OMG... Is this better than Wee Dragonauts? I've loved the Drago's mechanics since I saw them; but I think that this guy, in a UR deck with lots of cheap spells (and a way to make him unblockable, though; Dragonauts at least had flying as evasion), and Double Cleave...
DonRoyale
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(2 votes)
MUCH better than you think it is. A solid pick in red in Limited.
jth2odragon
★★★★☆ (4.3/5.0)(3 votes)
Combine this with distortion strike for some serious hurt
FugimSky
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(4 votes)
Magnivore, meet your little brother. Seriously though, this card in the eldrazi set alone is incredibly powerful. Putting distortion strike on it as well makes it a game winner. That or gets you at least half way there. My girlfriend played red blue in the pre-release and this with distortion strike was the best part of the deck and made her go far in the tournament.
muthfootball
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(2 votes)
Is his ability compounding? As in, if I cast 4 Lightning Bolts, does he get +12/+0?
statiefreez
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
Wow. This is going to draw zaps like a Steppe Lynx, and probably going to see a lot of play. Definitely better than most of the Red 2-drops lately.
i can see this being used in burn. If this thing gets a hit in, those bolts essentially hit for double.
LTJZamboni
★★★☆☆ (3.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Does he still get the bonus if the spell is countered?
Gaussgoat
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(2 votes)
This little guy is a superb creature for red decks which utilize burn. Hell, any deck with Red in it that is heavy on spells should absolutely pick him up.
Best two combos for me so far:
Staggershock - Hit for 6 with just one of them on the field
Wrap in Flames - knock out enemy blockers and then run in for big damage.
Hugely versatile, and the 1/2 body keeps him from getting killed by small hits.
5/5
True_Mumin
★★★☆☆ (3.0/5.0)(2 votes)
Beautiful. Mister Fiend here and Wee Dragonauts make the best teammates, trust me on this. :) I especially love his 2 toughness and common rarity. 5/5!
FogRaider
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Enables a turn 3 goldfish in standard. And since you're going to be running burn anyway, he's an awesome and efficiently costed choice.
Lunarblade
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Anyone every thought about running four in a red/green agro deck? A giant growth could give this guy +6/+3! Pile on a groundswell for another +7/+4!
Great card 4.5/5.
yesnomu
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
My poor friend had no creatures out, and I felt bad about running this guy out with a Double Cleave for 8 and leaving him at 4. He got out a few blockers next turn, which made me feel a bit better.
Fantastic in any aggro/burn deck. Great common, Wizards.
don_miguel
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(4 votes)
yes, it does get the bonus even if the spell is countered.
gaztaseven
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(4 votes)
Kiln Fiend + Brute Force + Double Cleave = 20 :) Love it.
jstorrie
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(1 vote)
An excellent Red two-drop, and like his Zen-block pal Plated Geopede this little guy can probably fit in a number of multi-coloured decks, too. Expect to see more of this guy in Red Deck Wins once Alara Block rotates out of Standard.
Unfortunately lacks Geopede's awesome first strike, which would make this guy five stars for sure.
A3Kitsune
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Almost overpowered. Distortion Strike is overpowered. And both are in the same set. What was WotC thinking?
Aun
★☆☆☆☆ (1.6/5.0)(4 votes)
strictly worse than storm crow because it doesn't fly.
RPGsr4me
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@blindthrall - Your right, even if the instant or sorcery is canceled it was still "cast", that fact really came in handy considering I run this guy and my friend plays UW.
whisperwalk
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Kiln Fiend works best with the extremely overlooked CABAL THERAPY. Honestly, Fiend without therapy is a dead fiend.
People are talking about Lava Dart, Fatal Frenzy and Distortion Strike - but remember - a dead fiend equals to zero damage. I made my Kiln Fiend deck UBR for this exact purpose, and also because of Dark Confidant.
KnockK
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Drafted RBU this past week and managed to get 3 of these guys and 2 distortion strikes as well as every removal in the set except vendetta. staggershock, last kiss, induce despair, forked bolt, flame slash, corpsehatch. won my first two games 2-1 then 2-0 my 3rd opponent too quick but unfortunately ended up losing 2-1 in the finals because I forgot to last kiss. If I would've last kiss'd I would've been at 1 and next turn I had a rebounding staggershock and distortion strike waiting for lethal. Oh well. RU and maybe the addition of B has to be the best limited strategy for RoE, if you get the cards of course.And he does serious work in my RDW for constructed as well 5/5. And to answer questions, he gets the +3 regarless of the spell being countered or not, just like kor firewalker, unfortunately -_-.
