Pointed Discussion

What I would consider a "subtle" burn spell. Not obviously destructive but its really useful. Kill two 1/1's? a 2/2? A 1/1 and 1 damage to opponent? Or just straight 2 to opponent.. this thing can do it all. Plus, its an instant and you don't lose card advantage.

strictly worse then a laser creature

Versatile, fun and powerful. I always use four copies of this in any U/R deck. 5/5.

I like it. It's not overpowered (e.g. Tarmogoyf), but it's balanced. 4/5

i wonder why they errata'd the "any number of" to "one or two"...

TheDarkOne: It was updated to prevent people thinking they could target, say, eight of your opponent's creatures for 0 damage and two of them for 1 damage with a Cowardice in play.

ttian: I don't think "strictly worse" means what you think it means. If this was a Prodigal Pyromancer that was a 0/1 instead of 1/1, that would be strictly worse. This is an instant that splits damage, and is useful for combat tricks that your opponent won't see coming, unlike the 1/1 pinger that's in plain view across the table.

leo: Fire costs 1R. Single card draw plus minor benefit is U. The minor benefit in this case? You use one card, not two, for the same effect. Look, it's really hard to mash cards together and think that the costs become balanced. It doesn't happen. If it did, RR would buy you a double Lightning Bolt for 6 (or even Shock for 4). Thankfully, it does not.

This is actually deceptively useful, as Akatosh has said. The fact that it cantrips is brilliant, and you can often 2-for 1, taking out annoying utility creatures or tokens. A blue/red deck, it's going to be counter/burn heavy, and you want to keep your hand stocked. If you are making a U/R deck, make sure you have ways to either recurr your instants and sorceries, copy them to get more spell per card, or make sure your hand stays full with cards like this.

I think it's a decent spell. Getting rid of two cards without losing your own is where its gets epic. Three mana is worth it. I think it's good at least as a sideboard card against weenie decks.

I think it could have got away with UR, but 1UR is still fine

Why hello 1/1 token decks...

(2009/03/17)
I think this card should cost only UR:
Fire costs 1R and does the same damage
Whispers of the Muse draws a card, but has buyback
Even more, Ravnica block was quite aggro, so to give Izzet a better answer could have been a good idea...

However, a good card. Could be better, but it's ok... 4.5/5

Edit (2011/01/22):
Agreed with Latronis...
@DoctorKenneth: I agree with your point of view, but considered also that it's a multicolor card I think should have a discount for this. Moreover at could have been possible to copy with Izzet Guildmage, and easier with Djinn Illuminatus, probably without being broken, and arising the sinergy inside the guild...

Said this, it's solid and I liked it very much, and still love it!!!

Spectacular Art. And Kill Two Birds With One Stone And Have A Chance To Do It Again : )

How is this strictly worse than a laser creature?

Is this part of the Mortify/Putrefy/Wrecking Ball/Wreak Havoc... ect. cycle?

I'm trying to track down all of these cards, one from each guild.

The errata is simply for standardization of wording. It's almost redundant to say "any number of" when you really can only pick one or two. Other than that, it has no actual rules weight.

@MacBizzle: Wrecking Ball is a common, and shouldn't be part of the cycle, methinks. However, RnD has been known to do things like that.

Electrolyze with Jace's Erasure and Fire Servant in a red blue deck how is it not overpowered?

Quicken+Forked bolt :)

@iSlapTrees How often will you draw that exact combo when you need it? I, personally, would like to save my Quickens for things that are a little more unexpected... like Lobotomy.

Anyway, this is a good card; not a game changer or anything, but still really useful (burn utility?). And as observed, if it cost UR it would be prime, but even still it's a nice thing to have in your hand (and a good way to hose those Ball Lightnings.)

While the Izzet vs. Golgari duel decks were impressive, the Izzet deck feels just a bit incomplete without this gem. Between the Isochron Scepter, Kiln Fiends, Golgari Grave-Troll, and Life from the Loam, however, it's a small omission.

@MasterofEtherium, I think the art is really gimmicky. All they did was make some blue lightning arcs and some red lightning arcs and call it a blue-red card. The guy himself looks somewhat badass though.

The mechanics are reflective of that gimmick, except it's a really good card.

Instant speed cantrip forked bolt for only extra. Sounds like a good deal.