Wildfire Eternal MTG Card
2017-07-14 - Number 109
2017-07-15 - Number 109
2017-07-15 - Number 109s
2002-06-24 - Number 64989
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Zombie Jackal Cleric |
| Abilities | Afflict |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Key Takeaways
- Facilitates card advantage by casting spells for free which can shift game momentum.
- Demands specific mana and synergistic cards for optimal utility, limiting flexibility.
- Including Wildfire Eternal in a deck can enable powerful combos and spell casting.
Text of card
Afflict 4 (Whenever this creature becomes blocked, defending player loses 4 life.) Whenever Wildfire Eternal attacks and isn't blocked, you may cast an instant or sorcery card from your hand without paying its mana cost.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When you cast spells without paying their mana costs with Wildfire Eternal’s attack trigger, you effectively draw into more options and bypass the need to draw and play additional land cards for those spells, which can be a major game-changer.
Resource Acceleration: Wildfire Eternal can dramatically alter the pace of a game by enabling you to cast costly spells much earlier than usual. This acceleration can cause a sudden shift in momentum, giving a definitive edge over your opponent.
Instant Speed: Although Wildfire Eternal doesn’t cast spells at instant speed inherently, its ability allows for the casting of instant spells during the declare attackers step. This is particularly potent because it can happen after the opponent has already committed to blockers, potentially leading to unexpected plays and advantageous battlefield states.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For the Wildfire Eternal to truly shine, players often have to pair it with cards that allow casting without paying the mana cost. If such cards are unavailable, this dependency can be a drawback, potentially leaving Wildfire Eternal as just an expensive creature with a niche ability.
Specific Mana Cost: Wildfire Eternal comes with a strict mana requirement, demanding three colorless and one red mana to cast. This can be challenging in multicolored decks, restricting its versatility and potentially clashing with the mana curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Wildfire Eternal offers a unique ability to cast spells for free upon inflicting combat damage, its four mana cost is an investment. Considering other creatures and spells in the same mana range, one could argue that there are alternatives that provide immediate and more consistent benefits on the battlefield.
Reasons to Include Wildfire Eternal in Your Collection
Versatility: The Wildfire Eternal card is a versatile addition to any red deck archetype. Its ability to potentially cast high-mana spells for free makes it a valuable tool in both aggressive and combo-oriented decks.
Combo Potential: This card shines in its ability to set off powerful combos. Thanks to its afflict ability, opponents are often forced to choose between taking direct damage or allowing you to cast an impactful spell from your hand without its mana cost.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where big spells can turn the tide of battle, Wildfire Eternal has a place. Its relevance grows in environments where players can exploit the split second between spell casting and resolution, especially with cards traditionally out of reach due to high mana costs.
How to Beat Wildfire Eternal
In the spell-slinging world of MTG, Wildfire Eternal stands out as a unique creature that can have a big impact if not dealt with swiftly. This creature can afford a player free cast of instants or sorceries when it attacks, which could tilt the game in their favor. One oft-overlooked strategy is employing cheap removal spells before this creature can exploit its ability. Cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can efficiently remove Wildfire Eternal from the battlefield, nipping any potential threats in the bud.
Counterspells also play a critical role. By keeping up mana for a timely Negate or Counterspell, you can catch the spells cast through Wildfire Eternal’s triggered ability. Another approach is using bounce spells such as Unsummon to return Wildfire Eternal to its owner’s hand, disrupting your opponent’s tempo and forcing them to spend another turn casting it.
Remember, the key to overcoming Wildfire Eternal is to remain proactive. Don’t let it unleash its full potential. Strike quickly and decisively, either by removing it directly or disrupting the spells it looks to free cast. Done correctly, you will stymie your opponent’s strategy and maintain control over the game.
Similar Cards to Wildfire Eternal
Wildfire Eternal is a unique creature with intriguing potential in MTG gameplay. It stands out among creatures with its ability to potentially cast sorceries for free upon attacking. Cards such as Spellweaver Eternal, with prowess, enhance the player’s strategy when casting noncreature spells. Yet, Wildfire Eternal’s ability eclipses this by eliminating mana costs under the right conditions.
Looking at comparable cards, Guttersnipe presents a similar function, dealing damage to each opponent whenever you cast an instant or sorcery. However, unlike Wildfire Eternal, it doesn’t provide a pathway to cheat mana costs. Then there’s Neheb, the Eternal, which also capitalizes on dealing combat damage by adding extra red mana during the post-combat main phase, yet still requires players to pay for their spells.
In evaluating these alternatives, Wildfire Eternal’s ability to potentially cast high-cost spells for free gives it a unique edge. It’s a card that can turn the tide of a game, making it a remarkable choice for players looking to exploit powerful sorceries without the mana investment.
Cards similar to Wildfire Eternal by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Wildfire Eternal MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Hour of Devastation, 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 Wildfire Eternal and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Printings
The Wildfire Eternal Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-07-14 and 2017-07-15. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 64989 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yongjae Choi | ||
| 2 | 2017-07-14 | Hour of Devastation | HOU | 109 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Magali Villeneuve | |
| 3 | 2017-07-15 | Hour of Devastation Promos | PHOU | 109 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yongjae Choi | |
| 4 | 2017-07-15 | Hour of Devastation Promos | PHOU | 109s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Magali Villeneuve |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Wildfire Eternal has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Wildfire Eternal card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-07-14 | Afflict causes the defending player to lose life; it’s not damage or combat damage. |
| 2017-07-14 | Afflict resolves before combat damage is dealt. If this loss of life brings a player to 0 life or less, that player loses the game immediately. A blocking creature with lifelink won’t deal combat damage in time to save that player. |
| 2017-07-14 | An ability that triggers when something “attacks and isn’t blocked” triggers in the declare blockers step after blockers are declared if (1) that creature is attacking and (2) no creatures are declared to block it. It will trigger even if that creature was put onto the battlefield attacking rather than having been declared as an attacker in the declare attackers step. |
| 2017-07-14 | If a creature is attacking a planeswalker, that planeswalker’s controller is the defending player. |
| 2017-07-14 | If multiple creatures block a creature with afflict, afflict triggers only once. |
| 2017-07-14 | If the card has in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost. |
| 2017-07-14 | If you cast a card “without paying its mana cost,” you can’t pay any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, such as that of Tormenting Voice, those must be paid to cast the card. |
| 2017-07-14 | Wildfire Eternal’s second ability resolves before combat damage is dealt, and you must cast a spell at that time if you wish to cast one without paying its mana cost. You can cast a sorcery during the declare blockers step this way. |