Pwnsaw
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Standard's wee dragonauts. This dude can connect game winning damage to the face.
Kiln fiend + staggershock + distortion strike is 20 damage if left unmolested.
My first time with my Kiln Fiend deck: turn 1: Mountain turn 2: Island, Kiln Fiend turn 3: Island, 2 Distortion Strike, 1 Kindled Fury turn 4: Island, Distortionstrike comes back in
HERET1C
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card is broken in Pauper! Well, maybe not broken, but it is a ton of fun! If your opponent can't kill him quick, you can win on T4 easily. My favorite combos are some classic burns like Bolt and the new Distortion Strike.
Here is a video on YouTube I made:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk0Td6_ZOmc
My opponent had a Last Gasp, but no black mana.
blindthrall
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I think it does trigger if the spell is countered. You have to cast something for it to be countered in the first place, right?
Edit: I run this thing in my land destruction deck, and it is VICIOUS.
WhiteyMcFly
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
And then came Chandra's Spitfire. Of course, running both would be... hehehe...
ryantsai
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Won't work with Fling since sacrificing the creature is part of the cost.
achilleselbow
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
If your opponent knows what he's doing, he won't let this guy stick around for more than one turn. Which is why I recommend Reckless Charge + Distortion Strike as soon as you cast him. 11 damage for 4 mana, and possibly more damage next turn. If you really want to be a tool, finish them off later by casting Cosmic Larva and flashing back the Reckless Charge.
Bigg_ol_FATTKIDD
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
You guys need to think outside the box. Why just burn your opponent? Little Kiln Fiend gets the buff as long as it's an instant or sorcery cast. Let loose your red leaning inhibitions in favor of more janky awesome-ness. =)
Here's a combo for Standard players. Kiln Fiend + Distortion Strike + @ssault Strobe* + Bull Rush = Swing for 26 unblockable as early as turn three. I can't think of a more damaging combo that early in the game using only commons. o_o Could it be... that Bull Rush is actually useful? Nah, it isn't really needed at all (obviously Brute Force is better, but it's not Standard legal), but it helps beat the game a turn earlier. Distortion Strike's Rebound effect will still seal the victory at turn 4.
*@ssault Strobe is a preview card in Scars in Mirrodin that grants target creature Double Strike for at Sorcery speed. Not as flexible as Double Cleave but it's still pretty handy, and cheaper.
S-R
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Distortion Strike was said many times, but it also works well with Soul's Fire. Overall great card that forces your opponent to "waste" a removal on a 2cmc creature.
If you copied a spell with Twin Cast or Reverbrate. Would the copies also count as casted spells? and make it even stronger?
GrimjawxRULES
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Brute Force works wonders with Kiln Fiend in a mono red burn/aggro deck.
Leonidus7784
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Also I like the most recent comments about bull rush, reckless charge, distortion strike, etc. So in case your worried about having your fiend removed or killed then just wait patiently in the corner till turn 5 when you could (w proper mana) play kiln fiend and use reckless charge, distortion strike, and assault strobe on him and instantly swing for 26 unblockable.
this is a brilliant card, with a suitable deck you can wipe out enemy creatures and swing for pretty massive damgage on low turns, can win games especially as you would probably be casting removal spells anyway to let other creatures attack.
Kiln Fiend wins games for you if it goes unanswered, but you have to be super careful that you don't use your spells to buff him only to lose him to removal. If that happens, your spells still go through, but you're at a disadvantage because the number of options you have are now limited. Here's an example:
Turn 2: Kiln Fiend Turn 3: 3 lightning bolts at opponent's face + swing for 10. Opponent plays Doom Blade on your Kiln Fiend.
Your opponent still takes 9 damage, but now you're down to 3-4 cards in your hand, and you lose all board position and you're committed to aiming everything at your opponent's life total. Not horrible if he's at 11 and you're holding, for instance, a Koth of the Hammer, but not an ideal condition either.
I think Kiln Fiend is the 6th best creature for RDW in standard right now, behind (in order) Goblin Guide, Ember Hauler, Spikeshot Elder, Kargan Dragonlord, and Plated Geopede (if you have fetchlands)
Guest1381794618
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I agree with Sunyveil, Kiln fiend will win a game quickly if left unanswered. It has the potential to swing for 20 after just 2 spells, say Brute Force and Assault Strobe.
Just be careful that you don't overextend.
DarkxFire
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I run 4 of these beasts in my Mono red deck. like kryptnyt sez, pyretic ritual after you cast this guy lets you burn everything in sight on turn 3, giving you clearance to swing for up to 13 damage, or even 20 if you hit him with assault strobe. Chandra's spitfire is just a flying version of him, which i run 3 of as well. amazing, amazing card.
kalinack
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
He is my tournament mvp by a mile! Turn 3 I cast assault strobe, and 2 instants (to remove creatures or burn) swing for 10 double strike. Game!
SeiberTross
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I can't believe how many turn 3 wins this guy enables.
This card is amazing with a lot of the new cards you just pay life to use especially Mutagenic Growth and Postmortem Lunge.
Gitaxian Probe
Mental Misstep
Marrow Shards
Dismember
Postmortem Lunge
Surgical Extraction
Gut Shot
Corrosive Gale
Mutagenic Growth
Noxious Revival
Apostle's Blessing
guitargamer79
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Mutagenic Growth just made this card insanely deadly.
EvilCartographer
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I have yet to win a game if my opponent has been able to get this guy onto the field. I didn't understand why until I tested him in a mono red pauper deck and managed to get him swinging for 13 with double strike on turn four.
Needless to say, he is an auto-include from now on.
WokeUpDead
★★★★☆ (4.9/5.0)(6 votes)
He promotes getting 2 for 1'd, 3 for 1'd, or worse. Every card advantage bone in your body screams in agony as you swing, and play a Lightning Bolt, and another...
And you really just should not care one little bit. Kiln Fiend is awesome. The Phyrexian cycle is pure insanity on him, and anyone who can still enjoy him in a Standard environment with these cards, should. Heck, you can put your Fiend out of Bolt Range with Mutagenic Growth, fight bouncing and removal with Apostle's Blessing, and check if the way is clear to swing through with Gitaxian Probe.
All the people posting their turn 1, 2, 3 win combos may be in Magical Christmas Land, but everybody wants to live the dream - and with Kiln Fiend - It's more likely then you think.
Laguz
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Love this card.
I have a couple of 'favorite things to do' in magic. One of them is searing blaze -> attack with kiln fiend.
i lost the number of times this little guy gave me victory on the turn 3
Grimzo1590
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
ok My friend I were playing at fnm last friday and we were both playing this punk in our Burn decks, but his was red blue.
well I got him up to being 13/2 with double strike using assault strobe so I swing at him he flashed in Deceiver Exarch and blocked him. so after Combat I used fling on Kiln Fiend (me 12 / him 15) He then started to get ***ed whille gathering his cards of the table for the next game. I then tried to tell him Fling doesnt give kiln the buff he then replied he replied by ask a judge the judge said he did. so I just wanna get a second opinion.
@Grimzo1590 Fling costs mana 'in addition to sacrificing a creature'. That means it'd be dead before the ability was actually cast.
Salient
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I have to admit I'm surprised a red burn/aggro deck featuring this guy hasn't solidified its place in Legacy. Double the effectiveness of my Lightning Bolt? Yes please...
tankthebest
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
I made a UR aggro deck with this and Wee Dragonauts and I played my friend's new Innistrad BR vampire deck. After a while I was at 6 or 7 life with just this on the board and he had roughly 5 vampires (one of them being Olivia Voldaren) and about 24 life. On my next turn I cast a mix of Lightning Bolt, Distortion Strike, Assault Strobe, and Twincast and swung at him for 26 unblockable. Needless to say, he wasn't too happy.
IndifferentFace
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Kiln fiend is a great card, and can lead to turn 3 win.
Turn 1: Island (for countering your opponents nasties)
Turn 2: Mountain, Kiln Fiend
Turn 3: Mountain, Assault Strobe, Bull Rush, Distortion Strike, Swing for the win. Thanks go to friend of mine.
Inanimate-
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Pure feel-good in a piece of cardboard. My favorite card.
Being rewarded for playing your spells is just a great feeling; I'm a guy who likes to be casting stuff and swinging with stuff, and this is my little mascot. My personal favorite play is Reckless Charge, Assault Strobe, and Giant Growth -- swinging for 20 on turn three is fantastic, and more likely than you think.
Paleopaladin
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This is the card that made firebreathing creatures obsolete.
Oh, and please stop posting the T3 win combos over and over again. We're all PAINFULLY aware of them. :-/
LeakyTeacup
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This is such a great card, I dont think i need to explain why Assault strobe, lightning bolt, distortion strike, fists of the anvil, manamorphose...
somegeek
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Cast an Artful Dodge on one and cast again on another from the graveyard to turn two Kiln Fiends into unblockable 7/2s for .
Best swing so far was on turn four with one Fiend out, two islands and two mountains in play and I cast an Artful Dodge and played it again for it's flashback cost targeting my same guy, then played Assault Strobe and then Galvanic Blast for four instant/sorceries and hit for 26 unblockable. I underestimated this card for too long. It's a badass.
Works just fine in control-burn. You burn their guy and then hit them in the face for as much damage as they would've taken had you burned them. No creatures? Burn them and charge in for the win. Very efficient creature that puts an short clock on the game.
This is one of those guys who honestly wouldn't surprise em as a mythic. He's so powerful, has so many options, and is so elegant while being efficiently costed. Beauty.
I just found this card playing duels of the planeswalkers 2014. it may take some hard math sometimes and me down to 1 life, but i managed to win several matches in a row mostly because of this little guy. I like the new Spellheart Chimera too
SnackyNorph
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Oh, the Fiend. You've been with me for so long. Finally, I've been able to give you a home, though. I brought your pals Reckless Charge and Assault Strobe with. Your friends Simian Spirit Guide and Lotus Petal will get you on your feet. You also have an attorney, Shadow Rift to find yourself a few loopholes. You're coming with me to Pauper, and you'll get a de-luxe turn 1 apartment in the sky.
Silence9
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
One of my favorite Red creatures. Huge pumps for doing something you're doing anyway? Sweet. Plus that art is sick...
Comments (78)
Also, it's strictly better than Storm Crow.
@muthfootball: **** yes it does!
Best two combos for me so far:
Staggershock - Hit for 6 with just one of them on the field
Wrap in Flames - knock out enemy blockers and then run in for big damage.
Hugely versatile, and the 1/2 body keeps him from getting killed by small hits.
5/5
Great card 4.5/5.
My next draw: Evolution Charm. I just rolled my eyes.
Fantastic in any aggro/burn deck. Great common, Wizards.
Unfortunately lacks Geopede's awesome first strike, which would make this guy five stars for sure.
People are talking about Lava Dart, Fatal Frenzy and Distortion Strike - but remember - a dead fiend equals to zero damage. I made my Kiln Fiend deck UBR for this exact purpose, and also because of Dark Confidant.
Kiln fiend + staggershock + distortion strike is 20 damage if left unmolested.
turn 1: Mountain
turn 2: Island, Kiln Fiend
turn 3: Island, 2 Distortion Strike, 1 Kindled Fury
turn 4: Island, Distortionstrike comes back in
Here is a video on YouTube I made:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk0Td6_ZOmc
My opponent had a Last Gasp, but no black mana.
Edit: I run this thing in my land destruction deck, and it is VICIOUS.
=)
1. Hedron Crab
2. Kiln Fiend
3. Gomazoa
This guy goes so well in my Psychonauts deck.
Kiln Fiend + Distortion Strike + @ssault Strobe* + Bull Rush = Swing for 26 unblockable as early as turn three. I can't think of a more damaging combo that early in the game using only commons. o_o
Could it be... that Bull Rush is actually useful? Nah, it isn't really needed at all (obviously Brute Force is better, but it's not Standard legal), but it helps beat the game a turn earlier. Distortion Strike's Rebound effect will still seal the victory at turn 4.
*@ssault Strobe is a preview card in Scars in Mirrodin that grants target creature Double Strike for
Turn 2: Mountain, Kiln Fiend.
Turn 3: Mountain, Bolt/Burst Lightning, Bolt/Burst Lightning (Eliminating potential blockers), Assault Strobe. Swing for 20.
Excellent for aggressive red decks in standard.
So in case your worried about having your fiend removed or killed then just wait patiently in the corner till turn 5 when you could (w proper mana) play kiln fiend and use reckless charge, distortion strike, and assault strobe on him and instantly swing for 26 unblockable.
T3 Assault strobe, Distortion strike, Lightning bolt, swing for 22 unblockable.
I never get tired of that. :)
nice pure red combo for standard
turn 1, mountain
turn 2, mountain, kiln fiend
turn 3, lightning bolt a defender, lightning bolt (or other 1 mana removal/damage) another defender,assault strobe on kiln fiend.
attack for 20 damage.
funzies.
