Furnace Strider MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Phyrexian Beast |
| Released | 2023-02-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Phyrexia: All Will Be One |
| Set code | ONE |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 133 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Denis Zhbankov |
Text of card
Furnace Strider enters the battlefield with two oil counters on it. Remove an oil counter from Furnace Strider: Target creature you control gains haste until end of turn.
With the Quiet Furnace closed to all other factions, Urabrask's smiths were free to build anything their creativity demanded.
Cards like Furnace Strider
The Furnace Strider card is a unique piece in the red creature lineup of Magic: The Gathering. It shares the creature type Elemental with other powerful cards but stands out with its ability to deal direct damage to any target when it enters the battlefield. Compared to other red elementals such as Spark Elemental, whose strength lies in haste and sacrifice at the end of turn, the Furnace Strider offers lasting board presence with its damage-dealing entry effect.
Another card worth comparing is the Ingot Chewer, which also provides an enter-the-battlefield advantage, specifically targeting artifacts for destruction. Though Ingot Chewer allows for flexibility in artifact control, Furnace Strider gives players direct engagement with any target, offering broader strategic applications in a match. Additionally, the Coal Stoker is another contender, which provides extra red mana upon entry, aiding in casting additional spells or creatures during your turn but lacking in the direct damage department.
While each has its distinctive strengths, the Furnace Strider’s versatility in dealing damage makes it a notable consideration for players looking to enhance their MTG deck’s impact on arrival and its ongoing threat on the board.
Cards similar to Furnace Strider by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Furnace Strider may not directly allow you to draw additional cards, but in a deck designed around artifact synergy or sacrificing mechanics, this creature can effectively become a card advantage engine. By repeatedly utilizing its abilities, you can gain an upper hand through strategic plays, manipulating the battle or comboing with other cards for powerful effects.
Resource Acceleration: Although Furnace Strider itself does not create mana, its synergy with various artifact strategies can indirectly lead to resource acceleration. As part of combos that untap artifacts or by sacrificing it to enable powerful plays that generate additional mana, it can become a key piece in ramping up your resources to outpace the opponent.
Instant Speed: While Furnace Strider operates at sorcery speed, the archetype it slots into often features instant-speed interactions. This particular role means you can better time your plays, ensuring Furnace Strider’s entrance to the battlefield or its activated ability aligns with the pacing of your strategy, thereby maximizing its utility at crucial moments.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Furnace Strider demands that you discard another card as part of its casting cost. This could potentially deplete your hand, especially if you’re already grappling with a shortage of cards.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a combination of red mana, which might not easily fit into multi-colored or decks that are not heavily red-themed. Players who don’t run primarily red decks might find it cumbersome to include Furnace Strider due to mana base constraints.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a requirement of a specific number of red mana points to bring Furnace Strider into play, it carries a significant cost for its power level. Some players might prefer other creatures or spells that offer greater versatility or power for a similar or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Furnace Strider in Your Collection
Versatility: Furnace Strider is a solid inclusion in any red-focused deck where it can act as a decent creature on the battlefield. Its ability to fit into aggressive and midrange decks makes it a versatile card for any red player.
Combo Potential: With the right synergies and deck build, Furnace Strider can be part of a powerful combo, exploiting its damage capability to potentially alter the board state significantly.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive decks are prevailing, Furnace Strider can serve as key to maintaining board presence while dealing consistent damage, thereby being a relevant choice for competitive play.
How to beat Furnace Strider
Furnace Strider is a card that brings both might and momentum to the battlefield in MTG. As with many creatures that pack a sizable punch, overcoming this card requires a strategic approach. One effective tactic is to use removal spells at opportune times. Instant-speed removal like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can dismantle your opponent’s strategy by dispatching the Furnace Strider before it has a chance to exert its influence on the game.
Counterspells also play a crucial role in halting the progress of such heavy hitters. Effective counters like Mana Leak or Counterspell can prevent Furnace Strider from entering the battlefield entirely, thereby conserving your board state. Another technique involves using sacrifice effects, compelling your opponent to sacrifice creatures, thus potentially removing Furnace Strider from play without having to target it directly.
Furthermore, in the realm of combat, chump blocking with smaller creatures can extend the game long enough for you to draw into your key removal or counterspells. Using these strategies can ensure Furnace Strider’s impact is minimal, allowing you to maintain control and eventually secure the win.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Furnace Strider MTG card by a specific set like 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 Strider 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
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Furnace Strider has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |