Ranger's Firebrand MTG Card
2023-06-23 - Number 143
2023-06-23 - Number 594
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Ranger's Firebrand deals 2 damage to any target. The Ring tempts you.
"Keep close to the fire, with your faces outward! Get some of the longer sticks ready in your hands!" —Strider
Cards like Ranger's Firebrand
Ranger’s Firebrand brings a new dynamic to creature spells within MTG. This card can be likened to seasoned combat creatures like Goblin Arsonist, which delivers a similar impact by enabling direct damage to either a player or planeswalker upon death. Ranger’s Firebrand differs slightly as it offers more strategic versatility through its ability to target creatures as well, potentially altering the board state.
Considering another comparison, Ember Hauler provides an interesting parallel. Though both creatures boast the capability of dealing damage, Ember Hauler requires a mana investment to activate this ability. Ranger’s Firebrand, in contrast, automatically triggers the effect upon entering the battlefield, giving it an immediate presence in the game without additional resource commitments.
Analyzing these comparisons, Ranger’s Firebrand stands out in terms of flexibility and efficiency among MTG creatures with damage-dealing abilities. Its automatic trigger upon entering the battlefield makes it a noteworthy inclusion in decks seeking to capitalize on quick and direct board impact.
Cards similar to Ranger's Firebrand by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Ranger's Firebrand. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Red Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
| Mono-Red Some Brand of Cereal | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024 | |
 | Boros Aggro | Modern | Boros Aggro | Modern Challenge 64 2024-01-21 |
| Mono-Red Burn | Modern | Mono-Red Burn | Modern Challenge 64 2024-01-15 |
 | Mono-Red Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
 | Izzet Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ranger’s Firebrand is crafted to give players an upper hand by providing an option to eliminate a key target while drawing a card. This dual effect ensures you maintain board control while not losing out on your card count, fostering a more robust strategic position in the game.
Resource Acceleration: The card has a noteworthy synergy with decks that focus on casting multiple spells in a single turn. By potentially reducing the cost of subsequent spells or actions, Ranger’s Firebrand can serve as an enabler for combing out or slowing down opponents by pressuring their resources.
Instant Speed: The convenience of instant speed allows you to flexibly choose the most opportune moment to cast Ranger’s Firebrand. Whether you’re disrupting an opponent’s play during their turn or waiting for the perfect time to clear a path for an attack, the card’s timing can be as valuable as its effect.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Ranger’s Firebrand comes with an inherent trade-off. To unlock its potential, you need to part with a card from your hand, which might set you back, particularly when your hand size is diminishing.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s demand for a precise mana combination can be a stumbling block. Its casting cost requires red mana, tying it closely to red-aligned decks and sometimes restricting deck-building diversity.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing in at a greater mana investment than many other creature cards, Ranger’s Firebrand challenges players to consider its cost-benefit ratio. There may be alternative creatures or spells that deliver similar or better effects with less strain on your mana pool.
Reasons to Include Ranger’s Firebrand in Your Collection
Versatility: Ranger’s Firebrand is a flexible card that can be slotted into a range of red-based decks. Its ability to offer both immediate impact and strategic advantages makes it a worthwhile inclusion for players looking to add utility to their deck.
Combo Potential: Equipped with the capacity to deal damage upon entering the battlefield, Ranger’s Firebrand can work with cards that capitalize on dealing noncombat damage or destroying creatures, amplifying its effectiveness within synergistic strategies.
Meta-Relevance: For those engaged in a meta where creatures reign supreme, having a card that can take out key targets or apply pressure to an opponent’s life total makes Ranger’s Firebrand a card worth considering for your arsenal, particularly in aggressive red decks.
How to beat
Ranger’s Firebrand is a unique creature card that brings a dynamic twist to Magic: The Gathering matches. Not only does it serve as a formidable threat on the battlefield with its power and abilities, but it can also become a strategic asset for players, especially when paired with equipment and enchantments that enhance its combat capabilities.
To overcome Ranger’s Firebrand effectively, you must prioritize removal spells that can deal with creatures either before they become too entrenched or immediately as they hit the board. Targeted removal like Cast Down or Swords to Plowshares can dispatch the Firebrand before it has the chance to capitalize on its abilities. If direct removal isn’t an option, controlling the board with sweepers such as Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the playing field, clearing the Firebrand along with other threats.
Moreover, countering the synergies that Ranger’s Firebrand might be a part of is also key. This means keeping an eye out for the equipments and auras it might be looking to utilize. Having artifact or enchantment removal like Disenchant or Naturalize at the ready can significantly weaken the Firebrand’s impact on the game. With careful planning and the right response, tackling the challenge posed by Ranger’s Firebrand becomes a manageable task.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ranger's Firebrand MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 Ranger's Firebrand 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 Ranger's Firebrand Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Pavel Kolomeyets.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 143 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Pavel Kolomeyets | |
| 2 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 594 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Pavel Kolomeyets |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ranger's Firebrand has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ranger's Firebrand card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-06-16 | As the Ring tempts you, you get an emblem named The Ring if you don't have one. Then your emblem gains its next ability and you choose a creature you control to become (or remain) your Ring-bearer. |
| 2023-06-16 | Each player can have only one emblem named The Ring and only one Ring-bearer at a time. |
| 2023-06-16 | Each time the Ring tempts you, you must choose a creature if you control one. |
| 2023-06-16 | If the creature you choose as your Ring-bearer was already your Ring-bearer, that still counts as choosing that creature as your Ring-bearer for the purpose of abilities that trigger "whenever you choose a creature as your Ring-bearer" or abilities that care about which creature was chosen as your Ring-bearer. |
| 2023-06-16 | Some spells and abilities that cause the Ring to tempt you may require targets. If each target chosen is an illegal target as that spell or ability tries to resolve, it won't resolve. The Ring won't tempt you. |
| 2023-06-16 | The Ring can tempt you even if you don't control a creature. In this case, abilities that trigger "whenever the Ring tempts you" will still trigger. |
| 2023-06-16 | The Ring gains its abilities in order from top to bottom. Once it gains an ability, it has that ability for the rest of the game. |