Flamekin Bladewhirl MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Elemental Warrior
Released	2007-10-12
Set symbol
Set name	Lorwyn
Set code	LRW
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	165
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Mark Zug

Key Takeaways

Provides card advantage by creating an extra battlefield presence from one card, enriching strategic depth.
Facilitates a tempo boost in early game with low-cost deployment accelerating player’s strategy execution.
Its versatility in deck integration makes it a valuable asset for aggressive and elemental-centric strategies.

Text of card

As an additional cost to play Flamekin Bladewhirl, reveal an Elemental card from your hand or pay .

"The elves may try to confine us, but they will learn that our blazing spirit can never be suppressed." —Vessifrus, flamekin demagogue

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Flamekin Bladewhirl creates an additional body on the battlefield, effectively giving the player an extra asset from a single card play. This can lead to more strategic options and pressures the opponent on multiple fronts.

Resource Acceleration: As a low-cost creature, Flamekin Bladewhirl allows for quick deployment, potentially enabling a faster utilization of other cards in the player’s hand or strategy. This can lead to a vital tempo advantage in the early stages of the game.

Instant Speed: Although Flamekin Bladewhirl itself is not an instant, its abilities can synergize with instant speed spells and effects in play, such as combat tricks or surprise blockers, to catch an opponent off guard and turn the tides of a game swiftly in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Flamekin Bladewhirl hinges on players having an Elemental card to discard when its ability is triggered. This caveat demands a deck highly focused on Elementals to ensure consistency, reducing flexibility for players who might want to integrate this card into more diverse strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: Being a red Elemental, Flamekin Bladewhirl’s mana cost is explicitly red-aligned. This restriction necessitates a commitment to red mana sources, which could complicate deck-building for those desiring a broader color palette to tap into different strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Flamekin Bladewhirl competes with other three-cost creatures in the fast-paced MTG landscape. While its abilities can be impactful, it may fall short against other options in the cost bracket that either provide immediate board presence or come in tandem with less restrictive activation requirements.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Flamekin Bladewhirl can seamlessly integrate into various deck builds, particularly those that capitalize on elemental synergies or require a swift and aggressive start. Its flexibility in the early game enables a range of strategic plays that could bolster your position on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: The prowess of Flamekin Bladewhirl to enhance other creatures’ capabilities can be part of combos that escalate your damage output substantially. When paired with spells that buff your creatures or grant additional combat phases, this card can be an unassuming yet critical component of a devastating offensive.

Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to quickly amplify pressure, Flamekin Bladewhirl fits well in a meta that favors fast-paced, aggressive tactics. In environments where early momentum can dictate the pace of play, including this card in your arsenal could provide the edge needed to outpace slower, more methodical strategies.

How to beat

Flamekin Bladewhirl serves as an intriguing piece in the puzzle of aggro strategies in Magic: The Gathering. Its prowess lies in its ability to confer first strike to your creatures during combat on your turn. Identifying and disrupting the tempo Flamekin Bladewhirl sets can be crucial in diminishing its impact on the game.

To effectively counter this card, control decks that leverage removal spells prove to be an excellent strategy. Sweepers that clear the board like Wrath of God can reset the state of play before the Bladewhirl’s effect can be utilized. Similarly, spot removal such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade can remove Flamekin Bladewhirl before it can activate its key ability.

Moreover, since Flamekin Bladewhirl relies on the presence of other creatures to maximize its potential, cards that can stymie creature strategies, like Ensnaring Bridge, render it far less effective. In essence, a combination of timely removal and hindering the development of a wide board are your best assets in overcoming the challenge posed by Flamekin Bladewhirl. Keeping these strategies in mind, players can navigate around the obstacles presented by this fiery adversary.

Cards like Flamekin Bladewhirl

Flamekin Bladewhirl brings a twist to the realm of elementals within Magic: The Gathering. Much like spells such as Ember Hauler, Flamekin Bladewhirl offers an aggressive red creature that can impact the battlefield swiftly. However, Flamekin Bladewhirl distinguishes itself with its First Strike ability, allowing it to deal combat damage before creatures without this ability, an aspect not found in Ember Hauler’s direct approach.

In the same conversation, Ash Zealot is also a pertinent comparison. This creature shares the First Strike quality, yet it comes with added graveyard interaction, punishing opponents for casting spells from there. While Flamekin Bladewhirl doesn’t inhibit opponent’s graveyard strategies, it compensates by supporting tribal synergies within elemental focused decks. Additionally, we have Rakdos Shred-Freak, another two-mana red creature that offers haste but lacks the First Strike, highlighting Flamekin Bladewhirl’s early game defensive edge.

Analyzing the core attributes and specialized functions, Flamekin Bladewhirl competes well among similar two-mana red creatures. Its blend of First Strike and tribal benefits makes it a noteworthy choice for players looking to build an aggressive yet tactically flexible deck composition.

Cards similar to Flamekin Bladewhirl by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Balloon Brigade - MTG Card versions

Mons's Goblin Raiders - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Flamekin Bladewhirl MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn, 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 Flamekin Bladewhirl and other MTG cards: