Fuming Effigy MTG Card

Fuming Effigy provides deck manipulation for card advantage and versatile instant-speed interactions during play. Demands specific mana and a discard, potentially limiting its inclusion in diverse MTG deck builds. Its unique damage ability makes it an asset in spell-focused or burn-oriented MTG strategies.
Fuming Effigy - Strixhaven: School of Mages
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Spirit
Released2021-04-23
Set symbol
Set nameStrixhaven: School of Mages
Set codeSTX
Power 4
Toughness 3
Number103
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byRyan Alexander Lee

Text of card

Whenever one or more cards leave your graveyard, Fuming Effigy deals 1 damage to each opponent.

Some spirits share ancient wisdom. Others just get mad you touched their stuff.

Cards like Fuming Effigy

Fuming Effigy carves its niche in Magic: The Gathering as a unique piece in the puzzle of Red creature cards. In its essence, it bears a semblance to cards like Torbran, Thane of Red Fell, wherein both bolster damage from Red sources. Fuming Effigy steps out with its ability to capitalize on spells or abilities an opponent casts from anywhere other than their hand, echoing pain back to them. This effect sets it apart, as Torbran doesn’t focus on the source of an opponent’s spells.

Moving towards other cards with a punitive angle, we encounter cards like Harsh Mentor. This creature also punishes opponents for activating abilities of artifacts, creatures, or lands, but the latter doesn’t differentiate from where the spells originate. The focus on punishing non-hand spell plays makes Fuming Effigy an interesting option in decks that incentivize opponents to pull from alternative places like the graveyard or exile.

Ultimately, assessing the comparative leverage of Fuming Effigy in the grand tapestry of Magic: The Gathering reveals its potential for niche strategies. It offers a disruptive capability that can be critical against decks that heavily rely on casting from unusual zones, positioning Fuming Effigy as a specialized card for players to consider in their Red builds.

Torbran, Thane of Red Fell - MTG Card versions
Harsh Mentor - MTG Card versions
Torbran, Thane of Red Fell - MTG Card versions
Harsh Mentor - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Fuming Effigy allows you to manipulate your deck’s flow, providing opportunities for card advantage. Every time you trigger its ability, you’re effectively filtering your draws, ensuring you get to the resources you need more consistently during play.

Resource Acceleration: The card’s synergy with spells that exile cards from graveyards can act as a form of resource acceleration. By removing opponent’s resources while fueling your own strategy, you’re gaining a subtle advantage that can snowball into a significant lead over the course of a game.

Instant Speed: While Fuming Effigy itself might not be an instant, it interacts advantageously with instant-speed spells and effects. As a result, you can adapt to your opponent’s moves while benefiting from Fuming Effigy’s passive ability, maintaining efficiency and momentum.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Incorporating Fuming Effigy into your deck means you must discard another card to fully capitalize on its capabilities. This can be a significant drawback, especially in tight situations where every card in hand is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Fuming Effigy demands a precise mana arrangement to cast, necessitating both generic and red mana. This can be restrictive and may not always align smoothly with your mana base, especially in multicolored decks that might struggle for the red mana needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that could be seen as steep for its effect, Fuming Effigy comes at a high price when matched against other options in the same mana range. Savvy players may find more cost-effective spells to fulfil similar roles within their strategies.

Reasons to Include Fuming Effigy in Your Collection

Versatility: Fuming Effigy can seamlessly supplement a variety of deck archetypes that prioritize spell casting or direct damage. It’s a solid addition to decks focusing on casting numerous noncreature spells or burn strategies.

Combo Potential: With its ability to deal damage whenever a spell leaves your graveyard, Fuming Effigy pairs well with mechanics like flashback or jump-start, enabling strategic plays that can shift the tide of the game.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where graveyard interactions are prevalent, Fuming Effigy can act as a deterrent against opponent strategies while providing recurring damage, keeping you one step ahead in the meta.

How to beat

Fuming Effigy presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. This card, when played correctly, can hinder opponents’ strategies, especially those that rely on graveyard interactions. To overcome Fuming Effigy, strategic play is vital. Techniques include targeting it with removal spells before it affects your graveyard synergy, or shifting your strategy to less graveyard-dependent cards. Additionally, utilizing instant-speed interaction can disrupt the timing of Fuming Effigy’s ability, minimizing its impact on your gameplay.

Controlling the board is another approach. By maintaining a strong board presence, you can pressure your opponent and force them to defend, which may distract them from maximizing Fuming Effigy’s potential. Moreover, counterspells are effective for stopping Fuming Effigy from hitting the board in the first place. Having a sideboard plan with cards specifically aimed at neutralizing threats like Fuming Effigy can also be a game-changer during matches where this card might pose a significant threat.

To summarize, beating Fuming Effigy requires a mix of preemptive action, strategic adaptation, and targeted removal. Understanding your own deck’s vulnerability to graveyard manipulation aids in crafting a robust response against this potentially problematic card.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fuming Effigy MTG card by a specific set like Strixhaven: School of Mages, 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 Fuming Effigy and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fuming Effigy has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-04-16 If multiple cards leave your graveyard at the same time, this ability triggers only once, and will deal only 1 damage.