Reckless Embermage MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Wizard
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Card can clear the board, leaving space for mightier creatures to take over the battlefield.
  2. Reckless Embermage’s rigid mana requirement can limit its inclusion in diverse deck types.
  3. Despite its drawbacks, Embermage offers potential for game-changing damage combos.

Text of card

o1oo R Reckless Embermage deals 1 damage to target creature or player and 1 damage to itself.

Many mages have been consumed by their work.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Reckless Embermage has the capability to inflict damage on each creature, including itself, which can act as a form of card advantage by clearing the board of smaller creatures and leaving room for your larger threats to dominate the field.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly involved with resource generation, the Embermage’s ability to deal damage can expedite the game by removing blockers or potential threats, allowing for quicker progression towards victory.

Instant Speed: Although Reckless Embermage’s ability isn’t at instant speed, its presence on the board can dissuade opponents from playing creatures that would fall prey to its ability, impacting their tempo and making them play on your terms.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Reckless Embermage’s ability might sometimes require the player to manage their hand with care, and in scenarios with a tight grip on cards in hand, triggering its effect could be more risky than beneficial.

Specific Mana Cost: Necessitating both red and generic mana, Reckless Embermage demands a dedicated mana base which can constrain deck building options, especially for those looking to integrate into multi-color decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With other cards in the meta potentially offering more impactful effects or creatures for a similar investment, the Embermage’s cost-to-impact ratio may not always align with efficient playstyles, especially in formats where speed and cost-efficiency are pivotal.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Reckless Embermage is a card that has a place in various MTG deck builds. Its ability to deal damage to each creature and player gives it a role in strategies that rely on pinging opponents or controlling the board.

Combo Potential: This MTG card is particularly potent for its combo capabilities. It can work in tandem with cards that benefit from noncombat damage or those that protect your creatures, turning this ability into a strategic asset rather than a drawback.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where small creature decks are prevalent, Reckless Embermage can serve as a constant threat, potentially swaying the tide of battle in your favor with its area damage effect.


How to beat

Reckless Embermage resonates with those who appreciate direct damage strategies in Magic: The Gathering. As a creature that can deal damage to each creature and each player, it has the potential to alter the state of the board significantly. Navigating through the fiery onslaught of Reckless Embermage requires smart play and precise timing. To counterbalance its impact, it’s best to rely on instant-speed removal spells which can be executed before Embermage’s ability goes on the stack or in response to it. Utilizing cards with hexproof or protection from red can also provide a safety net against its indiscriminate damage.

Additionally, life gain strategies can help nullify the damage done, keeping you in a more secure position as you maneuver around the threat it presents. As Embermage is also self-damaging, clever plays that capitalize on the symmetrical effect can lead to the mage becoming a double-edged sword for its wielder. Ultimately, employing these tactics can turn the tide, transforming Reckless Embermage from a threat to an opportunity.


Cards like Reckless Embermage

Reckless Embermage, a unique creature in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, offers an ability that harkens back to the older iterations of the game. It is often compared to the likes of Prodigal Pyromancer, which also delivers a tap ability to deal one damage to any target. Whereas Prodigal Pyromancer embodies the simplicity of dealing damage without any recoil, Reckless Embermage stands out with its symmetrical effect, potentially harming its controller’s creatures as well.

Goblin Sharpshooter presents another similar dynamic, yet it lacks the self-damage aspect of Reckless Embermage and can untap whenever a creature dies, leading to possible combo scenarios. Embermage’s chaotic potential is not replicated here, but the Sharpshooter’s precision offers a controlled strategy for players.

Lastly, Kumano, Master Yamabushi, adds an interesting twist to the same ability. This legendary creature allows the damage dealt to be unpreventable, providing a clear advantage over Reckless Embermage. Although costing more mana to play, Kumano possibly delivers a more definitive impact on the game with his precise and unstoppable damage.

While Reckless Embermage might not be the strongest of its kind, its balanced risk-reward design can generate surprising turns in gameplay, making it a worthy consideration for Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts seeking a daring strategy.

Prodigal Pyromancer - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sharpshooter - MTG Card versions
Kumano, Master Yamabushi - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Pyromancer - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Goblin Sharpshooter - Onslaught (ONS)
Kumano, Master Yamabushi - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)

Cards similar to Reckless Embermage by color, type and mana cost

Dragon Whelp - MTG Card versions
Keldon Warlord - MTG Card versions
Crimson Manticore - MTG Card versions
Márton Stromgald - MTG Card versions
Wildfire Emissary - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Giant - MTG Card versions
Rathi Dragon - MTG Card versions
Mogg Bombers - MTG Card versions
Warmonger - MTG Card versions
Bloodfire Kavu - MTG Card versions
Whipkeeper - MTG Card versions
Anger - MTG Card versions
Nalathni Dragon - MTG Card versions
Everquill Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Goblin Goon - MTG Card versions
Lesser Gargadon - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions
Ogre Taskmaster - MTG Card versions
Ogre Gatecrasher - MTG Card versions
Dragon Whelp - Limited Edition Beta (LEB)
Keldon Warlord - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Crimson Manticore - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Márton Stromgald - Ice Age (ICE)
Wildfire Emissary - Mirage (MIR)
Flowstone Giant - Tempest (TMP)
Rathi Dragon - Tempest (TMP)
Mogg Bombers - Stronghold (STH)
Warmonger - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Bloodfire Kavu - Apocalypse (APC)
Whipkeeper - Odyssey (ODY)
Anger - Judgment (JUD)
Nalathni Dragon - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Everquill Phoenix - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Goblin Goon - Legions (LGN)
Lesser Gargadon - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Krark-Clan Engineers - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Ogre Taskmaster - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Ogre Gatecrasher - Dissension (DIS)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Reckless Embermage MTG card by a specific set like Mirage and Classic Sixth 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 Reckless Embermage and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Reckless Embermage Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 2001-04-11. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11996-10-08MirageMIR 1891997normalblackTom Kyffin
21999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 2011997normalwhiteTom Kyffin
32001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 2121997normalwhiteBob Petillo
42001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 212★1997normalblackBob Petillo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Reckless Embermage has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks