Immolating Souleater MTG Card

Immolating Souleater can serve as a board advantage by turning life points into formidable power. Instant speed pumping of this card provides a tactical advantage in creature combat scenarios. Life payment as a cost for Souleater’s ability adds risk, especially in close games.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Artifact Creature — Phyrexian Dog
Released	2011-05-13
Set symbol
Set name	New Phyrexia
Set code	NPH
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	139
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Austin Hsu

Text of card

{PR}: Immolating Souleater gets +1/+0 until end of turn. ({PR} can be paid with either or 2 life.)

"We thank the souleaters for melting the sinful that we may be reminded of our own insignificance." —Drones' hymn of gratitude

Cards like Immolating Souleater

The Immolating Souleater is an intriguing card in Magic: The Gathering, and it fits into the aggressive red decks’ landscape due to its ability to power up quickly. When looking for cards with a self-sacrifice theme, we can spot some similarities with Fireblast, which lets players sacrifice two mountains instead of paying its mana cost, delivering a game-ending four damage to any target.

Rampaging Ferocidon stands in parallel for its immediate impact on the battlefield, imposing a penalty on opponents who would dare to field too many creatures and also packing a considerable punch. Phyrexian mana in Immolating Souleater allows for a rapid and often unanticipated burst of power, akin to the surprise effect of using Fireblast without tapping any mana sources. While the Ferocidon doesn’t have the explosiveness in power buffing, it does create a consistent, threatening board presence that punishes opponent’s strategies.

Ultimately, Immolating Souleater’s unique combination of Phyrexian mana use and potential for immediate, massive damage output lends it a competitive edge in matches that can be capitalized on within specific, high-risk MTG deck strategies.

Cards similar to Immolating Souleater by color, type and mana cost

Toralf, God of Fury // Toralf's Hammer - MTG Card versions

Fireforger's Puzzleknot - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#	Name	Format	Archetype	Event
	Mono-Red Aggro	Pauper	Kiln Fiend	C'mon! Pozna
	Kiln Fiend	Pauper	Kiln Fiend	Pauper League 2023-12-07

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Immolating Souleater may not directly offer card draw, but its sheer power potential can outclass opponents’ creatures, effectively serving as a form of board advantage. Leveraging life points to boost its power can quickly tip the scales in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While not a traditional form of acceleration, the Immolating Souleater can act as a surprise burst of damage, which might negate the need for additional resources by shortening the game’s duration to your advantage.

Instant Speed: The ability to pump Immolating Souleater at instant speed makes it a formidable threat during combat. Opponents must always consider the potential for its explosive power increase when making decisions, thus giving you a tactical edge.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Immolating Souleater requires a payment of life to activate its ability, which can be risky, especially in tight games where your life total is a precious resource.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s need for red mana can restrict deck-building, mainly if you’re aiming for a multi-color deck that de-emphasizes red mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although the Souleater’s mana cost is moderate, some players may find more efficient creatures or spells to occupy the two-mana slot in their decks. In fast-paced games, every mana point counts, and there might be alternatives that provide more immediate impact on the battlefield.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Immolating Souleater offers a unique flexibility in playstyle with the option to invest life points for an aggressive power boost, fitting well into red aggro decks or any build that thrives on high-risk, high-reward strategies.

Combo Potential: This card is a prime candidate for synergizing with effects that augment its damage output or benefit from life payment, opening the door for powerful and potentially game-ending combinations.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment that values speed, the Immolating Souleater can be a significant threat, as it provides a way to quickly close games by leveraging life totals for increased damage.

How to Beat Immolating Souleater

Immolating Souleater can be a tricky creature to face in the heat of an MTG match. Its ability to pump its power at the cost of life points makes it a force that can catch opponents off guard. However, there are effective strategies to counter this fiery adversary. Cards that prevent damage or life loss such as Solemnity or life gain decks can negate the Souleater’s impact, making it difficult for your opponent to use its ability without risking their own defeat.

Removal spells are also highly effective against Immolating Souleater; since it’s a creature, anything from Fatal Push to Path to Exile can send it packing before it scorches your life total. Furthermore, timing is everything—waiting for your opponent to commit to pumping the Souleater before removing it can lead to a significant loss of life for them, swinging the momentum in your favor.

Lastly, keeping a robust defense helps. If you can block the Souleater consistently, you force your opponent to pay more life to get through, making their aggressive strategy a double-edged sword. Consistent board presence is key to containing this fiery threat and coming out on top in your duels.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Immolating Souleater MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia, 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 Immolating Souleater and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Immolating Souleater has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal