Kiln Fiend MTG Card
2010-04-23 - Number 153
2012-09-07 - Number 2
2016-08-26 - Number 167
2017-11-17 - Number 137
2019-11-07 - Number 992
2019-11-21 - Number 10
2020-07-17 - Number 338
2020-09-26 - Number IMA-137
| Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elemental Beast |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, Kiln Fiend gets +3/+0 until end of turn.
It traps an explosion within its stony skin.
Cards like Kiln Fiend
Kiln Fiend is a dynamic creature card that enriches the prowess archetype in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to gain +3/+0 until end of turn whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell mirrors that of Nivix Cyclops, which also buffs up but to a lesser degree, gaining +3/+0 but with the added benefit of being protected with defender until it’s time to attack. Wee Dragonauts offers a similar effect, though it gives a lesser power boost of only +2/+0, its evasion with flying makes it a formidable threat as well.
Comparatively, Blistercoil Weird is another card that interacts well with spellslinging strategies. It’s cheaper to play and accrues +1/+1 per spell cast, but the overall potential for a single-turn boost is lower than what Kiln Fiend can achieve. Monastery Swiftspear, brings haste to the table allowing for immediate impact and it’s widely favored in fast-paced decks, however, it only gets +1/+0 per spell, which again, is modest in contrast with Kiln Fiend’s explosive potential.
In essence, while there are several creatures that benefit from casting noncreature spells, Kiln Fiend stands out for its explosive power increase, making it a fearsome contender in MTG formats that support rapid spellcasting methods.
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Kiln Fiend. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Kiln Fiend | Pauper | Kiln Fiend | Pauper League 2023-11-08 |
| hot dogs | Pauper | Kiln Fiend | Tappa Lega Pauperissima "Road to Pisa" @Magic Akiba |
 | Mono-Red Aggro | Pauper | Kiln Fiend | Sprint Wheel Event - Geddon Series 1^ tappa MILANO 2024 |
| Mono-Red Combo | Pauper | Kiln Fiend | Liga Gacha de Pauper 2024 - Etapa 2 |
 | Mono-Red | Free form | Set Roulette Feburary 2024 | |
 | Monored | Free form | Set Roulette Feburary 2024 | |
 | Izzet Prowess | Modern | Izzet Prowess | Modern Challenge 64 2024-02-04 |
| Naya Blitz | Modern | Naya Prowess | 1 Torneio - 10 Liga Arena Guardians |
 | Mono-Red Prowess | Modern | Mono-Red Prowess | Modern League 2023-12-12 |
| Rogue Decklists | Pauper | Kiln Fiend | Nacional Pauper 2023 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Kiln Fiend doesn’t directly provide card draw, but its ability to massively increase its power encourages the use of cantrips and spells that naturally cycle through your deck, leading to indirect card advantage over the course of a game.
Resource Acceleration: While it does not generate mana or tokens, Kiln Fiend accelerates the game’s pace for aggressive strategies, translating your spells into significant combat damage, which is a different form of resource acceleration in red-centric decks known for their speed.
Instant Speed: Kiln Fiend benefits immensely from spells at instant speed. Any instant buff or protection played during combat can unexpectedly increase its power, turning it into a formidable threat that can reap immediate rewards through its overwhelming attack capacity.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Some strategies revolving around Kiln Fiend necessitate discarding cards to fuel its power-boosting ability. This can put you at a disadvantage if your hand is already running on empty or if each card you hold is crucial to your win condition.
Specific Mana Cost: Kiln Fiend’s casting cost requires red mana. While this isn’t an issue in mono-red or red-centric decks, it does pose a restriction. Players running a multicolored or colorless deck will find it challenging to integrate without a flexible mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite only costing two mana, in the fast-paced and mana-efficient world of modern Magic, this can sometimes be a stretch, especially when needing to keep mana open for other instant-speed interactions or when competing against lower-cost creatures with similar or superior abilities.
Reasons to Include Kiln Fiend in Your Collection
Versatility: Kiln Fiend is a powerhouse in decks that cast numerous noncreature spells. Its ability to adapt to various playstyles and synergize with a wide array of instants and sorceries makes it a formidable inclusion in any red-centric deck.
Combo Potential: This card possesses immense combo potential, amplifying its power exponentially with each spell cast. A few spells can quickly turn Kiln Fiend into a lethal threat, fitting perfectly into strategies focused on swift, decisive victories.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where aggressive strategies can outpace more slow-forming control decks, Kiln Fiend shines as a primary attacker. Its relevance in the current meta hinges on the prevalence of such aggressive strategies that can capitalize on its quick power growth.
How to beat
Kiln Fiend, a potent force in Magic: The Gathering, can be a formidable adversary on the battlefield. With each instant or sorcery spell cast, Kiln Fiend gets a significant power boost, making it a key card in combos that aim to deal lethal damage in a single turn. However, strategies to beat it exist and revolve around preemptive action and control.
Firstly, removal spells that can target Kiln Fiend the moment it hits the board are crucial. Since the Fiend’s power lies in its ability to grow rapidly, immediate action with cards like Fatal Push, Path to Exile, or Lightning Bolt prevent it from becoming a larger threat. Creature counters like Essence Scatter when Kiln Fiend is still a spell or board control strategies such as board wipes can also be effective, especially before your opponent accumulates enough spells to create a critical situation.
Moreover, keeping a watchful eye on your opponent’s mana can give you an edge. If they’re setting up for a big turn, holding up mana for instant-speed interaction will be key. By understanding the threat that Kiln Fiend poses and maintaining a responsive playstyle, you can neutralize its potential and secure your position in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kiln Fiend MTG card by a specific set like Rise of the Eldrazi and Duel Decks: Izzet vs. Golgari, 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 Kiln Fiend and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Kiln Fiend Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2010-04-23 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Adi Granov.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-04-23 | Rise of the Eldrazi | ROE | 153 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Adi Granov | |
| 2 | 2012-09-07 | Duel Decks: Izzet vs. Golgari | DDJ | 2 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Adi Granov | |
| 3 | 2016-08-26 | Conspiracy: Take the Crown | CN2 | 167 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Adi Granov | |
| 4 | 2017-11-17 | Iconic Masters | IMA | 137 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Adi Granov | |
| 5 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 992 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Adi Granov | |
| 6 | 2019-11-21 | Historic Anthology 1 | HA1 | 10 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Adi Granov | |
| 7 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 338 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Adi Granov | |
| 8 | The List | PLST | IMA-137 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Adi Granov |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Kiln Fiend has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kiln Fiend card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2010-06-15 | If you cast an instant or sorcery spell, Kiln Fiend’s ability triggers and goes on the stack on top of it. The ability will resolve before the spell does. |