Flaming Sword MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant, Flash
Released	1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mercadian Masques
Set code	MMQ
Number	190
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Randy Gallegos

Key Takeaways

Incorporating Flaming Sword could significantly improve your deck’s ability to maintain card advantage during play.
The card’s versatile nature at instant speed offers multiple strategic uses in both offense and defense.
Mana cost and deck compatibility are vital considerations when integrating the Flaming Sword into your MTG strategy.

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.

Text of card

You may play Flaming Sword any time you could play an instant. Target creature gets +1/+0 and has first strike.

"It's not Talruum crystal, but I must admit—it gets the job done." —Tahngarth

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Elevates your deck’s power by potentially drawing cards as it hits opponents, keeping your hand filled with options.

Resource Acceleration: Offers an extra layer of versatility by potentially ramping your mana, enabling quicker deployment of high-cost cards.

Instant Speed: Usable at instant speed for surprise combat tricks or defensive maneuvers, giving you strategic flexibility during the battle.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Leveraging Flaming Sword effectively in your deck means you’ll have to deal with the hurdle of discarding a card. This kind of cost can be a setback, especially in situations where your hand is already stretched thin, leaving you in a tough spot to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The Flaming Sword asks for a peculiar blend of mana, which may not be a perfect fit in every player’s strategy. Ensuring you have the right mana at the right time can be challenging, particularly in multi-colored decks that might have diverse needs.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While this card does bring a fiery punch to the table, the mana investment is something that can’t be overlooked. Players might find themselves weighing the cost against other potential plays that could provide a swifter impact on the battleground, which is a crucial consideration during deck construction and gameplay.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Flaming Sword offers flexibility to a wide array of decks, particularly those seeking to augment their creatures’ power with an efficient and easy to cast equipment.

Combo Potential: This card can be a key piece in equipment-themed decks, interacting seamlessly with cards that trigger upon equipping or entering the battlefield, possibly paving the way for powerful synergies.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive strategies are prevalent, Flaming Sword can be a game-changer, potentially turning any creature into a significant threat.

How to beat

The Flaming Sword card introduces a fiery twist to the gameplay of MTG, offering players an enchantment that can potentially swing the tide of battle in their favor. At its core, Flaming Sword provides creatures with an additional boost in power and often surprise value due to its instant speed. To circumvent the advantages it brings to the table, timing and strategic removals are key.

Counterspells are among the most straightforward methods, nipping the problem in the bud before the enchantment ever hits the field. If the sword is already equipped, creature removal spells or abilities that bypass the potential power increase it provides will be your next best bet. Look towards instant-speed removal that can outpace the enchantment, allowing you to disrupt your opponent’s plans before they solidify their advantage.

Lastly, playing around Flaming Sword involves a keen sense of battlefield awareness. By keeping open mana for instant responses and holding back on unnecessary attacks, one can avoid falling prey to the enhanced damage it electrifies a creature with. Always be prepared with a response and understand the pivotal moments when denying an enemy’s Flaming Sword can lead to your ultimate victory.

Cards like Flaming Sword

The alluring flames of the Flaming Sword in Magic: The Gathering have evoked a sense of excitement and comparison with other equipment cards. It shares its primary function with cards like Short Sword, which also bestows a power bonus to the wielded creature. Yet, what truly sets Flaming Sword apart is its ability to grant that fiery touch, adding not just extra punch but often a crucial elemental advantage.

Delving within the realm of armaments, we find the Swiftfoot Boots which also accentuate a creature’s capabilities. Where the Flaming Sword is keen on aggression, Swiftfoot Boots pivots towards protection, offering hexproof and haste to ensure your creature can act promptly without falling prey to targeted spells or abilities. There’s also the famed Bonesplitter, a straightforward yet potent upgrade to a creature’s damage output, although devoid of the elemental flair Flaming Sword carries.

When balancing the raw power of creature enhancements versus the tactical advantages provided by equipment like the Flaming Sword, one must consider the dynamic it brings to gameplay. The Flaming Sword can often be the turning point, cutting through opponents’ defenses with a power surge that resonates well within aggressive MTG strategies.

Cards similar to Flaming Sword by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Flaming Sword MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Flaming Sword and other MTG cards: