Ember Shot MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	7
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	2002-05-27
Set symbol
Set name	Judgment
Set code	JUD
Number	87
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Alan Pollack

Key Takeaways

Ember Shot combines direct damage with card draw, ideal for late-game strategic plays.
With high mana cost, Ember Shot can be less efficient compared to similar spells.
Despite cost, it can play a pivotal role in the right deck or metagame context.

Text of card

Ember Shot deals 3 damage to target creature or player. Draw a card.

Dwarves bring poor coal to market, use good coal in their homes, and throw their best coal away.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ember Shot offers a unique blend of direct damage and a card draw, setting the stage for both offensive and strategic maneuvers. By dealing damage and drawing a card, it can help shift the balance of the game, even if it’s at a higher mana cost.

Resource Acceleration: Although Ember Shot itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, the card drawn could potentially lead to mana acceleration or other forms of resource advantage. It’s all about what the next card brings to the table.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Ember Shot at instant speed can be a tactical advantage. It allows players to adapt to battlefield changes immediately and utilize their mana efficiently during the end phase of the opponent’s turn, keeping them always one step ahead.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Ember Shot doesn’t demand discarding as an initial cost, its steep mana needs can force players into a situation where they must choose between keeping it in hand or discarding it for more immediate answers or threats on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Necessitating six generic and one red mana, Ember Shot’s requirement can be quite restrictive, making it less flexible and harder to cast, especially in multicolored decks that may not reliably produce that amount of red mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of seven mana to deal three damage and draw a card, Ember Shot is outclassed by numerous other spells that accomplish similar goals for a fraction of the cost, leaving it rarely chosen by players optimizing their decks for efficiency and speed.

Reasons to Include Ember Shot in Your Collection

Versatility: Ember Shot, despite its high mana cost, offers both direct damage and card draw in one package. It can be used in decks that may need to remove creatures late in the game or want to ensure they maintain card advantage.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, such as cost-reducing spells or doubling effects, Ember Shot can become part of a powerful combo to deal significant damage while refilling your hand, effectively utilizing your mana and resources.

Meta-Relevance: In a slower-paced game where reaching high mana values is possible, or in a meta filled with high toughness creatures, Ember Shot’s 7-damage capability could swing the board in your favor, while also keeping your hand stocked for future plays.

How to beat Ember Shot

Ember Shot is a unique spell in the vast catalog of red instants in Magic: The Gathering. With its rather hefty cost of seven mana, one red and six of any color, this card deals three damage to any target and allows the player to draw a card. Despite the appeal of this two-in-one ability, its steep mana cost often leads players to favor more efficient burn spells and card draw options.

Playing against Ember Shot, the strategy shifts to mana denial or spell disruption. Counter-spells or direct discard effects can render the high cost moot, as can a well-timed mana leak which can pressure the opponent before they even reach the capacity to cast Ember Shot. Additionally, with its damage output being relatively low for its cost, creatures with higher toughness can effectively absorb the hit while maintaining board presence.

Ultimately, managing your resources strategically and maintaining control of the game’s pace are key tactics to employ when aiming to nullify the potential impact of Ember Shot. Your deck’s construction should ideally include answers to counter high-cost spells or, at a minimum, ensure a rapid advancement of your game state beyond what Ember Shot can address.

Cards like Ember Shot

Ember Shot stands out in the Magic: The Gathering realm with its unique blend of direct damage and card draw. At first glance, this seven-mana spell might seem costly, but it provides an interesting comparison to other direct damage spells. Thunderbolt, for instance, offers a much lower mana cost but forgoes the card draw benefit that Ember Shot provides. This card draw is especially valuable in longer games where resources are key.

Another comparable card could be Inferno Jet, which offers six damage at six mana with a cycling ability to draw a card. Inferno Jet may be more mana-efficient, but it requires an additional action to gain the card advantage that Ember Shot includes outright. Additionally, Skewer the Critics is a popular choice in the direct damage category, notably for its spectacle cost, which can make it even more efficient than Ember Shot if the conditions are met.

Assessing the overall utility, Ember Shot has a niche appeal due to the combination of high impact damage and immediate card replenishment. In scenarios where mana is plentiful and immediate impact combined with deck cycling is needed, Ember Shot can be a game-changer, even if the initial investment is steep.

Cards similar to Ember Shot by color, type and mana cost

Divergent Transformations - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ember Shot MTG card by a specific set like Judgment, 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 Ember Shot and other MTG cards: