Inferno Fist MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant

Key Takeaways

  1. Enhances creatures with +2/+0, potentially forcing opponents to use extra resources against it.
  2. Instant-speed sacrifice of Inferno Fist disrupts enemy strategies by removing blockers or threats.
  3. Specific mana cost and discard requirement can limit Inferno Fist’s flexibility and efficiency.

Text of card

Enchant creature you control Enchanted creature gets +2/+0. , Sacrifice Inferno Fist: Inferno Fist deals 2 damage to target creature or player.

"I've never been above throwing the first punch."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Inferno Fist gives you more control by providing a +2/+0 boost, turning any creature into a bigger threat without losing cards in hand. It effectively creates a potential two-for-one scenario where your opponent might need to use more resources to deal with a single Inferno Fist-enhanced creature.

Resource Acceleration: Though Inferno Fist doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, it can clear the path for your attackers, potentially leading to increased mana availability if it helps remove a blocker that’s stalling your mana-producing creatures. This can be an indirect way to help you ramp up your resources during a match.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of Inferno Fist shines as it grants you the ability to remove an opposing creature on demand by sacrificing it. This instant-speed utility lets you wait for the most opportune moment to disrupt your opponent’s strategy, keeping them on their toes and maximizing the card’s strategic value.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Inferno Fist’s utility is slightly dampened by its need for a player to sacrifice the card to harness its ability. This makes its offering bittersweet, especially when the card could have potentially served better in later rounds or in different scenarios where resources are scarce.

Specific Mana Cost: This card is tailored for a red mana deck, making it less flexible in multicolored deck strategies. Players who do not run a red mana-focused deck may find Inferno Fist incompatible with their game plans, restricting its adaptability across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Inferno Fist provides an augmenting power boost and potential direct damage, the combined mana expenditure for casting and activation may deter players looking for cost-efficient alternatives. Other cards at a lower mana cost can offer similar benefits or better synergy within a deck, making Inferno Fist a less appealing choice when mana conservation is crucial.


Reasons to Include Inferno Fist in Your Collection

Versatility: Inferno Fist is a flexible card that can adapt to various playstyles. It can be used as a tool for direct damage or to boost the offense of a creature, which makes it a beneficial addition to both aggressive and control-oriented decks.

Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with creatures that benefit from enchantments or have tap abilities. You can leverage Inferno Fist to enhance those synergies or combo it with a sacrificial mechanic for an unexpected strike.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the evolving landscape of MTG gameplay, Inferno Fist can be quite useful in a meta that emphasizes quick removals or in a scenario where the tempo advantage can dictate the winner. As the battlefield dynamics change, having a card with such flexibility can help you stay one step ahead.


How to beat

Inferno Fist packs a fiery punch in the MTG arena, providing both an offensive boost and an efficient removal option. For those across the table from this blazing enchantment, the key is swift and targeted response. One effective strategy is enchantment removal; cards like Disenchant dismantle the threat of Inferno Fist at a low mana cost, preserving your creatures and your life total. Alternatively, instant-speed creature protection spells like Gods Willing can not only save your creature from the brimstone clutches of Inferno Fist’s ability but also pave the path for a counterattack.

Counterspells also offer a preemptive measure. Spells like Negate or Cancel can prevent Inferno Fist from ever latching onto a creature, neutralizing the threat before it becomes a problem. Lastly, considering Inferno Fist requires a creature to be equipped, creature removal spells ensure that potential targets are swept from the board, rendering the enchantment useless. Tactics involving Doom Blade or Murder can clear the way for a clean battlefield. By staying one step ahead, you can keep Inferno Fist from tipping the scales and radiating its destructive power over the game.


Cards like Inferno Fist

Inferno Fist serves as a unique enhancement within the realm of auras in Magic: The Gathering. It shares some functionality with auras like Lightning Talons, giving a creature a significant power boost. Inferno Fist, however, offers an edge by allowing you to sacrifice it for direct damage, adding a layer of versatility. Lightning Talons doesn’t provide this utility, focusing solely on the power increase.

Ghostfire Blade also presents an intriguing comparison. While it isn’t an aura but an equipment, it similarly increases a creature’s potency on the battlefield. Ghostfire Blade’s advantage lies in its reusability with different creatures, contrasting with Inferno Fist’s one-time equip nature. Face of Divinity is worth mentioning too, augmenting both power and toughness, and providing additional keyword abilities—a divergence from Inferno Fist’s singular focus on power and its sacrifice mechanic.

Analyzing these cards side by side, Inferno Fist holds a valuable position among red enhancers in MTG. Its capacity to boost a creature’s power and act as a damage source upon sacrifice makes it a nifty card for players looking to inject flexibility and a punch into their gameplay strategy.

Lightning Talons - MTG Card versions
Ghostfire Blade - MTG Card versions
Face of Divinity - MTG Card versions
Lightning Talons - Shards of Alara (ALA)
Ghostfire Blade - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)
Face of Divinity - Modern Horizons (MH1)

Cards similar to Inferno Fist by color, type and mana cost

Power Surge - MTG Card versions
Raging River - MTG Card versions
Smoke - MTG Card versions
Giant Strength - MTG Card versions
Goblin Kites - MTG Card versions
The Brute - MTG Card versions
Lightning Reflexes - MTG Card versions
Consuming Ferocity - MTG Card versions
Agility - MTG Card versions
Errantry - MTG Card versions
Goblin Bomb - MTG Card versions
Heat of Battle - MTG Card versions
Goblin Festival - MTG Card versions
Scald - MTG Card versions
Cave Sense - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Surge - MTG Card versions
Maniacal Rage - MTG Card versions
Battle Strain - MTG Card versions
Goblin Bombardment - MTG Card versions
Underworld Breach - MTG Card versions
Power Surge - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Raging River - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Smoke - Masters Edition IV (ME4)
Giant Strength - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Goblin Kites - Fallen Empires (FEM)
The Brute - Renaissance (REN)
Lightning Reflexes - Mirage (MIR)
Consuming Ferocity - Mirage (MIR)
Agility - Mirage (MIR)
Errantry - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Goblin Bomb - Weatherlight (WTH)
Heat of Battle - Stronghold (STH)
Goblin Festival - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Scald - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Cave Sense - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Flowstone Surge - Nemesis (NEM)
Maniacal Rage - Conflux (CON)
Battle Strain - Odyssey (ODY)
Goblin Bombardment - The List (PLST)
Underworld Breach - Theros Beyond Death Promos (PTHB)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Inferno Fist MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2015 and Mystery Booster, 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 Inferno Fist and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Inferno Fist Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2014-07-18 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by James Ryman.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-07-18Magic 2015M15 1502015normalblackJames Ryman
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 9812015normalblackJames Ryman
32020-09-26The ListPLST M15-1502015normalblackJames Ryman

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Inferno Fist has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2014-07-18 As soon as Inferno Fist leaves the battlefield, its power bonus stops applying. This means that if you sacrifice Inferno Fist before combat damage is dealt, perhaps to destroy a potential blocker, the creature that was enchanted won’t have the bonus when it deals combat damage.
2014-07-18 If another player gains control of the enchanted creature, or if Inferno Fist becomes attached to a creature another player controls, Inferno Fist will be put into its owner’s graveyard as a state-based action.

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