Pyrokinesis MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 6 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Instant |
Text of card
You may remove a red card in your hand from the game instead of paying Pyrokinesis's casting cost. Pyrokinesis deals 4 damage, divided any way you choose among any number of target creatures.
"Anybody want some . . . *toast*?" —Jaya Ballard, Task Mage
Cards like Pyrokinesis
Pyrokinesis, a removal staple in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, finds its kin in other free-cast spells like Fireblast. Both cards allow players to unleash powerful effects at no mana cost, with Pyrokinesis offering the ability to deal 4 damage divided as you choose among any number of target creatures for the cost of exiling a red card from your hand. Fireblast, however, demands a higher price by sacrificing two Mountains, but it hurls 4 damage directly at any target, a direct hit to either creature or player.
Likewise, the formidable Force of Will bears a resemblance to Pyrokinesis by allowing players to counter a spell without paying mana, instead paying the alternative cost of exiling a blue card from their hand and losing 1 life. What sets Pyrokinesis apart is its focus on widespread creature removal rather than countering spells, emblematic of red’s direct and aggressive play style.
Pyrokinesis also echoes with the more recent Skred, a snow spell that deals damage to a creature equal to the number of snow permanents you control. Unlike Pyrokinesis’s instant swiftness and flexibility, Skred is more synergistic in decks designed around snow lands and permanents. Comparing these cards highlights Pyrokinesis’s unique role as a flexible and quick answer to multiple threats on the board.
Cards similar to Pyrokinesis by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Pyrokinesis. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
R | Legacy | Legacy Challenge 32 2024-04-20 (1) | ||
Temur Delver | Legacy | Temur Delver | Legacy League 2024-04-17 | |
Goblins | Legacy | Goblins | Legacy Preliminary 2024-04-17 | |
Counter Vine | Vintage | Counter Vine | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-04-27 | |
Beanstalk Control | Legacy | Beanstalk Control | Legacy Showcase Challenge 2024-04-21 | |
Cauldron Devourer | Legacy | Lisbon Legacy League 2024 // 5th Qualifier | ||
Grixis Storm | Free form | Noble Spring Quarterly | ||
UBRG | Free form | Canadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Pyrokinesis is a powerhouse in eliminating multiple threats at once without spending mana, allowing you to maintain card advantage while shaping the board to your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Though it doesn’t directly accelerate resources, Pyrokinesis frees up mana for other spells or abilities in the same turn, effectively speeding up your game plan.
Instant Speed: Its ability to be played at instant speed makes Pyrokinesis a versatile tool for disrupting your opponent’s strategy during their turn, protecting your permanents, or clearing the way for a decisive attack.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Pyrokinesis demands that you throw away another red card just to cast it for free. In intense games, this could put you in a bind, reducing your hand and possibly leaving you without critical plays later on.
Specific Mana Cost: This card strictly needs red mana to activate its abilities, which can be a stumbling block in multicolored decks that might struggle to have the right mana at the right time.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Even though Pyrokinesis can be quite powerful, it comes at a somewhat hefty total mana cost. An investment of four mana for a direct damage spell could possibly be directed towards more impactful or versatile cards, given the vast array of choices in Magic the Gathering.
Reasons to Include Pyrokinesis in Your Collection
Versatility: Pyrokinesis is a flexible card that not only acts as removal but can also be a surprise element against your opponent’s creatures. Its zero mana cost option, by discarding a red card, enables surprise plays and rapid board changes, suitable for various red-focused decks seeking control or tempo advantages.
Combo Potential: In decks that thrive on card synergy, Pyrokinesis works well with strategies that manipulate the graveyard. Cards that benefit from having specific card types in the graveyard or that allow you to retrieve cards back into your hand or onto the battlefield can turn Pyrokinesis from a one-off spell to part of a damaging recurring combo.
Meta-Relevance: Particularly effective in a meta filled with creature-heavy decks, Pyrokinesis can clear multiple threats at once without spending mana. This can tilt the game’s balance during critical turns, especially when resources are tight, and establishing board presence is crucial.
How to beat
Unleashing the raw destructive power of Pyrokinesis can be a defining moment in any Magic: The Gathering match. As a tool for removing multiple creatures without spending mana, it can swing games in your favor swiftly. However, even the most fiery spells have their Achilles’ heel. To outplay Pyrokinesis, consider the timing of your plays and the range of your threats. Diversified threats across different creature types can help mitigate the damage it can inflict, particularly if the creatures have toughness greater than 4 or possess abilities that prevent damage.
It’s essential to recognize that Pyrokinesis requires a nonland card to be exiled from your hand to cast it for free. This implies that if you can apply enough pressure or force your opponent to exhaust their hand, the efficiency of Pyrokinesis diminishes. Cards that provide player hexproof can render it virtually useless against you. Lastly, counterspells can also adeptly intercept it, ensuring that your board presence remains unharmed. Therefore, understanding the counters and playing around what your opponent might be holding is key to beating Pyrokinesis in MTG.
BurnMana Recommendations
MTG players seeking to enhance their gameplay will find Pyrokinesis an invaluable addition to their arsenal. With its potential to swiftly change the tides of battle, this card proves its worth in decks designed to maintain card advantage while disrupting opponent strategies. Whether you’re aiming to outmaneuver creature-heavy decks or incorporate it into intricate card synergies, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Pyrokinesis is vital. It’s not just about the card itself but also how you weave it into your strategic fabric. Deepen your understanding and refine your deck with our insights. Dive into the world of MTG strategy on BurnMana and optimize your play to secure victory after victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Pyrokinesis MTG card by a specific set like Alliances and World Championship Decks 1997, 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 Pyrokinesis 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 Pyrokinesis Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1996-06-10 and 2016-06-10. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1996-06-10 | Alliances | ALL | 78 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | |
2 | 1997-08-13 | World Championship Decks 1997 | WC97 | pm78sb | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Ron Spencer | |
3 | 1997-08-13 | World Championship Decks 1997 | WC97 | pm78 | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Ron Spencer | |
4 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 43640 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk | ||
5 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 147 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | |
6 | 2013-09-06 | Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters | DDL | 32 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk | |
7 | 2016-06-10 | Eternal Masters | EMA | 143 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Pyrokinesis has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Pyrokinesis card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2016-06-08 | Each target must be assigned at least 1 damage. |
2016-06-08 | If another effect causes Pyrokinesis to cost more, you must pay that additional cost even if you pay its alternative cost. |
2016-06-08 | You divide the damage as you cast Pyrokinesis, not as it resolves. If any of the targets become illegal, damage is dealt to the other targets as originally assigned. If all targets are illegal, Pyrokinesis doesn’t resolve. |