Rending Flame MTG Card
2021-11-19 - Number 175
2022-01-28 - Number 442
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
Key Takeaways
- Able to remove threats and draw cards, it’s a potent control tool in red decks.
- Instant speed allows flexible responses to shifting game states.
- Demanding specific mana can limit deck incorporation without proper fixing.
Text of card
Rending Flame deals 5 damage to target creature or planeswalker. If that permanent is a Spirit, Rending Flame also deals 2 damage to that permanent's controller.
"It is our duty to bring the Blessed Sleep to the dead, even if they resist that gift." —Grete, Order of Saint Traft
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Rending Flame is crafted to potentially deal with two threats with a single card, offering a substantial advantage. For players aiming to control the board, eliminating a creature and potentially drawing a card if that creature had certain powers could shift the momentum of the game.
Resource Acceleration: While Rending Flame doesn’t directly produce mana, using it efficiently pares down opponents’ resources. This indirect resource acceleration can put you ahead as it may force opponents to use additional mana to rebuild their board presence, while you continue to develop yours uninterrupted.
Instant Speed: The adaptability of Rending Flame is one of its greatest strengths. As an instant-speed spell, it offers the strategic advantage of being able to respond to threats on the fly. This flexibility ensures that you can adapt to the evolving game state and make decisions that are most advantageous at any given moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Rending Flame necessitates letting go of a card from your hand to activate its secondary effect, which can backfire when you’re running low on cards and options.
Specific Mana Cost: This spell’s casting cost demands both generic and red mana, potentially restricting its inclusion to decks with a red mana base or requiring a more complex mana fixing strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is on the higher end for direct damage spells, Rending Flame might be less appealing compared to lower-cost alternatives that could fit more seamlessly into a fast-paced game plan.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Rending Flame is a flexible removal option that can be slotted into a variety of red-based decks. Whether you’re playing aggressive burn strategies or control decks that need to deal with specific threats, this card can effectively remove creatures and planeswalkers alike.
Combo Potential: With its ability to target creatures or planeswalkers, Rending Flame can be a key component in decks that capitalize on damage-based synergies or spellslinger combos. It can work particularly well with cards that benefit from casting instants or sorceries.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where larger creatures and impactful planeswalkers are common, Rending Flame provides a cost-effective answer. It’s especially relevant in a meta where resilience against damage prevention can give you an edge, clearing the way for your victory.
How to Beat
Rending Flame is a card that has sparked discussions among MTG players for its direct damage capabilities. It deals damage to target creature or planeswalker, and if that permanent is a spirit, it will also damage that permanent’s controller. As a countermeasure, consider utilizing cards with hexproof to shield your valuable creatures and planeswalkers from being targeted. Additionally, playing around Rending Flame by diversifying the type of creatures in your deck reduces the risk of taking extra damage if you’re leaning on spirit-like cards.
Deploying indestructible creatures is another excellent strategy to nullify Rending Flame’s impact. This card cannot destroy them, providing a robust defense against such targeted removal. Moreover, assessing the mana cost and timing of Rending Flame can give you a tactical advantage. Since it is an instant with a relatively high mana cost, managing your resources to leave mana open for counterspells or to cast creatures with flash during your opponent’s turn can severely hamper their plan.
Lastly, incorporating life gain strategies within your deck can help mitigate the damage Rending Flame and similar cards might deal, ensuring your planeswalkers and creatures endure through the flames and keep your head above water in the heat of battle.
Cards like Rending Flame
Within the realm of MTG, Rending Flame is a noteworthy instant spell that can be compared to other damage-dealing cards. It bears resemblance to Lava Coil, as both spells are designed to eliminate creatures. Rending Flame, however, goes a step further by being able to target any creature or planeswalker and dealing a substantial 5 damage for a cost of three mana. Lava Coil is more niche, providing 4 damage for two mana, but it specifically exiles the target if it would die, preventing graveyard strategies.
An interesting comparison is with Roast, a damage spell requiring less mana but with the limitation of being sorcery speed. Roast also cannot hit flying creatures, a restriction absent in Rending Flame’s versatile targeting options. Nevertheless, if the flying trait is not an issue, Roast offers a more mana-efficient way to deal similar damage. Lastly, one can consider Flame Slash, a one-mana spell that delivers 4 damage but again, only at sorcery speed and solely to a creature.
Overall, Rending Flame provides MTG players with a dynamic and hard-hitting removal option, versatile enough to impact both creatures and planeswalkers swiftly during any phase of the game, distinguishing it from its sorcery-speed cousins.
Cards similar to Rending Flame by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rending Flame MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Crimson Vow and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Rending Flame 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 Rending Flame Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Olena Richards.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-11-19 | Innistrad: Crimson Vow | VOW | 175 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Olena Richards | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 442 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Olena Richards |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rending Flame has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
