Flamecast Wheel MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact
Released	2013-09-27
Set symbol
Set name	Theros
Set code	THS
Number	215
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jasper Sandner

Key Takeaways

Increases hand resources by exiling the top library card, bypassing hand size limits.
Demands a card discard to activate, which could be a tactical liability.
Offers combo potential and meta relevance as a recurring direct damage option.

Text of card

, , Sacrifice Flamecast Wheel: Flamecast Wheel deals 3 damage to target creature.

Beware the gifts of an ill-tempered forge god.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Flamecast Wheel can be a pivotal play in expanding your hand, but with a twist. Unlike traditional card draw, this card allows you to exile the top card of your library, potentially playing it that turn. This grants you access to more resources while bypassing any hand size limits.

Resource Acceleration: By potentially allowing you to cast an additional spell in a turn, Flamecast Wheel serves as a form of resource acceleration. It may not directly add to your mana pool, but it effectively grants you another opportunity to use the mana you have more efficiently.

Instant Speed: The speed at which you can activate Flamecast Wheel’s ability adds a layer of flexibility to your game. You can pass your turn with mana open, bluffing countermagic or other responses, and if your opponent doesn’t prompt you to use your mana, you can end their turn by exiling the top card of your deck, ready to be played immediately.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside of the Flamecast Wheel is the obligation to discard a card upon activation. This can become problematic, especially in late-game scenarios where maintaining a full hand could be crucial to outmaneuvering your opponents.

Specific Mana Cost: Flamecast Wheel’s casting cost is color-intensive, demanding red mana which might not always be readily available. This requirement can restrict its inclusion only to decks heavily skewed towards red or those with a robust mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that could be seen as steep for the impact it delivers, Flamecast Wheel might not be an optimal choice compared to other spells or permanents that provide similar benefits at a lower cost.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Flamecast Wheel offers flexibility in red-based decks, enabling both removal of small creatures and potential direct damage to opponents. Its low mana cost makes it easy to cast in various stages of the game.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with strategies that capitalize on spell-casting, artifacts entering the battlefield, or even those that care about dealing direct damage to players or creatures.

Meta-Relevance: Given the dynamic meta where creatures and small permanents are prevalent, Flamecast Wheel can be a key piece in maintaining board control while progressing your game plan.

How to beat

Flamecast Wheel is a card that uniquely impacts the game with its ability to deal damage directly to a creature or planeswalker, a trait that gives players a tactical advantage in removing key pieces from the opposition’s board. Compared to lightning-themed spells like Shock or Lightning Bolt, Flamecast Wheel’s sheer damage output can be a significant threat. However, its higher mana cost positions it in a different spot within a player’s strategy.

The key to overcoming Flamecast Wheel lies in understanding its specific role in a match. Its utility is maximized when cast early to disrupt an opponent’s creature-based strategies, but it becomes less effective as the game progresses and bigger threats enter the battlefield. Clever players can outpace Flamecast Wheel with low-cost, high-impact creatures or by utilizing counterspells like Negate or Mana Leak. Additionally, employing instant-speed removal allows for a more flexible response, keeping the board clear and reducing the value of the Wheel’s damage.

Overall, while Flamecast Wheel can create game-changing moments, maintaining a diverse set of responses and a strong defensive line will neutralize its impact. Thus, a balanced and agile deck, capable of rapid offense and timely defenses, stands the best chance of rendering Flamecast Wheel less consequential in the grand scheme of the match.

Cards like Flamecast Wheel

Flamecast Wheel joins the arsenal of red direct damage spells in Magic: The Gathering with its own nuances. It offers a resemblance to Shock, one of the classic staples, both dealing a modest amount of damage. Where Flamecast Wheel differs is in its ability to be exiled and later cast from exile, providing longevity beyond its initial use. Unlike Shock, which is a one-and-done spell, Flamecast Wheel has a degree of recurrence that may be strategically advantageous.

Another parallel can be drawn with Searing Spear, which offers more damage but without the recurrence bonus. While Searing Spear provides a stronger immediate impact for the same mana cost, Flamecast Wheel compensates with its extended play potential. Then we consider cards like Incinerate, which similarly deal damage but also prevent regeneration of the target. Flamecast Wheel, despite not having this preventive feature, does afford the player additional casting flexibility.

In the analysis of damage-dealing spells in Magic: The Gathering, Flamecast Wheel holds an interesting position. It might not have the immediate impact of some alternatives, but offers repeated utility that can be advantageous in the long run.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Flamecast Wheel MTG card by a specific set like Theros, 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 Flamecast Wheel and other MTG cards: