Firefist Striker MTG Card
2013-02-01 - Number 90
2024-02-23 - Number 134
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Abilities | Battalion |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Firefist Striker secures card advantage by circumventing potential blockers, benefiting aggressive battlefield tactics.
- It enhances board impact over resource acceleration, shaping faster-paced combat and outstripping opponent defences.
- Strategic preemptive control at sorcery speed disrupts opposing instant-speed actions by limiting blockers.
Text of card
Battalion — Whenever Firefist Striker and at least two other creatures attack, target creature can't block this turn.
The flaming fist of Boros holds the promise of both protection and destruction in its grasp.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Firefist Striker, you don’t directly draw cards, but its Battalion ability can help maintain card superiority on the battlefield. By disabling a potential blocker each turn, you can ensure your other creatures connect, potentially drawing you into more advantageous positions or synergistic plays.
Resource Acceleration: Although the Firefist Striker doesn’t directly accelerate your resources in terms of mana, it accelerates your board presence’s impact. By tactically sidelining blockers, you can accelerate the pace at which you damage your opponent, effectively outpacing their resource development with your aggressive strategy.
Instant Speed: Firefist Striker operates at sorcery speed as a creature, but its ability to impact the board state as soon as it declares an attack makes for a strategic advantage. While not at instant speed, the preemptive control it provides each combat phase can disrupt your opponent’s instant-speed plans by removing a potential instant-speed blocker from the equation.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: With the necessity to pitch a card to unleash its potential, Firefist Striker may force players into tough decisions when resources are scarce.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both red and generic mana, Firefist Striker can be incompatible with decks that aren’t tailored to or capable of producing the necessary mana efficiently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at a mana value that could potentially gatekeep its play, Firefist Striker’s abilities are weighed against other options in the same bracket, which may provide a greater impact on the board state.
Reasons to Include Firefist Striker in Your Collection
Versatility: Firefist Striker seamlessly integrates into a variety of red or aggressive decks. Its ability to make target creatures unable to block can shift the battlefield to your favor, enabling your other creatures to press the attack unimpeded.
Combo Potential: With Battalion as its key mechanic, when Firefist Striker attacks along with at least two other creatures, you can tactically disable your opponent’s potential blockers. This can be the linchpin in combos aimed at ensuring your other high-powered creatures can connect unblocked.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies dominate, Firefist Striker shines by disrupting your opponents’ defensive lines. This can be particularly effective in games that pivot on combat and when facing off against decks that rely heavily on key blockers to maintain board control.
How to beat
Firefist Striker presents a strategy challenge on the battlefield, equipped with an ability that can temporarily sideline your defenders and leave you vulnerable to attacks. To counter this, engage removal spells that target specific creatures like Shock or Fatal Push to take down the Striker before it can assert its board influence. Sweepers, such as Wrath of God, also clear the way, irrespective of the Striker’s battalion trigger, ensuring your defenses remain intact.
Another effective tactic is to block and trade with the Striker during combat. Efficient creatures like Typhoid Rats with deathtouch or well-timed combat tricks can ensure that the Striker’s presence is short-lived. Additionally, keep in mind the importance of card advantage and creature control. Spells that grant your creatures indestructibility for the turn or those that can redirect attacks can disrupt your opponent’s strategy, turning the tables in your favor.
Ultimately, having a plan for the Firefist Striker means being proactive and keeping removal at the ready, while also being smart about creature placement and combat decisions. This multifaceted approach will help maintain balance on the battlefield and mitigate the threat posed by this aggressive creature.
Cards like Firefist Striker
Firefist Striker offers strategic battlefield control in MTG by denying an opponent’s creature the ability to block. This effect can be compared to cards such as Goblin Heelcutter. Both cards shine in aggressive decks; however, Goblin Heelcutter can impact the board immediately with its dash ability although it does come at a higher mana cost. Conversely, Firefist Striker requires battalion to be active, necessitating at least two other creatures to attack alongside it.
Glimpse the Sun God is another card that can manipulate combat phases to your advantage. Unlike Firefist Striker, this instant allows you to tap any number of target creatures, though it offers no recurring effect. Each has its place in MTG, with Firefist Striker fitting into creature-heavy aggro decks, while Glimpse the Sun God serves as a flexible inclusion in decks that can capitalize on a single, well-timed turn.
Although there are many cards that tweak the combat dynamics in MTG, Firefist Striker is unique in its repeatable disabling effect within a creature-heavy strategy. Its role in a focused aggro deck can not only shape the battlefield but also clear the way for decisive blows, making it a venerable card in its own niche.
Cards similar to Firefist Striker by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Firefist Striker MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash and Ravnica: Clue Edition, 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 Firefist Striker and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Firefist Striker Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2013-02-01 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Tyler Jacobson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2013-02-01 | Gatecrash | GTC | 90 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Tyler Jacobson | |
| 2 | 2024-02-23 | Ravnica: Clue Edition | CLU | 134 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tyler Jacobson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Firefist Striker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Firefist Striker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-04-15 | Once a battalion ability has triggered, it doesn’t matter how many creatures are still attacking when that ability resolves. |
| 2013-04-15 | The effects of battalion abilities vary from card to card. Read each card carefully. |
| 2013-04-15 | The three attacking creatures don’t have to be attacking the same player or planeswalker. |
