Yeah, flavor text is a trap. Apparently a moat of water is much more effective at stopping attackers than one made of fire. Yet, i'll probably try to fit this into my Red Control Deck. Its concept is great, but it doesn't seem much effective in practice.
In other hand, if I could find a way of turning this into a creature so I can give it deathtouch...
Deco_y
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(7 votes)
Poor goblins.
They were tired of getting caught in Lightmine Field and tried to make their own.
http404error
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Ripped straight from Elements CCG (an homage to Magic, although with permanent damage).
Philip-BANG
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
It'll be fun to have more than one on the table.
I've previously toyed with a red and white defender based control deck but I might just go mono red when M12 launches. Cards like this and the new Chandra might make it an okay strategy.
don_miguel
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
white/red control???
kanguilla
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(4 votes)
In response to the flavor text: This Moat. They don't even have a choice to attack.
DlCK
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
combine with caltrops, token deck not so tough now, huh?
ThisisSakon
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
@Lash_of_Dragonbreath:
Liquimetal Coating it, then hit it with Tezzeret's second ability, and finally equip Basilisk Collar.
Sure, it makes you play Grixis colors, but why not?
Lavrant
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This is red's idea of a Circle of Protection. I love it.
I want to like this card. But if I'm building a constructed deck with any sort of red control, I'm struggling to see where I would fit this. Sideboard maybe against certain decks, but it's not enough of a lock to see play outside limited.
DeathDark
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
I cannot express my appreciation of this card's flavor (not the flavor text, but the flavor). Especially with the art.
Radagast
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Strange stuff - red control? Hey, why not - red did have some control cards back in the day (Manabarbs, Smoke, etc.) so I guess it could work.
Lyoncet
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
@Flavor Text: OK, let's wait until you hit $250 low end and then we'll talk about which is more effective. :p
Not many decks will want to run it, and on top of that there aren't many decks they'd run it against. Still, the fact that just one can shut down most (non-green/white) token strategies means it's hard to turn down. One can obliterate a Kuldotha deck if you can keep the Goblin Chieftains off the board (or even better, Shock them after they swing with all their 1/1s) and two will essentially make you immune to Vampires (at least the pre-rotation incarnation).
We'll have to see how the metagame shifts with M12 and post-rotation, but there's some good potential here. At the very least, it (along with Whipflare) softens the blow of losing Pyroclasm. And you can pull off some hilarious antics with Turn to Frog in UR.
Negated
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card shuts down Bloodghast HARD, and 2 out destroys any vampire strategy entirely. Combo with Gideon Jura or (if mono red) Rage Nimbus for combat hilarity.
TherealphatMatt
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
I had an army of twelve Saprolings, a few Gladecover Scouts, and a Jade Mage a while ago. My friend had this, Serra Angel, and seven life.
I won, but only because I naturalize'd the Circle of Flame. For a long time there was a hilarious Mexican stand-off which involved an angel running up to me and hacking my face off.
Artscrafter
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Death Pits of Rath is great with this card, but if you're not depending on creatures yourself, Humility is even better. (Cancels flying, indestructible and pro red.)
Been toying with the idea of making a creatureless red deck with this, Caltrops, Æther Flash, and Curse of the Nightly Hunt. Could be fun.
alphagprime
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Remember, this card is RED and RED is good at burns and instants. The real beauty here, I think, is in what your opponent doesn't know. Even if you opponent is holding an army of 3/3 golem, buffed myr, or whatever else tokens and know they can come across the Circle of Flame without losing any of their creatures what surprises might you be holding? With Leyline of Anticipation on the field Pyroclasm gains instant speed making a nasty trap. Or better yet if you are going all red Magma Phoenix and Lightning Bolt that sucker and give your opponent a really nasty surprise as all of his ground attackers take 4, his flyers take 3, and he takes 3 of his own!
As with most things red the awesomeness of the card is not in the card itself but what opportunities it can provide! And that is why red is my favorite!
EDIT: I forgot to mention that this is a two drop which should be sufficient to make any opponent hold back on whatever they thought they were going to do early on assuming you can get it out on turn two. And as someone mentioned earlier Turn to Frog and Diminish can turn your opponents buffed 16/16 whatever (assuming no shroud or hexproof) into cannon fodder!
roguepariah
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
My enemies emerge from the flames only to be greeted by my hounds.
A Flaming Death Pits deck is looking more and more appealing. Maybe throw in a Mogg Infestation or two.
I think for now, this would be a great counter to Invisible Stalker decks.
I think it doesn't target a creature, and it can also destroy all kinds of decks anyway. You playing with white humans, and you don't have Honor of the Pure out? HA!
It's also a great boost for First-Strikers (Blood Ogre is one that comes to mind, since they're in the same set).
I think this is an under-rated spell, as long as its ability doesn't count as targeting (and touches Hexproof stuff). If it does target, then it can just kiss my ass.
Wurmcaller
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I use this in my burn deck to keep weenies at bay while I gather mana and build up forces. Add one to three more and you can drop even more would-be invaders! Doesn't work as well against white and blue because they're so flier heavy, but against black it's great.
wadeby
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
It has been awhile since the last post but, people RTFC the quote is aske which type of moat is better: water or fire. It does not ask which card: moat or this one is better . That is why the quote has : in because : seperates a list from the the pharse. so those that say moat is better needs to finish there statement fire moat or water.
DarthParallax
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Vault of the Archangel + this = a much easier to buy and somewhat easier to break through (i.e. fairer gameplay) Moat. Definitely will be using in Kaalia >:D
Comments (32)
In other hand, if I could find a way of turning this into a creature so I can give it deathtouch...
They were tired of getting caught in Lightmine Field and tried to make their own.
I've previously toyed with a red and white defender based control deck but I might just go mono red when M12 launches. Cards like this and the new Chandra might make it an okay strategy.
Liquimetal Coating it, then hit it with Tezzeret's second ability, and finally equip Basilisk Collar.
Sure, it makes you play Grixis colors, but why not?
Also, who speaks with colons(:)?
OK, let's wait until you hit $250 low end and then we'll talk about which is more effective. :p
Not many decks will want to run it, and on top of that there aren't many decks they'd run it against. Still, the fact that just one can shut down most (non-green/white) token strategies means it's hard to turn down. One can obliterate a Kuldotha deck if you can keep the Goblin Chieftains off the board (or even better, Shock them after they swing with all their 1/1s) and two will essentially make you immune to Vampires (at least the pre-rotation incarnation).
We'll have to see how the metagame shifts with M12 and post-rotation, but there's some good potential here. At the very least, it (along with Whipflare) softens the blow of losing Pyroclasm. And you can pull off some hilarious antics with Turn to Frog in UR.
I won, but only because I naturalize'd the Circle of Flame. For a long time there was a hilarious Mexican stand-off which involved an angel running up to me and hacking my face off.
In Standard, this hoses Kuldotha Red and some white weenie builds (Tempered Steel and Honor of the Pure can give you trouble, but in their absence this hoses Elite Vanguard, Accorder Paladin and Porcelain Legionnaire, among others.) Could see some sideboard use if those get popular.
Question: would this fit in a Zur the Enchanter deck?
As with most things red the awesomeness of the card is not in the card itself but what opportunities it can provide! And that is why red is my favorite!
EDIT: I forgot to mention that this is a two drop which should be sufficient to make any opponent hold back on whatever they thought they were going to do early on assuming you can get it out on turn two. And as someone mentioned earlier Turn to Frog and Diminish can turn your opponents buffed 16/16 whatever (assuming no shroud or hexproof) into cannon fodder!
A Flaming Death Pits deck is looking more and more appealing. Maybe throw in a Mogg Infestation or two.
I think it doesn't target a creature, and it can also destroy all kinds of decks anyway. You playing with white humans, and you don't have Honor of the Pure out? HA!
It's also a great boost for First-Strikers (Blood Ogre is one that comes to mind, since they're in the same set).
I think this is an under-rated spell, as long as its ability doesn't count as targeting (and touches Hexproof stuff). If it does target, then it can just kiss my ass.
so those that say moat is better needs to finish there statement fire moat or water.