Slaying Fire MTG Card
2019-10-04 - Number 143
2019-10-04 - Number 394
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Adamant |
Text of card
Slaying Fire deals 3 damage to any target. Adamant — If at least three red mana was spent to cast this spell, it deals 4 damage instead.
The purest virtue burns brighter than the sun and hotter than dragonfire.
Cards like Slaying Fire
Slaying Fire is a standout card for aggressive red decks in Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with other burn spells like Lightning Strike, which is known for its straightforward three damage to any target for two mana. Yet, Slaying Fire brings a unique twist with its Adamant mechanic – if at least three red mana were spent to cast it, it deals four damage instead. This bonus damage potential sets it apart from the fixed damage output of Lightning Strike.
Another comparable spell is Skewer the Critics which can also inflict three damage. However, its Spectacle cost allows players to cast it for a mere single red mana if an opponent has lost life this turn, offering a situational but powerful advantage in terms of mana efficiency.
Then there’s the classic, Shock. While only dealing two damage for one mana, its low cost makes it a versatile option in any deck looking for quick, efficient burn. In essence, while there might be more economical choices in terms of mana cost or conditions to deal damage, Slaying Fire provides a potentially higher damage output which could be crucial for closing games or removing larger threats.
Cards similar to Slaying Fire by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Slaying Fire. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Red Burn | Gladiator | Gladiator Games: We're Back | |
 | Mono-Red Prison | Modern | Mono-Red Midrange | $10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Cincinnati - Sunday - 9:00 am |
 | Boros Burn | Pioneer | Boros Burn | Pioneer League 2023-12-03 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Slaying Fire enhances your board position by dealing significant damage, potentially clearing a threat from the board and preserving the creatures and spells in your hand.
Resource Acceleration: When you’re playing with the adamant mechanic, investing three red mana into Slaying Fire awards you a beefed-up effect, making the spell more efficient and allowing you to maximize your mana’s potential each turn.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Slaying Fire at instant speed gives you the upper hand, providing the option to disrupt your opponent’s strategy during their turn or unexpectedly eliminate a blocker or attacker to sway combat in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Slaying Fire doesn’t mandate discarding, it does have an adamant mechanic that rewards you with additional damage if you spend three red mana. This need to use exclusively red mana can sometimes lead to a disadvantageous position where you have to choose between optimal damage or optimal mana usage.
Specific Mana Cost: Slaying Fire requires a specific mana investment, including at least one red mana source. This requirement can be restrictive for multicolor deck strategies that may not always have the needed red mana available at critical moments.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three mana, including one red, Slaying Fire is at times outclassed by lower-cost burn spells, making it less appealing in fast-paced games where mana efficiency is key.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Slaying Fire offers flexibility in various deck builds due to its ability to deal substantial damage to a target. Ideal for any red deck focusing on direct damage strategies or needing a reliable removal spell.
Combo Potential: With decks that amplify spell damage or use damage triggers for combo setups, Slaying Fire can be a linchpin. It gets even more potent under the “Adamant” mechanic, if you can pay the cost entirely with red mana for increased damage output.
Meta-Relevance: As a burn spell, Slaying Fire has a spot in the current gameplay environment, proving effective against creature-based aggro decks or as a finisher within burn decks. Its straightforward yet powerful effect ensures it remains a relevant choice for players looking to refine their red deck’s performance.
How to beat
Overcoming Slaying Fire in the dynamic world of Magic: The Gathering involves strategic play and recognizing the value of life as a resource. As a potent direct damage spell, Slaying Fire can surprise opponents with its potential to inflict four damage if you have the adamant condition fulfilled. To navigate around this card’s threat, players should prioritize efficient use of their life total and maintain pressure by deploying creatures with toughness greater than four.
It bears remembering that Slaying Fire requires the caster to be heavily invested in red mana to maximize its damage output. A diversified mana base can inherently diminish the card’s effectiveness. Additionally, counterspells such as Negate or creatures with damage prevention abilities can serve as robust defenses against this fiery onslaught. Timing interaction to prevent its casting or utilizing life gain effects to offset the damage are reliable tactics to consider when facing down this powerful spell.
Key to surviving against Slaying Fire is to adapt one’s playstyle, recognizing when to conserve creatures and when to push for a more aggressive stance. This understanding, alongside a well-constructed deck and sound tactical choices, often transforms this particular MTG challenge into a manageable hurdle on the path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Slaying Fire MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine and Throne of Eldraine, 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 Slaying Fire 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 Slaying Fire Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2019-10-04 and 2019-10-04. Illustrated by Heonhwa Choe.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-10-04 | Throne of Eldraine | ELD | 143 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Heonhwa Choe | |
| 2 | 2019-10-04 | Throne of Eldraine | ELD | 394 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Heonhwa Choe |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Slaying Fire has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Slaying Fire 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 | Adamant effects check what mana was actually spent to cast a spell. If an effect allows you to spend mana “as though it were mana” of any color or type, that allows you to spend mana you couldn't otherwise spend, but it doesn't change what mana you spent to cast the spell. |
| 2019-10-04 | If an effect allows you to cast a spell without paying its mana cost, you can't choose to cast it and pay unless another rule or effect allows you to cast that spell for a cost. Similarly, you can't waive a cost reduction unless that effect says you may. |
| 2019-10-04 | If an instant or sorcery spell has an adamant ability, you perform the spell's instructions in order. You don't perform the adamant instruction before the spell resolves or before any other effects printed above it. |
| 2019-10-04 | If you copy a spell that has an adamant ability, no mana was spent to cast the copy at all, so that ability won't apply. |