Aether Flash MTG Card


Deals 2 damage to creatures upon entry, disrupting creature-centric tactics and maintaining board control. Encourages deckbuilding with creatures of higher toughness or non-creature-based strategies to circumvent Aether Flash’s effects. Features in red-focused decks, its static damaging ability poses a constant threat, shaping your opponent’s play.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

Whenever any creature comes into play, Æther Flash deals 2 damage to that creature.

"You can't get there from here. Well, you *can*—it just won't be fun." —Ertai, wizard adept


Cards like Aether Flash

Aether Flash is a unique element of Magic: The Gathering, providing a persistent threat to creatures entering the battlefield. It’s comparative to cards like Circle of Flame or Pyrostatic Pillar, which also address creatures or spell casts with damage. Aether Flash, however, stands alone in automatically doling out damage to all creatures that come into play.

Electrickery is another card that comes to mind. It’s tactical in its ability to damage multiple creatures, but unlike Aether Flash, it’s a one-time use spell dealing damage on command. It lacks the deterrent effect that Aether Flash maintains throughout the game. Then we have cards like Burning Earth or Manabarbs, which share the passive damage-dealing trait, yet they target the land’s mana abilities rather than creature presence.

In sum, while each card has its niche in the environment of red damage-based control strategies, Aether Flash’s consistent area-of-effect damage provides a particular advantage in scenarios brimming with creature plays. This sets it apart and can shape the dynamics of the battlefield in ways that few other cards can match in Magic: The Gathering.

Circle of Flame - MTG Card versions
Pyrostatic Pillar - MTG Card versions
Electrickery - MTG Card versions
Burning Earth - MTG Card versions
Manabarbs - MTG Card versions
Circle of Flame - MTG Card versions
Pyrostatic Pillar - MTG Card versions
Electrickery - MTG Card versions
Burning Earth - MTG Card versions
Manabarbs - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Aether Flash by color, type and mana cost

Manabarbs - MTG Card versions
Orcish Oriflamme - MTG Card versions
An-Zerrin Ruins - MTG Card versions
Lightning Cloud - MTG Card versions
Heart of Bogardan - MTG Card versions
Furnace of Rath - MTG Card versions
No Quarter - MTG Card versions
Shiv's Embrace - MTG Card versions
Antagonism - MTG Card versions
Pyromancy - MTG Card versions
Close Quarters - MTG Card versions
Collapsing Borders - MTG Card versions
Stand or Fall - MTG Card versions
Impulsive Maneuvers - MTG Card versions
Stensia Uprising - MTG Card versions
Magmatic Core - MTG Card versions
Pyrohemia - MTG Card versions
Uncontrollable Anger - MTG Card versions
Elemental Mastery - MTG Card versions
Splinter Twin - MTG Card versions
Manabarbs - MTG Card versions
Orcish Oriflamme - MTG Card versions
An-Zerrin Ruins - MTG Card versions
Lightning Cloud - MTG Card versions
Heart of Bogardan - MTG Card versions
Furnace of Rath - MTG Card versions
No Quarter - MTG Card versions
Shiv's Embrace - MTG Card versions
Antagonism - MTG Card versions
Pyromancy - MTG Card versions
Close Quarters - MTG Card versions
Collapsing Borders - MTG Card versions
Stand or Fall - MTG Card versions
Impulsive Maneuvers - MTG Card versions
Stensia Uprising - MTG Card versions
Magmatic Core - MTG Card versions
Pyrohemia - MTG Card versions
Uncontrollable Anger - MTG Card versions
Elemental Mastery - MTG Card versions
Splinter Twin - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Aether Flash. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Oath of DruidsOath of Druids VintageOath of Druids2023 NA Vintage Champs

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Aether Flash is a powerhouse for dismantling creature-dependent strategies, offering a continuous effect that can yield significant card advantage. With its ability to potentially destroy multiple creatures over the course of a game, Aether Flash ensures that you maintain a board state that’s advantageous to you while disrupting your opponent’s plans.

Resource Acceleration: While Aether Flash itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it synergizes well with cards that capitalize on creature death. This can speed up your strategy, as each creature that meets its demise due to Aether Flash could potentially trigger abilities that provide you with extra mana or other resources.

