Tunnel Ignus MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Elemental
Released	2010-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Scars of Mirrodin
Set code	SOM
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	105
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Scott Chou

Key Takeaways

Tunnel Ignus deters opponents from playing extra lands, indirectly gaining you card advantage.
Its ability to punish land ramp keeps the board state manageable and can accelerate victory.
Does not offer Resource Acceleration or operate at instant speed, but has a significant continuous effect.

Text of card

Whenever a land enters the battlefield under an opponent's control, if that player had another land enter the battlefield under his or her control this turn, Tunnel Ignus deals 3 damage to that player.

Fight mischief with mischief.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tunnel Ignus stands as a solid option for disrupting opponents’ strategies. While not directly drawing cards, by pressuring land-centric decks, it indirectly leads to a form of card advantage as opponents may be deterred from playing certain cards, thus keeping your hand comparatively stronger.

Resource Acceleration: In terms of resource acceleration, this creature is more about restricting the opponent’s ability to develop their board with rampant land drops. By penalizing them for playing additional lands, you maintain a pace that’s manageable on your end while potentially expediting your route to victory.

Instant Speed: Although Tunnel Ignus does not operate at instant speed, its continuous effect can feel instantaneous and impactful. Each land drop triggering its ability can serve as a deterring factor during opponents’ turns, affecting decisions and strategies in real-time and giving you an edge throughout the match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Tunnel Ignus doesn’t directly require a discard, it’s important to consider its role in a strategy. If your deck demands specific synergies or card retention to function effectively, adding a card that doesn’t align with this goal could inadvertently force discards to comply with overarching strategy needs.

Specific Mana Cost: Tunnel Ignus has a specific mana cost that requires at least one red mana. This can restrict its inclusion to certain decks, specifically ones that can reliably produce red mana. Decks not centered around red may find it challenging to accommodate the mana requirements of Tunnel Ignus, thereby reducing its versatility in multi-colored deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana, including one red, Tunnel Ignus may be seen as having a high mana cost compared to other two-drop creatures that offer more immediate board impact or utility. Considering the evolving meta where efficiency is key, the cost-benefit ratio of including Tunnel Ignus in your deck could be less favorable, especially when other cards at the same cost provide higher value or more versatile effects.

Reasons to Include Tunnel Ignus in Your Collection

Versatility: Tunnel Ignus is a dynamic card that can be slotted into various red decks. Its ability to punish opponents for land ramp strategies makes it adaptable in a range of matchups, fitting perfectly in sideboards looking to counter specific meta strategies.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations with land destruction or land bouncing tactics, creating opportunities for damage spikes against your opponent. Integrating it with cards that force opponents to search for lands can turn Tunnel Ignus into a surprising source of recurring damage.

Meta-Relevance: In scenarios where ramp decks dominate, Tunnel Ignus becomes an exceptional counterpick. It provides a strategic edge by pressuring opponents who heavily rely on playing extra lands, thereby curbing their acceleration and making it a timely and efficient addition to your arsenal.

How to beat

Tunnel Ignus presents a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering, particularly in metas abundant with ramp spells and land drops. As a player looking to counter Tunnel Ignus, often found in red deck strategies, the key lies in managing and timing your land plays. This creature becomes a ticking damage source whenever a land enters the battlefield under your opponent’s control, which is something land-heavy decks should be cautious about.

To outmaneuver Tunnel Ignus, consider employing removal spells that can take it off the board before it becomes a significant source of damage. Options such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile provide cost-effective solutions. Another strategy is to limit the number of lands you play if you can afford to work with fewer resources or employ land-light strategies. Moreover, graveyard-based land retrieval should be used sparingly, echoing the sentiment that every land count matters against Tunnel Ignus.

The distinctive ability of Tunnel Ignus to punish players for something as fundamental as playing lands ensures it remains a card to consider when building decks. But with thoughtful play and deck construction, MTG enthusiasts can trump the fiery Ignus by playing smart and holding removal as a countermeasure.

Cards like Tunnel Ignus

Tunnel Ignus stands out within the distinctive roster of red creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It shares a space with cards like Zo-Zu the Punisher, which deliver a sting to opponents whenever a land enters the battlefield under their control. Tunnel Ignus serves a similar purpose, but it specifically targets lands that enter the battlefield beyond the first each turn, punishing ramp strategies.

Ramping decks often face a formidable challenger in Tunnel Ignus. When compared to cards like Harsh Mentor, which punishes opponents for activating abilities, Tunnel Ignus sharply focuses on land play. This makes it especially efficient against decks with strategies centered around landfall or mass land retrieval mechanics. Moreover, Tunnel Ignus is cost-effective at two mana, whereas Zo-Zu the Punisher stands at three mana, allowing players to deploy it earlier in the game.

In reviewing these cards, it’s clear that Tunnel Ignus is a strategic MTG card for those seeking to counteract common ramp tactics. With its lower mana cost and targeted penalty against plentiful land plays, Tunnel Ignus can disrupt opponents’ strategies effectively while solidifying its place among the go-to anti-ramp creatures.

Cards similar to Tunnel Ignus by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tunnel Ignus MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin, 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 Tunnel Ignus and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tunnel Ignus has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2011-01-01	If multiple lands enter the battlefield under an opponent’s control at the same time, Tunnel Ignus’s ability triggers that many times, even if no other lands had entered the battlefield under that player’s control earlier in the turn. That’s because each ability takes into consideration the other land(s) that entered the battlefield at the same time as the one that caused it to trigger.
2011-01-01	Whenever a land enters the battlefield under an opponent’s control, this ability triggers only if another land had already entered the battlefield under that opponent’s control this turn. It doesn’t matter if that other land is still on the battlefield, is still under that player’s control, or is still a land.