Engulfing Flames MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Flashback

Key Takeaways

  1. Provides immediate board control by eliminating early-game threats efficiently at instant speed.
  2. Complements red mana decks, seamlessly fitting into the mana curve due to its low cost.
  3. Discard requirement and specific mana cost may limit its use, yet its utility justifies inclusion.

Text of card

Engulfing Flames deals 1 damage to target creature. It can't be regenerated this turn. Flashback o3o R (You may play this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then remove it from the game.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Engulfing Flames doesn’t provide direct card draw, its ability to eliminate threats ensures you’re efficiently maintaining board presence, protecting your key cards in the process.

Resource Acceleration: Engulfing Flames may not ramp up your mana, but it’s low casting cost complements your mana curve, permitting a quick answer to early threats while advancing your board state.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Engulfing Flames offers flexibility in your gameplay, allowing you to swiftly respond to an opponent’s actions during their turn, thus maintaining a tactical edge.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engulfing Flames necessitates the discard of a card when using its flashback ability, which might strain your hand when resources are already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: The card requires red mana for casting, potentially restricting playability to decks that can generate this color consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: One mana for 1 damage isn’t particularly mana-efficient, especially when compared to other burn spells available in the MTG card pool.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Engulfing Flames offers a quick solution to early threats with its ability to deal damage efficiently. It’s a perfect pick for decks that prioritize fast-paced play or need to keep the board clear of small creatures. Its addition is also strategic in decks that aim to manipulate the stack with instant-speed spells.

Combo Potential: This card truly shines when paired with spell-copying or cost-reducing mechanics, bolstering its impact beyond a simple damage-dealer. It’s an excellent inclusion for arrangements looking to maximize spell synergy and amplify their destructive capabilities.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capability to exile creatures it destroys, Engulfing Flames gains significance in metas with graveyard-based strategies. The ability to permanently remove key creatures can be critical, making it a valuable asset in a range of matchups. It’s a smart addition to any collection for its utility against enduring recursive threats.


How to beat

Engulfing Flames is an impactful instant spell in the realm of red burn cards, renowned for its utility in controlling the early game board state. This spell can dispatch an array of one-toughness creatures swiftly, potentially disrupting an opponent’s early strategic setup. Players looking to counteract Engulfing Flames should prioritize creatures that have a toughness greater than one or use cards that can grant their creatures temporary toughness boosts. Investing in hexproof or indestructible creatures can also render Engulfing Flames ineffective.

Moreover, strategies that don’t rely heavily on creatures, such as control decks focusing on noncreature spells, are naturally resistant to the card’s effects. Spellskite is another excellent card that can be used to divert Engulfing Flames away from valuable targets, ensuring your important creatures remain on the battlefield. In summary, while Engulfing Flames can provide a fiery solution to early gameplay threats, there are numerous ways for savvy players to shield their strategy from being extinguished by this spell.


Cards like Engulfing Flames

Engulfing Flames is an impactful tool for red-deck wielders in Magic: The Gathering, particularly notable for its versatility. This instant compares favorably to cards like Shock, another staple that also dishes out 2 damage but doesn’t have the added benefit of being able to exile the target if it would die. Engulfing Flames offers something unique with this additional line of text, setting it apart from its counterparts.

When examining its closest relatives, one can’t overlook Flames of the Firebrand. This spell distributes three damage divided as you choose among one, two, or three targets which can be advantageous. However, Engulfing Flames stands tall with a lower mana cost, despite its single-target restriction. It allows for a swift response to creatures or it can directly target players, keeping the board in check and the opponent on their toes.

Considering the dynamics of red-deck gameplay and the premium on removal spells, Engulfing Flames maintains its relevance. While it may offer less damage than others or lack multiple target options, the sheer benefit of exiling key creatures and functioning as an economical instant make it a reliable choice for many players.

Shock - MTG Card versions
Flames of the Firebrand - MTG Card versions
Shock - Stronghold (STH)
Flames of the Firebrand - Magic 2013 (M13)

Cards similar to Engulfing Flames by color, type and mana cost

False Orders - MTG Card versions
Chaoslace - MTG Card versions
Red Elemental Blast - MTG Card versions
Tunnel - MTG Card versions
Artifact Blast - MTG Card versions
Active Volcano - MTG Card versions
Shock - MTG Card versions
Lightning Bolt - MTG Card versions
Panic - MTG Card versions
Hearth Charm - MTG Card versions
Pyroblast - MTG Card versions
Shower of Sparks - MTG Card versions
Heat Ray - MTG Card versions
Overload - MTG Card versions
March of Reckless Joy - MTG Card versions
Burst Lightning - MTG Card versions
Fever Charm - MTG Card versions
Electrostatic Bolt - MTG Card versions
Unnatural Speed - MTG Card versions
Enrage - MTG Card versions
False Orders - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Chaoslace - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Red Elemental Blast - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Tunnel - Summer Magic / Edgar (SUM)
Artifact Blast - Antiquities (ATQ)
Active Volcano - Masters Edition III (ME3)
Shock - Arena Beginner Set (ANB)
Lightning Bolt - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Panic - Ice Age (ICE)
Hearth Charm - Visions (VIS)
Pyroblast - Magic Online Theme Decks (TD0)
Shower of Sparks - Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters (DDL)
Heat Ray - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Overload - Invasion (INV)
March of Reckless Joy - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Promos (PNEO)
Burst Lightning - Zendikar (ZEN)
Fever Charm - Onslaught (ONS)
Electrostatic Bolt - Mirrodin (MRD)
Unnatural Speed - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Enrage - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Engulfing Flames MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey and Salvat 2005, 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 Engulfing Flames and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Engulfing Flames Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2005-08-22. Illustrated by Marc Fishman.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12001-10-01OdysseyODY 1911997normalblackMarc Fishman
22005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL D52003normalwhiteMarc Fishman

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Engulfing Flames has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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