Lavamancer's Skill MTG Card

Lavamancer’s Skill bolsters creatures, making them versatile threats capable of dealing damage directly. Executing instant speed damage, the card allows for unexpected plays and added combat control. Though powerful, its usage demands careful resource management and a red mana commitment.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant
Released	2002-10-07
Set symbol
Set name	Onslaught
Set code	ONS
Number	215
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Monte Michael Moore

Text of card

Enchanted creature has "oc T: This creature deals 1 damage to target creature." If enchanted creature is a Wizard, it has "oc T: This creature deals 2 damage to target creature."

Cards like Lavamancer's Skill

Lavamancer’s Skill is an intriguing enchantment that enhances creature abilities in Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with cards like Firebreathing, which also provides an increment in power to creatures with the addition of mana. Unlike Firebreathing, which solely boosts power, Lavamancer’s Skill comes with the added advantage of granting the enchanted creature the ability to ping a target for damage, significantly increasing its versatility on the battlefield.

Another card worth comparing is Power of Fire, which endows the enchanted creature with a tap-to-damage ability. Power of Fire, although similar in enabling creatures to deal damage directly, does not offer the same power boosting feature found in Lavamancer’s Skill. However, it does provide a constant effect without further mana investment. Ghitu Firebreathing joins the card comparison lineup as another enchantment offering temporary power boosts. While it allows for repeated use within a turn, it doesn’t equip the creature with an additional way to utilize the increased power, unlike Lavamancer’s Skill.

In summary, while there are several cards that share the theme of enhancing creature power and dealing damage, Lavamancer’s Skill stands out with its dual capabilities, providing a two-fold advantage that can be a decisive factor in MTG gameplay.

Cards similar to Lavamancer's Skill by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Lavamancer’s Skill allows for efficient use of creatures by turning them into potential damage dealers. This can dissuade opponents from attacking and effectively offers a form of card advantage by making your creatures more versatile and threatening.

Resource Acceleration: By enhancing the utility of your creatures, Lavamancer’s Skill helps accelerate your board presence. It turns your creatures into not just combatants but also sources of direct damage, maximizing resource utilization without requiring additional card investments.

Instant Speed: The secondary ability of Lavamancer’s Skill can be activated at instant speed, enabling strategic plays during opponent’s turns. This adds a layer of surprise and allows for reactive plays, making it harder for your opponent to anticipate and respond effectively to your strategies.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Lavamancer’s Skill requires an additional resource in the form of discarding a card, which can be particularly taxing when your hand is running low. This condition can force difficult decisions about resource allocation and potentially leave you at a disadvantage if you’re unable to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The card’s requirement for red mana means that it naturally fits into red decks or those that can reliably produce red mana. This specific mana cost can restrict deck diversity and limit the card’s applicability in multi-colored or colorless strategies, potentially narrowing your deck-building options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment of two red mana might seem manageable, but when factoring in the additional cost of discarding, the total cost for the benefit provided might not stack up favorably against other options. In many scenarios, players might find more efficient alternatives for including in their decks, especially when considering the array of spells available across the MTG universe that could achieve similar or better effects with less restrictive conditions.

Reasons to Include Lavamancer’s Skill in Your Collection

Versatility: Lavamancer’s Skill is a flexible enchantment, easily slotting into red decks that focus on damage output. As an aura, it empowers your creatures, turning even the smallest token into a significant threat.

Combo Potential: This card has synergy with creatures that have tap abilities, allowing you to deal damage directly to creatures or players. It works exceptionally well in decks that harness the power of instants and sorceries to control the board or finish off opponents.

Meta-Relevance: In a format where creatures play a critical role, Lavamancer’s Skill becomes a formidable tool. It enhances creature-based strategies while providing a means to remove pesky blockers or direct threats, thus maintaining relevance in various meta scenarios.

How to beat

Lavamancer’s Skill is a unique aura in the world of Magic: The Gathering, granting an ability often sought after for its targeted removal potential. It gives the enchanted creature the power to deal damage to a target creature or player. Though this ability is a boon for many strategies, overcoming it requires careful planning and execution.

One efficient strategy is to focus on removing the aura itself. Enchantment destruction, with cards like Naturalize or Disenchant, can quickly neutralize the threat of Lavamancer’s Skill. Additionally, redirecting the damage through cards like Swerve can turn the tables on your opponent, rendering their strategy less effective. Creatures with shroud or hexproof, such as Invisible Stalker, are particularly invaluable as they are immune to the targeted abilities that Lavamancer’s Skill grants.

Another approach is to control the battlefield with sweepers like Wrath of God, which can clear the board of creatures, including those armed with Lavamancer’s Skill. This shifts the focus from individual threats to a broader strategy that addresses multiple creatures at once. In essence, a balanced deck with a mixture of removal, redirection, and protection against targeted abilities can consistently overpower the challenges posed by Lavamancer’s Skill.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lavamancer's Skill MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught, 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 Lavamancer's Skill and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lavamancer's Skill has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Lavamancer's Skill card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2004-10-04	If this card enchants a Wizard, the Wizard has both abilities and its controller can use either one.