Renegade Firebrand MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Warrior
Released	2016-09-30
Set symbol
Set name	Kaladesh
Set code	KLD
Power	3
Toughness	2
Number	268
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	John Stanko

Key Takeaways

Card advantage grants tactical insight, influencing gameplay decisions and positioning.
Resource acceleration and instant speed abilities present significant tempo control.
Adversely, usage costs and mana specificity could limit the card’s versatility.

Text of card

As long as you control a Chandra planeswalker, Renegade Firebrand gets +1/+0 and has first strike. (It deals combat damage before creatures without first strike.)

"For freedom! For fame! For fire!"

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Renegade Firebrand is designed to disrupt your opponent’s hand while simultaneously giving you a peek at their strategy. This can provide a subtle but impactful edge as you adjust your plays in response to the information gleaned, potentially leading to a stronger tactical position.

Resource Acceleration: While not a direct source of mana, this card can influence the battlefield tempo in your favor. The ability to bring a formidable creature onto the board can pressure your opponent into expending resources more quickly, thus accelerating the pace to your advantage.

Instant Speed: The versatility of Renegade Firebrand is significantly enhanced by its instant speed. The capacity to play this card when most advantageous—perhaps disrupting a carefully planned combo or in response to an opponent’s threatening move—can shift the momentum of the game into your favor, putting you in a commanding position to dictate subsequent plays.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Renegade Firebrand requires a card to be discarded to activate certain abilities. This can deplete your hand and diminish your options, especially if the game drags on or you’re facing a strategy that also targets your hand size.

Specific Mana Cost: With a specific mana cost that includes red, Renegade Firebrand might not seamlessly fit into multi-colored decks, potentially restricting its play to mono-red or decks with a heavy red focus, which could limit its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Renegade Firebrand offers utility, its mana cost is on the higher end for its effects. Players might find this prohibitive as it competes with various spells and creatures that could be more cost-effective for a slot in a lean and aggressive deck.

Reasons to Include Renegade Firebrand in Your Collection

Versatility: Renegade Firebrand is a flexible card that slots into a variety of aggressive decks. Its ability to provide hasty attacks can be pivotal in damaging an opponent early in the game, making it a great addition to any red deck looking to apply pressure quickly.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, Renegade Firebrand can contribute to powerful combo plays. It pairs well with cards that enhance its attack capabilities or utilize it for sacrificing synergies, unlocking explosive turns that can shift the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: Given that fast-paced, red-based aggro decks frequently occupy a significant portion of the competitive scene, having Renegade Firebrand in your arsenal means you’re prepared to take on a range of common matchups with a reliable, aggressive creature card.

How to beat

Renegade Firebrand presents itself as a bold challenger on the battlefield, potentially overwhelming opponents with fiery aggression. To successfully navigate against this card, understanding its strengths and play patterns is crucial. Typically, a Renegade Firebrand thrives in decks that capitalize on swift, damaging actions, so stalling strategies and removal spells can disrupt its momentum.

One effective tactic is to use creature removal spells before it can leverage its power. Instant-speed removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can handle the Firebrand adeptly, eliminating the threat before it inflicts serious damage. Alternatively, setting up a robust defensive line can also dampen the Firebrand’s impact. Creatures with high toughness or those that can regenerate, such as Wall of Blossoms or Thrun, the Last Troll, can endure its attacks and protect your life total.

Board sweepers like Supreme Verdict or Damnation are also potent answers, clearing the field of not just the Renegade Firebrand but any accompanying threats. Incorporating a mix of removal, defense, and board control is advisable to ensure stability against aggressive strategies that include the fiery Renegade Firebrand. With these points in mind, you can prepare a strategy that keeps its flames at bay and maintain control of the game.

Cards like Renegade Firebrand

Renegade Firebrand offers players a unique set of abilities on the battlefield, with a class that’s ever popular among MTG enthusiasts. When juxtaposed with Goblin Piker, another two-mana creature, Renegade Firebrand’s prowess is undeniable. Goblin Piker’s straightforward 2/1 stats are reliable, yet it lacks the utility and interactive abilities that Renegade Firebrand boasts.

Another comparable card is Ashmouth Hound, whose ability allows it to deal additional damage when blocking or blocked. This ability provides a tactical advantage, similar to Renegade Firebrand’s ability to influence combat outcomes. But Renegade Firebrand’s potential in synergistic strategies, especially with other pirate-themed cards that matter in many MTG formats, gives it a slight edge over the Hound in terms of deck-building considerations.

The evaluation of these similar cards highlights Renegade Firebrand’s role in MTG decks. It combines aggressive early play with the synergistic potential, setting it apart from less interactive creatures like Goblin Piker and offering distinct gameplay experiences reminiscent of dynamic cards like Ashmouth Hound. In short, Renegade Firebrand brings a fiery spirit to the table that can be quite impactful in the right deck.

Cards similar to Renegade Firebrand by color, type and mana cost

Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions

Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions

Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions

Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Renegade Firebrand MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh, 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 Renegade Firebrand and other MTG cards: