Searing Spear MTG Card
2012-07-13 - Number 147
2017-06-16 - Number 56
2022-12-02 - Number 597
2002-06-24 - Number 48003
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Searing Spear deals 3 damage to target creature or player.
Sometimes you die a glorious death with your sword held high. Sometimes you're just target practice.
Cards like Searing Spear
Searing Spear has firmly rooted itself as a staple in burn strategy decks within the Magic: The Gathering community. This instant card ignites the field with its straightforward ability to deal 3 damage to any target. Looking at relatives in the burn family, Lightning Strike shares the same mana cost and effect but is set apart by its ability to target planeswalkers. While not as versatile in targeting, Searing Spear remains a foundational choice for direct damage.
Another contender is Incinerate, which not only delivers the same amount of damage but also throws in the debilitating clause that the damaged creature can’t regenerate. This is a crucial tactical advantage in certain matchups where regeneration plays a key role. On the other hand, Skullcrack, although also a two-mana burn spell, focuses on preventing life gain, a sideboard tech against decks that capitalize on high life total.
Assessing the options, Searing Spear holds its ground, emanating a balanced mix of damage, speed, and resource management, making it a go-to spell in red decks looking to lower the opponent’s life total swiftly.
Cards similar to Searing Spear by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Searing Spear. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Grixis | Free form | Canadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed | |
 | Izzet Control | Legacy | Charlotte Legacy League Season 4 Week 12 | |
 | Mono-Red Burn | Legacy | Charlotte Legacy League Season 1 Week 9 | |
 | Jund Control | Legacy | Charlotte Legacy League Season 1 Week 3 | |
 | Grixis Control | Legacy | Charlotte Legacy League Season 1 Week 1 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Searing Spear’s direct damage can eliminate a threat on the board or close out a game, effectively removing an opponent’s potential for gaining card advantage while maintaining or enhancing your own position.
Resource Acceleration: While Searing Spear does not directly offer resource acceleration, its low casting cost allows you to remain efficient with your mana. This efficiency can indirectly lead to an acceleration in your game plan as you remove an obstacle without setting yourself back on resources.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Searing Spear at instant speed offers a tactical advantage, allowing you to make decisions reactively. You can disrupt an opponent’s play during their turn, or deal unexpected damage at a moment that is most detrimental to your opponent’s strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Searing Spear doesn’t require discarding as a cost, giving it an advantage over other spells that do.
Specific Mana Cost: Searing Spear requires one red mana, which means it’s only playable in red or multi-colored decks, potentially limiting its versatility in a player’s arsenal.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Searing Spear’s mana cost is quite low, it’s worth noting that in some scenarios, alternative burn spells may provide more damage or additional effects for a similar or only slightly higher mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Searing Spear can be included in a variety of decks, owing to its straightforward and efficient removal capabilities. It stands out with its ability to target creatures or planeswalkers, or even directly damage your opponent, making it a staple for red decks.
Combo Potential: This instant spell can interact with various cards that reward dealing non-combat damage or casting instants, thus potentially unlocking synergistic combinations in your deck, as well as helping you control the battlefield or diminishing your opponent’s life total.
Meta-Relevance: Searing Spear finds its place in decks that need to keep the board clear of threats or to finish off opponents in a tight race. Against an environment filled with low to mid-toughness creatures, this card can be a game-changer by being a cost-effective answer.
How to beat
Searing Spear represents a reliable form of direct damage that can be a formidable tool in any player’s arsenal in Magic: The Gathering. Its simplicity allows for quick removal of creatures with its flat three damage output, or it can be aimed directly at an opponent to help close out the game. To counter a card like Searing Spear, consider strategies that revolve around creature indestructibility or damage prevention. Cards such as Knight Exemplar grants indestructibility to other Knights, which nullifies single-target spells like Searing Spear.
Another effective tactic is to make use of instant-speed life gain or damage prevention spells. Remember that the stack is your friend; casting something like Dawn Charm in response to Searing Spear can prevent the damage entirely. Enchantment cards that offer a more permanent solution or creatures with lifelink can also offset the damage over time, reducing the impact of a Searing Spear on your game plan.
Understanding the tempo and keeping mana open for responses can be crucial when facing burn strategies. Playing around Searing Spear involves careful resource management and being cognizant of your opponent’s potential to unleash direct damage at any moment. By anticipating and mitigating its effects, you maintain control over the battlefield and protect your life total effectively.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Searing Spear MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic 2013, 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 Searing Spear 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 Searing Spear Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2012-07-13 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 48003 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Christopher Moeller | ||
| 2 | 2012-07-13 | Magic 2013 | M13 | 147 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | |
| 3 | 2017-06-16 | Archenemy: Nicol Bolas | E01 | 56 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | |
| 4 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 597 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Searing Spear has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |