Vial Smasher the Fierce MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Goblin Berserker
Abilities Partner
Power 2
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Vial Smasher the Fierce adds surprise damage to spells, making each cast unpredictable and potentially harmful to opponents.
  2. Versatile in partner commander decks, enabling dynamic strategies with various color combinations in competitive and casual play.
  3. Offers a unique unleashing ability rewarding big mana spells, enhancing deck-building creativity for long-term MTG player engagement.

Text of card

Whenever you cast your first spell each turn, Vial Smasher the Fierce deals damage equal to that spell's converted mana cost to an opponent chosen at random. Partner (You can have two commanders if both have partner.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Vial Smasher the Fierce can provide significant card advantage in your game. The randomness associated with Vial Smasher’s ability, which deals damage equal to the highest casting cost among the first spells you cast each turn, can sync effortlessly with heavy spell cards in your deck, providing unforeseen offensive benefits.

Resource Acceleration: While Vial Smasher does not produce resources directly, it amplifies the effectiveness of your costly spells. This harmonic synergy can be perceived as resource acceleration as you need fewer spells to deal substantial damage.

Instant Speed: The impressive performance speed of Vial Smasher the Fierce allows it to deal damage not only on your turn but also on every turn. This dynamic flexibility increases the strategic value of Vial Smasher, allowing you to exploit instant-speed responses during your opponent’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Not strictly a con for Vial Smasher the Fierce, but in a game with discards and counters, losing a card from your hand could have unintended consequences and give your opponent an advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Vial Smasher the Fierce commands a very specific mana cost. Priced at one black, one red, and one of any type, it can present a challenge to include in decks that don’t synergize well with these manas.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For an effect that deals damage equal to the first spell you cast each turn, it is worth noting its high cost. There are cards in the MTG universe that could yield similar or even greater effects for less mana. Therefore, the total cost of three manas to get Vial Smasher the Fierce onto the battlefield may be considered a downside by some players.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Vial Smasher the Fierce adds a splash of unpredictability to a variety of decks. Given its inherent ability to randomly dish out damage based on the casting cost of spells, it can be included in decks that benefit from high-cost cards or strategies that involve multiple casting instances.

Combo Potential: This card exhibits substantial synergy with cards that amplify or manipulate the spell’s cost. Pairing this with effects that reduce casting costs or cards that allow multiple casts a turn can result in a formidable damage output.

Meta-Relevance: In the current meta where control and mid-range strategies are prevalent, the random damage dealing attribute of Vial Smasher the Fierce can disrupt opponents’ plans, manipulate board states, and offer substantial value in the long game. This gives it a decent footing in the broader MTG landscape.


How to beat

Outplaying Vial Smasher the Fierce is no easy feat in a game of Magic: The Gathering. The card’s distinct trait of dealing damage corresponding to the first spell you cast each turn means strategizing is paramount. Cards like Counterspell and Censor can be instrumental in your arsenal, instantly countering spells and steering clear of the associated cumulative damage caused by Vial Smasher’s ability.

Simultaneously, it’s beneficial to have a creature with larger toughness to face Vial Smasher head on. High toughness cards like Arboreal Grazer or Wall of Runes can act as your first line of defense, absorbing the direct damage Vial Smasher tends to inflict. Consider removal spells like Cast Down or Rapid Hybridization as well, they offer instant solutions to neutralize Vial Smasher.

To summarize, beating Vial Smasher comes down to a blend of counter spells, strategic creature placement, and the right removal options, Mastering these tactics could edge you closer to victory against this imposing card in Magic: The Gathering.


Conclusion

In conclusion, mastering the intricate world of Magic the Gathering demands a blend of tactical prowess and bold exploration. Strategizing your path to victory or optimizing your deck for peak performance, every action counts towards your growth in the game. The journey in the MTG realm is perpetual, with every encounter serving as a step towards becoming a seasoned player. Embrace the ongoing challenge, seek out fresh tactics, and procure those game-changing cards to turn your matches into remarkable victories. Eager to enhance your gameplay? Venture forth with us for more insights and take your skills to soaring new heights as an MTG aficionado.


Cards like Vial Smasher the Fierce

Vial Smasher the Fierce is a unique and strategic choice in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. Alluding to similar cards, emphasis can be put on Grenzo, Havoc Raiser. Both have similar cost to power ratio, but Vial Smasher’s ability to deal damage based on the first spell’s converted mana cost provides different strategy possibilities. While Grenzo’s ability lies in goad mechanic, adding an unpredictable yet fun factor to the game.

In the ranks, we also have Yurlok of Scorch Thrash – a multicolored commander with an ability to add extra mana and forcing everyone to spend it or face penalties. The contrasting abilities make Vial Smasher a versatile card when considering deck strategies in Magic: The Gathering.

Rounding up similar cards, Kediss, Emberclaw Familiar merits mention. It also deals damage to the opponent for each time your commander deals combat damage, however, Vial Smasher doesn’t require an attack to make the impact.

In summation, Vial Smasher the Fierce holds its own ground across various alternatives, distinguishing itself through unique damage allocation and a balanced cost, earning its place in any aggressive or control-based deck strategy in Magic: The Gathering.

Grenzo, Havoc Raiser - MTG Card versions
Yurlok of Scorch Thrash - MTG Card versions
Kediss, Emberclaw Familiar - MTG Card versions
Grenzo, Havoc Raiser - Conspiracy: Take the Crown (CN2)
Yurlok of Scorch Thrash - Commander Legends (CMR)
Kediss, Emberclaw Familiar - Commander Legends (CMR)

Cards similar to Vial Smasher the Fierce by color, type and mana cost

Sedge Troll - MTG Card versions
Shauku's Minion - MTG Card versions
Army Ants - MTG Card versions
Pyre Zombie - MTG Card versions
Vicious Kavu - MTG Card versions
Hooded Kavu - MTG Card versions
Lava Zombie - MTG Card versions
Sarcatog - MTG Card versions
Anathemancer - MTG Card versions
Avatar of Discord - MTG Card versions
Cryptborn Horror - MTG Card versions
Lyzolda, the Blood Witch - MTG Card versions
Rakdos Augermage - MTG Card versions
Sedge Sliver - MTG Card versions
Ashenmoor Gouger - MTG Card versions
Pestilent Kathari - MTG Card versions
Shambling Remains - MTG Card versions
Hellhole Flailer - MTG Card versions
Ragemonger - MTG Card versions
Kathari Bomber - MTG Card versions
Sedge Troll - Summer Magic / Edgar (SUM)
Shauku's Minion - Mirage (MIR)
Army Ants - Visions (VIS)
Pyre Zombie - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Vicious Kavu - Invasion (INV)
Hooded Kavu - Invasion (INV)
Lava Zombie - Planeshift (PLS)
Sarcatog - Odyssey (ODY)
Anathemancer - Friday Night Magic 2010 (F10)
Avatar of Discord - RNA Guild Kit (GK2)
Cryptborn Horror - Return to Ravnica Promos (PRTR)
Lyzolda, the Blood Witch - RNA Guild Kit (GK2)
Rakdos Augermage - Dissension (DIS)
Sedge Sliver - Time Spiral Remastered (TSR)
Ashenmoor Gouger - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Pestilent Kathari - Conflux (CON)
Shambling Remains - The List (PLST)
Hellhole Flailer - Return to Ravnica (RTR)
Ragemonger - Born of the Gods (BNG)
Kathari Bomber - Duel Decks: Speed vs. Cunning (DDN)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vial Smasher the Fierce MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Commander 2016, 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 Smasher the Fierce and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Vial Smasher the Fierce Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2016-11-11 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 861822015normalblackDeruchenko Alexander
22016-11-11Commander 2016C16 492015normalblackDeruchenko Alexander
32016-11-16Treasure ChestPZ2 492015normalblackDeruchenko Alexander
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 12022015normalblackN.C. Winters
52020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 5402015normalblackDeruchenko Alexander

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vial Smasher the Fierce has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelRestricted

Rules and information

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

DateText
2017-04-17 Vial Smasher the Fierce is banned as a commander in Duel Commander format, but it may be part of your deck.
2020-11-10 An effect that checks whether you control your commander is satisfied if you control one or both of your two commanders.
2020-11-10 Both commanders start in the command zone, and the remaining 98 cards (or 58 cards in a Commander Draft game) of your deck are shuffled to become your library.
2020-11-10 For spells with in their mana costs, use the value chosen for X to determine the spell's mana value.
2020-11-10 If something refers to your commander while you have two commanders, it refers to one of them of your choice. If you are instructed to perform an action on your commander (e.g. put it from the command zone into your hand due to Command Beacon), you choose one of your commanders at the time the effect happens.
2020-11-10 If your Commander deck has two commanders, you can only include cards whose own color identities are also found in your commanders' combined color identities. If Falthis and Kediss are your commanders, your deck may contain cards with black and/or red in their color identity, but not cards with green, white, or blue.
2020-11-10 Once the game begins, your two commanders are tracked separately. If you cast one, you won't have to pay an additional the first time you cast the other. A player loses the game after having been dealt 21 damage from any one of them, not from both of them combined.
2020-11-10 The opponent to be dealt damage is chosen at random while the triggered ability is resolving. After that opponent is chosen, you choose whether damage will be dealt to that player or to a planeswalker they control, and if so, which planeswalker. No player may take any actions between the damage recipient being chosen and the damage being dealt.
2020-11-10 To have two commanders, both must have the partner ability as the game begins. Losing the ability during the game doesn't cause either to cease to be your commander.
2020-11-10 Vial Smasher has to be on the battlefield at the moment you cast your first spell. If that spell causes Vial Smasher to leave the battlefield as an additional cost to cast it, Vial Smasher's ability can't trigger. If that spell is Vial Smasher itself, Vial Smasher's ability can't trigger.
2020-11-10 Vial Smasher's triggered ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. If Vial Smasher's ability resolves and the spell that caused it to trigger has been countered, use that spell's mana value as it last existed on the stack to determine how much damage is dealt.
2020-11-10 Vial Smasher's triggered ability triggers when you cast your first spell each turn, regardless of whose turn it is.
2020-11-10 You can choose two commanders with partner that are the same color or colors. In Commander Draft, you can even choose two of the same commander with partner if you drafted them. If you do this, make sure you keep the number of times you've cast each from the command zone clear for "commander tax" purposes.

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