Instant Speed: The beauty of Aether Flash lies in its ability to affect the board the moment it hits the field, similar to instant speed spells. This enchantment disrupts your adversaries even outside your turn, creating a perilous environment for all creatures that dare enter the battlefield under its watchful presence. It shifts the dynamics of the game, forcing opponents to reconsider their plays or risk losing key components of their strategy instantly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Aether Flash doesn’t require discarding as a casting cost, the requirement to have it on the field potentially limits your hand, as you may hold onto creatures that you can no longer safely cast without losing them instantly to its effect.

Specific Mana Cost: Aether Flash demands a commitment of both red and generic mana, which may not align seamlessly with multicolor decks that rely on a diverse mana base, restricting its inclusion to primarily red or red-heavy decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring four mana to play, Aether Flash can be quite costly considering that by the time you have the necessary resources, the board state might no longer be as susceptible to its creature-damaging ability, especially when faster, lower-cost options could be more impactful during earlier turns.


Reasons to Include Aether Flash in Your Collection

Versatility: Aether Flash is a unique enchantment that can be slotted into a wide array of red-based decks. Its ability to deal damage to new creatures entering the battlefield can serve as both a deterrent and a removal tool, making it adaptable to various playstyles.

Combo Potential: This card shines in decks that exploit its ability to damage creatures. Combine it with damage doublers or use it to control the board while you set up for a game-winning combo. It’s a catalyst for intricate interactions that can turn the tide of a game.

Meta-Relevance: Especially useful in metas swarming with creature-heavy strategies, Aether Flash can effectively suppress opponents’ aggressive starts. In a game state where token generation or low-cost creature decks are prevalent, it acts as a functional countermeasure to keep your adversaries at bay.


How to Beat Aether Flash

Aether Flash is an enchantment that can pose quite the challenge to players who favor creature-heavy strategies. Upon entering the battlefield, it deals 2 damage to every creature that comes into play. This can swiftly turn into a nightmare for decks that thrive on small or rapidly summoned creatures.

To effectively counter this card, one could look into using creatures with toughness greater than 2. This way, even after the initial 2 damage from Aether Flash, your creatures would still survive. Another strategy involves cards that can remove enchantments from the battlefield, such as Disenchant or Naturalize. These can directly target Aether Flash and efficiently remove the threat it imposes.

Additionally, strategies that revolve around indirect damage or spells that don’t rely on creatures, also known as burn or control decks, may bypass the detrimental effects of Aether Flash. By focusing on spells that deal damage directly to the opponent or by using non-creature spells to control the game, you can ignore Aether Flash’s condition and press on without hesitation.

Ultimately, while Aether Flash can seem daunting at first glance, knowing the right strategy can turn the tide in your favor. By adjusting your gameplay to incorporate more resilient creatures, employing enchantment removal, or shifting to a non-creature-focused deck, Aether Flash can be overcome with a well-thought-out game plan.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG involves adapting to dynamic game states and making clever choices about your deck’s composition. Aether Flash can enhance your board control in creature-intensive metas, giving you the edge you need over opponents. Its ability to complement diverse strategies by synergizing with damage-enhancing effects or serving as a combo enabler makes it a versatile addition to red-themed decks. However, to unlock its true potential and mitigate its drawbacks, it’s important to balance your deck accordingly and explore other powerful alternatives. For more insights on optimizing Aether Flash’s impact and integrating it into your winning strategy, join us and expand your MTG skills.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Aether Flash MTG card by a specific set like Weatherlight and Classic Sixth Edition, 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 Aether Flash and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Aether Flash Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1997-06-09 and 2001-04-11. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-06-09WeatherlightWTH 881997NormalBlackRon Spencer
21999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 1631997NormalWhiteRon Spencer
32001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 1721997NormalWhiteWayne England
42001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 172★1997NormalBlackWayne England

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Aether Flash has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Aether Flash card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2004-10-04 This is not a targeted ability, so it deals damage to creatures that can’t be targeted by spells and abilities.
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.