Midnight Arsonist MTG Card
2021-11-19 - Number 65
2021-11-19 - Number 27
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Vampire |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
When Midnight Arsonist enters the battlefield, destroy up to X target artifacts without mana abilities, where X is the number of Vampires you control.
Cards like Midnight Arsonist
Midnight Arsonist has sparked interest among MTG players who are keen on utilizing creature abilities to control the board state. Its resemblance to other creatures with a knack for dealing damage upon entering the battlefield is quite apparent. The standout trait of Midnight Arsonist is its potential for removing an opponent’s significant enchantment by simply enlisting its service to your squad.
Nestled in the same strategy space, we discover Embereth Shieldbreaker. This fiery character also boasts a knack for dismantling enchantments or artifacts, but with a twist. Unlike Midnight Arsonist, whose ability is triggered upon entry, Embereth Shieldbreaker offers flexibility with its Adventure mechanic, allowing for a two-step play sequence. In comparison, there’s also Ingot Chewer – a creature from an earlier set. Much like our Arsonist, Ingot Chewer offers a direct and straightforward approach, targeting artifacts instead of enchantments as soon as it hits the field.
In drawing parallels, each card holds its merit depending on the game’s demand. Yet, in many scenarios, the Midnight Arsonist holds a unique edge, particularly emphasizing enchantment removal that is less common among its peers, making it a valuable asset in any MTG player’s deck arsenal.
Cards similar to Midnight Arsonist by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Midnight Arsonist rewards players by potentially dismantling an opponent’s board presence while offering the benefit of refueling your hand if an enchantment is destroyed.
Resource Acceleration: By removing key pieces of an opponent’s strategy, especially ramp artifacts or crucial enchantments, Midnight Arsonist helps you gain an indirect acceleration advantage as your opponent may struggle to rebuild resources.
Instant Speed: The versatility of casting Midnight Arsonist at instant speed means you can respond to your opponent’s actions during their turn, thereby maximizing strategic impact and keeping your options open.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Midnight Arsonist compels the player to discard a card when using its activated ability. This cost can set you back when you’re scrimping on cards, leaving you vulnerable to your opponent’s strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting requirement includes both red and other colors, potentially complicating its integration into multi-colored decks where the mana base might not always align with the demand for red mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Midnight Arsonist offers specific utility, the card comes with a relatively steep mana investment. This trade-off means that players may bypass it in the deck-building process for cards with a lower cost to power ratio.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Midnight Arsonist offers a flexible role for various deck archetypes. Its ability to target and destroy artifacts makes it a handy tool against opponents relying heavily on these resources.
Combo Potential: This card can be a key component in decks focused on removal and control strategies. Its destructive entrance effect can be synergized with cards that reward artifact removal or damage-based interactions.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where artifact-based strategies are prevalent, including equipment or token generators, Midnight Arsonist gains significant value, disrupting your opponent’s board presence and momentum.
How to beat
Midnight Arsonist is a formidable creature card in MTG that can pose quite a challenge to overcome. This powerful card offers not only strength on the battlefield but also a utility that can dismantle artifacts and enchantments, thereby disrupting your strategies. To counter this fiery opponent, players should prioritize spells that can remove Midnight Arsonist from the board swiftly, even at instant speed, to avoid its activated ability causing substantial disruption.
One effective method is to utilize spells that can exile creatures, sidestepping potential graveyard-based strategies that might bring Midnight Arsonist back into play. Another angle is to keep counter magic at the ready. Being prepared to counter Midnight Arsonist as it is cast can ensure it never becomes a threat on the board. For those playing creature-heavy decks, it’s vital to deploy creatures with toughness higher than Midnight Arsonist’s power to withstand its attack and hold the line. Lastly, leveraging removal spells that can bypass the Arsonist’s potential protective abilities, such as indestructibility, ensures you can maintain control of the board state.
Strategic planning and a well-curated hand can make all the difference in turning the tides against this fiery adversary, allowing you to keep your artifacts and enchantments safe while holding dominion over the game’s flow.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Midnight Arsonist MTG card by a specific set like Crimson Vow Commander and Crimson Vow Commander, 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 Midnight Arsonist 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
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Printings
The Midnight Arsonist Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2021-11-19. Illustrated by Campbell White.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-11-19 | Crimson Vow Commander | VOC | 65 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Campbell White | |
| 2 | 2021-11-19 | Crimson Vow Commander | VOC | 27 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Campbell White |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Midnight Arsonist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Midnight Arsonist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-11-19 | Midnight Arsonist's triggered ability can't target artifacts that have either activated or triggered mana abilities. An activated mana ability is one that could add mana to a player's mana pool as it resolves, doesn't have a target, and isn't a loyalty ability. A triggered mana ability is one that adds mana to a player's mana pool and triggers based on an activated mana ability. |