Pillar of Flame MTG Card

Strategically exiles creatures to inhibit recursion, boosting card advantage against graveyard strategies. Cost-efficient removal for quick board state progression and maintaining momentum in red-focused decks. Sorcery speed demands strategic play, rewarding synergistic deck construction with amplifying effects.

Avacyn Restored (AVR)
2012-05-04 - Number 149

Iconic Masters (IMA)
2017-11-17 - Number 141

Jumpstart (JMP)
2020-07-17 - Number 355

Jumpstart 2022 (J22)
2022-12-02 - Number 579

Pillar of Flame - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Magic Online Promos (PRM)
2002-06-24 - Number 46871

Pillar of Flame - Friday Night Magic 2012 (F12)

Friday Night Magic 2012 (F12)
2012-01-01 - Number 11

Card sets	Released in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery

Text of card

Pillar of Flame deals 2 damage to target creature or player. If a creature dealt damage this way would die this turn, exile it instead.

"May the worthy spend an eternity in Blessed Sleep. May the wicked find the peace of oblivion."

Cards like Pillar of Flame

Pillar of Flame stands out in red’s arsenal of direct damage spells within the MTG realm. It resides comfortably alongside Shock, a staple in red’s quick burn tactics, offering two damage to any target for one less mana. Yet, Pillar of Flame edges ahead with its additional ability to exile creatures it destroys, a pivotal option when dealing with graveyard-based strategies.

Comparisons can be drawn to Flame Slash which also exiles and deals higher damage, however, it is restricted to creature targets and lacks the instant speed finesse that Pillar of Flame possesses. Furthermore, Lava Coil also presents itself as a contender, dishing out four damage to creatures and exiling them if they would die, although at a slightly higher mana cost and at sorcery speed, emphasizing the speedy and versatile nature of Pillar of Flame.

In evaluating their individual merits and situational advantages, Pillar of Flame remains a favored choice for players who prioritize flexibility and proactive graveyard control while maintaining pressure on their opponents with quick and efficient damage spells in MTG.

Cards similar to Pillar of Flame by color, type and mana cost

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Pillar of Flame. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

Name	Format	Event
Mono-Red Aggro	Gladiator	Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024
Mono-Red Some Brand of Cereal	Gladiator	Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024
Gruul Stompy	Gladiator	Gladiator Team Unified League
Jeskai Control	Gladiator	Gladiator Team Unified League

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Though it may not directly allow you to draw cards, Pillar of Flame’s ability to exile a creature ensures that your opponents don’t get a second use out of their resources. This can indirectly contribute to card advantage by dealing with creatures that have afterlife or other recursive abilities, making sure they stay off the board for good.

Resource Acceleration: Pillar of Flame provides a cost-efficient removal at just one red mana. It’s particularly advantageous in decks that want to progress their board state without sacrificing momentum, as it allows for the preservation of resources to cast other spells or further develop the board in the same turn.

Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Pillar of Flame demands strategic planning for optimal use. While not at instant speed, the sorcery classification benefits from various synergies with cards that reward or amplify sorcery spells, enabling a calculated, powerful play on your turn that can shift the game in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Pillar of Flame doesn’t require a discard upon casting, it’s important to be aware of your card economy. Without the right setup, using your Pillar of Flame could mean missing the chance to cast a different critical spell that could be more beneficial in your hand later in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Pillar of Flame costs one red mana. This precision in mana requirement can restrict its incorporation in decks that run multiple colors or that have a mana base not heavily invested in red sources. Ensuring you have the necessary red mana without causing delay can sometimes be a challenge.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although costing one red and one generic mana might seem affordable, within the fast-paced and competitive meta, there are spells that offer more versatile or impactful removal options for the same or lesser cost. This can make Pillar of Flame a less attractive option when deck building for efficient mana utilization.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Pillar of Flame shines in its ability to fit a wide array of decks looking for efficient removal. Its capability to target either creatures or players makes it a flexible choice for multiple situations on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: The strength of Pillar of Flame is amplified when combined with cards that thrive on spell-slinging strategies. Its exile effect pairs well with cards that capitalize on removing opponent’s resources from the game.

Meta-Relevance: Given its low cost and exile effect, Pillar of Flame is exceptionally useful in metas filled with graveyard-based strategies. It ensures that creatures don’t easily return from the graveyard, providing a strategic advantage in those matchups.

How to beat

Pillar of Flame is a streamlined removal spell that has found its place among the versatile spell choices in Magic: The Gathering. Players cherish this card for its ability to efficiently deal with early-game threats by delivering two points of damage for a single red mana. It also has the added benefit of exiling the creature it destroys, preventing any abilities that trigger from the graveyard.

Defeating a strategy that includes Pillar of Flame requires a keen understanding of your own deck’s dynamics. It’s crucial to avoid over-committing smaller creatures to the battlefield, which are susceptible to Pillar of Flame’s reach. Instead, consider pacing the deployment of your threats, ensuring your pivotal creatures have more than two toughness to survive the removal or employ creatures with hexproof or indestructible to sidestep the spell’s impact.

Moreover, a counter-strategy could include the use of instant-speed spells that can buff your creatures in response to a Pillar of Flame, saving them from being exiled and potentially swinging the momentum in your favor. Navigating around this card involves a mix of prudent play and a solid understanding of timing for your reactive measures.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pillar of Flame MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Friday Night Magic 2012, 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 Pillar of Flame and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Pillar of Flame Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	~~2002-06-24~~	Magic Online Promos	PRM	46871	2003	Normal	Black	Dave Kendall
2	~~2012-01-01~~	Friday Night Magic 2012	F12	11	2003	Normal	Black	Dave Kendall
3	2012-05-04	Avacyn Restored	AVR	149	2003	Normal	Black	Karl Kopinski
4	2017-11-17	Iconic Masters	IMA	141	2015	Normal	Black	Karl Kopinski
5	2020-07-17	Jumpstart	JMP	355	2015	Normal	Black	Dave Kendall
6	2022-12-02	Jumpstart 2022	J22	579	2015	Normal	Black	Dave Kendall

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pillar of Flame has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2017-11-17	A creature dealt damage by Pillar of Flame that dies this turn will be exiled even if it wasn’t the target of Pillar of Flame (because the damage was redirected somehow). If the target creature isn’t dealt damage (most likely because the damage was prevented), it won’t be exiled if it dies that turn.
2017-11-17	A creature dealt damage by Pillar of Flame will be exiled no matter why the creature would die that turn. It could have its toughness reduced to 0 or less or be destroyed by another spell or ability.