Searing Touch MTG Card
1997-10-14 - Number 201
2015-05-06 - Number 155
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Buyback |
Text of card
Buyback o4 (You may pay an additional o4 when you play this spell. If you do, put it into your hand instead of your graveyard as part of the spell's effect.) Searing Touch deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
Cards like Searing Touch
Searing Touch brings a spark to the arsenal of damage-dealing spells in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often weighed against cards like Shock, which also deals a quick two damage to any target. What makes Searing Touch standout, however, is its buyback ability, allowing a return to the hand for repeated usage. Shock might lack this reusability, but it compensates with a lower casting cost and immediate impact.
Comparatively, Kindle is another card that mirrors the incremental damage Searing Touch can provide. While Kindle’s power increases with the number of copies in the graveyard, it does not offer the same buyback feature, limiting its recurrence. Then there is Firebolt, offering an upfront damage with a flashback ability, providing a second life but still falling short of the constant threat posed by Searing Touch’s buyback potential.
In conclusion, the strategic depth Searing Touch adds to the game can be immensely rewarding for players who manage their resources effectively. It may not be the cheapest or the most direct burn spell, but its potential for repeated use gives it a unique edge in the right deck.
Cards similar to Searing Touch by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Searing Touch comes with the potential to eliminate small creatures or final points of life, providing an edge by reducing an opponent’s resources while maintaining your hand’s card count.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly providing mana or acceleration, the efficient cost of a single red mana allows you to play other cards alongside Searing Touch, effectively optimizing your mana utilization for the turn.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Searing Touch at instant speed grants the flexibility to strategically pinpoint the optimal moment for its use, whether that’s in response to an opponent’s move or at the end of their turn, keeping your options open and your plays unpredictable.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Searing Touch mandates discarding a card to activate its ability, potentially depleting your hand and leaving you at a card disadvantage during the game.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s requirement for red mana can make it challenging to incorporate into multicolor decks that may not generate red mana consistently or require mana fixing to accommodate.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that might be seen as steep for the effect it provides, some players may find the card inefficient compared to other burn spells or abilities that offer a more substantial impact for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Searing Touch in Your Collection
Versatility: Searing Touch offers a convenient and repeatable direct damage option, making it easy to insert into decks that focus on spell-slinging or those looking for efficient ways to manage opposing creatures.
Combo Potential: This card can be a cog in a machine designed to win through damage over time. Paired with ways to untap permanents or copy spells, Searing Touch can become a central piece in a combo that whittles down opponents’ life totals turn by turn.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where small creature strategies are common, Searing Touch steps up as a handy tool. Its ability to eliminate key creatures or close out a game when the opponent’s life is within reach ensures its relevance in your arsenal against the prevalent deck archetypes.
How to beat Searing Touch
Searing Touch stands out in the world of red spells in MTG due to its ability to deal direct damage. With a single mana, this instant spell offers the potential for early game removal, easily disrupting an opponent’s creatures. To counter such a threat, one effective strategy is to play creatures with toughness higher than its one-damage limit, making them resilient to Searing Touch’s effect.
Another tactic involves utilizing spells that give your creatures hexproof or indestructible until end of turn, thereby shielding them from targeted damage. Examples of such spells include Blossoming Defense and Heroic Intervention, which not only protect your creatures but can also provide additional advantages. Furthermore, countering Searing Touch outright with a well-timed counterspell can negate the damage before it becomes a problem, allowing you to maintain control of the board.
Ultimately, while Searing Touch can be a valuable tool for early board control, there are various ways to mitigate its impact through deck building and strategic play, ensuring your creatures stay in the game and leave your opponent’s fiery tactics fizzling out.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Searing Touch MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Tempest Remastered, 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 Touch 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Searing Touch Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by D. Alexander Gregory.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-10-14 | Tempest | TMP | 201 | 1997 | Normal | Black | D. Alexander Gregory | |
| 2 | 2015-05-06 | Tempest Remastered | TPR | 155 | 2015 | Normal | Black | D. Alexander Gregory |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Searing Touch has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |