Firemane Avenger MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Angel
Abilities Battalion,Flying
Power 3
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Battalion provides both offensive and defensive benefits, crucial for midrange Boros strategies in MTG.
  2. Requires a specific mana base and sufficient board presence to leverage its full potential effectively.
  3. While strong, there are creatures with better cost-to-effect ratios that challenge its deck inclusion.

Text of card

Flying Battalion — Whenever Firemane Avenger and at least two other creatures attack, Firemane Avenger deals 3 damage to target creature or player and you gain 3 life.

Firemane Nevena led the victorious assault on the Barbu Rooftop rebels. Now the Gateless have marked her for death.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Firemane Avenger possesses a powerful Battalion ability that, when three or more creatures attack, offers not only damage to an opponent or creature but also grants life gain. This means every attack phase can potentially turn into a swing in life totals, edging you towards victory while pulling you from the brink of defeat.

Resource Acceleration: While this card does not directly provide mana or resource acceleration, its ability to control the board by dealing 3 damage allows you to maintain a lead without expending additional resources. This can indirectly keep your mana open for other strategic plays and help accelerate your game plan.

Instant Speed: The ability to trigger Firemane Avenger’s Battalion effect at instant speed via various flicker or untap effects can catch opponents off-guard, providing a tactical advantage whether on offense or defense. It allows flexibility in combat and can be a game-changer during pivotal turns.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Firemane Avenger doesn’t have a discard requirement per se, its battalion ability necessitates maintaining a presence on the battlefield. This means if you’re under pressure and can’t commit multiple creatures to the board, you can’t leverage its full potential.

Specific Mana Cost: Firemane Avenger requires a specific mana combination of one red, one white, and two other mana. This can be restrictive because it necessitates a Boros (red-white) mana base, potentially limiting the card’s inclusion to only certain types of decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering its 3/3 stats, the casting cost of Firemane Avenger is high. In MTG, there are other four-mana creatures with more impactful immediate effects or better stats, which can often result in Firemane Avenger being overlooked in deck-building for more efficient options.


Reasons to Include Firemane Avenger in Your Collection

Versatility: Firemane Avenger seamlessly integrates into Boros (red/white) decks known for their balance of aggression and control. Its ability to deal damage while gaining life makes it a dual-threat in various game scenarios.

Combo Potential: The Battalion mechanic synergizes with creatures that trigger on attacking or deals combat damage, enhancing decks centered around such synergies. It could also act as a cornerstone in a deck that uses damage amplifiers or lifegain multipliers.

Meta-Relevance: Given its role in games that can swing quickly with board presence and life totals, Firemane Avenger holds its ground in metas that favor midrange strategies. In creature-based matchups, having a flyer that can simultaneously turn the tide of battle is incredibly valuable.


How to beat

Overcoming Firemane Avenger in MTG can be a tactical challenge due to its ability to deal damage while simultaneously providing life gain. To effectively beat this card, focus on removing it from the battlefield swiftly before its Battalion trigger causes too much impact. Swift removal spells or abilities that bypass the Avenger’s protections are key. Using instant speed removal such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile ensures that the Avenger is dealt with before it can become a recurrent threat or gain life for the opponent.

Avoiding damage-based removal is advisable as the Avenger could potentially be out of range with pump spells or counters. Priority should be placed on unconditional removal or, alternatively, counterspells when the Avenger is on the stack can prevent it from entering the battlefield altogether. Employ board wipes when facing multiple creatures as this will negate the Battalion trigger, keeping Firemane Avenger’s ability from activating. Controlling the board state is essential to prevent the synergy that cards like Firemane Avenger depend on for their strength.

By anticipating your opponent’s moves and strategically planning your removal, you can mitigate Firemane Avenger’s effect on the game and maintain an upper hand.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the strategic dimensions that Firemane Avenger adds to your MTG gameplay can transform your combat approach. With its ability to inflict damage while bolstering your life total, each attack phase becomes a critical play. Whether it’s finding its perfect place within a Boros deck or using it to capitalize on life-damage synergies, understanding and utilizing this card can make a significant difference in your duels. Keen on leveraging Firemane Avenger’s full potential or seeking alternatives that align with your deck’s strategy? Dive deeper with us and grow your collection with cards that not only challenge your opponents but also elevate your MTG experience. Discover more and enhance your gameplay today.


