Leyline of Combustion MTG Card


Leyline deters opponents’ targeting, acting as an indirect card advantage and field control mechanism. Its ability to start on the battlefield can provide a resource advantage without mana expenditure. While inflexible in mana requirements, it excels in red-centric decks and adds strong defensive value.
Leyline of Combustion - Core Set 2020
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment
Released2019-07-12
Set symbol
Set nameCore Set 2020
Set codeM20
Number148
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byNoah Bradley

Text of card

If Leyline of Combustion is in your opening hand, you may begin the game with it on the battlefield. Whenever you and/or at least one permanent you control becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, Leyline of Combustion deals 2 damage to that player.


Cards like Leyline of Combustion

Leyline of Combustion offers MTG players a unique defensive tool, setting a trap for opponents who target you or your permanents. Similar in its preventative nature is the card Shivan Dragon, which dissuades attacks by threatening substantial damage upon activation. While Shivan Dragon requires mana investment to become a threat, Leyline of Combustion is constantly on alert without further mana costs, punishing opponents passively.

Another card worth contrasting is the popular Eidolon of the Great Revel. It shares the red damage-dealing spirit with Leyline of Combustion, delivering pain whenever an opponent casts a spell with a low mana value. While the Eidolon can impact the game more frequently, Leyline of Combustion shields you across the board, including spells that wouldn’t trigger the Eidolon’s ability.

Additionally, there’s the enchantment Harsh Mentor, which takes a more specified approach, focusing its damage on opponents who activate abilities of artifacts, creatures, or lands. Leyline of Combustion, however, has a broader scope, offering protection that is both comprehensive and passive. Weighing these comparative nuances helps players discern how Leyline of Combustion might complement or enhance their strategy in MTG.

Shivan Dragon - MTG Card versions
Eidolon of the Great Revel - MTG Card versions
Harsh Mentor - MTG Card versions
Shivan Dragon - MTG Card versions
Eidolon of the Great Revel - MTG Card versions
Harsh Mentor - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Leyline of Combustion. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Red AggroMono-Red Aggro PioneerMono-Red AggroPioneer Showcase Challenge 2024-05-12
Mono-Red DevotionMono-Red Devotion PioneerRed DevotionPioneer Challenge 64 2023-12-15

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Leyline of Combustion can give you an indirect form of card advantage by deterring opponents from targeting your permanents or you. The threat of damage can influence their decisions, potentially leading to a more favorable board state for you without having to spend additional cards.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources in terms of mana production, Leyline of Combustion can be put on the battlefield at the start of the game if it’s in your opening hand, which means you’re effectively up a card from the very beginning without spending mana.

Instant Speed: Although Leyline of Combustion itself isn’t an instant, its ability triggers whenever you or your permanents are targeted. This means it has an omnipresent effect that can disrupt or penalize your opponent’s actions at instant speed, regardless of whose turn it is.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Leyline of Combustion necessitates a precise mana combination, needing two red mana as part of its cost. This restricts its integration into decks, confining it primarily to red-centric or two-color builds that can reliably produce red mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an investment of four mana to cast, this card may strain your mana resources in the early game. In comparison, other cards at the same cost could provide more immediate board presence or utility, potentially making the Leyline a less appealing choice in situations where tempo is crucial.

Discard Requirement: Though Leyline of Combustion doesn’t inherently require discarding, it’s important to note when evaluating its effectiveness in your deck. If your strategy involves card economy and hand size maintenance, the Leyline, not impacting these areas, might not synergize well with your game plan and thus could be considered a less advantageous card.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Leyline of Combustion provides an excellent form of passive defense, making it a valuable addition for decks that prefer the game to progress at a controlled pace. Its inherent ability to cause damage to opponents whenever they target you or your permanents can deter early aggressive plays and protect your strategic assets.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies that favor punishing opponents for playing spells or abilities. Its static damage ability stacks effectively with other damage-dealing effects, nurturing potential for powerful combinations that can whittle down an opponent’s life total without committing to an attack.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creature-based strategies and targeted spells are prevalent, Leyline of Combustion shines. Its presence within your collection ensures you have a ready answer against decks that rely on targeted removal or effects, providing you with a constant source of advantage as metagames evolve.


How to beat

Leyline of Combustion presents players with a new layer of strategy in the world of Magic: The Gathering. As a unique enchantment, it really shines in protecting player and permanents from targeted spells or abilities, dishing out two damage to any opponent who dares to target you or another permanent you control. Navigating around this card requires a blend of careful play and precise timing. Key to overcoming this obstacle is the employment of non-targeted removal or board wipes. Cards such as Supreme Verdict or Wrath of God bypass Leyline’s fiery retribution, clearing the way without harm.

Alternatively, opting to sidestep the damage through damage prevention effects or life gain can significantly mitigate the impact. Cards like Feed the Clan or timely countermagic, like Negate, can be instrumental. Also, consider leveraging abilities that don’t specify targets—think global effects or those that affect ‘each opponent’—to indirectly handle the threat posed by Leyline of Combustion without triggering its ability. Adjusting your strategy to meet the challenge head-on will ensure your deck doesn’t get burned by this powerful card’s protective flames.


BurnMana Recommendations

Deepening your understanding of MTG requires a keen sense of strategy, and including cards like Leyline of Combustion in your collection can be a formidable move. As you unravel the vast world of deck building and gameplay dynamics, remember that the choices you make can significantly influence the tide of battle. Leyline of Combustion offers both deterrent and potential for powerful combos that can elevate your defense and offense. Ready to discover more tactics and refine your MTG prowess? Embrace the challenge and join us to learn how to harness the full potential of this incendiary enchantment for a blazing path to victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Leyline of Combustion MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2020, 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 Leyline of Combustion and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Leyline of Combustion has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-07-12 If a spell targets you and/or a permanent you control multiple times, or if a spell targets you and one or more permanents you control, Leyline of Combustion’s triggered ability triggers once.
2019-07-12 Leyline of Combustion’s triggered ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered.