Unfriendly Fire MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2017-09-29 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ixalan |
| Set code | XLN |
| Number | 172 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Josu Hernaiz |
Text of card
Unfriendly Fire deals 4 damage to target creature or player.
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Cards like Unfriendly Fire
Unfriendly Fire stands out as a direct damage spell in Magic: The Gathering. It often draws comparisons to other five-cost spells like Lava Axe. Unlike Lava Axe, which strictly targets players, Unfriendly Fire offers versatility with its ability to target creatures or players. While both embody the red mana’s aggressive nature, the tactical flexibility of Unfriendly Fire cannot be understated.
Examining other similar spells, we can look at Blaze, which provides scalability based on the mana you can allocate. This allows for precise damage control but lacks the stable damage output of Unfriendly Fire. Furthermore, consider Volcanic Geyser, another adjustable damage spell that has the advantage of being an instant, providing players with the element of surprise. Although it requires two red mana verses Unfriendly Fire’s single red mana requirement which can be weighty in some formats.
Ultimately, Unfriendly Fire competes well among its peers in the realm of direct damage spells. With its fixed high damage and the ability to choose between harming opponent players or threatening creatures, it finds its own niche in strategy involving targeted removal or final damage to the opponent.
Cards similar to Unfriendly Fire by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Unfriendly Fire offers the advantage of targeted removal, clearing the path by dealing a respectable amount of damage to a creature or planeswalker. It’s a solid way to disrupt your opponent’s strategy and gain the upper hand.
Resource Acceleration: While Unfriendly Fire doesn’t provide direct mana acceleration, the strategic elimination of key threats can indirectly accelerate your game plan by hindering your opponent’s resources.
Instant Speed: One of Unfriendly Fire’s strengths is its ability to be cast at instant speed. This allows for flexible play, giving you the power to respond to threats in real-time or simply end the game unexpectedly during your opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside of Unfriendly Fire is its lack of a discard effect. Unlike other spells that may allow for deck cycling or graveyard strategy, this card doesn’t provide that additional layer of utility, which could be a missed opportunity in certain gameplay scenarios.
Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that includes four colorless and one red, Unfriendly Fire can be restrictive for multi-color decks. This specific mana requirement may not synergize well with decks that operate on a broader spectrum of mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The total mana cost to cast Unfriendly Fire is five mana, which is steep considering its single-target damage output. In the current gameplay landscape, players might find other cards that deliver similar or better effects with a lower mana investment, making Unfriendly Fire less favorable in competitive play.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Unfriendly Fire is a flexible inclusion in decks looking for solid removal or a damage-based finisher. Its ability to target creatures or players makes it adaptable to various game states.
Combo Potential: This card can synergize with strategies that capitalize on spellcasting or direct damage. It could potentially be a game-changer in decks that benefit from instants and sorceries in the graveyard.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where mid-sized creatures dominate, Unfriendly Fire serves as a practical solution to clear the board or pressure the opponent’s life total, keeping your strategy on track.
How to beat
Unfriendly Fire is a notable card in Magic: The Gathering, often compared to cards like Lightning Strike or Lava Coil in terms of direct damage capabilities. Unfriendly Fire stands out for its ability to deal a substantial 4 damage to any target, but it comes with a higher mana cost. This can both be an advantage and a drawback depending on the pace of the game and the strategies involved.
To gain the upper hand against Unfriendly Fire, consider faster spells like Negate or Spell Pierce to counter it before it impacts the board. It’s also valuable to maintain a keen awareness of your opponent’s mana pool. As a five-mana spell, Unfriendly Fire requires a considerable investment, making it relatively predictable. Playing creatures with high toughness can also diminish its effectiveness, forcing your opponent to use it as a removal tool rather than directly affecting your life total.
Understanding the strategic placement of Unfriendly Fire within the context of red’s burn spells is crucial. It may pack a punch, but its mana demands and pace can be used to your advantage with careful planning and timely responses.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Unfriendly Fire MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan, 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 Unfriendly 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Unfriendly Fire has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |