Leap of Flame MTG Card


Leap of Flame - Guildpact
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Replicate
Released2006-02-03
Set symbol
Set nameGuildpact
Set codeGPT
Number121
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byGreg Hildebrandt

Key Takeaways

  1. Leap of Flame offers card advantage and strategic depth through its replicate ability and instant-speed casting.
  2. It accelerates the game pace, enabling powerful plays with potential for significant combat tricks.
  3. Despite some drawbacks, its ability to alter game dynamics makes it a worthy collection asset.

Text of card

Replicate (When you play this spell, copy it for each time you paid its replicate cost. You may choose new targets for the copies.) Target creature gets +1/+0 and gains flying and first strike until end of turn.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Leap of Flame provides the benefit of multi-faced card utility. When cast, this card not only boosts one of your creature’s power, it also garners card advantage through its replicate ability. For each additional mana spent, you copy the spell, potentially increasing your hand with several copies, which is a great way to stay ahead of your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: Leap of Flame’s replicate mechanic can rapidly escalate the pace of the game. By copying the spell, you effectively are getting more bang for your buck, launching multiple spells for the price of one. This means if you have the available mana, you can accelerate your game plan and apply pressure much faster than usual.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Leap of Flame at instant speed gives players a significant tactical edge. This flexibility allows you to wait until the most opportune moment during combat or in response to an opponent’s actions. Casting at instant speed can turn the tides of the game by buffing creatures unexpectedly or surprising an opponent with multiple copies for a powerful combo play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Leap of Flame requires players to discard a card to utilize its replicate ability, meaning you could be sacrificing valuable hand presence for an additional spell copy.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana needed to cast this spell is not only hybrid, which requires either blue or red but also an additional red, potentially restricting its integration in decks that are not heavily invested in those colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its versatility, some may find the two mana cost for Leap of Flame’s base effect steep, especially when considering other cards in MTG that can provide direct damage or card advantage for a similar or lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Leap of Flame in Your Collection

Versatility: Leap of Flame offers dual benefits with both a boost in power and card draw, making it a suitable addition for spell-heavy decks or those that aim to execute powerful turns by chaining spells together. Its flexibility is exemplified by its Replicate ability, allowing you to pay the cost multiple times for an exponential effect.

Combo Potential: For players fascinated by intricate card interactions, Leap of Flame can be a key catalyst. It can amplify the impact of prowess creatures or work in tandem with cards that have spell-matter synergies. By pairing it with cards that trigger on casting spells, you can turn a simple play into a game-changing combo.

Meta-Relevance: If you’re facing a meta where tempo plays and quick shifts in board state are common, Leap of Flame can arm your creatures with the sudden surge needed to overpower opponents. Its potential for immediate impact makes it a noteworthy contender in dynamic gameplay environments.


How to beat

Leap of Flame is one spell that can catch players off guard with its double duty in both buffing a creature and providing card draw. When facing an opponent that utilizes this card, anticipation is key. Since Leap of Flame grants a sizeable power increase and the potential for double strike, it’s wise to neutralize the threat before the combat phase or respond with instant-speed removal when the spell is cast. Having counter spells at the ready can be another effective tactic to prevent your opponent from ever gaining the upper hand with this multi-faceted instant.

Remember to maintain board control and avoid leaving yourself unprotected against creatures that could become lethal with an unexpected Leap of Flame. If you are against a deck that runs spells boosting creatures’ power, consider cards that limit casting options like Damping Sphere or deploy creatures with abilities that negate spell effects. Lastly, always calculate the potential damage output from your adversary, especially when their mana is untapped and their hand is full, as Leap of Flame can turn the tide of battle in a single leap.


Cards like Leap of Flame

Leap of Flame holds a unique position within the suite of multi-effect instants in Magic: The Gathering. Players find a parallel in cards like Twinflame, which similarly duplicates effects. Twinflame offers the ability to create a temporary copy of a creature, and while it doesn’t directly offer a boost in power or addition of flying like Leap of Flame, it still provides a potential for formidable burst plays.

Comparatively, we also have Reckless Charge, another spell with the capability to give a creature a sudden spike in power. While it provides haste rather than flying, the shared trait of potentially returning from the graveyard adds versatility much like Leap of Flame’s replicate ability. However, the replicate mechanic is where Leap of Flame earns its distinction, allowing multiple instances of its effects at an increased mana investment.

Assessing Leap of Flame alongside its counterparts, it’s evident that it offers a multifaceted approach to game strategy. Its blend of boosting a creature’s potency while providing evasion through flying and the unique replicate mechanic adds a depth to gameplay that is both challenging and rewarding for MTG players.

Twinflame - MTG Card versions
Reckless Charge - MTG Card versions
Twinflame - MTG Card versions
Reckless Charge - MTG Card versions

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Galvanic Iteration - MTG Card versions
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Swerve - MTG Card versions
Desperate Ravings - MTG Card versions
Chemister's Trick - MTG Card versions
Mindswipe - MTG Card versions
Teach by Example - MTG Card versions
Arcane Infusion - MTG Card versions
Fires of Victory - MTG Card versions
Accident-Prone Apprentice // Amphibian Accident - MTG Card versions
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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Leap of Flame MTG card by a specific set like Guildpact, 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 Leap of Flame and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Leap of Flame has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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