Scorchwalker MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Elemental
Abilities	Bloodrush
Released	2013-02-01
Set symbol
Set name	Gatecrash
Set code	GTC
Power	5
Toughness	1
Number	104
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Anthony Palumbo

Key Takeaways

Scorchwalker elevates utility by enabling indirect card advantage and unexpected combat boosts.
Its bloodrush mechanic infuses decks with versatility, creating strategic depth and combo potential.
Despite its power, Scorchwalker’s specific mana needs and discard cost unveil strategic counters.

Text of card

Bloodrush — , Discard Scorchwalker: Target attacking creature gets +5/+1 until end of turn.

"Borborygmos's elemental launched an assault, but the Izzet wards held and experiments continue." —Skyknight report on the Rubblebelt

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Scorchwalker can trigger beneficial abilities when discarded or sacrificed, potentially leading to indirect card advantage. This is valuable in decks that aim to maximize the utility of every card in hand.

Resource Acceleration: While Scorchwalker itself doesn’t offer direct resource acceleration, its substantial power can quickly reduce an opponent’s life total, expediting your path to victory. Additionally, its creature type can synergize with tribal strategies that may lead to accelerated gameplay.

Instant Speed: Although Scorchwalker is a sorcery-speed creature, its Bloodrush ability allows you to discard it at instant speed to give another creature +5/+1 until end of turn. This unexpected boost can be a game-changer during combat or in response to an opponent’s actions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Scorchwalker itself doesn’t require a discard to play, its Bloodrush ability demands you discard it from your hand, which can deplete your hand and reduce your options.

Specific Mana Cost: Locked into a solid red mana cost, Scorchwalker can be restrictive in multicolor decks that might struggle with producing enough red mana consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three red mana and one colorless, Scorchwalker may come into play later than you’d like, especially compared to other creatures in the aggressive red decks where it would most often be found.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Scorchwalker has the potential to be more than just a creature; its bloodrush ability provides flexibility, allowing it to be a surprise boost in power for attacking creatures, thus fitting into various aggressive strategies.

Combo Potential: Its bloodrush ability synergizes with decks that reward you for discarding cards or that have elements interacting with instant-speed buffs, amplifying the potency of your assault.

Meta-Relevance: Against decks that tend to stabilize with larger creatures, Scorchwalker serves as a valuable asset due to its formidable power boost, tipping the scales in your favor during critical combat phases.

How to beat Scorchwalker

Scorchwalker presents itself as a potential threat in the MTG battlefield with its ability to dish out damage through its bloodrush ability. However, this card has clear vulnerabilities that can be exploited to gain the upper hand. As a player, understanding the dynamics of combat tricks and timing can turn the tide against Scorchwalker.

Firstly, prioritize keeping mana open for instant-speed removal spells. When an opponent attempts to use Scorchwalker’s bloodrush, strategically respond with removal to disrupt their plan and save yourself from taking critical damage. Secondly, include creatures with high toughness in your deck to withstand Scorchwalker’s attack, nullifying the impact of its power boost.

Additionally, counter spells can effectively prevent bloodrush activations, especially when your opponent is banking on this for a surprise finish. Always be wary of the mana your opponent leaves untapped, as this can indicate a potential Scorchwalker play. With careful planning and the right counters, overcoming this formidable foe becomes less daunting, allowing you to maintain control of the game.

Cards like Scorchwalker

Scorchwalker is an intriguing creature card that holds its ground in the world of Magic: The Gathering. It draws parallels to other red elementals such as Ball Lightning, which also boasts a significant impact on the battlefield. Scorchwalker shares this theme of power, but it distinguishes itself with the bloodrush ability, allowing a player to discard the card for a temporary combat boost to another creature.

Another comparable card is Ghor-Clan Rampager, which also offers the bloodrush mechanic. This card edges ahead with the added benefit of granting both increased power and trample, though it comes at a higher cost. In contrast, Scorchwalker is more straightforward, with a singular focus on beefing up a creature’s power.

The elemental comparison extends to Spark Elemental, a quickly utilized card with trample and haste that sacrifices itself at the end of turn. While Spark Elemental is ideal for an immediate impact, Scorchwalker provides more strategic versatility by acting as either a creature or a combat trick. As such, Scorchwalker is a card that showcases flexibility, presenting players with opportunities to adapt to dynamic gameplay scenarios in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Scorchwalker by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions

Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Scorchwalker MTG card by a specific set like 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 Scorchwalker and other MTG cards: