Fire at Will MTG Card


Fire at Will - Eventide
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2008-07-25
Set symbol
Set nameEventide
Set codeEVE
Number140
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byPete Venters

Key Takeaways

  1. Multi-target damage potential strengthens control over the battlefield during intense MTG matches.
  2. Instant casting speed of Fire at Will introduces surprise elements, crucial in altering combat outcomes.
  3. Its mana efficiency and synergy possibilities make it a potent addition to red and white decks.

Text of card

Fire at Will deals 3 damage divided as you choose among any number of target attacking or blocking creatures.

"Make these shots count. The more foes we drop now, the fewer we'll have trying to kill us later."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Fire at Will ramps up your arsenal by enabling multi-target damage distribution. It’s like hitting three birds with one stone, trimming down your opponent’s resources while you maintain your stronghold on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly adding to your mana pool or providing alternate resources, Fire at Will allows for efficient use of mana, effectively dealing with multiple threats or creatures at once. This can lead to potential savings in mana expenditure over subsequent turns, subtly accelerating your game plan.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Fire at Will at instant speed cannot be understated. It allows you to disrupt your opponent’s strategy during their turn, removing potential attackers or blockers and altering the course of combat in your favor. Moreover, it keeps the element of surprise on your side, a strategic depth that can steer the game towards victory.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Fire at Will is its discard requirement, which compels you to part with another card from your hand. This is particularly troublesome in situations where your hand is nearly empty, potentially forcing you to lose a valuable asset.

Specific Mana Cost: Fire at Will’s mana cost necessitates one red mana. This requirement can restrict the card’s integration into multicolored decks since they may not consistently have the required red mana available, limiting the card’s versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card comes with a notably high mana cost for its damage output. In the fast-paced game environment where mana efficiency can be a critical factor, other cards might prove to be more cost-effective alternatives for dealing damage or controlling the board.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Fire at Will offers a unique mix of direct damage and distribution flexibility, making it a solid choice for various red-based decks. Its ability to target multiple creatures enables players to tailor their responses to different on-field threats.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with decks that capitalize on damage triggers, spell casting bonuses, or those designed to benefit from the casting of multiple instants and sorceries in a single turn.

Meta-Relevance: As creature-heavy decks often populate the meta, having Fire at Will in your collection means you’re always ready with a response. Its capacity to disrupt opponent strategies by removing key creatures can be a game-changer.


How to beat

If you find yourself facing the overwhelming power of Fire at Will in Magic: The Gathering, there’s no need to worry. Overcoming this aggressive red spell can be done with some smart play and the right approach. Since Fire at Will allows your opponent to distribute three damage as they choose among one, two, or three targets, control of the board becomes critical to dulling its impact. To effectively neutralize this card’s advantage, maintaining a lineup of creatures with toughness greater than three can prevent any of them from being taken out by Fire at Will in a single sweep. Additionally, spells that grant indestructible or damage prevention for a turn allow you to skirt around its immediate threat.

It’s also essential to keep an eye on your opponent’s mana. Fire at Will commands an investment of three mana, so when your opponent has that amount untapped, it’s prudent to be cautious about committing more creatures to the battlefield or risking valuable targets. Counter spells are equally effective, provided you hold them in reserve for when Fire at Will is cast. Smart deck-building to include versatile responses and a disciplined strategy during play can ensure that Fire at Will doesn’t catch you off guard.


Cards like Fire at Will

Fire at Will steps into the ring of multishot spells in Magic: The Gathering with both precision and flair. Much like the card Volley of Boulders, it offers the chance to distribute damage across multiple targets. However, Fire at Will’s mana cost requires a specific combination of red and white, making it a distinct choice for certain deck builds that favor such color schemes. As for the impact, with its lower damage output, it’s more tactical than the larger scale destruction delivered by Volley of Boulders.

Another card worth comparing is Arc Lightning – a spell that similarly divides damage among creatures or players. Interestingly, Fire at Will positions itself as an alternative that is notably mana-efficient in a multicolor red and white deck. While Arc Lightning is flexible with its generic mana cost, Fire at Will’s color restriction is counterbalanced by its potential for synergy in decks that capitalize on red and white combat tricks.

Ultimately, reflecting on the strategic differences in allocating damage, mana cost, and color requirements is crucial. Through this lens, Fire at Will carves out its niche, providing MTG players with a precision tool for nuanced deck strategies, particularly for those who favor the red and white combination.

Volley of Boulders - MTG Card versions
Arc Lightning - MTG Card versions
Volley of Boulders - MTG Card versions
Arc Lightning - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Fire at Will by color, type and mana cost

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Rally the Righteous - MTG Card versions
Boros Fury-Shield - MTG Card versions
Moonhold - MTG Card versions
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Wear // Tear - MTG Card versions
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Hurloon Battle Hymn - MTG Card versions
Orim's Thunder - MTG Card versions
Rally the Righteous - MTG Card versions
Boros Fury-Shield - MTG Card versions
Moonhold - MTG Card versions
Intimidation Bolt - MTG Card versions
Rally the Peasants - MTG Card versions
Arrows of Justice - MTG Card versions
Wear // Tear - MTG Card versions
Chance for Glory - MTG Card versions
Start // Fire - MTG Card versions
Foundry Helix - MTG Card versions
Hurloon Battle Hymn - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fire at Will MTG card by a specific set like Eventide, 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 Fire at Will and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fire at Will has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2008-08-01 The number of targets must be at least 1 and at most 3. You divide the damage as you cast Fire at Will, not as it resolves. Each target must be assigned at least 1 damage.
2008-08-01 You may target both attacking creatures and blocking creatures as you cast Fire at Will.

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