Winterflame MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Released	2014-09-26
Set symbol
Set name	Khans of Tarkir
Set code	KTK
Number	213
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Richard Wright

Key Takeaways

Winterflame offers dual effects for both board control and resource acceleration, enhancing strategic options.
The instant-speed nature of Winterflame allows for tactical plays, catching opponents off-guard during combat.
Despite its advantages, Winterflame’s specific mana and discard requirements may limit its utility in some decks.

Text of card

Choose one or both — • Tap target creature. • Winterflame deals 2 damage to target creature.

"The mountains scream with the dragons' throats." —Chianul, Who Whispers Twice

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Winterflame presents a dual-option ability that can either disrupt an opponent’s creature or tap it down, affording players the crucial benefit of keeping the board state under control while proceeding with their own game plan.

Resource Acceleration: The flexibility of Winterflame comes from being able to untap one of your own creatures, potentially enabling surprise blocks or acceleration for additional spells, especially with creatures that have tap abilities for generating extra resources or effects.

Instant Speed: The power of Winterflame is amplified by its instant speed, permitting players to react in real time to the developing game, whether that is during combat on the opponent’s turn or at the end of their turn, maintaining the element of surprise and ensuring mana is used efficiently.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging in the magic of the Winterflame requires an exacting toll. Players must be prepared to discard another spell or valuable card to fuel its icy blaze, which can leave hand options chillingly scarce.

Specific Mana Cost: Commanding the Winterflame demands a precise union of mana—both blue and red. This specificity restricts the card’s versatility, largely confining it to Jeskai or multicolored decks attuned to this frosty duality.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana, including both blue and red, the Winterflame’s cost is considered steep by some. In the heat of battle, savvy mages may opt for spells that offer similar effects for less—a balance as delicate as the ice it conjures.

Reasons to Include Winterflame in Your Collection

Versatility: Winterflame stands out for its flexibility, offering players the ability to choose between two effects or utilizing both if the mana is available. This makes it adaptable to a wide range of situations, whether you need to tap a threat or deal damage to keep the board under control.

Combo Potential: This card has inherent synergy with strategies revolving around spell casting and can be a key piece in decks that capitalize on instant and sorcery casts. The dual modes also provide fuel for prowess triggers or similar mechanics that reward playing noncreature spells.

Meta-Relevance: As the gameplay environment constantly evolves, Winterflame maintains relevancy by offering both offensive and defensive capabilities. Its capacity to influence the board state makes it a valuable addition in a variety of matchups, ensuring that it remains a potent choice regardless of shifting deck archetypes.

How to beat

Winterflame is an intriguing card in Magic: The Gathering, offering players a dual effect of tapping and damaging creatures. Its adaptability means it can be used both aggressively and defensively. However, like all spells, it can be countered with the right strategy. Understanding its limitations is key to outmaneuvering an opponent leveraging Winterflame.

Primarily, Winterflame’s dependency on the number of targets makes it less effective against a single, powerful creature. Focusing on building a deck with robust, high-toughness creatures can stifle Winterflame’s impact, as the 2 damage may prove inconsequential. Additionally, utilizing instant-speed spells that can protect or untap your creatures adds a layer of defense against this card’s tap effect, maintaining your battlefield presence and combat potential.

Moreover, employing spells that grant hexproof or shroud can nullify Winterflame’s targeting capabilities, leaving the opposing player with a dead card in hand. Considering these approaches, a deck well-equipped with creature protection and strength can successfully navigate and overcome the challenges posed by Winterflame in-game scenarios.

Cards like Winterflame

Winterflame is an intriguing option within Magic: The Gathering’s arsenal of spell cards offering both damage and control. Its close comparison is to Izzet Charm, which presents flexibility with three distinct modes. Where Winterflame offers the ability to tap and deal damage, Izzet Charm allows the player to counter a noncreature spell, deal damage to a creature, or draw and discard cards, but not to tap a creature directly. Winterflame is also restricted to targeting only one creature for each effect, whereas Izzet Charm allows total freedom in the choice for its damage or draw and discard effect.

Another similar contender is Lightning Helix, a staple in many red and white decks. Although it doesn’t offer creature tapping, the instant nature of Lightning Helix and its life gain feature can be critical during gameplay. It provides immediate damage and a health buffer for the player. Lastly, let’s consider Frost Breath. While this card doesn’t deal damage, it freezes two creatures and keeps them from untapping during the next untap step, providing extended control over the opponent’s battlefield.

Therefore, when evaluating Winterflame against its counterparts, it stands out for its dual ability to selectively hinder an opponent’s creature while dealing damage, a combination not often seen in comparable cards within Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Winterflame by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Winterflame MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir, 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 Winterflame and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Winterflame has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2014-09-20	If you choose both modes, they can each target the same creature or they can target different creatures.
2014-09-20	Winterflame won’t affect any target that’s illegal as it tries to resolve. If you choose to use both modes and both targets are illegal at that time, Winterflame won’t resolve.
2014-09-20	You choose which mode you’re using—or that you’re using both modes—as you’re casting the spell. Once this choice is made, it can’t be changed later while the spell is on the stack.