Balefire Dragon MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Dragon
Abilities Flying
Power 6
Toughness 6

Key Takeaways

  1. Its ability to obliterate multiple creatures offers a drastic swing in board advantage.
  2. Demands high red mana, challenging deck flexibility but rewarding with incredible power.
  3. Despite its high cost, it remains a strategic powerhouse for dragon and red-focused decks.

Text of card

Flying Whenever Balefire Dragon deals combat damage to a player, it deals that much damage to each creature that player controls.

If it comes for you, die boldly or die swiftly—for die you will.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Balefire Dragon offers immense potential for card advantage upon dealing combat damage. It can decimate an opponent’s field of creatures, effectively removing their tools and leaving you with a significant lead in resources.

Resource Acceleration: While the dragon itself does not directly accelerate resources, the sheer threat it imposes can expedite your victory, potentially reducing the need for further resource investments and allowing you to focus mana elsewhere.

Instant Speed: Although Balefire Dragon operates at sorcery speed, its impact on the game state is so substantial that its lack of instant speed can be overlooked. Clearing opponents’ creatures in one swift attack creates a fast and game-changing momentum shift.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While not applicable to Balefire Dragon, some MTG cards with powerful effects require you to discard cards, which can deplete your hand and negatively affect card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Balefire Dragon’s casting cost is specifically slanted towards a heavy red mana commitment, demanding seven mana including six red. This can restrict deck building options and limit the card’s versatility across different MTG archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The seven total mana cost to summon Balefire Dragon is considerable, which can be a setback in faster-paced games or against decks that aim to win before such a large mana investment becomes feasible.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Balefire Dragon offers a powerful game-ending ability that can wipe out an opponent’s creature base while fitting seamlessly into a variety of red-heavy or dragon-themed decks. Its ability to deal direct damage to players also makes it a versatile threat.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to clear multiple creatures upon dealing combat damage to a player allows for interesting combinations with cards that capitalize on opponent’s creature deaths, further amplifying its impact in any match.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors creature-heavy decks, having a Balefire Dragon in your arsenal could swing games in your favor by devastating opponents’ board presence and sealing your path to victory.


How to beat

Balefire Dragon is a daunting presence in the skies of Magic: The Gathering. This formidable creature, capable of dealing massive damage to not only players but also to creatures on the opposing side of the battlefield, can swiftly turn the tide of a game. However, there are strategic methods to counter this draconic behemoth.

One of the key strategies is to prevent the dragon from ever taking flight. Mana ramping spells that quickly put lands into play can be outpaced by countering Balefire Dragon directly, using spells such as Counterspell or Mana Leak. Alternatively, never underestimate the power of enchantments like Pacifism, which can render Balefire Dragon harmless without needing to remove it from the board.

Should the dragon manage to unleash its fiery wrath, instant damage prevention or life-gain spells can safeguard your creatures, preserving your board state against its devastating trigger effect. In conclusion, while Balefire Dragon is undoubtedly a powerful MTG card that can dominate games, a well-prepared strategy incorporating control elements and timely responses can effectively neutralize its impact, keeping your chances of victory alive.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving into the strategic depths of MTG can transform how you play the game. With cards like Balefire Dragon, understanding its strengths and weaknesses is key to leveraging its power effectively. This card’s capability to sweep an opponent’s creatures off the board makes it a game-changer in any red-focused or dragon-themed deck. While its high mana cost is significant, the potential for turning the tide of battle is unparalleled. If you’re looking to enhance your MTG gameplay and explore potent dragon synergies or meta strategies, delve into our detailed insights. Learn how to harness the fiery might of Balefire Dragon and other impactful cards to claim victory in your MTG endeavors.


Cards like Balefire Dragon

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Balefire Dragon carves a unique niche among devastating flying creatures. It’s often held in comparison with creatures like Thundermaw Hellkite, also a flying dragon that can deal substantial damage. However, Balefire Dragon distinguishes itself with its ability to eliminate entire swathes of an opponent’s creatures upon dealing combat damage, a feature Thundermaw Hellkite lacks.

Another formidable dragon to consider is Scourge of the Throne. While Scourge provides the advantage of additional combat phases when it attacks for the first time each turn, it doesn’t have the unilateral board-clearing power of the Balefire Dragon. Inferno of the Star Mounts is also a close match in terms of potential damage output but it’s the Balefire that reigns supreme in its ability to clear out multiple blockers with its unique ability.

While other dragons might excel in areas like cost efficiency or combo potential, Balefire Dragon stands out with its blend of high damage and creature removal capabilities. This makes it a highly sought-after card for players aiming to control the board and push for game-ending swings in MTG.

Thundermaw Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Scourge of the Throne - MTG Card versions
Inferno of the Star Mounts - MTG Card versions
Thundermaw Hellkite - Magic 2013 (M13)
Scourge of the Throne - Conspiracy (CNS)
Inferno of the Star Mounts - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)

Cards similar to Balefire Dragon by color, type and mana cost

Magma Giant - MTG Card versions
Trained Orgg - MTG Card versions
Velican Dragon - MTG Card versions
Crazed Firecat - MTG Card versions
Yidaro, Wandering Monster - MTG Card versions
Butcher Orgg - MTG Card versions
Rimescale Dragon - MTG Card versions
Boldwyr Intimidator - MTG Card versions
Shivan Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Hamletback Goliath - MTG Card versions
Knollspine Dragon - MTG Card versions
Thunder Dragon - MTG Card versions
Karplusan Giant - MTG Card versions
Ancient Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Tyrant of Discord - MTG Card versions
Minotaur Aggressor - MTG Card versions
Molten Primordial - MTG Card versions
Spawn of Thraxes - MTG Card versions
Dream Pillager - MTG Card versions
Tyrant of Valakut - MTG Card versions
Magma Giant - Portal Second Age (P02)
Trained Orgg - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Velican Dragon - Sega Dreamcast Cards (PSDG)
Crazed Firecat - Torment (TOR)
Yidaro, Wandering Monster - Jumpstart 2022 (J22)
Butcher Orgg - Onslaught (ONS)
Rimescale Dragon - Coldsnap (CSP)
Boldwyr Intimidator - Morningtide (MOR)
Shivan Hellkite - Forgotten Realms Commander (AFC)
Hamletback Goliath - Commander Anthology Volume II (CM2)
Knollspine Dragon - Game Night: Free-for-All (GN3)
Thunder Dragon - From the Vault: Dragons (DRB)
Karplusan Giant - Masters Edition II (ME2)
Ancient Hellkite - Magic 2011 Promos (PM11)
Tyrant of Discord - Avacyn Restored (AVR)
Minotaur Aggressor - Return to Ravnica (RTR)
Molten Primordial - Gatecrash (GTC)
Spawn of Thraxes - Journey into Nyx (JOU)
Dream Pillager - Starter Commander Decks (SCD)
Tyrant of Valakut - Oath of the Gatewatch Promos (POGW)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Balefire Dragon MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Ultimate Masters, 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 Balefire Dragon and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Balefire Dragon Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-09-30InnistradISD 1292003normalblackEric Deschamps
22018-12-07Ultimate MastersUMA 1242015normalblackEric Deschamps
32020-09-26The ListPLST ISD-1292003normalblackEric Deschamps
42023-03-21Shadows of the PastSIS 372015normalblackEric Deschamps
52023-08-04Commander Masters Art SeriesACMM 652015art_seriesborderless
62023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 6972015normalborderlessScott M. Fischer
72023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 2072015normalblackEric Deschamps
82023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 5302015normalblackEric Deschamps

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Balefire Dragon has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Balefire Dragon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2018-12-07 The damage dealt by Balefire Dragon’s triggered ability isn’t combat damage.

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