Scorching Lava MTG Card

Scorching Lava offers creature removal and potential card advantage by disrupting opponent plays. Instant speed allows adaptation and control during the opponent’s turn, enhancing flexibility. Mana specifics and discard costs can limit inclusion in decks, demanding strategic consideration.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Abilities	Kicker
Released	2000-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Invasion
Set code	INV
Number	164
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Mark Tedin

Text of card

Kicker o R (You may pay an additional o R as you play this spell.) Scorching Lava deals 2 damage to target creature or player. If you paid the kicker cost, that creature can't be regenerated this turn and if it would be put into a graveyard this turn, remove it from the game instead.

Cards like Scorching Lava

Scorching Lava presents itself as an interactive option within Magic: The Gathering’s vast arsenal of direct-damage spells. It shares a commonality with cards like Shock, which also delivers a quick two damage to any target. Yet, Scorching Lava offers a unique kicker ability, allowing players to potentially exile a creature if extra mana is paid during the casting. Contrastingly, Shock costs less and lacks this exile rider, which can be pivotal in disrupting graveyard strategies.

In the realm of burn spells, Incinerate also serves as a point of comparison. Similar to Scorching Lava, it prevents a creature from regenerating, dealing three damage for the same cost but without the option of the kicker. Moreover, Lightning Strike stands in the spotlight with an equivalent mana cost and the deal of three damage, yet it does not feature a kicker and doesn’t restrict regeneration.

Comparing these alternatives paints a clear picture of Scorching Lava’s role. It may not be the cheapest or the most hard-hitting, but its flexibility through the kicker mechanic and potential to exile creatures gives it an edge in certain strategic scenarios, making it a versatile choice for decks in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Scorching Lava by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Scorching Lava provides a direct way to deal with threats on the board, potentially removing a creature and thereby tipping the card balance in your favor. This can disrupt opponent strategies and maintain pressure, keeping your position strong on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Although Scorching Lava may not directly accelerate resources in the traditional mana ramp sense, efficiently removing key threats with a single card conserves your resources for subsequent turns, enabling you to allocate them more effectively throughout the match.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Scorching Lava at instant speed gives you flexibility, allowing you to react quickly to your opponent’s actions. Instant speed removals are instrumental for maintaining control during the opponent’s turn, making your strategy less predictable and more adaptable to incoming threats or surprise attacks.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Scorching Lava requires its caster to discard a card when its kicker cost is paid. This additional cost can be a strategic setback, especially when your hand is shrinking and every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: With a strict red mana requirement, Scorching Lava might not effortlessly fit into multicolored decks. Players must ensure they have the right mana sources available, or they risk having a card stuck in hand with no opportunity to play it.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When utilizing its kicker option, the card’s mana investment increases, which may not always align with the card’s damage output. Players might find themselves evaluating whether the cost of the kicker is worth the potential benefits, especially when there are other spells that deliver damage more efficiently.

Reasons to Include Scorching Lava in Your Collection

Versatility: Scorching Lava offers dual utility, capable of targeting both creatures and players. This flexibility allows it to be a relevant pick for numerous red-based strategies seeking quick and effective removal or a direct route to whittle down an opponent’s life total.

Combo Potential: For deck builders looking to capitalize on spell synergy, Scorching Lava serves as an enabler for prowess triggers or instants and sorceries matter themes. Additionally, it can be a handy tool in decks that reward you for casting burn spells, possibly setting off a chain of explosive plays.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where quick creature removal is paramount, Scorching Lava provides an essential role. Its capacity to instantly take out key threats or to be the last bit of damage needed for a win makes it a card worth considering when adjusting your deck to a rapidly evolving competitive scene.

How to beat

Confronting Scorching Lava in MTG requires a well-thought strategy, as this is no average burn spell. Its capacity to deal damage and the option to exile a creature if its kicker cost is paid can prove devastating. To navigate around this fiery threat, consider holding back on playing your key creatures until you have enough mana to protect them with counterspells or hexproof abilities.

Another tactic is focusing on baiting out the spell with less critical creatures, so that your more valuable ones can enter the battlefield with less risk. You can also capitalize on instant speed spells and abilities that can fizzle Scorching Lava by granting your creature indestructibility or regenerating it, effectively wasting your opponent’s resources. Decks with a higher life total theme, lifegain strategies, or decks that employ a multitude of disposable tokens can also mitigate the impact of Scorching Lava. Remember, this spell, while powerful, does not define the outcome of a game when you proactively manage your assets and anticipate your opponent’s possible moves.

Scorching Lava puts pressure on creature-based strategies, but with clever deck building and keen play decisions, its heat can certainly be handled, allowing you to maintain the upper hand in the duel.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Scorching Lava MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Lava and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Scorching Lava has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal