Flamebreak MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Sorcery
Released	2004-02-06
Set symbol
Set name	Darksteel
Set code	DST
Number	61
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Trevor Hairsine

Key Takeaways

Flamebreak offers strategic board control by dealing damage to numerous smaller creatures and each player.
A red-heavy mana cost limits its inclusion to predominantly red decks for balance in mana bases.
Its impact and versatility make it relevant in many competitive formats, especially against low-toughness creatures.

Text of card

Flamebreak deals 3 damage to each creature without flying and each player. Creatures dealt damage this way can't be regenerated this turn.

"Now I'm thirsty." —Korva, Vulshok battlemaster

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Flamebreak clears the board of smaller creatures, potentially removing multiple threats with a single card, providing a clear advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Although Flamebreak doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it effectively sets back opponents’ board development, indirectly speeding up your own game plan.

Instant Speed: While Flamebreak is cast at sorcery speed, its ability to shape the battlefield during your turn can drastically affect the pace and decisions of the game, similar to instant-speed interactions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Flamebreak doesn’t require a discard, so this typical con does not apply in this case.

Specific Mana Cost: As an integral card in many red-deck strategies, Flamebreak carries a mana cost that necessitates a triple red commitment. This stringent requirement can pose a challenge for multicolor decks aiming to maintain a balanced mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana, Flamebreak’s ability to inflict damage to creatures and players is somewhat costly. When evaluating its board impact against similar cards, one might consider alternative spells that offer more flexibility or additional benefits for a similar or reduced mana investment.

Reasons to Include Flamebreak in Your Collection

Versatility: Flamebreak is a unique damage spell that can be slotted into a variety of red decks. It’s particularly effective in formats where creatures with toughness three or less are prevalent. Its ability to deal damage to both creatures and players makes it a flexible choice for aggressive strategies aiming to clear the board while pushing for direct damage.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize well with decks that capitalize on non-creature damage or spell-slinging synergies. It can be a pivotal part of combos aiming for a sudden sweep of smaller creatures, paving the way for direct attacks or larger, game-ending spells.

Meta-Relevance: With a meta that includes decks densely populated with smaller creatures, Flamebreak could easily disrupt your opponent’s game plan. Its role is critical in controlling the pace of the game, effectively retaining its usefulness across various competitive environments.

How to beat Flamebreak

Flamebreak is a unique card that poses a challenge due to its ability to deal damage to each creature and each player. This red sorcery is known for its capability to clear the board of smaller creatures, disrupting the strategies of decks that rely on creature swarms. One effective tactic to overcome Flamebreak is to utilize creatures with toughness greater than 3. These creatures will survive the blast, allowing you to maintain board presence.

Another strategy includes cards with indestructible or regenerate abilities, which are not affected by Flamebreak’s damage. Making use of instant-speed spells to boost the toughness of your creatures right before Flamebreak is cast can also save them from destruction. Additionally, playing your creatures post-Flamebreak, when the opponent has potentially exhausted their resources, can help you regain control of the game.

Lastly, focus on maintaining a high life total. Since Flamebreak deals damage to players as well, keeping your health above critical levels ensures that you can withstand its impact and stay in the game longer. By adjusting your gameplay and utilizing these strategies, outlasting and defeating a Flamebreak-utilizing opponent becomes a more achievable goal.

Cards like Flamebreak

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Flamebreak holds a unique position among board clearing spells. Its closest counterpart is perhaps Slagstorm, which offers flexibility in dealing damage to each creature or each player. While Flamebreak deals 3 damage to each creature without flying and each player, Slagstorm lets the caster choose between affecting creatures or players, a choice absent in Flamebreak’s design.

Anger of the Gods is another card that shares Flamebreak’s destructive capabilities, though it boasts the added benefit of exiling creatures it kills, preventing revival tactics that are increasingly common in many MTG decks. Conversely, Flamebreak’s damage to players can apply more pressure in a red-deck aggressive strategy. Similarly, Volcanic Fallout presents an uncounterable solution to smaller creatures while also chipping away at each player’s life total, but lacks the player damage restriction Flamebreak possesses.

Each of these spells carves out its own niche in MTG’s vast pool of options. Flamebreak offers a distinct blend of direct player damage and selective creature destruction, a combination that can swing the tide of a game for those wielding the fiery power of red decks.

Cards similar to Flamebreak by color, type and mana cost

Search for Survivors - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Flamebreak MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel, 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 Flamebreak and other MTG cards: