Kor Firewalker MTG Card
2006-01-02 - Number 36
2010-02-05 - Number 11
2010-11-08 - Number B6
2018-03-16 - Number 21
2019-11-07 - Number 153
2002-06-24 - Number 43574
2020-09-26 - Number A25-21
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Kor Soldier |
| Abilities | Protection |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Protection from red Whenever a player casts a red spell, you may gain 1 life.
"A river of lava is just another river to cross."
Cards like Kor Firewalker
Kor Firewalker is a uniquely positioned creature card within Magic: The Gathering due to its specific protection and life-gain abilities. It shares similarities with Auriok Champion, another creature that gains you life whenever a white spell is cast. However, unlike Auriok Champion, Kor Firewalker directly counters red spells, giving it an edge in certain matchups where red decks are prevalent.
Similarly, Circle of Flame is a card that mitigates damage from red sources and can alter the pace of the game against aggressive red strategies. Yet, it doesn’t offer the same proactive creature presence that Kor Firewalker provides. Then there’s Dragon’s Claw, an artifact that also grants life when red spells are played. Though it has a broader application, it lacks the creature utility that comes with Kor Firewalker.
In the landscape of protection and life gain within the game, Kor Firewalker holds a valuable spot. Its dual functionality of providing a defensive barrier against red spells and enhancing life total makes it an influential card, especially in metagames dominated by red burn strategies.
Cards similar to Kor Firewalker by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Kor Firewalker doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its ability to gain life whenever a red spell is cast can effectively neutralize the damage from your opponent’s red spells. This resilience can keep you ahead in the game, maintaining your life total while depleting your opponent’s resources.
Resource Acceleration: Kor Firewalker isn’t a direct source of mana acceleration. However, its low casting cost and protection from red spells can indirectly accelerate your resources by saving mana typically spent on creature protection or life-gain spells, thus freeing up your mana for other strategic plays.
Instant Speed: Although Kor Firewalker operates at sorcery speed, its passive ability triggers at instant speed whenever a red spell is cast. This grants a regular stream of life points during the course of the game, which could mean the difference between victory and defeat in matchups against fast-paced red decks.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Kor Firewalker doesn’t have an innate discard requirement, but leveraging its protection ability fully often requires careful hand management, which can lead to difficult decisions about what to discard during gameplay.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost demands two white mana, which can be restrictive for multicolored decks or those that lack sufficient white mana sources, thereby limiting its inclusion versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While its cost isn’t exorbitant, requiring two mana for a 2/2 creature, some players may feel the cost efficiency isn’t compelling given other options with additional abilities or higher power and toughness ratios at a similar cost.
Reasons to Include Kor Firewalker in Your Collection
Versatility: This card is a resilient addition to white-based aggro or midrange decks. Its protection from red gives it a considerable edge in matchups against one of the most prominent colors in the game.
Combo Potential: Kor Firewalker shines in environments rich with synergy. It works well within lifegain strategies or alongside cards that capitalize on spell casting, especially in formats like Modern where red spells are prevalent.
Meta-Relevance: The ever-changing landscape of competitive play frequently circles back to red-dominated decks. Including Kor Firewalker in your sideboard provides a strategic advantage, offering crucial life gain against aggressive burn strategies that are common in many metagames.
How to beat
Kor Firewalker is a notable card in Magic the Gathering, famous for its resilience against red spells and abilities. This protection coupled with the ability to gain life whenever a player casts a red spell makes Kor Firewalker a tough opponent in specific matchups. To successfully counter this card, one needs to look beyond direct damage and removal spells that are red.
One effective strategy is to use cards that force opponents to sacrifice creatures, such as “Liliana of the Veil” or “Diabolic Edict,” which sidesteps the protection from red. Another tactic involves using colorless sources of damage, like artifacts or creatures with devoid, to deal with the Kor Firewalker. Enchantments that diminish the opponent’s board presence, like “Curse of Death’s Hold,” can also be a workaround to reduce its effectiveness on the battlefield.
Lastly, exile effects are excellent for handling this resilient creature, with cards like “Path to Exile” or “Swords to Plowshares” being optimal choices. By considering these alternative solutions outside of red’s direct damage, players can effectively manage and overcome the challenge posed by Kor Firewalker in their games.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kor Firewalker MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and DCI Promos, 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 Kor Firewalker 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Kor Firewalker Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2006-01-02 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 43574 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Alex Horley-Orlandelli | ||
| 2 | 2006-01-02 | DCI Promos | PDCI | 36 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Alex Horley-Orlandelli | |
| 3 | 2010-02-05 | Worldwake | WWK | 11 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 4 | 2010-11-08 | Magic Online Theme Decks | TD0 | B6 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 5 | 2018-03-16 | Masters 25 | A25 | 21 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 6 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 153 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 7 | The List | PLST | A25-21 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Kor Firewalker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kor Firewalker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-03-16 | Kor Firewalker’s triggered ability resolves before the red spell that caused it to trigger. |