Furnace Punisher MTG Card


It thrives in long games, leveraging consistent damage to pressure and deplete opponents strategically. Furnace Punisher encourages synergy with mana and instant speed spells, enhancing overall gameplay impact. While powerful, its abilities come with resource costs that may challenge hand and deck flexibility.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Phyrexian Warrior
Abilities Menace
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Menace At the beginning of each player's upkeep, Furnace Punisher deals 2 damage to that player unless they control two or more basic lands.

She marks her favorite creations with a searing brand, leaving all others to be consumed by the furnace.


Cards like Furnace Punisher

Furnace Punisher is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering, offering red deck players another tool for dealing damage. It’s a card that echoes the punishing vibes of creatures like Sin Prodder, which also interacts with your deck to potentially deal damage to opponents. Both have the ability to deal damage without attacking; Furnace Punisher punishes the opponent whenever a third spell is cast on your turn and Sin Prodder does so through its ability to reveal cards during upkeep.

Comparing to Harsh Mentor, which similarly applies pressure on the opponent by punishing certain actions, Furnace Punisher requires setup but can potentially lead to a larger damage output in decks that cast multiple spells in one turn. While Harsh Mentor’s effect is more passive, taking advantage of opponents’ activated abilities, Furnace Punisher’s trigger is within the player’s control.

Furnace Punisher, while it may not provide the direct and guaranteed damage of cards like Harsh Mentor or the card advantage potential that Sin Prodder presents, adds a distinctive strategy for players who favor spell-heavy turns. The variability in opting for one over another largely depends on the desired synergy and deck build that the MTG player wants to achieve.

Sin Prodder - MTG Card versions
Harsh Mentor - MTG Card versions
Sin Prodder - MTG Card versions
Harsh Mentor - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Furnace Punisher by color, type and mana cost

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Goblin Flotilla - MTG Card versions
Wall of Stone - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Sabretooth Tiger - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Cavern Crawler - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Windseeker Centaur - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Skirk Commando - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Goblin Flotilla - MTG Card versions
Wall of Stone - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Sabretooth Tiger - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Cavern Crawler - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Windseeker Centaur - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Skirk Commando - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Red AggroMono-Red Aggro PioneerMono-Red Aggro#05 Last Chance Qualifier: Pioneer
UBRGUBRG Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
GruulGruul Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
GrixisGrixis Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Naya Turbo InitiativeNaya Turbo Initiative Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Mono-Red TempoMono-Red Tempo StandardMono-Red Aggro~~ Izzet Explosive Experiment Event
Mono RedMono Red StandardMono-Red AggroDreamHack RCQ (2-slot) Round 6 @ Game Ogre
Mono-Red PainterMono-Red Painter StandardMono-Red AggroThe Pizza Box Open: Standard
Mono-Red BurnMono-Red Burn PioneerMono-Red BurnSat. 9:30 AM U.S. Regional Championship - Dreamhack Atlanta 2023

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Furnace Punisher excels at grinding out value in long games, providing consistent damage output which could translate into maintaining pressure and whittling down the opponent’s life total or resources.

Resource Acceleration: This card’s abilities can synergize with mana-producing artifacts or spells that benefit from dealing noncombat damage, potentially ramping your gameplay by unlocking additional effects or accelerating your mana pool for more threatening spells.

Instant Speed: Although Furnace Punisher doesn’t operate at instant speed itself, it can create a build-around environment where instant speed interaction becomes more potent. This card can deter opponents from committing to the board, ensuring your instant speed removals or tricks maintain a higher impact during the course of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Furnace Punisher requires a card to be discarded whenever its ability is activated. While this can fuel graveyard strategies, it may pose a drawback for players already contending with a depleted hand.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s necessity for both red and black mana can impose deck construction constraints, especially in formats where mana consistency is paramount.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an acquisition cost on the steeper side, you might find that Furnace Punisher can be outshined by alternatives that present a lower investment for a similar or even greater payoff in the game.


Reasons to Include Furnace Punisher in Your Collection

Versatility: Furnace Punisher brings adaptability to the table, capable of slotting into various aggressive strategies. Its ability to deal direct damage while also being a stout creature makes it a dual-threat in many game situations.

Combo Potential: This card has great synergy in decks that amplify damage or utilize the discard mechanic. With the right setup, Furnace Punisher can become a key piece in a powerful damage-dealing combo, maximizing its punishing effect.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames that favor quick, decisive plays, Furnace Punisher can be especially effective. Its presence in your deck ensures you have a relevant tool against both creature-based and life-total-focused decks, maintaining its impact in a variety of competitive environments.


How to beat

Furnace Punisher is known in the MTG community for its potent ability to pose a grave threat each time it attacks. A 4/4 for four mana, it embodies a blend of aggression and tactical demand that can heat up the red deck arena. When facing this creature, it’s crucial to prioritize its removal or to employ strategic defenses. The key is to prevent it from unleashing its damage-boosting effect, which amplifies with each attack, potentially spiraling out of control.

One effective tactic against Furnace Punisher is to utilize instant-speed removal spells before it has a chance to attack. Given that red decks tend to push for an early victory, maintaining an accelerated pace to disrupt your opponent’s strategy is essential. Employing creatures with high toughness or defensive abilities can be a bulwark against Furnace Punisher, deterring attacks or surviving its onslaught. It’s equally important to evaluate the battlefield and your resources to ensure that when the time comes to confront this fearsome foe, you’re not caught off guard.

In essence, overcoming Furnace Punisher demands swift action and a defense-oriented mindset. By anticipating its aggressive plays and responding decisively, you can dampen its fiery impact and keep the battle in your favor.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Furnace Punisher MTG card by a specific set like Phyrexia: All Will Be One and Phyrexia: All Will Be One, 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 Furnace Punisher 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 Furnace Punisher Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-02-03 and 2023-02-03. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be OneONE 1322015NormalBlackLauren K. Cannon
22023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be OneONE 2912015NormalBlackFlavio Girón
32023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be OneONE 4452015NormalBlackFlavio Girón

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Furnace Punisher has restrictions

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