Vial of Dragonfire MTG Card
2015-03-27 - Number 247
2019-07-12 - Number 241
2022-12-02 - Number 805
2023-08-04 - Number 417
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
, , Sacrifice Vial of Dragonfire: Vial of Dragonfire deals 2 damage to target creature.
Designed by an ancient artificer, the vials are strong enough to hold the very breath of a dragon—until it's needed.
Cards like Vial of Dragonfire
The Vial of Dragonfire boasts interesting parallels with other artifact-based removals within the dense tapestry of MTG. Take for instance, the Explosive Apparatus, which also requires mana investment to activate its damage ability. Both Vial of Dragonfire and Explosive Apparatus deal with smaller creatures effectively, but the Vial holds a slight edge in potency, delivering 2 damage as opposed to the Apparatus’s 1.
Comparatively, there’s the Pyrite Spellbomb, a more versatile tool with a flexible damage option or an alternative card draw. Unlike Vial of Dragonfire that strictly deals damage, Pyrite Spellbomb provides an additional benefit for scenarios where direct removal isn’t necessary. However, the Spellbomb comes at a higher overall cost when aiming to utilize both options.
Discussing these alternatives highlights how Vial of Dragonfire positions itself as a cost-effective and straightforward solution to threats on the board. Its simplicity in direct damage output without additional frills affords players a reliable option for creature control in their MTG strategies. This positions it well for games where consistent, targeted removal is key to victory.
Cards similar to Vial of Dragonfire by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Despite not directly drawing cards, Vial of Dragonfire can manipulate the board state by removing key creatures, essentially offering a form of indirect card advantage by diminishing your opponent’s resources.
Resource Acceleration: While Vial of Dragonfire doesn’t accelerate resources in the traditional sense, it’s a cost-effective artifact that can impact the game shortly after being played, allowing you to manage your resources efficiently in the early to mid-game.
Instant Speed: This artifact’s ability can be activated at instant speed, providing flexibility and the strategic advantage of removing creatures during the engagement or in response to an opponent’s actions, keeping them off-balance and protecting your interests on the board.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Vial of Dragonfire doesn’t directly require a discard, it does demand sacrificing the artifact itself. This one-time-use aspect means you’re losing a card from the battlefield, which could be seen as a type of discard, and might not always align with your strategy, especially if you’re aiming for card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Vial of Dragonfire asks for two colorless mana to cast and additional two to activate. This specific cost structure can be tricky in multicolored decks that might prioritize mana for other spells or abilities, therefore sometimes hindering the card’s potential for immediate use.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering that you need to invest a total of four mana to fully utilize Vial of Dragonfire (two to cast and two to activate), its impact on the game might not justify the cost. There are other artifacts or spells in MTG that can deal damage or offer removal for less investment, making Vial of Dragonfire less efficient in comparison.
Reasons to Include Vial of Dragonfire in Your Collection
Versatility: Vial of Dragonfire is a card that can seamlessly integrate with a variety of strategies, functioning effectively in both aggressive and control decks. Its simple requirement for activation makes it a suitable option for numerous deck archetypes looking for an artifact with direct board impact.
Combo Potential: This card holds potential for combos within decks that capitalize on artifacts. It can be used to synergize with cards that care about artifacts being sacrificed, triggering effects for additional value whenever Vial of Dragonfire is activated.
Meta-Relevance: Due to its ability to deal with small creatures, Vial of Dragonfire stays relevant in metas dominated by creature-heavy aggro strategies. It can be a cost-effective tool to keep swarming tactics at bay and maintain board stability.
How to beat
Vial of Dragonfire is a utilitarian artifact in Magic: The Gathering, providing players with a way to dispatch creatures on the battlefield. When faced with this card, as in chess, strategy is paramount. One approach is to focus on card types that aren’t affected by its ability, emphasizing enchantments or larger creatures that can withstand its damage.
Removing the Vial preemptively with artifact removal spells or abilities is another effective method—it’s about identifying and deploying your Naturalize or Disenchant before it becomes a threat to your board presence. Alternatively, creature hexproof abilities can safeguard your valuable creatures, ensuring the vial’s ability becomes obsolete.
Assessing threats and understanding when to deploy your resources also plays a key role. In sum, besting Vial of Dragonfire calls for a combination of timely removal, strategic creature selection, and proactive defense measures. Utilize these strategies to ensure your creatures survive and thrive amidst the sparks that fly from the Vial of Dragonfire.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Vial of Dragonfire MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir and Core Set 2020, 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 Vial of Dragonfire 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 Vial of Dragonfire Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2015-03-27 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Franz Vohwinkel.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-03-27 | Dragons of Tarkir | DTK | 247 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
| 2 | 2019-07-12 | Core Set 2020 | M20 | 241 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
| 3 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 805 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
| 4 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 417 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Vial of Dragonfire has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |