stay ahead in the fast-paced world of Magic: The Gathering.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Frantic Firebolt MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine and Wilds of Eldraine Art Series, 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 Frantic Firebolt and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Frantic Firebolt Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-09-08 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by Olivier Bernard.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-09-08Wilds of EldraineWOE 1302015NormalBlackOlivier Bernard
22023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine Art SeriesAWOE 162015Art seriesBorderlessOlivier Bernard

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Frantic Firebolt has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-09-01 Frantic Firebolt isn't put into your graveyard until after it finishes resolving, so it doesn't count itself for its own effect.