Cards like Firemane Avenger

Firemane Avenger stands out in the pantheon of creatures within Magic: The Gathering. It shares its Boros allegiance with fellow guildmate, Skyknight Vanguard. While the Vanguard forges a coalition with each attack by creating 1/1 tokens, Firemane Avenger forges its path through its Battalion ability, dealing 3 damage to any target while also cushioning your life total.

Lightning Helix is another card that echoes the Avenger’s ability to damage and heal simultaneously, albeit as an instant and without the creature presence. The instant speed offers flexibility, but lacks the recurring threat that Firemane Avenger provides. Comparatively, Ajani’s Pridemate also rewards life gain by becoming a larger threat, yet it leaves opponents unscathed in terms of direct damage.

Evaluating these cards side by side, Firemane Avenger delivers a blend of offense and defense that is uniquely its own. Its duality in providing both a punch and sustenance during combat phases gives players a considerable advantage, especially in games that hang in the balance of life and damage output.

Skyknight Vanguard - MTG Card versions
Lightning Helix - MTG Card versions
Ajani's Pridemate - MTG Card versions
Skyknight Vanguard - Core Set 2020 (M20)
Lightning Helix - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Ajani's Pridemate - Magic 2011 (M11)

Cards similar to Firemane Avenger by color, type and mana cost

Soltari Guerrillas - MTG Card versions
Angelfire Crusader - MTG Card versions
Desolation Giant - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Charger - MTG Card versions
Brion Stoutarm - MTG Card versions
Winota, Joiner of Forces - MTG Card versions
Raiyuu, Storm's Edge - MTG Card versions
Bell Borca, Spectral Sergeant - MTG Card versions
Haktos the Unscarred - MTG Card versions
Flame-Kin Zealot - MTG Card versions
Sunhome Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Belligerent Hatchling - MTG Card versions
Duergar Cave-Guard - MTG Card versions
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Spark Trooper - MTG Card versions
Tajic, Blade of the Legion - MTG Card versions
Highspire Mantis - MTG Card versions
Munda, Ambush Leader - MTG Card versions
Kalemne, Disciple of Iroas - MTG Card versions
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Soltari Guerrillas - Tempest Remastered (TPR)
Angelfire Crusader - Apocalypse (APC)
Desolation Giant - Apocalypse (APC)
Flowstone Charger - Apocalypse (APC)
Brion Stoutarm - Masters 25 (A25)
Winota, Joiner of Forces - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Raiyuu, Storm's Edge - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty (NEO)
Bell Borca, Spectral Sergeant - Dominaria United Commander (DMC)
Haktos the Unscarred - Theros Beyond Death (THB)
Flame-Kin Zealot - Eternal Masters (EMA)
Sunhome Enforcer - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Belligerent Hatchling - Eventide (EVE)
Duergar Cave-Guard - Eventide (EVE)
Spitemare - Duel Decks: Ajani vs. Nicol Bolas (DDH)
Spark Trooper - GRN Guild Kit (GK1)
Tajic, Blade of the Legion - Dragon's Maze (DGM)
Highspire Mantis - The List (PLST)
Munda, Ambush Leader - Battle for Zendikar Promos (PBFZ)
Kalemne, Disciple of Iroas - Commander Anthology Volume II (CM2)
Bruse Tarl, Boorish Herder - Commander Legends (CMR)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Firemane Avenger MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Gatecrash, 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 Firemane Avenger and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Firemane Avenger Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2013-02-01 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 479912003normalblackRyan Barger
22013-02-01GatecrashGTC 1632003normalblackWayne Reynolds
32018-11-02GRN Guild KitGK1 892015normalblackWayne Reynolds
42024-02-23Ravnica: Clue EditionCLU 1892015normalblackWayne Reynolds

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Firemane Avenger has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2013-01-24 If Firemane Avenger’s battalion ability resolves but some or all of the damage is prevented, you’ll still gain 3 life.
2013-01-24 If the target permanent or player is an illegal target when Firemane Avenger’s battalion ability tries to resolve, the ability won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen. You won’t gain life.
2013-04-15 Once a battalion ability has triggered, it doesn’t matter how many creatures are still attacking when that ability resolves.
2013-04-15 The effects of battalion abilities vary from card to card. Read each card carefully.
2013-04-15 The three attacking creatures don’t have to be attacking the same player or planeswalker.

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