Cinder Cloud MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Released	1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set name	Mirage
Set code	MIR
Number	165
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jock

Key Takeaways

Playing Cinder Cloud at instant speed offers strategic flexibility and crucial battlefield control.
The card’s discard requirement can be a setback if key strategies are compromised.
Its ability to target creatures and enchantments ensures meta relevance and versatility.

Text of card

Destroy target creature. If a white creature is put into the graveyard in this way, Cinder Cloud deals to that creature's controller an amount of damage equal to the creature's power.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cinder Cloud provides an advantageous swing by potentially removing multiple creatures from the board. This disruption can lead to a substantial advantage, as it can clear the way for your own attacks or protect you from imminent threats.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources in the traditional sense of producing mana or ramping, Cinder Cloud can save resources by acting as a multifunctional tool. Its ability to deal with several creatures at once may save the cards or mana one would normally spend on multiple removal spells.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Cinder Cloud at instant speed cannot be overstated. It allows players to adapt to the battlefield dynamically, responding to threats as they emerge even during the opponent’s turn. This flexibility provides a significant tactical edge, as you can make decisions with the most current information and potentially disrupt your opponent’s strategy mid-action.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Cinder Cloud demands the discarding of a card upon casting. This prerequisite can be a tactical setback, particularly when you’re holding on to a crucial piece of your strategy or when your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: This spell’s cost is locked into a strict color set, requiring both red and other mana. This specific requirement can render it less flexible, potentially complicating its inclusion in multicolor decks that may not always have the necessary mana available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that might be considered steep for its effect, Cinder Cloud competes with a variety of alternatives. Players might find themselves weighing its inclusion against other spells that could offer similar or better impacts for a lower investment, optimizing their deck’s performance.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Cinder Cloud can be a flexible addition to any red deck, adept at dealing with both creatures and enchantments. Its ability to target multiple types of permanents makes it a multipurpose tool in various game scenarios.

Combo Potential: For decks that capitalize on damage-dealing spells or abilities, Cinder Cloud provides a way to clear out blockers or dismantle enchantments while contributing to that strategy, paving the way for various synergies and interactions on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: Given its utility in handling creatures and enchantments, Cinder Cloud is relevant in a meta where such permanents are prevalent. Its role in disrupting opponent’s strategies can shift the tide of the game, providing a crucial advantage to its wielder.

How to beat

Cinder Cloud is a card that presents a unique challenge on the battlefield of Magic: The Gathering. As players encounter this card, strategic adjustments need to be made to counter its potential impact. To effectively tackle Cinder Cloud, it is crucial to consider the use of instant-speed removal spells which can target and destroy it before its effect resolves. Cards like Naturalize or Disenchant provide a direct answer, allowing players to respond swiftly and minimize any detrimental impact.

Beyond single-card solutions, adjusting one’s playstyle can also be effective. This may include conserving mana to cast spells at end of turn, thus maintaining the flexibility needed to counter it. Additionally, it is wise to diversify threats, so the card’s damage effect is less debilitating on one’s board presence. Players must also be aware of the mana cost of Cinder Cloud, preparing their own mana reserves to counter it before it changes the tide of the game.

In essence, by being proactive and prepared with versatile removal options and adaptable strategies, players can circumvent the potential setbacks posed by Cinder Cloud—keeping their game plan intact and their victory within reach.

Cards like Cinder Cloud

The allure of Cinder Cloud in the landscape of red spells is its potential for both area control and direct damage. This versatility lands it among other notable red cards like Flame Sweep and Sweltering Suns which also offer players the chance to clear several creatures at once. Though Cinder Cloud might not hit as wide of a range as a board clear, it compensates with the ability to target players as well, offering flexibility.

Focusing on smaller scale removal, we can look to Magma Jet. This card doesn’t pack the same area of effect ability, but it makes up for it with its scry ability, allowing for better deck manipulation. Still, Cinder Cloud’s higher damage output is a crucial advantage in taking down larger threats. Comparatively, cards like Shock offer cheap and efficient removal at instant speed, yet lack the broader impact potential that Cinder Cloud carries when facing a crowded battlefield.

Ultimately, the breadth of a red mage’s arsenal in Magic: The Gathering can be measured by the situational advantages each card offers. Cinder Cloud stands out for its blend of direct and collateral damage, providing players with adaptable strategies against both creatures and opponents directly.

Cards similar to Cinder Cloud by color, type and mana cost

Beacon of Destruction - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cinder Cloud MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Cinder Cloud and other MTG cards: