Fulminator Mage MTG Card
2008-05-02 - Number 188
2015-05-22 - Number 193
2018-12-07 - Number 215
2020-08-07 - Number 196
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Elemental Shaman |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Sacrifice Fulminator Mage: Destroy target nonbasic land.
"Unsafe Terrain Ahead—Turn Back" —Sign near the former location of Pyrtagh Cairn
Cards like Fulminator Mage
Fulminator Mage stands out in MTG as a tactical resource for disrupting your opponent’s mana base. This card finds kinship with the likes of Molten Rain and Rain of Tears, which also target lands to hamper the opponent’s plans. Molten Rain goes a step further to deal damage, potentially adding more pressure. Rain of Tears sacrifices this damage aspect for a lower mana cost, offering a subtle approach to the same strategic goal.
Another counterpart worth mentioning is Avalanche Riders. Both cards have a land destruction effect upon entering the battlefield, yet Fulminator Mage benefits from the flexibility of being a creature you can sacrifice at any time. This makes it highly versatile, particularly in response to an opponent’s actions, whereas Avalanche Riders has echo, demanding you pay its cost again or sacrifice it. Also, Stone Rain offers a comparable land destruction effect at a fraction of the cost, but without the creature presence that allows for a direct attack or blocking strategy.
Overall, when evaluating the utility and synergies with other cards, Fulminator Mage rightly earns its place in many competitive decks for its blend of disruption and flexibility, clearly setting it apart from its counterparts in the world of MTG.
Cards similar to Fulminator Mage by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Fulminator Mage provides strategic leverage by disrupting your opponent’s mana base. By sacrificing it, you can target and destroy a nonbasic land, effectively diminishing your opponent’s resources and potentially hindering their game plan.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating your resources, Fulminator Mage can be seen as an equalizer. By removing key lands, you can slow down your opponent’s development and keep the pace of the game within your control, allowing you to capitalize on your own resource acceleration strategies.
Instant Speed: The ability to sacrifice Fulminator Mage at instant speed gives you flexibility. You can wait until the most impactful moment to disrupt your opponent’s land base, such as in response to land-dependent abilities or during their turn to limit their options. This reactive playstyle can lead to advantageous board states and strategic wins.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Fulminator Mage carries no explicit discard demands, affording players the opportunity to maintain their hand intact while deploying its land destruction capability.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Fulminator Mage is quite particular, needing both black and red mana which could potentially constrain its inclusion to decks that run these colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Fulminator Mage might be perceived as costly given its primary role as a land destruction tool, especially when compared to other cards with similar effects that come with lower mana demands.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Fulminator Mage is a flexible choice for Modern decks, fitting perfectly into sideboards or main decks aiming to disrupt opponents’ mana bases. Its ability to destroy lands is universally applicable, making it a valuable asset in multiple strategies.
Combo Potential: This powerful mage works wonders in combination with recursion effects, enabling repeated use of its land destruction ability. It forms a destructive pairing with cards that bring creatures back from the graveyard, amplifying the disruption it can cause.
Meta-Relevance: With land-based strategies frequently driving the meta in competitive play, having Fulminator Mage ready ensures you have a tactical edge against Tron decks and other greedy mana setups. Its presence in your collection can significantly improve your matchup outcomes.
How to beat
Fulminator Mage is a formidable card known for its land destruction capabilities in MTG. Its intrinsic value comes from disrupting an opponent’s mana base, which can be particularly crippling in formats where land balance is crucial. The card truly shines against decks that rely heavily on nonbasic lands, making it an asset for controlling the board.
To effectively counter Fulminator Mage, it’s useful to approach the game with strategies that mitigate land dependency. Running cards that can either provide land retrieval or cards that function under limited resources can diminish the impact of land destruction. Additionally, decks equipped with counterspells or abilities granting protection or hexproof to your lands can keep your precious mana sources safe from this destructive mage.
Ultimately, facing Fulminator Mage means being prepared to either outpace the land disruption it brings or to set up a robust defense that neutralizes its ability. Understanding its strategic use and how it fits within the meta gives players the insight needed to devise tactics that can withstand its assault and maintain a stable board presence.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Fulminator Mage MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor and Modern Masters 2015, 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 Fulminator Mage 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
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Printings
The Fulminator Mage Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2008-05-02 and 2020-08-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2008-05-02 | Shadowmoor | SHM | 188 | 2003 | Normal | Black | rk post | |
| 2 | 2015-05-22 | Modern Masters 2015 | MM2 | 193 | 2015 | Normal | Black | rk post | |
| 3 | 2018-12-07 | Ultimate Masters | UMA | 215 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lucas Graciano | |
| 4 | 2020-08-07 | Double Masters | 2XM | 196 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lucas Graciano |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Fulminator Mage has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |