Goretusk Firebeast MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Elemental Boar Beast
Released	2002-05-27
Set symbol
Set name	Judgment
Set code	JUD
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	91
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Keith Garletts

Key Takeaways

Goretusk Firebeast delivers a damaging entrance, potentially tilting board advantage in your favor.
Its sheer power accelerates game closure but demands careful resource management.
Instant speed synergies enhance Firebeast’s surprise factor, creating unexpected plays.

Text of card

When Goretusk Firebeast comes into play, it deals 4 damage to target player.

As a youth, Kamahl took one for a pet. His hair has yet to grow back.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Though not a traditional method for gaining card advantage, Goretusk Firebeast’s ability to deal damage upon entering the battlefield can effectively remove an opponent’s creature, potentially swinging the momentum and board presence in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While Goretusk Firebeast doesn’t directly offer resource acceleration, its six power can rapidly accelerate the game to a close if unanswered, serving as a significant pressure point against an opponent trying to stabilize their board.

Instant Speed: The Firebeast itself may not be an instant, but its enter-the-battlefield ability complements strategies that revolve around instant speed interaction. It can be particularly potent in conjunction with effects that flash creatures onto the battlefield, catching opponents off-guard with sudden damage.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Goretusk Firebeast demands resource management as it does not have an inherent discard mechanic. Holding on to this card while facing hand disruption from opponents could lead to unwanted discards, weakening your strategic position.

Specific Mana Cost: At seven mana with a 6/1 ratio of generic to red mana, this card requires a deck built to accommodate its cost. Players running multi-colored decks may find the specific mana requirement restrictive and hard to meet in the early to mid-game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the card’s cost-effectiveness, Goretusk Firebeast’s mana cost is substantial. In a format where speed and efficiency can be crucial, the investment of seven mana for its effect might not provide the same impact as other lower-cost options with similar or more flexible abilities.

Reasons to Include Goretusk Firebeast in Your Collection

Versatility: Goretusk Firebeast provides flexibility in red-based decks known for aggression. It offers substantial damage potential that can sway the game when it hits the battlefield, useful in both limited plays and casual constructed formats.

Combo Potential: With the ability to deal damage directly to each opponent, Goretusk Firebeast works well with cards that capitalize on life loss. It can also shine in decks that focus on ‘damage triggers’ to unlock additional effects or deal extra damage.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where stalling tactics and creature-based defense prevail, the Goretusk Firebeast can serve as a surprise element that disrupts such strategies, turning the tide by chipping away at opponent’s life totals regardless of their board presence.

How to Beat

Goretusk Firebeast might seem daunting with its potential for a direct punch of 4 damage to any opponent once it hits the battlefield. This red creature spell hailing from the Plane of Otaria can certainly turn the tide in a game of MTG if left unchecked. However, players can neutralize the Firebeast’s entrance with the right strategies.

Counterspells are the first line of defense against such on-cast effects. Cards like Counterspell or Mana Leak can prevent Goretusk Firebeast from ever entering the battlefield, thereby negating its ability to deal damage. Another approach is to remove it before the damage is dealt, using instant-speed removal like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, which can exile the creature as it enters, circumventing the damage trigger.

In fast-paced decks, racing against such creature-based strategies might be the best play. By focusing on quickly building a board presence and reducing your opponent’s life total, the Firebeast’s entry might become irrelevant in the broader scope of the match. Utilizing these strategies will help players adeptly manage the impact Goretusk Firebeast could have on the game.

Cards like Goretusk Firebeast

Goretusk Firebeast stands out in the realm of red creature spells within Magic: The Gathering. It draws a parallel with creatures like Cinder Elemental, as both have the capacity to inflict direct damage to an opponent. Where Goretusk Firebeast demands a sacrifice – itself – upon its damage-dealing activation, Cinder Elemental stays on the field, providing an ongoing threat.

There’s also the Forgeborn Oreads from the Theros block, closely mirroring the ‘enter the battlefield’ effect of Goretusk Firebeast. Yet, it trades magnitude for repeatability, offering incremental damage with enchantment synergy rather than a one-off impact. Comparatively, the Firebeast’s burst of damage may suit a strategy favoring immediate effects.

Moving ahead, Flametongue Kavu, an iconic creature known for its immediate board impact, also shares similarities but targets creatures instead of players. This creature offers a more controlled form of removal upon entry, as opposed to Goretusk Firebeast’s player-focused fireball.

Assessing these akin available options, Goretusk Firebeast has its niche in Magic: The Gathering as a creature with a potentially game-ending enter the battlefield ability, suited for decks capitalizing on single, powerful plays.

Cards similar to Goretusk Firebeast by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Goretusk Firebeast 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 Goretusk Firebeast and other MTG cards: