Burning-Tree Emissary MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Shaman
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Enables rapid board development by providing immediate mana for chaining spells, enhancing tempo.
  2. Excels in multi-colored aggressive decks, providing resource acceleration and strategic diversity.
  3. Potent card in Gruul archetypes, pivotal in turning early game advantage into wins.

Text of card

When Burning-Tree Emissary enters the battlefield, add to your mana pool.

Those who regard the Gruul as savage simpletons underestimate the subtle power of their shamans.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Burning-Tree Emissary doesn’t directly allow you to draw more cards, the card lets you effectively ‘chain’ plays by using the mana it provides. This can lead to playing multiple threats in a turn, putting you ahead on the board and potentially in card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Burning-Tree Emissary’s ability to generate both red and green mana upon entering the battlefield serves as a potent form of resource acceleration. This burst of mana can be pivotal in deploying your strategy faster than your opponent anticipates.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, the mana provided by Burning-Tree Emissary can be used to cast spells at instant speed, keeping the tempo in your favor and allowing you to adapt to the state of the game with agility.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Burning-Tree Emissary doesn’t make you discard cards, its ability to generate mana only with the immediate casting of another spell means you could end up with unused resources if you lack another play.

Specific Mana Cost: It requires both red and green mana, which might not seamlessly fit into multicolor decks that don’t lean heavily on these colors, potentially limiting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite offering a quick burst of mana, in a deck where each turn’s mana efficiency is paramount, its combined hybrid cost can be restrictive compared to lower-cost alternatives that fit more fluidly into various mana curves.


Reasons to Include Burning-Tree Emissary in Your Collection

Versatility: The Burning-Tree Emissary works seamlessly across a plethora of deck types, especially those emphasizing aggressive strategies. Its ability to provide two different colors of mana simultaneously upon entering the battlefield makes it a perfect fit for multi-colored decks focused on explosive starts.

Combo Potential: With its mana-generating ability, Burning-Tree Emissary can be a critical piece in combo chains, allowing you to cast additional spells in a single turn. This can lead to devastating turns where you can significantly advance your board state ahead of your opponent.

Meta-Relevance: In any game state where tempo plays a crucial role, the Emissary shines. When the meta favors fast-paced, creature-based strategies, this card can be a game-changer, allowing for a swift build-up of forces that can overwhelm opponents before they have a chance to establish control.


How to beat Burning-Tree Emissary

Burning-Tree Emissary is a pivotal card in many aggressive decks, offering not only a solid body but also an immediate mana advantage. It enables explosive plays by refunding the mana spent to cast it, often leading to a rapid board development. While facing this card, one effective strategy is to limit its impact by countering the creature-heavy approach typical of decks that include it.

Using board wipes like Supreme Verdict or Wrath of God can be highly effective, clearing the board of all creatures regardless of Burning-Tree Emissary’s mana boost. Spot removal spells, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, are also suitable for dealing with it directly, preventing the potential snowball effect of chaining multiple creatures.

Additionally, leveraging cards that punish multiple creature strategies, like Eidolon of the Great Revel or Pyroclasm, can keep an Emissary-fueled board in check. In fast-paced matches, being proactive with removal or stalling strategies to outlast the initial rush can be key to taking control of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the subtle intricacies of each MTG card is essential for any player looking to dominate the battlefield. Burning-Tree Emissary serves as a prime example of a card that can significantly enhance your gameplay by providing swift mana acceleration and the potential to chain multiple spells. Its utility in advancing your board state swiftly can be a critical factor in outpacing your opponents. For those drawn to Gruul archetypes and aggressive strategies, incorporating this card could very well tilt the scales of victory in your favor. To better harness its potential and discover tactical plays that can be executed with its help, we encourage you to delve deeper into our comprehensive articles. Expand your MTG knowledge and skills with us, and make each match a testament to your strategic prowess. Visit BurnMana to continue your MTG journey.


Cards like Burning-Tree Emissary

Burning-Tree Emissary is a remarkable card that shines in MTG decks focusing on aggressive mana acceleration and creature presence. In comparison, we have Zhur-Taa Druid, which also provides mana acceleration albeit with a tap ability, and adds a ping to your opponent each time it’s used. However, Burning-Tree Emissary boasts speed and an immediate impact on the board, as it requires no tapping and adds mana to your pool straight away.

Another kin is Rekindling Phoenix, offering recursive abilities that pose a persistent threat. While it doesn’t ramp, it shares the same color identity, and can be a subsequent play after a swift boost from our Emissary. However, they serve different roles, with the Emissary aiming for a rapid board development, and the Phoenix ensuring a long-term advantage. Mana creatures like Generator Servant also possess haste and ramp abilities, but the Burning-Tree Emissary outpaces it by providing immediate mana without the need to sacrifice the creature.

Assessing these options, Burning-Tree Emissary clearly excels in decks that benefit from a burst of energy to cast multiple spells in one turn, especially in the Gruul archetypes where tempo and board presence are crucial.

Zhur-Taa Druid - MTG Card versions
Rekindling Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Generator Servant - MTG Card versions
Zhur-Taa Druid - Dragon's Maze (DGM)
Rekindling Phoenix - Rivals of Ixalan Promos (PRIX)
Generator Servant - Magic 2015 (M15)

Cards similar to Burning-Tree Emissary by color, type and mana cost

Spined Sliver - MTG Card versions
Yavimaya Barbarian - MTG Card versions
Firebrand Ranger - MTG Card versions
Horned Kavu - MTG Card versions
Gallia of the Endless Dance - MTG Card versions
Vexing Shusher - MTG Card versions
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Skarrg Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Disciple of the Old Ways - MTG Card versions
Zhur-Taa Druid - MTG Card versions
Savageborn Hydra - MTG Card versions
Spined Sliver - Tempest Remastered (TPR)
Yavimaya Barbarian - The List (PLST)
Firebrand Ranger - Invasion (INV)
Horned Kavu - Planeshift (PLS)
Gallia of the Endless Dance - Theros Beyond Death (THB)
Vexing Shusher - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Gruul Guildmage - Ravnica Remastered (RVR)
Hajar, Loyal Bodyguard - The Brothers' War (BRO)
Brushfire Elemental - Zendikar Rising (ZNR)
Scab-Clan Mauler - Ravnica Remastered (RVR)
Tin Street Hooligan - Guildpact (GPT)
Tattermunge Witch - Modern Masters 2017 (MM3)
Apocalypse Hydra - Battlebond (BBD)
Nacatl Outlander - Conflux (CON)
Rip-Clan Crasher - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Flinthoof Boar - Eternal Masters (EMA)
Skarrg Guildmage - Gatecrash (GTC)
Disciple of the Old Ways - Gatecrash (GTC)
Zhur-Taa Druid - The List (PLST)
Savageborn Hydra - Double Masters (2XM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Burning-Tree Emissary MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Gatecrash, 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 Burning-Tree Emissary and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Burning-Tree Emissary Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2013-02-01 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 1022852015normalblackScott M. Fischer
22013-02-01GatecrashGTC 2162003normalblackIzzy
32017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 2072015normalblackIzzy
42017-03-31Duel Decks: Mind vs. MightDDS 552015normalblackIzzy
52019-02-15RNA Guild KitGK2 882015normalblackIzzy
62019-11-21Historic Anthology 1HA1 162015normalblackIzzy
72022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 3742015normalborderlessScott M. Fischer
82022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 1892015normalblackIzzy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Burning-Tree Emissary has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2017-03-14 Burning-Tree Emissary’s ability isn’t a mana ability. It uses the stack and can be responded to.

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