This is my favorite red card. It requires strategy and timing but can pay off big time. the fact that it is powerful, if you have 6 mana, but relatively weak if you have 5 can make for some exiting turns. Especially if you have to pump mana into it before you know if you are drawing a mountain or not. that kind of thing happens frequently with Braid of Fire. Smokebraider also goes well with this if you are already using other elementals.
Someone already mentioned training grounds, but heartstone prevents you from needing blue mana and ramps him just as fast. With heartstone, 6 mana gets you 8 during your turn AND your opponent's turn.
It is great with firebreathing too since it pumps them up and gives trample. But in my experiences, trample is just gravy. It is seldom the reason that this card is a lightning rod.
Posted By:
kiseki
(12/30/2010 3:27:49 PM)
@Svelte: This works best in mono-red so I'd prefer Heartstone. They both have the exact same effect in this card's case anyway.
Posted By:
Tiggurix
(10/15/2012 3:45:33 PM)
A 2/1 for 2 is almost always a creature with a good ability. This is no exception; Using him next to Koth of the Hammer, a T4 Seething Song or similar nets you 8 mana; which; rather than using on a fatty, could be used to end the game right there with a 2-3-target comet storm, etc..
He just ramps ramp, which is good. A t5 Koth play => 12 mana, which is often enough to end the game right there (11 damage from a fireball or something.)
If you're using lots of burns spells and flashback it's enough mana to do Past in Flames in a burn deck, empty your hand, seething song again for yet more mana, and continue burninating.
Posted By:
blurrymadness
(6/20/2013 9:25:24 AM)
A great pair with Ceaseless Searblades At very least creates a 9/4 with trample.
Posted By:
Leo...Preliator
(5/20/2010 5:47:36 PM)
This card is awesome. Just awesome. Basically it should say "When you get to 6 mana.. you really have 8. Oh, and we will throw you trample because, why not." 4.5/5
Posted By:
Kryplixx
(10/26/2009 8:55:56 AM)
Combined with a card like Inner-Flame Igniter, plus other elemental-themed bonuses like from Incandecent Soulstoke and/or Rage Forger, etc. and you've got some amazing ruination you can do.
Posted By:
theillustriousc2
(7/7/2009 10:22:53 AM)
AWESOME mana burn for 8, trample 6 damage!!!
Posted By:
ttian
(3/21/2009 8:10:14 PM)
works nicely with training grounds
Posted By:
Svelte
(4/17/2010 11:42:42 PM)
Can't this card target itself all three times? I don't see any text mentioning separate or other target creatures.
Posted By:
cadenblade
(2/10/2010 3:37:36 PM)