Turn 2: Kiln Fiend
Turn 3: 3 lightning bolts at opponent's face + swing for 10. Opponent plays Doom Blade on your Kiln Fiend.
Your opponent still takes 9 damage, but now you're down to 3-4 cards in your hand, and you lose all board position and you're committed to aiming everything at your opponent's life total. Not horrible if he's at 11 and you're holding, for instance, a Koth of the Hammer, but not an ideal condition either.
I think Kiln Fiend is the 6th best creature for RDW in standard right now, behind (in order) Goblin Guide, Ember Hauler, Spikeshot Elder, Kargan Dragonlord, and Plated Geopede (if you have fetchlands)
Just be careful that you don't overextend.
I'll add another.
Turn 3: Assault Strobe, Tainted Strike.
Gitaxian Probe
Mental Misstep
Marrow Shards
Dismember
Postmortem Lunge
Surgical Extraction
Gut Shot
Corrosive Gale
Mutagenic Growth
Noxious Revival
Apostle's Blessing
Needless to say, he is an auto-include from now on.
And you really just should not care one little bit. Kiln Fiend is awesome. The Phyrexian cycle is pure insanity on him, and anyone who can still enjoy him in a Standard environment with these cards, should. Heck, you can put your Fiend out of Bolt Range with Mutagenic Growth, fight bouncing and removal with Apostle's Blessing, and check if the way is clear to swing through with Gitaxian Probe.
All the people posting their turn 1, 2, 3 win combos may be in Magical Christmas Land, but everybody wants to live the dream - and with Kiln Fiend - It's more likely then you think.
I have a couple of 'favorite things to do' in magic. One of them is searing blaze -> attack with kiln fiend.
well I got him up to being 13/2 with double strike using assault strobe so I swing at him he flashed in Deceiver Exarch and blocked him. so after Combat I used fling on Kiln Fiend (me 12 / him 15) He then started to get ***ed whille gathering his cards of the table for the next game. I then tried to tell him Fling doesnt give kiln the buff he then replied he replied by ask a judge the judge said he did. so I just wanna get a second opinion.
Does Kiln Fiend get the Buff from Fling?
Fling costs mana 'in addition to sacrificing a creature'.
That means it'd be dead before the ability was actually cast.
Turn 1:
Island (for countering your opponents nasties)
Turn 2:
Mountain, Kiln Fiend
Turn 3:
Mountain, Assault Strobe, Bull Rush, Distortion Strike, Swing for the win. Thanks go to friend of mine.
Being rewarded for playing your spells is just a great feeling; I'm a guy who likes to be casting stuff and swinging with stuff, and this is my little mascot. My personal favorite play is Reckless Charge, Assault Strobe, and Giant Growth -- swinging for 20 on turn three is fantastic, and more likely than you think.
Oh, and please stop posting the T3 win combos over and over again. We're all PAINFULLY aware of them. :-/
Pairs nicely with Chandra's Spitfire and Arc Lightning. Spread the damage and trigger both card's +3/+0 pump.
Best swing so far was on turn four with one Fiend out, two islands and two mountains in play and I cast an Artful Dodge and played it again for it's flashback cost targeting my same guy, then played Assault Strobe and then Galvanic Blast for four instant/sorceries and hit for 26 unblockable. I underestimated this card for too long. It's a badass.
Oh and also:
Turn 1: Mountain, Lotus Petal, Kiln Fiend
Turn 2: Mountain, Assault Strobe, Brute Force, swing for 20.
Play and flashback a Artful Dodge to get two unblockable 7/2s attacking.
No more T3 win combos? Guess I'll have to post T1 win combos that are very unlikely to happen, then.
Turn 1: Mountain, Black Lotus (3 Red), Black Lotus (3 Black),Kiln Fiend, Assault Strobe, Burst of Speed, Phyresis, swing for 14 infect.
Or
Turn 1: Mountain, Black Lotus (4 Red), Kiln Fiend, Assault Strobe, Burst of Speed, Mutagenic Growth, swing for 26.
This is one of those guys who honestly wouldn't surprise em as a mythic. He's so powerful, has so many options, and is so elegant while being efficiently costed. Beauty.
I just found this card playing duels of the planeswalkers 2014. it may take some hard math sometimes and me down to 1 life, but i managed to win several matches in a row mostly because of this little guy. I like the new Spellheart Chimera too