Scorching Dragonfire MTG Card
2019-10-04 - Number 139
2020-07-03 - Number 158
2020-07-17 - Number 139
2022-12-02 - Number 596
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Scorching Dragonfire deals 3 damage to target creature or planeswalker. If that creature or planeswalker would die this turn, exile it instead.
As the blaze raced toward her, Syr Ameril closed her eyes and pictured Castle Ardenvale so her last thoughts would be of home.
Cards like Scorching Dragonfire
Scorching Dragonfire is a notable instant-speed removal spell in Magic: The Gathering, often drawn into comparison with other burn spells like Shock. Both offer direct damage, but Scorching Dragonfire has the bonus ability to exile the target if it would die this turn, preventing graveyard strategies.
Analogous to Scorching Dragonfire, there’s Lava Coil, which deals more damage and also exiles the creature if it dies. However, it’s at sorcery speed, not giving the flexibility of reacting during an opponent’s turn. Magma Spray serves a counterpoint, with the speed of an instant and exiling prowess, but falls short in damage, dealing only two compared to Scorching Dragonfire’s three.
When evaluating these spells, Scorching Dragonfire stands out against many counterparts due to its versatile exile effect coupled with a solid damage output, all packaged up in an instant that can be crucial for maintaining board control during any phase of the game.
Cards similar to Scorching Dragonfire by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Scorching Dragonfire. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Gruul Aggro | Pioneer | Gruul Aggro | Pioneer Preliminary 2024-04-02 (1) |
 | Gruul Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Games: We're Back | |
| Izzet Control | Pioneer | Izzet Control | Pioneer League 2023-12-14 |
 | Izzet Creativity | Pioneer | Izzet Indomitable Creativity | Sat. 9:30 AM U.S. Regional Championship - Dreamhack Atlanta 2023 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Scorching Dragonfire provides a twofold advantage. Firstly, it removes a creature or planeswalker from the game, disrupting your opponent’s board state. Secondly, because it exiles rather than destroys, it can prevent your adversary from utilising graveyard-based strategies, effectively reducing their accessible resources.
Resource Acceleration: While Scorching Dragonfire does not accelerate resources in the traditional sense of providing additional mana, its low casting cost allows you to remain mana-efficient. This enables you to advance your game state while still holding up mana for other pivotal plays.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Scorching Dragonfire at instant speed grants you significant tactical flexibility. You can adapt to threats as they emerge during your opponent’s turn, thus maximizing the element of surprise and maintaining control over the pace of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Scorching Dragonfire does not require a discard which works seamlessly with your hand strategy, allowing you to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Scorching Dragonfire involves a red mana, which may not be an issue for monocolored red decks but could be restrictive for multicolored decks not focused on red resources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although the mana cost isn’t exceptionally high, some players might consider two mana a significant investment for a spell that deals only 3 damage, when other spells or effects could potentially do more for the same or less investment.
Reasons to Include Scorching Dragonfire in Your Collection
Versatility: Scorching Dragonfire is a staple removal spell that slots seamlessly into a variety of red decks. Whether you’re scorching creatures or planeswalkers, the instant speed of this card allows you to effectively control the pace of the game.
Combo Potential: This card shines in decks that capitalize on spell synergies. Its ability to exile targets prevents graveyard strategies and functions well in decks that aim to disrupt the opponent’s plans while setting up their own combos.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where swift creature threats and planeswalker activations can dictate victory conditions, Scorching Dragonfire’s ability to remove key pieces while circumventing graveyard interactions keeps it relevant in a range of competitive environments.
How to beat Scorching Dragonfire
Scorching Dragonfire has made its mark as a reliable removal spell in the realm of Magic the Gathering. This instant spell not only deals a solid three damage to a target creature or planeswalker, but it also exiles it if it would die this turn, preventing any death-triggered effects or graveyard strategies.
To effectively counter Scorching Dragonfire’s impact, consider the spell’s limitations. One strategy is to use creatures with toughness greater than three, thereby surpassing the damage threshold that Scorching Dragonfire can inflict. Alternatively, utilizing instant-speed hexproof spells or abilities can protect your creatures at the critical moment they’re targeted, effectively nullifying the threat. Moreover, spells that regenerate or indestructible abilities can also safeguard your creatures from being exiled. Remember, Scorching Dragonfire is bounded by mana efficiency, and can primarily target only one threat at a time, making wide board states or strategies less susceptible to its influence.
Understanding both its capabilities and constraints is key to playing around Scorching Dragonfire, allowing you to maintain your board presence and momentum, despite your opponent’s attempt at disruption.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Scorching Dragonfire MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine and Core Set 2021, 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 Scorching Dragonfire 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 Scorching Dragonfire Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2019-10-04 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Eric Velhagen.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-10-04 | Throne of Eldraine | ELD | 139 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Velhagen | |
| 2 | 2020-07-03 | Core Set 2021 | M21 | 158 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Velhagen | |
| 3 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart Arena Exclusives | AJMP | 139 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Velhagen | |
| 4 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 596 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Velhagen |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Scorching Dragonfire has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Scorching Dragonfire card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-10-04 | Scorching Dragonfire's replacement effect will exile the target creature or planeswalker if it would die this turn for any reason, not just due to lethal damage. It applies to the target creature or planeswalker even if Scorching Dragonfire deals no damage to it (most likely due to a prevention effect). |
| 2020-06-23 | Scorching Dragonfire's replacement effect will exile the target creature or planeswalker if it would die this turn for any reason, not just due to lethal damage. |