Burn Trail MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery
Abilities	Conspire
Released	2008-05-02
Set symbol
Set name	Shadowmoor
Set code	SHM
Number	86
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Nils Hamm

Key Takeaways

Strategic replication enables sustained pressure and allows players to target multiple threats over turns.
Demands high mana investment which may impact tempo but offers strong board control in return.
Versatile in red-focused decks, synergizes with prowess and spell-slinging strategies for impactful plays.

Text of card

Burn Trail deals 3 damage to target creature or player. Conspire (As you play this spell, you may tap two untapped creatures you control that share a color with it. When you do, copy it and you may choose a new target for the copy.)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Burn Trail, players can capitalize on the ability to target multiple creatures or players, potentially removing several threats on the board at once or whittling down an opponent’s life total while preserving your own card count.

Resource Acceleration: While Burn Trail itself does not create resources, the efficient cost-to-damage ratio can lead to a quicker depletion of the opponent’s resources, indirectly accelerating your board position and pressure.

Instant Speed: Burn Trail’s sorcery speed is balanced by its replicating capability, which offers strategic value in choosing targets over multiple turns, providing sustained pressure and interaction in a match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One drawback of Burn Trail is that it necessitates letting go of a card from your hand, sometimes placing you at a disadvantage, especially when your hand size is diminishing during the late-game stretch.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires red mana explicitly, which could pose restrictions within your deck. Being a mono-red spell, it isn’t as seamless to integrate in multi-color deck strategies that may not consistently produce the needed red mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Burn Trail sits on the higher end of the mana spectrum for direct damage spells. Considering the pace of many matches, the four mana needed could represent a significant investment, potentially opening you up for opponent counter-plays or losing a tempo advantage that other low-costing burn spells may better preserve.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Burn Trail offers a flexible option for any player looking to add efficient removal to their deck. Its ability to potentially damage multiple targets makes it a utility player that can shift roles depending on the situation.

Combo Potential: This card is a boon for enthusiasts of spell-slinging strategies, able to amplify the impact of prowess creatures or synergize with cards that capitalize on casting instants and sorceries.

Meta-Relevance: With a meta that regularly showcases creature-based decks, Burn Trail can serve as an essential tool to keep opposing boards in check. Its relevance increases in environments where maintaining board control is paramount.

How to beat

Burn Trail is a card that can blaze through unprepared defenses in Magic: The Gathering. At its core, it’s a damage-dealing sorcery, reminiscent of other burn spells that have been staples in red-themed decks. However, Burn Trail’s strength lies in its replicate ability, potentially unleashing multiple instances of damage if you have the mana to support it.

To effectively neutralize this card, consider employing countermeasures that disrupt this synergy. Counterspells are your first line of defense, stopping the spell before it can be replicated. Cards with instant-speed interaction are crucial. Additionally, strategies making use of life gain can help buffer against the damage Burn Trail aims to inflict, ensuring your life total remains stable despite the assault. In essence, prioritize cards that can either prevent Burn Trail from resolving or quickly recover from the impact it delivers.

Understanding the nature of Burn Trail is half the battle. With careful deck construction and strategic play, you can turn the tides against this fiery threat, maintaining control of the game and leading your deck to victory against opponents who rely on the explosive power of Burn Trail.

Cards like Burn Trail

Burn Trail is a card that certainly makes its mark in the red spell lineup of Magic: The Gathering. It echoes the themes of cards like Lightning Bolt, a classic for delivering damage straight to creatures or players. However, Burn Trail offers a unique twist with its replicate ability, allowing players to pay additional mana to duplicate the spell. Lightning Bolt may have a lower cost for its effect but lacks this potential for multiplied impact.

Another comparable card is Flames of the Raze-Boar, which also deals damage to a creature, and could potentially damage multiple creatures if you control a large creature. Though it offers a broader scope of destruction, it does so without the replicating flexibility of Burn Trail. Then there’s Volcanic Fallout, dealing damage to every creature and player, circumventing counterplay with its cannot be countered clause. Fallout provides a different kind of area control, useful in games with many targets, but still, isn’t as customizable in its distribution of damage as Burn Trail.

In evaluating similar cards, Burn Trail’s replication makes it a versatile spell that can adapt to various scenarios, making it a potentially potent choice for players looking to have control over the extent of their damage output.

Flames of the Raze-Boar - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Burn Trail by color, type and mana cost

Draconic Intervention - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Burn Trail MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, 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 Burn Trail and other MTG cards: