Scorching Winds MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Released	1997-05-01
Set symbol
Set name	Portal
Set code	POR
Number	149
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	D. Alexander Gregory

Key Takeaways

Scorching Winds provides card draw and land untapping potentials, important for game flow and resource acceleration.
Instant speed casting gives Scorching Winds versatility, allowing players to react timely to opponents’ strategies.
The required card discard and specific mana costs are notable limitations that must be considered when deck building.

Text of card

Play Scorching Winds only after you're attacked, before you declare interceptors. Scorching Winds deals 1 damage to each attacking creature.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Scorching Winds enables players to replace itself in hand by drawing a card, which helps maintain the flow of options available during gameplay.

Resource Acceleration: By potentially untapping lands when played, Scorching Winds provides an opportunity for resource acceleration allowing you to cast more spells or larger threats sooner in the game.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Scorching Winds at instant speed offers strategic flexibility. Players can respond to opponents’ moves during their turn or end step, keeping their strategy adaptive and unpredictable.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Scorching Winds requires a card to be discarded upon casting. This can set you back in terms of card advantage, particularly when your hand is already running low and every card is a valuable asset to your game plan.

Specific Mana Cost: The card demands a precise mana arrangement that includes at least one red mana. This requirement can hinder deck flexibility as it may not fit smoothly into multi-colored decks that might be strained on color availability.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When assessing Scorching Winds against other options in your arsenal, the mana investment could be seen as steep for what it provides. Savvy players often weigh the impact of a four-mana spell against its alternatives in the format to ensure the most efficient use of resources.

Reasons to Include Scorching Winds in Your Collection

Versatility: Scorching Winds offers a unique blend of land disruption and direct damage. This dual functionality allows it to be slotted into a variety of deck archetypes, spanning from aggressive Red deck strategies to control-focused builds seeking to manage the board and pace of the game.

Combo Potential: As a card that interacts with both land and damage mechanics, Scorching Winds can serve as a key piece in decks looking to capitalize on land destruction synergies or aiming to amplify damage output through various spell interactions. Its compatibility with damage doublers or landfall triggers adds layers to strategic deck building.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where land-centric decks are prevalent or there’s a reliance on key utility lands, Scorching Winds becomes a highly relevant tool. It can disrupt opponents’ strategies and serve as a surprise finisher, all the while being difficult to preemptively counter due to its instant speed nature.

How to beat

Scorching Winds is a card known for its potential to turn the tide in a heated MTG match by bringing a swift and disruptive force against your creatures. Its power to deal damage directly can challenge the best-laid strategies of any Magic player. Overcoming this spell requires a strategy that is as much about preparation as it is about response.

To counter Scorching Winds effectively, you might consider integrating cards that offer protection against red spells or direct damage. Cards with the ability to shield your creatures, such as Mother of Runes, can provide a valuable defense. Additionally, utilizing instant-speed spells that can counter other spells, like Counterspell or Dovin’s Veto, will allow you to stop Scorching Winds before it can impact the battlefield. Having these cards in your deck could mean the difference between suffering a critical hit or turning the opposition’s blaze into a mere flicker.

Overall, Scorching Winds demands respect and strategic planning. By weaving in protective measures and counterplay options, you can diffuse its threat, keeping your creatures safe and maintaining control over the pacing of the game, as every expert MTG player aims to do.

Cards like Scorching Winds

Scorching Winds presents itself as a versatile spell in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. Its parallels are drawn with other cards like Gust of Wind, which similarly harnesses the power of air. However, Scorching Winds sets itself apart with its dual-function – it not only deals damage but can also act as a land cycler. Unlike Gust of Wind, which demands a creature to leverage its full potential and comes with a higher casting cost, Scorching Winds remains flexible in use without contingent requirements.

Another comparable card is Sweltering Suns. Both cards can clear the board of smaller creatures, yet Sweltering Suns is a heavy hitter capable of sweeping larger threats with its 3 damage output. However, Scorching Winds has the upper hand with its cycling ability, thereby offering card advantage and mana fixing options. Moreover, Scorching Winds stands out with its lower initial investment, catering to a faster response within gameplay.

Ultimately, when we examine the characteristics of similar spells, Scorching Winds earns a reputable spot among MTG utility cards. Its blend of direct damage and cycling not only caters to diverse strategic needs but also offers a valuable alternative without the necessity of extensive resources.

Cards similar to Scorching Winds by color, type and mana cost

March of Reckless Joy - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Scorching Winds MTG card by a specific set like Portal, 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 Scorching Winds and other MTG cards: