Wildfire MTG Card


Wildfire disrupts by destroying lands, offering significant card advantage and altering board states. It challenges players to optimize decks that can withstand its hefty land sacrifice requirement. Despite its higher mana cost, Wildfire can be a powerful meta-relevant inclusion in the right deck strategy.
Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

You destroy four of your lands and your opponent destroys four of his or her lands. Then Wildfire deals 4 damage to each creature. (This includes your creatures.)


Cards like Wildfire

Wildfire from Magic the Gathering offers a unique approach to controlling the game. This card draws parallels to other sweeping spells that disrupt land bases, much like the devastating effects of Armageddon. However, what sets Wildfire apart is its ability to deal damage to creatures as well, clearing the battlefield while hampering opponent’s mana. This simultaneous land and creature control tactic is not found in Armageddon’s one-dimensional land destruction.

Comparing it further, Destructive Force stands as a close relative in this category. While also costing seven mana, it inflicts more damage to creatures and players alike. Nevertheless, Destructive Force doesn’t specifically target lands in the way Wildfire does, which can be critical for certain strategies. For players valuing precision over raw power, Wildfire may be the better choice. Another comparable card would be Catastrophe, offering flexibility to either wipe out creatures or lands, giving players a choice based on their current needs.

Essentially, when considering strategic deck building in Magic the Gathering, Wildfire provides a combination of land disruption and board control that is uniquely its own, making it a formidable choice for players looking to dictate the pace and resource availability in a game.

Armageddon - MTG Card versions
Destructive Force - MTG Card versions
Catastrophe - MTG Card versions
Armageddon - MTG Card versions
Destructive Force - MTG Card versions
Catastrophe - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Wildfire significantly disrupts opponents by destroying land bases, which can often leave them at a stark disadvantage. It decimates the opponent’s resources while allowing you to design your deck to minimize the impact on your own side of the board.

Resource Acceleration: By obliterate key lands, Wildfire can act as a reset button on the game. Those who play this card strategize around this effect to have mana sources or key lands that survive the destruction, accelerating their game plan ahead of the opponent’s recovery pace.

Instant Speed: Although Wildfire does not operate at instant speed, its sorcery speed nature demands strategic planning and sets the stage for a game-changing turn. A skilled player can manipulate the board state to their advantage before casting this powerful sorcery, ensuring maximum benefit and setting up potential lethal plays.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Wildfire demands the sacrifice of four lands when it’s played. This heavy toll can set you back, especially if you’re not prepared to capitalize on the asymmetrical board state it creates.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that requires two red mana and four generic mana, Wildfire can be challenging to cast on curve, particularly in multicolor decks that may not always have the appropriate mana available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At six mana, Wildfire is cost-intensive, potentially slowing down your game plan. Alternative board sweepers or land destruction spells may offer more mana-efficient solutions.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Wildfire offers a unique role in decks that seek to disrupt opponent strategies by resetting the board. Its ability to destroy multiple lands makes it a strategic inclusion in ramp decks that can recover faster than the opponent.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes with strategies that benefit from land destruction or damage-based effects. Building around Wildfire can enable powerful plays, especially in combination with cards that protect your own assets or take advantage of an opponent’s reduced land base.

Meta-Relevance: With a format that emphasizes heavy land-based strategies, Wildfire can serve as an effective counter. It can shift the balance in your favor by hindering your opponents’ development while you capitalize on the cleared board state.


How to beat

Wildfire is a formidable card in the MTG arsenal, known for its sweeping ability to clear the board and lands, radically altering the game’s landscape. To effectively counteract Wildfire’s devastating impact, players should focus on strategies that maintain land advantage and board presence. Diversifying your land base with indestructible and basic lands can mitigate the damage to your mana resources. Additionally, employing creatures with persist or undying attributes keeps your board presence intact in the face of destruction. Utilizing instant-speed spells and abilities that generate mana or draw cards can also give you a much-needed edge. This reactive approach can maintain your tempo and enable you to recover swiftly after Wildfire resolves. By anticipating the potential upheaval Wildfire brings, players can strategically position themselves to not only survive but thrive and outmaneuver opponents who rely on this powerful card.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding and mastering Wildfire in MTG can shift the tides of any match in your favor. With its land decimating abilities and the potential to create a board state that benefits you more than your opponents, Wildfire deserves a place in collections that value strategic depth and disruption techniques. It’s more than just a card; it’s a game plan, an approach that turns the tables on resource-heavy foes. If you’re keen on honing your deck-building skills and exploring ways to integrate Wildfire effectively into your arsenal, we invite you on a journey of discovery. Dive deeper into the art of playing Wildfire and join a community that thrives on strategy and finesse. Learn more with us and embrace the full potential of your MTG experience.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wildfire MTG card by a specific set like Portal Second Age and Urza's Saga, 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 Wildfire and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Wildfire Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1998-06-24 and 2015-05-22. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-06-24Portal Second AgeP02 1201997NormalBlackRob Alexander
21998-10-12Urza's SagaUSG 2281997NormalBlackCarl Critchlow
31999-08-04World Championship Decks 1999WC99 kb2281997NormalGoldCarl Critchlow
42001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 2281997NormalWhiteRon Spencer
52001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 228★1997NormalBlackRon Spencer
62005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 2282003NormalWhiteCarl Critchlow
72005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 228★2003NormalBlackCarl Critchlow
82015-05-22Modern Masters 2015MM2 1342015NormalBlackRob Alexander

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Wildfire has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal