Fumarole MTG Card


Activating at instant speed, Fumarole can disrupt plays or tilt combat in your favor during critical moments. The card’s mana cost and color specifics may limit its deck versatility, calling for mindful inclusion. In the right deck, Fumarole’s adaptability and damage potential can be a game-changer against creature-heavy boards.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Pay 3 life to destroy target creature and target land. Effects that prevent or redirect damage cannot be used to counter this loss of life.

"Too many of us have died in the explosions that wrack these hills." —Klazina Jansdotter, Leader of the Order of the Sacred Torch


Cards like Fumarole

Fumarole, a unique land card in Magic: The Gathering, invites comparison with other versatile land cards that switch between attributes. Fumarole shares similarities with land cards like Wandering Fumarole, which can also become a creature with the activation of its ability. Both offer strategic flexibility, as they can transform into creatures ready to attack or block when necessary. However, Fumarole stands out because it does not require the player to tap in order to activate its creature-forming ability, whereas Wandering Fumarole does.

Examining another counterpart, Raging Ravine, we see an ability to gain +1/+1 counters each time it becomes a creature. This offers an accumulating threat, an aspect Fumarole lacks, but the latter makes up for it by not requiring mana to switch forms. Moreover, Fumarole’s ability to provide mana of different colors without any conditions offers a distinct advantage over lands like Raging Ravine that only provide specific colors or come into play tapped.

Through the lens of utility and flexibility, Fumarole offers MTG deck builders an interesting choice. It may not have the growing threat of Raging Ravine or share the exact mechanics of Wandering Fumarole, but its speed and cost-efficiency in transformation make it a noteworthy resource in a player’s land arsenal.

Wandering Fumarole - MTG Card versions
Raging Ravine - MTG Card versions
Wandering Fumarole - MTG Card versions
Raging Ravine - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Fumarole by color, type and mana cost

Pain // Suffering - MTG Card versions
Void - MTG Card versions
Wake to Slaughter - MTG Card versions
Allure of the Unknown - MTG Card versions
Torrent of Souls - MTG Card versions
Traitor's Roar - MTG Card versions
Tyrannize - MTG Card versions
Skull Rend - MTG Card versions
Angrath's Fury - MTG Card versions
Carnival // Carnage - MTG Card versions
Sinister Waltz - MTG Card versions
Mordor on the March - MTG Card versions
Pain // Suffering - MTG Card versions
Void - MTG Card versions
Wake to Slaughter - MTG Card versions
Allure of the Unknown - MTG Card versions
Torrent of Souls - MTG Card versions
Traitor's Roar - MTG Card versions
Tyrannize - MTG Card versions
Skull Rend - MTG Card versions
Angrath's Fury - MTG Card versions
Carnival // Carnage - MTG Card versions
Sinister Waltz - MTG Card versions
Mordor on the March - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Fumarole helps you stay ahead in the game by offering the potential to shift the balance of the board. When played strategically, it can dismantle an opponent’s formation, leading to better card interactions and potential game-winning opportunities.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly a resource accelerant, Fumarole has the utility in altering land dynamics, which can indirectly lead to an acceleration in your resource management. This can be particularly useful in formats where land manipulation is key.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Fumarole’s effect at instant speed provides a tactical advantage, allowing you to wait until the most opportune moment during your opponent’s turn to disrupt their strategy or save your own resources for a more critical reaction.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Fumarole comes with the strategic drawback that you must discard a card to activate its specific ability. This can inadvertently deplete your hand, leaving you at a tactical disadvantage, specially if you need to maintain card advantage over your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: Fumarole’s activation cost necessitates two blue and two red mana, which demands a commitment to both colors within your deck. Consequently, this can reduce its versatility, as it cannot be seamlessly incorporated into decks that do not support such a stringent mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an activation cost that totals four mana, Fumarole can be a sizable investment in resources when compared to other cards with similar effects. Players might find other alternatives that achieve a comparable impact on the game without demanding such a substantial mana expenditure, thereby offering greater efficiency in key gameplay moments.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Fumarole is a dynamic card that can be slotted into various deck archetypes. It offers an avenue for direct damage, pivotal in breaking stalemates or finishing off an opponent.

Combo Potential: Its ability to deal damage to multiple targets lends itself to combo plays, potentially clearing the way for your creatures or working in concert with spells that capitalize on damage dealt.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the ever-shifting landscape of MTG, Fumarole maintains relevance by providing a way to handle creature-heavy boards, which are common in many metas.


How to beat

The Fumarole card brings a unique challenge to the table in Magic: The Gathering, given its ability to switch power and toughness during combat. This adaptability can make Fumarole a tricky adversary, but it’s not invincible. To effectively counter Fumarole, strategic play is key. One way to gain an advantage is to force situations where Fumarole’s switching ability becomes a liability rather than an asset. This can be achieved through combat tricks or by setting up blockers that render unfavorable exchanges for Fumarole.

Timing is also crucial when facing this card. With careful observation and anticipation of your opponent’s moves, you can plan your strategy accordingly. Instant speed removal spells are particularly effective, as they can disrupt your opponent’s plans right in the middle of combat which is when Fumarole’s ability is often utilized. Board control spells that don’t target, such as board wipes or global stat reducers, can also neutralize Fumarole without triggering its ability.

Ultimately, dealing with Fumarole demands a mix of forethought and flexibility in your gameplay. As with many of MTG’s dynamic cards, understanding the context and mastering the timing of your responses will guide you to victory over Fumarole’s shapeshifting tactics.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fumarole MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Masters Edition II, 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 Fumarole 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 Fumarole Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Drew Tucker.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11995-06-03Ice AgeICE 2911993NormalBlackDrew Tucker
22008-09-22Masters Edition IIME2 1941997NormalBlackDrew Tucker

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fumarole has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2008-10-01 Fumarole can’t be cast unless you can target both a creature and a land. If there’s a permanent on the battlefield that’s both a creature and a land, it can be both targets.