Firespout MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery

Key Takeaways

  1. Firespout can simultaneously manage flying and ground creatures, optimizing board control.
  2. Its specific mana requirements may limit deck flexibility, but enable targeted effects.
  3. Strategic play counters Firespout’s sweeping potential, maintaining strong board presence.

Text of card

Firespout deals 3 damage to each creature without flying if was spent to play Firespout and 3 damage to each creature with flying if was spent to play it. (Do both if was spent.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Firespout offers a significant edge by potentially clearing multiple creatures off the board with a single spell. This can lead to a favorable shift in card economy, leaving you with more resources compared to your opponents.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly linked to accelerating resources, the casting cost of Firespout is versatile. It allows for strategic planning, giving players the option to wipe out specific creature types based on the mana spent, thus indirectly maintaining tempo and resource balance.

Instant Speed: Despite Firespout being a sorcery, its ability to be played at a critical juncture—just before your turn—can mimic the benefits of an instant. This can clear the path for your attacks or disrupt enemy combat strategies at a pivotal moment. Its impact during the game can be as potent as an instant speed spell in setting up your next move.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Firespout doesn’t have a discard requirement, however, it’s worth mentioning that not having the flexibility to discard as an option means there is less control over handling unexpected game states.

Specific Mana Cost: Firespout requires both red and green mana to utilize both of its damage effects, which can be restrictive for decks not running a Gruul or a base heavy in both colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three mana to cast, Firespout may not be the ideal sweeper for very fast-paced games, especially when competitors can deploy efficient weenie creatures quicker or other more impactful board clears at a similar cost.


Reasons to Include Firespout in Your Collection

Versatility: Firespout offers a flexible board wipe option, capable of clearing away a swath of creatures from the battlefield regardless of whether they have flying or not. It’s a suitable addition to decks that need a one-sided clear when played smartly, aligning with your creatures’ abilities or lack thereof.

Combo Potential: This card can be pivotal in decks that capitalize on the aftermath of a wiped board, such as those running ‘death triggers’ or benefiting from opponents having fewer creatures. Also, Firespout can be a setup for cards that count the number of creatures in graveyards.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s heavy with aggressive creature decks, Firespout earns its spot by being able to reset the board for a relatively low mana cost, helping control the pace and giving you time to establish your game plan.


How to beat

Firespout is a versatile sweeper card that can prove to be tricky on the battlefield. It’s a staple in formats like Commander and Modern due to its ability to simultaneously deal with flying creatures and land-based threats. However, it has its limitations. The key to outplaying a Firespout is through strategic deck building and in-game decisions.

To stay ahead of this card, consider incorporating indestructible creatures or those with higher toughness to withstand the damage. Hexproof or shroud-possessing creatures can also be savvy inclusions, as they are immune to Firespout’s effects. Additionally, instant-speed spells that buff your creatures’ toughness during the combat phase can be game-changers. Playing around Firespout involves keen observation and predicting when an opponent might be setting up to cast it—positioning your plays to either avoid its peak impact or recover swiftly post-sweep.

While Firespout is undeniably powerful, it’s not unbeatable. With thoughtful play and a well-constructed deck, you can navigate around this obstacle and maintain a strong board presence. Remember, being proactive about your board state and anticipating removal will always put you a step ahead in the game.


Cards like Firespout

Firespout stands as a versatile sweeper in players’ arsenal, suited for clearing a swath of creatures off the board. In the realm of mass removal spells, Firespout is frequently matched against Pyroclasm and Anger of the Gods. Pyroclasm costs less mana but is limited by its ability to only deal two damage to each creature, possibly sparing larger foes. Anger of the Gods, with a higher mana cost, not only deals three damage like Firespout but also exiles the creatures if they would die, nullifying graveyard strategies.

Another comparable card is Volcanic Fallout. Fallout deals two damage to each creature and player, and it’s uncounterable, offering reliability regardless of opponents’ interventions. However, it lacks Firespout’s flexibility to deal with flying creatures specifically. Lastly, we have Slagstorm which offers a dual-mode kind of flexibility – dealing three damage to each creature or each player, adjusted to your current needs, but still at a fixed amount of damage.

Altogether, while Firespout doesn’t exile like Anger of the Gods or evade counter spells like Volcanic Fallout, it balances the scales with its split mana cost and tailored damage output. Its strategic utility ensures its place in decks looking for precise control over battlefield threats.

Pyroclasm - MTG Card versions
Anger of the Gods - MTG Card versions
Volcanic Fallout - MTG Card versions
Slagstorm - MTG Card versions
Pyroclasm - Ice Age (ICE)
Anger of the Gods - Theros (THS)
Volcanic Fallout - Conflux (CON)
Slagstorm - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)

Cards similar to Firespout by color, type and mana cost

Dire-Strain Rampage - MTG Card versions
Giantbaiting - MTG Card versions
Heaven // Earth - MTG Card versions
Savage Smash - MTG Card versions
Road // Ruin - MTG Card versions
Wreck and Rebuild - MTG Card versions
Dire-Strain Rampage - Innistrad: Double Feature (DBL)
Giantbaiting - The List (PLST)
Heaven // Earth - March of the Machine Commander (MOC)
Savage Smash - Ravnica Allegiance (RNA)
Road // Ruin - Modern Horizons 2 (MH2)
Wreck and Rebuild - Doctor Who (WHO)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Firespout MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor and Commander 2011, 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 Firespout and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Firespout Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2008-05-02 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Jeff Miracola.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-05-02ShadowmoorSHM 2052003normalblackJeff Miracola
22011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 1992003normalblackJeff Miracola
32015-11-18Legendary Cube Prize PackPZ1 1032015normalblackJeff Miracola
42024-02-23Ravnica: Clue EditionCLU 1902015normalblackJeff Miracola

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Firespout has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2016-06-08 If this spell is copied, the copy will not have had any colors of mana paid for it, no matter what colors were spent on the original spell.
2016-06-08 This spell cares about what mana was spent to pay its total cost, not just what mana was spent to pay the hybrid mana symbol in its cost.
2016-06-08 This spell checks on resolution to see if any mana of the appropriate colors were spent to pay its cost. It doesn’t matter how much mana of that color was spent; the effect isn’t multiplied.

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