Flame Burst MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	2001-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Odyssey
Set code	ODY
Number	194
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ron Spencer

Key Takeaways

Flame Burst provides escalating damage, making it an effective burn option in MTG decks.
Instant speed gives players control and flexibility, outmaneuvering sorcery constraints.
Demands careful resource allocation for optimal effect, constraining its versatility.

Text of card

Flame Burst deals X damage to target creature or player, where X is 2 plus the number of Flame Burst cards in all graveyards.

As hot as a dwarf's rage.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Flame Burst is particularly effective in decks that are built around maximizing damage output from each card. By dealing increasing damage for each copy already in the graveyard, this feature can offer subtle yet significant card advantage—allowing for efficient removal of threats on the board or even direct player damage as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: While Flame Burst doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the traditional sense of ramping up mana, it does provide an acceleration of damage potential. The low casting cost coupled with its scaling damage effect can lead to a faster depletion of your opponent’s life total, synergistically working with other burn spells for an accelerated path to victory.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Flame Burst gives you the flexibility to react during your opponent’s turn or at the end of their turn, keeping your mana open for other potential plays and strategically timing the damage for maximum impact. This instants speed nature of the card allows greater control over the pace of the game and can catch opponents off guard, particularly when they consider their life total safe against sorcery speed threats.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Flame Burst necessitates having cards with the same name in hand or graveyard to maximize its potential, constraining strategic options and hand management.

Specific Mana Cost: Flame Burst requires a particular combination of mana, demanding red mana exclusively and potentially restricting its integration in multicolor decks that require a balanced mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of one and two reds, Flame Burst can be less efficient compared to other direct damage spells that offer similar damage output at a lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include Flame Burst in Your Collection

Versatility: Flame Burst can be a key card in decks that thrive on instant-speed interaction. Able to deal damage directly to creatures or players, its usefulness extends across various board states and game phases.

Combo Potential: Its damage output increases with each copy of Flame Burst in your graveyard, making it an excellent piece in strategies built around self-milling or discard to maximize spell impact.

Meta-Relevance: Flame Burst shines in an environment filled with creature-based aggro decks. As players look to establish board control, the ability to remove key threats can turn the tides in your favor, proving its merit in the current meta.

How to beat

Flame Burst emerges as a potent damage-dealing spell in Magic: The Gathering, packing a punch by potentially scalating its burn with each copy stacked in the graveyard. Unlike its direct damage counterparts, such as Lightning Bolt or Shock, which deal a consistent amount of damage, the strength of Flame Burst increases as more identical cards find their way into the graveyard. This makes sequencing and graveyard management strategic points in any gameplay involving this card.

To effectively counteract Flame Burst, players might opt for graveyard disruption tactics. Utilizing cards like Tormod’s Crypt or Relic of Progenitus can exile the contents of a graveyard, which thereby reduces the potential impact of Flame Burst. A more active approach involves employing counterspells such as Counterspell or Mana Leak when the Flame Burst is initially cast, preventing it from reaching the graveyard and escalating in the first place.

Undoubtedly, understanding the mechanics underlying Flame Burst and preparing for its unique method of damage escalation is crucial in mitigating its effects. Incorporating graveyard control or counterspell strategies holds the key to overcoming the growing threat posed by this fiery spell in your duels.

Cards like Flame Burst

Flame Burst is an intriguing Magic: The Gathering card that offers incremental damage to players seeking to harness the power of fire in their deck. If we look at its counterparts, we can draw parallels with cards like Kindle, which has a similar accumulative damage ability dependent on the number of cards with the same name in the graveyard. Flame Burst, on the other hand, counts both in hand and in the graveyard, widening its potential for destruction.

Considering Needle Drop is another card that delivers damage; it hits for just one but with the added perk of drawing a card. While it may seem modest in comparison, its ability to replace itself makes it quite valuable in deck strategies that hinge on consistent card flow. Incinerate, a classic burn spell, offers something different with its flat three damage and an effect that prevents creatures from regenerating, giving it a distinctive edge in creature-heavy matchups.

Each card carries its weight in a strategy that emphasizes timing and resource management. Flame Burst stands out for its scalablity and surprise factor, making it a noteworthy choice among burn spells in Magic: The Gathering for those who want that extra kick from their spells as the game progresses.

Cards similar to Flame Burst by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Flame Burst MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Flame Burst and other MTG cards: