Incendiary Flow MTG Card
2016-07-22 - Number 133
2023-03-21 - Number 163
2002-06-24 - Number 62991
2017-01-01 - Number 3
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Incendiary Flow deals 3 damage to target creature or player. If a creature dealt damage this way would die this turn, exile it instead.
"What's your plan?" Gideon asked. "Are you serious?" Chandra replied.
Cards like Incendiary Flow
Incendiary Flow offers a distinct position in the pantheon of direct damage spells in Magic: The Gathering. This sorcery card resembles Lightning Strike with its potential to deal 3 damage to a creature or player. Where Incendiary Flow sets itself apart is its ability to exile a creature if that creature would die this turn, disrupting graveyard strategies and offering a counter to resurrection mechanics which can be pivotal during gameplay. It’s slightly more niche than the instant-speed convenience of Lightning Strike but provides a tactical advantage in many scenarios.
In comparison, there’s Magma Jet, another burn spell offering 2 damage instead of 3 but with the bonus of scrying 2. This added ability to shape upcoming draws can be invaluable for setting up future plays and maintaining card quality. The trade-off between damage and deck manipulation becomes a strategic decision based on the player’s need in the moment. Then there’s the classic Shock, simpler but cheaper, and at instant speed, allowing reactive plays and timely disruption, balancing its lower damage output with its flexibility.
As players weigh their options in deckbuilding, Incendiary Flow stands out for its exile effect, situating it as a powerful tool for those looking to hinder graveyard-based tactics while delivering a solid punch to creatures or players alike.
Cards similar to Incendiary Flow by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Incendiary Flow. 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 | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
 | Mono-Red Some Brand of Cereal | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024 | |
| Grixis | Free form | Canadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed | |
| Mono-Red Burn | Gladiator | Gladiator Games: We're Back | |
 | Izzet Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Incendiary Flow may not explicitly allow you to draw cards but it can yield virtual card advantage by effectively dealing with creatures that would otherwise require multiple resources to remove. This spell helps to keep your hand primed with answers by efficiently managing threats on the board.
Resource Acceleration: While Incendiary Flow does not directly accelerate your resources in the form of mana or tokens, it is a cost-effective spell at just two mana. This allows you to pace your resources efficiently, potentially clearing a path for your creatures or removing blockers to push through extra damage without setting back your mana curve.
Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Incendiary Flow might not be cast at instant speed, but the exile aspect of its effect can be crucial against decks that rely on graveyard strategies. By exiling a creature or player, it ensures that resources cannot be reused or recycled from the graveyard, which can interrupt your opponent’s game plan significantly.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unlike other burn spells, Incendiary Flow doesn’t impose a discard requirement on the caster, which is an upside. However, its sorcery speed can be seen as a limiting factor when instant speed interactions are necessary during an opponent’s turn.
Specific Mana Cost: Incendiary Flow has a casting cost that includes two red mana, which makes it less flexible and harder to incorporate in multicolored decks that may not always have the required mana readily available.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its cost set at one generic and two red mana, there are other burn options available at lower mana costs. This can be problematic in aggressive decks where mana efficiency is key, as it may slow down your game plan and give your opponent more time to respond or stabilize.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Incendiary Flow is a flexible card that can be slotted into various red decks. Not only can it deal with small to medium-sized creatures, but it also can be directed at players, making it a useful tool for reducing an opponent’s life total while controlling the board.
Combo Potential: This card interacts well with spells that care about noncreature damage or spell-slinging synergies. Its ability to exile creatures if they’re dealt lethal damage can be important in matchups against decks that rely on graveyard strategies.
Meta-Relevance: Its exile effect is particularly useful in formats where creatures with recursive abilities are prevalent. Versatile removal spells like Incendiary Flow remain valuable as the meta shifts, able to adapt to new threats and strategies as they arise.
How to beat
Incendiary Flow is an impactful card in the world of Magic: The Gathering, known for its straightforward damage-dealing ability. This sorcery allows players to deal 3 damage to a creature or player, and if that creature would die this turn, it’s exiled instead of going to the graveyard. This adds a layer of strategy when facing decks that utilize graveyard synergies.
Overcoming Incendiary Flow relies on a mix of strategic plays and card choices. Utilizing creatures with more than 3 toughness reduces the risk of being taken out by a single Incendiary Flow. Moreover, employing counterspells like Cancel or Negate can interrupt this fiery spell before it even has a chance to unfold. Another route is to deploy creatures with indestructible or those that generate value upon entering or leaving the battlefield, diminishing Incendiary Flow’s impact.
While Incendiary Flow poses a definite threat, its sorcery speed is its Achilles’ heel. Players can plan and deftly navigate around this limitation, preserving key creatures for crucial moments. Understanding Incendiary Flow’s strengths and vulnerabilities can guide players to make informed decisions, tipping the scales in their favor during a duel.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Incendiary Flow MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Eldritch Moon, 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 Incendiary Flow 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
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Printings
The Incendiary Flow Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 62991 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Slawomir Maniak | ||
| 2 | 2016-07-22 | Eldritch Moon | EMN | 133 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Raymond Swanland | |
| 3 | Friday Night Magic 2017 | F17 | 3 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Slawomir Maniak | ||
| 4 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 163 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Raymond Swanland |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Incendiary Flow has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Incendiary Flow card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-07-13 | The damaged creature will be exiled if it would die for any reason that turn, not just if it dies due to damage from Incendiary Flow. |