Flamecore Elemental MTG Card


Flamecore Elemental - Time Spiral
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Elemental
Abilities Echo
Released2006-10-06
Set symbol
Set nameTime Spiral
Set codeTSP
Power 5
Toughness 4
Number154
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byDave Dorman

Key Takeaways

  1. Poses a recurring threat, which can potentially lead to card advantage despite lacking direct draw.
  2. Its solid stature for its cost exerts pressure, impacting opponent’s resource decisions favorably.
  3. The specific mana cost and higher demand could limit versatility, requiring careful deck integration.

Text of card

Echo (At the beginning of your upkeep, if this came under your control since the beginning of your last upkeep, sacrifice it unless you pay its echo cost.)

To a fire elemental, fools and fuels are one and the same.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Flamecore Elemental may not directly offer card draw, as a creature it presents a recurring threat that can demand multiple resources from the opponent to handle, potentially leading to a card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While Flamecore Elemental doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its solid body for its mana cost provides a sizable presence on the battlefield, which can accelerate the pressure you put on opponents and potentially shift resource allocation in your favor.

Instant Speed: Although Flamecore Elemental is not an instant, the elemental’s threatening presence can influence the pace of the game, making opponents think twice before tapping out and leaving themselves vulnerable to your game plan.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Flamecore Elemental doesn’t require you to discard cards to play it, the need to possibly discard other cards to keep up with its higher mana demand can put you at a resource disadvantage during the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Flamecore Elemental’s casting cost requires a strict combination of three red mana, making it less flexible and often restricted to mono-red or heavily red-influenced decks, potentially limiting its playability across the diverse MTG landscape.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, Flamecore Elemental competes with many other impactful four-mana spells and creatures in the game. For its cost, you might be able to find other options that offer additional abilities or synergies that could prove more beneficial for your overall strategy.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Flamecore Elemental’s simple mana cost and solid stats allow it to slip into various red-centric decks, whether you’re running a pure aggro build or a deck with a burn strategy.

Combo Potential: This card can be particularly synergistic with spells or abilities that capitalize on elemental type creatures or those that scale with power, enhancing red’s typical swift and high-damage plays.

Meta-Relevance: Considering an environment rich with creature-based strategies, Flamecore Elemental can serve as a formidable threat. Its presence on the board could challenge opponents to find an immediate answer, thus altering the dynamic of the game in your favor.


How to beat

Overcoming the challenges posed by Flamecore Elemental can be a straightforward task with the right strategy in Magic: The Gathering. One key to success is employing removal spells that bypass the elemental’s substantial power. Spells like Doom Blade or Go for the Throat can cleanly dispatch it from the battlefield as it lacks protection abilities.

Another tactic is to utilize counter magic when your opponent attempts to cast Flamecore Elemental. Counterspells like Cancel or Essence Scatter are particularly effective against creature-based strategies and can negate the threat before it even touches the board.

For those preferring a direct approach, blocking with creatures that have higher toughness can effectively neutralize Flamecore Elemental’s impact in combat. In essence, employing removal, counters, and strategic blocking are the pillars of any successful defense against this blazing adversary in Magic: The Gathering. By doing so, players can maintain a strong board presence and edge out victories even against such fiery opposition.


Cards like Flamecore Elemental

Flamecore Elemental is an interesting creature in the universe of fire-themed cards in Magic: The Gathering. This Elemental mirrors the attributes of other cards like Lavakin Brawler, which similarly gains power for each other Elemental you control. Flamecore Elemental stands unique with its uncomplicated approach—straightforward power for a classic beatdown without the need for other Elementals on the board.

Another card that draws a comparison is Spellgorger Weird, which grows stronger every time you cast a noncreature spell. Although it doesn’t boast the initial brute force of Flamecore Elemental, the Weird has the potential to become larger over the course of a game. Contrastingly, our Flamecore friend offers a reliable 4-point power right off the bat without the condition of spellcasting.

All things considered, Flamecore Elemental is noteworthy for its simplicity and solid presence on the battlefield. It’s a formidable option for decks that don’t rely on synergies or casting numerous spells to overpower opponents. In the realm of straightforward, high-power creatures, Flamecore Elemental reliably holds its ground.

Lavakin Brawler - MTG Card versions
Spellgorger Weird - MTG Card versions
Lavakin Brawler - Core Set 2020 (M20)
Spellgorger Weird - War of the Spark (WAR)

Cards similar to Flamecore Elemental by color, type and mana cost

Dragon Whelp - MTG Card versions
Keldon Warlord - MTG Card versions
Crimson Manticore - MTG Card versions
Márton Stromgald - MTG Card versions
Reckless Embermage - MTG Card versions
Wildfire Emissary - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Giant - MTG Card versions
Rathi Dragon - MTG Card versions
Mogg Bombers - MTG Card versions
Warmonger - MTG Card versions
Bloodfire Kavu - MTG Card versions
Whipkeeper - MTG Card versions
Anger - MTG Card versions
Nalathni Dragon - MTG Card versions
Everquill Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Goblin Goon - MTG Card versions
Lesser Gargadon - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions
Ogre Taskmaster - MTG Card versions
Dragon Whelp - Limited Edition Beta (LEB)
Keldon Warlord - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Crimson Manticore - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Márton Stromgald - Ice Age (ICE)
Reckless Embermage - Mirage (MIR)
Wildfire Emissary - Mirage (MIR)
Flowstone Giant - Tempest (TMP)
Rathi Dragon - Tempest (TMP)
Mogg Bombers - Stronghold (STH)
Warmonger - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Bloodfire Kavu - Apocalypse (APC)
Whipkeeper - Odyssey (ODY)
Anger - Judgment (JUD)
Nalathni Dragon - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Everquill Phoenix - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Goblin Goon - Legions (LGN)
Lesser Gargadon - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Krark-Clan Engineers - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Ogre Taskmaster - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Flamecore Elemental MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral, 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 Flamecore Elemental and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Flamecore Elemental has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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