Tombfire MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Released | 2001-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Odyssey |
| Set code | ODY |
| Number | 165 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Arnie Swekel |
Text of card
Target player removes all cards with flashback in his or her graveyard from the game.
The fondest memories burn brightest. As they're lost forever, the flames grow hotter still.
Cards like Tombfire
In the world of Magic: The Gathering, Tombfire stands out with its distinct ability to devastate opponents by dealing damage contingent on the number of card types among cards in all graveyards. It recalls the mechanics of cards like Flame-Wave Invoker, which also focuses on dealing damage, albeit with the need for mana investment to repeatedly activate its effect. Yet, Tombfire requires no such recurring investment, offering a one-time sizable impact.
Exploring further, cards like Burning Vengeance hint at a comparable theme, rewarding a player’s graveyard-focused strategy, but dealing damage incrementally with a focus on casting from the graveyard rather than the diversity within. Then there’s Crypt Incursion, which interacts with graveyards by exiling cards and gaining life rather than dealing damage. Tombfire’s potential for high impact damage based on varied card types in graveyards sets it apart from these incremental or life-focused alternatives.
Evaluating Tombfire alongside its peers, it is evident that it caters to a unique strategy within Magic: The Gathering, capitalizing on the diverse contents of graveyards to release a single, formidable burst of damage that can turn the tide of a game.
Cards similar to Tombfire by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tombfire can serve as a game-changing play by potentially removing multiple threats from the battlefield and giving the controller a strategic edge. This form of card advantage disrupts opponents while you maintain the strength of your own board.
Resource Acceleration: By dealing with creatures efficiently, Tombfire indirectly supports resource acceleration. By eliminating the need to cast multiple spells to deal with individual threats, you conserve mana for critical plays that can determine the game’s outcome.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Tombfire at instant speed cannot be overstated. Aside from its raw power in eliminating creatures, the ability to use it reactively adds to its strategic value, allowing players to adapt to sudden threats and maximize their turn efficiency.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Tombfire means you have to discard a card, which can backfire if you are already struggling with card advantage. This mandatory discard can be especially painful when your hand is filled with crucial spells you’re counting on for later turns.
Specific Mana Cost: Tombfire’s mana cost is locked into black mana, which can be restrictive. Because the card requires double black to cast, it’s less flexible and harder to play in multi-color decks that don’t heavily favor black mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing in at a total of six mana, this card competes with other high-impact spells in that range. Given that MTG is a game where efficiency is key, there are scenarios where Tombfire’s cost might not align well with its destructive potential, particularly when more economical removal options are available.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Tombfire offers the ability to function in various deck archetypes with its potential for direct damage and graveyard manipulation. This card can seamlessly fit into a strategy centered around instant and sorcery spells, working well with spell-heavy decks that thrive on dealing damage.
Combo Potential: With Tombfire, enthusiasts can unlock new combo avenues, particularly in decks that capitalize on discarding or sacrificing creatures for benefit. When synergized with cards that provide benefits upon creatures dying or entering the graveyard, Tombfire can be a game-changer.
Meta-Relevance: Given its power to disrupt graveyard-based strategies, Tombfire can be a pivotal sideboard card in a meta where reanimator or graveyard synergy decks prevail. It aids in keeping such strategies in check while providing utility in both main and sideboard setups.
How to Beat Tombfire
Tombfire stands out in the realm of MTG for its potential to deal significant damage based on the number of cards in a player’s graveyard. This can be a daunting challenge if your deck isn’t prepared to handle graveyard strategies. To successfully navigate against this card, it’s essential to consider the use of graveyard hate cards. Keeping your graveyard clean with cards like Tormod’s Crypt or Rest in Peace can be incredibly effective in mitigating the impact of Tombfire.
Alternatively, focusing on proactive strategies that deny your opponent the chance to fill their graveyard can also be beneficial. Cards such as Leyline of the Void not only disrupt the functionality of Tombfire but also hinder other graveyard-dependent plays your opponent may attempt. By anticipating the use of such a strategy and incorporating cards that tackle the graveyard in your sideboard, you can significantly reduce the threat posed by Tombfire.
Ultimately, beating Tombfire lies in preemptive deck building and smart sideboarding. Whether you opt for direct graveyard removal or prevention, being one step ahead will dampen Tombfire’s potential and sway the game in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tombfire MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Tombfire 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tombfire has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |