Angrath, the Flame-Chained MTG Card


Angrath’s discard abilities tilt card advantage in your favor, disrupting opponents while boosting your game position. His instant-speed loyalty abilities create immediate board impact, ideal for mid-game momentum shifts. Angrath’s specificity in mana and high cost can limit deck inclusion but also offers tailored strength.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Planeswalker — Angrath
Loyalty 4

Text of card

+1: Each opponent discards a card and loses 2 life. −3: Gain control of target creature until end of turn. Untap it. It gains haste until end of turn. Sacrifice it at the beginning of the next end step if it has converted mana cost 3 or less. −8: Each opponent loses life equal to the number of cards in his or her graveyard.


Cards like Angrath, the Flame-Chained

Angrath the Flame-Chained has a unique stance among planeswalker cards in MTG. When comparing it to cards like Chandra, Torch of Defiance, there is a definite contrast. While both are four mana cost planeswalkers bringing a range of abilities to the battlefield, Angrath’s focus is more on disrupting the opponent’s hand and field by forcing discard and controlling creatures temporarily. Chandra leans towards versatile direct damage and ramping up mana resources.

Ob Nixilis Reignited is another card that can be thrown into the comparison. Like Angrath, Ob Nixilis features a similar card advantage ability by drawing cards. However, Ob Nixilis’s life loss aspect upon drawing is a sharp contrast to Angrath’s capability to reduce the opponent’s options by discarding. Additionally, Liliana, Death’s Majesty provides a different approach by focusing on graveyard interaction, indicating a versatile variety of gameplay strategies offered within the black and red planeswalkers’ spectrum.

In evaluating similar MTG planeswalker cards, Angrath the Flame-Chained stands out with its aggressive approach focused on resource denial and control. The card’s unique blend of abilities makes it a worthy inclusion in any deck aiming to keep opponents off balance while providing consistent pressure.

Chandra, Torch of Defiance - MTG Card versions
Ob Nixilis Reignited - MTG Card versions
Liliana, Death's Majesty - MTG Card versions
Chandra, Torch of Defiance - MTG Card versions
Ob Nixilis Reignited - MTG Card versions
Liliana, Death's Majesty - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Angrath, the Flame-Chained. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Rakdos MidrangeRakdos Midrange PioneerRakdos MidrangeSat. 9:30 AM U.S. Regional Championship - Dreamhack Atlanta 2023
Mono-Black ControlMono-Black Control Explorer7V

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Angrath the Flame-Chained’s abilities can disrupt your opponent’s hand while also padding your own. The first and the ultimate abilities force your opponent to discard, which can often lead to advantageous trades and leave your adversary at a deficit. Moreover, his -3 ability potentially lets you benefit directly from your opponent’s creatures, granting you temporary control to swing a game in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Although Angrath does not directly create mana or treasure tokens, he does accelerate your resources by depriving your opponent of theirs. Each discarded card is a loss of potential resources for them, indirectly translating to a gain for you. This form of attrition can accelerate your position to a win if played wisely.

Instant Speed: While Angrath himself is a planeswalker and not an instant, his impact is immediate and versatile. Upon entering the battlefield, he can immediately affect the board state with his loyalty abilities. Plus, as a 5-cost planeswalker, he fits perfectly into a curve, where you can play him quickly and start influencing the game at a crucial mid-point.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Angrath the Flame-Chained’s abilities often force both the player and their opponent to discard cards. While this can disrupt your opponent, it can be a double-edged sword if you’re already behind in card advantage or if you’re compelled to discard a key piece from your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Deploying Angrath requires a specific combination of mana types, including both black and red. This makes it a card tailored for Rakdos or other decks that can consistently generate the necessary mana, potentially limiting its inclusion in a more diverse range of decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of five, including three generic and one of each black and red, Angrath the Flame-Chained may arrive on the battlefield later than other impactful planeswalkers or game-changing cards. In quicker formats or against aggressive decks, this may reduce its effectiveness, as the game might be decided before Angrath can influence the board state significantly.


Reasons to Include Angrath the Flame-Chained in Your Collection

Versatility: Angrath the Flame-Chained is a dynamic Planeswalker card that easily fits into various red and black deck archetypes. Its ability to disrupt opponents by forcing them to discard, along with dealing damage and stealing creatures, makes it a flexible tool for both aggressive and control-oriented strategies.

Combo Potential: With an ultimate that can cause a massive shift in board state, this card can work in tandem with sacrifice and discard mechanics to create powerful combos. Its minus ability synergizes particularly well with sacrifice outlets for both temporary creature control and permanent removal.

Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-evolving game environment, Angrath the Flame-Chained remains relevant, particularly in formats that value disruption and versatile threats. As the metagame shifts, this card can provide significant value against decks that rely on numerous cards in hand or large creature presence, thereby cementing its role in a diversified collection.


How to beat

Angrath the Flame-Chained is a powerful planeswalker card from the MTG universe that can disrupt your game with its ability to force opponents to discard cards and lose life. In order to effectively counteract Angrath’s influence in the game, you will need to employ a strategy that minimizes the impact of discarding cards and mitigates the direct life loss.

A proactive approach involves using hexproof creatures that are immune to Angrath’s minus ability. Additionally, save instant-speed removal or counterspells that can deal with Angrath the moment it hits the battlefield. This way, you prevent Angrath from impacting your game plan too much. Focus on maintaining card advantage to offset the discard effect and be vigilant about keeping a stable life total. Cards that gain you life or allow you to draw cards are especially valuable in this matchup.

Remember, a strategic defense against Angrath’s effect relies on a balanced approach of preparation, protection, and prompt response. By following these guidelines, you can turn the tide of battle to your favor and neutralize the disruptive force of Angrath the Flame-Chained.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the MTG realm where Angrath the Flame-Chained beckons those adept in disruption and control tactics. This fiery Planeswalker card stands as a paragon of Rakdos ingenuity, turning the tide of matches through strategic hand disruption and creature control. To wield Angrath effectively, it’s essential to understand his intricate synergy with discard and sacrifice strategies. Cultivating a deck that complements his abilities can transform this card from a mere participant to a dominating force on the battlefield. Enhance your MTG experience and join us to travel further down the path of strategic mastery with Angrath the Flame-Chained by your side.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Angrath, the Flame-Chained MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan and Secret Lair Drop, 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 Angrath, the Flame-Chained and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Angrath, the Flame-Chained Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2018-01-19 and 2021-01-25. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-01-19Rivals of IxalanRIX 1522015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
22019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 3982015NormalBorderlessUta Natsume
32021-01-25Year of the Ox 2021PL21 32015NormalBlack宋其金/Song Qijin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Angrath, the Flame-Chained has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-01-19 Angrath’s first ability causes each opponent to lose 2 life even if some or all of those players were unable to discard a card.
2018-01-19 In a Two-Headed Giant game, Angrath’s first ability causes the opposing team to lose 4 life, and each player on that team discards a card. His last ability causes the opposing team to lose life equal to the number of cards in both graveyards.
2018-01-19 Whether the target creature has mana value 3 or less is checked only as the delayed triggered ability from Angrath’s second ability resolves during the end step.
2018-01-19 You can target and gain control of an untapped creature with Angrath’s second ability. You can also untap a creature you already control and give it haste.