Circle of Flame MTG Card


Circle of Flame creates recurring battlefield defense, indirectly leading to card advantage over turns. Its continuous effect mimics instant speed reactions, deterring attacks without ongoing costs. The card’s versatility makes it a strategic addition in control and combo-oriented decks.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

Whenever a creature without flying attacks you or a planeswalker you control, Circle of Flame deals 1 damage to that creature.

"Which do you think is a better deterrent: a moat of water or one of fire?" —Chandra Nalaar


Cards like Circle of Flame

Circle of Flame is an intriguing defensive card for players seeking to protect themselves against multiple creature attacks in Magic: The Gathering. It shares a defensive nature with cards like AEtherize, which effectively clears away attacking creatures, though AEtherize does so in a single sweeping motion rather than deterring each attacker individually. Circle of Flame offers a more gradual defensive strategy by dealing damage every time a creature attacks.

In comparison, we can look at cards like Electrickery which also dishes out damage to multiple creatures. However, Electrickery can be used at instant speed, offering more flexibility than the enchantment-based Circle of Flame that remains on the battlefield. Conversely, Circle of Flame’s persistent presence can repeatedly deter small creature attacks, while Electrickery is a one-time effect.

Further comparison can be made with Pyroclasm, a spell that deals damage to all creatures with a one-time effect similar to Electrickery, but without targeting distinction. While Circle of Flame is selective, only triggering when creatures attack, Pyroclasm can be a more proactive measure by removing threats before they assault.

In essence, Circle of Flame occupies a specific role that combines deterrence with damage, offering players a unique method of controlling the pace of the game round after round.

Electrickery - MTG Card versions
Pyroclasm - MTG Card versions
Electrickery - MTG Card versions
Pyroclasm - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Circle of Flame by color, type and mana cost

Power Surge - MTG Card versions
Raging River - MTG Card versions
Smoke - MTG Card versions
Goblin Kites - MTG Card versions
The Brute - MTG Card versions
Giant Strength - MTG Card versions
Lightning Reflexes - MTG Card versions
Errantry - MTG Card versions
Goblin Festival - MTG Card versions
Scald - MTG Card versions
Cave Sense - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Surge - MTG Card versions
Maniacal Rage - MTG Card versions
Battle Strain - MTG Card versions
Goblin Bombardment - MTG Card versions
Underworld Breach - MTG Card versions
Lightning Rift - MTG Card versions
Fractured Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Fire Whip - MTG Card versions
Emblem of the Warmind - MTG Card versions
Power Surge - MTG Card versions
Raging River - MTG Card versions
Smoke - MTG Card versions
Goblin Kites - MTG Card versions
The Brute - MTG Card versions
Giant Strength - MTG Card versions
Lightning Reflexes - MTG Card versions
Errantry - MTG Card versions
Goblin Festival - MTG Card versions
Scald - MTG Card versions
Cave Sense - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Surge - MTG Card versions
Maniacal Rage - MTG Card versions
Battle Strain - MTG Card versions
Goblin Bombardment - MTG Card versions
Underworld Breach - MTG Card versions
Lightning Rift - MTG Card versions
Fractured Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Fire Whip - MTG Card versions
Emblem of the Warmind - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Circle of Flame can create a recurring effect on the battlefield that dissuades multiple creatures from assaulting your defenses. This passive defense mechanism allows a player to retain cards in hand that would otherwise be used to deal with attacking creatures, indirectly contributing to card advantage over several turns.

Resource Acceleration: While Circle of Flame itself does not directly accelerate resources, it can preserve the player’s life total and board state. By doing so, players can focus their mana and other resources on more game-winning strategies rather than spending them on spot removal or defending against a swarm of oncoming attackers.

Instant Speed: While Circle of Flame is an enchantment that functions at sorcery speed, its continuous effect on the board operates much like an instant during the opponent’s turn. It reacts instantly to each creature that dares to attack, dealing damage without requiring additional mana investment or actions from the player, thereby efficiently using the card’s initial investment each combat phase.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Circle of Flame doesn’t directly ask you to discard cards, it’s important to note that strategies built around this card might require supplementary discarding actions to maximize its efficiency. This can be a downside when your hand is already sparse.

Specific Mana Cost: The Circle of Flame comes with a specific mana cost that necessitates red mana, limiting its integration to decks that can produce red mana reliably or have a mana base tailored to include multiple colors effortlessly.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of two red mana and an additional two colorless mana, Circle of Flame’s investment is relatively steep for the impact it provides. In fast-paced games, players may find themselves hindered by the mana spent on this card that could have been allocated to more impactful spells or creatures.


Reasons to Include Circle of Flame in Your Collection

Versatility: Circle of Flame is a unique enchantment that can slip into multiple deck archetypes. It particularly shines in control or defensive strategies where preventing creatures from dealing damage to you is paramount.

Combo Potential: This card opens up various synergies, particularly with cards that prevent or redirect damage. It can become a powerful tool in a deck built around punishing opposing creature-based tactics.

Meta-Relevance: In environments heavy with aggressive, creature-focused decks, Circle of Flame can serve as a deterrent, altering the pace of the game in your favor by effectively warding off smaller creatures and token strategies.


How to beat

Circle of Flame is a unique card in the realm of Magic: The Gathering that prompts a strategic approach to overcome its defensive capabilities. When facing this enchantment, which deals damage to creatures attacking you, the key to victory often lies in utilizing non-creature spells or abilities. This can bypass the circle’s fiery barrier altogether, allowing you to target your opponent directly or remove the enchantment before committing your creatures to the attack.

Enhancing your creatures to surpass the 1 damage Circle of Flame can inflict ensures your creatures remain a threat. Spells and abilities that grant indestructibility or an increase in toughness help them survive the triggered ability. Alternatively, creatures with abilities like flying can prove invaluable, soaring over the circle’s influence and striking from the skies, unimpeded by its ground-based damage effect.

Ultimately, even a well-placed Circle of Flame can be rendered ineffective with the right combination of tactics and card choices, ensuring your creatures can advance and pressure your opponent while minimizing losses to this incendiary enchantment.


BurnMana Recommendations

Circle of Flame’s role in MTG is multifaceted, serving as both a deterrent and a control mechanism against aggressive strategies. Enhancing your collection with such a card can shift the dynamics of your matches, particularly in metas where swarm tactics prevail. Understanding when to leverage its power can mean the difference between victory and defeat. For players eager to harness the flame and build decks that stand the test of various assaults, Circle of Flame offers a persistent and intriguing avenue of defense. Delve deeper into its potential and discover related strategies with us, refining your arsenal for the battlefield ahead.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Circle of Flame MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and DCI Promos, 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 Circle of Flame and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Circle of Flame Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2006-01-02 and 2014-07-18. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 416482003NormalBlackJames Paick
22006-01-02DCI PromosPDCI 782003NormalBlackJames Paick
32011-07-15Magic 2012M12 1272003NormalBlackJaime Jones
42014-07-18Magic 2015M15 1352015NormalBlackJaime Jones

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Circle of Flame has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2014-07-18 Circle of Flame’s ability triggers only if a creature without flying is declared as an attacker during the declare attackers step. If a creature with flying attacks you or a planeswalker you control and then loses flying, or if a creature without flying is put onto the battlefield attacking you or a planeswalker you control, the ability won’t trigger.
2021-02-01 Circle of Flame is banned in Pauper (not just non-legal), due to a special case on MTGO: https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/news/january-21-2019-banned-and-restricted-announcement