Fire Prophecy MTG Card


Fire Prophecy - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2020-04-24
Set symbol
Set nameIkoria: Lair of Behemoths
Set codeIKO
Number116
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byKieran Yanner

Key Takeaways

  1. Fire Prophecy provides card advantage by enabling strategic hand and deck manipulation during the game.
  2. Casting it requires red mana, potentially restricting its use to red or multicolor decks only.
  3. Its unique mechanic sets it apart from similar damage-dealing cards, making it a valuable addition.

Text of card

Fire Prophecy deals 3 damage to target creature. You may put a card from your hand on the bottom of your library. If you do, draw a card.

"Water and bone tell many tales, but fire is fickle. It would rather consume than reveal." —Rielle, the Everwise


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Fire Prophecy triggers card advantage by allowing you to put a card you don’t need from your hand into your library, subsequently drawing a new one. This cycling process can significantly influence your game strategy when you’re searching for specific cards to maintain or gain an edge.

Resource Acceleration: On the surface, Fire Prophecy may not appear to provide direct resource acceleration. Nevertheless, by cycling unneeded cards, it indirectly accelerates your resources by giving you quicker access to the crucial components of your deck. Though this acceleration may not be as immediate as generating treasure tokens, it’s undoubtedly an aspect to consider.

Instant Speed: Fire Prophecy is an instant speed spell. This attribute provides essential flexibility, letting you use it during any phase of the game – your turn or your opponent’s. The quick reaction time can prove to be incredibly valuable, particularly when you’re in a pinch or when you need to swiftly deal with threats.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Fire Prophecy demands you to discard a card as an additional cost for its perk. This can be problematic if you are running short on cards in your hand, and can potentially lead to a depleting strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Fire Prophecy consists of specific red mana. This specificity may limit its utility to only red-themed or multi-color decks. Thus, integrating this card in other decks might not be viable.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost to cast Fire Prophecy is considerably high. With a cost of three mana for its somewhat moderate effect, there other cards in the MTG universe that can provide a more efficient damage dealing or card scouting. Therefore, its relative value might be less compared to others in fast paced or late game scenarios.


Reasons to Include Fire Prophecy in Your Collection

Versatility: This red instant spell is a perfect fit for numerous decks, especially those that can harness its flexible deck manipulation while dealing damage simultaneously.

Combo Potential: Fire Prophecy has strong synergies with decks that leverage card draw mechanics for strategic advantage. For instance, by trading a less required card in hand for a potentially more useful draw, you can further enhance your strategic plays.

Meta-Relevance: If the current meta-game includes a significant number of creature-centric strategies, Fire Prophecy plays a critical role in shutting down such decks. Its ability to deal damage to a creature, possibly eliminating a threat, can give you a necessary advantage on the battlefield.


How to beat

Fire Prophecy, a red instant card from Magic: The Gathering, offers an intriguing challenge to players. An effective way to counter this potent card is through strategic planning. Recognized for its ability to deal damage and optimize your hand by putting a card from it on the bottom of your library, Fire Prophecy upgrades your card draw while dealing with threatening creatures.

The key here is to anticipate its play. Placing high-health creatures or those immune to damage can minimize Fire Prophecy’s impact. Alternatively, using counter spells that negate the effects of instants can be invaluable. Utilizing cards like Miscast or Neutralize creates a safety net in your strategy. Additionally, cards that can recover from the library add a layer of protection against Fire Prophecy’s mechanic, preserving your essential pieces.

In essence, clever anticipation and judicious utilization of counter resources will help you effectively neutralize Fire Prophecy. Remember, MTG is not just about strong cards but also about the effective use of strategic plays and keeping control of the game. Beating Fire Prophecy requires understanding its mechanics, adapting your deck to counter it, and the strategic prowess to turn its damage into an advantage.


BurnMana Recommendations

Enhancing your MTG arsenal with Fire Prophecy is a tactical move that caters to players keen on having control and tempo in their games. Its ability to deal damage while refining your hand makes it a versatile tool in matches. Perfect for those seeking to fortify red-based or multi-color decks, it offers a unique blend of aggression and deck manipulation. If your strategy involves swift creature removal and you appreciate the bonus of cycling through your deck for key cards, consider adding Fire Prophecy. Explore more insights and strategic tips to optimize your deck around such dynamic cards with us.


Cards like Fire Prophecy

Fire Prophecy is a tantalizing option within the damage dealing spells realm in Magic: The Gathering. A direct comparison can be made with the card Shock, which also deals direct damage. Despite this similarity, Fire Prophecy shines with its unique mechanic – the ability to toss a card from your hand into your library and draw a new one. This feature is conspicuously absent in Shock.

Bouncing to another similar card, we land on the spell Lightning Strike. Like Fire Prophecy, it too carries the ability to have a direct impact on creatures or opponents, but it lacks the card-shuffle attribute that Fire Prophecy possesses. It’s also key to note the difference in mana cost; Lightning Strike needs two mana, compared to Fire Prophecy’s three. However, it’s punctuated by the three direct damage that Fire Prophecy offers.

To sum it up, aligning attributes and painting a comparative picture, Fire Prophecy holds a sturdy position in direct damage spells within MTG. This status is endorsed by its distinctive card-shuffling mechanic, offering dynamism and flexibility in gameplay.

Shock - MTG Card versions
Lightning Strike - MTG Card versions
Shock - Stronghold (STH)
Lightning Strike - Theros (THS)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fire Prophecy MTG card by a specific set like Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, 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 Fire Prophecy and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fire Prophecy 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 Fire Prophecy card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2020-04-17 If the target creature is an illegal target by the time Fire Prophecy tries to resolve, the spell won’t resolve. You won’t have the option to put a card on the bottom of your library.
2020-04-17 While resolving Fire Prophecy, you can’t put more than one card on the bottom of your library to draw more than one card.

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