Firemind's Research MTG Card


Firemind’s Research grants card advantage and instant-speed interaction, essential for outpacing opponents. The enchantment requires specific mana and a discard, potentially limiting its versatility. Despite the costs, its strategic value in spell-slinger decks makes it a must-have.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, put a charge counter on Firemind's Research. , Remove two charge counters from Firemind's Research: Draw a card. , Remove five charge counters from Firemind's Research: It deals 5 damage to any target.


Cards like Firemind's Research

Firemind’s Research stands out in the arena of incremental value cards in Magic: The Gathering. It parallels with enchantments such as Sphinx’s Tutelage, where both focus on drawing cards to trigger abilities. However, Firemind’s Research brings flexibility to the table, offering the ability to remove counters to deal direct damage or draw more cards, unlike the milling strategy promoted by Sphinx’s Tutelage.

Another similar card to consider is Niv-Mizzet, Parun, showcasing synergy with casting spells to draw cards and deal damage. While Niv-Mizzet, Parun exemplifies these abilities in creature form and requires no counters, Firemind’s Research provides enduring value on the battlefield separate from a creature presence. We also look at Guttersnipe, which deals damage upon casting spells but lacks the card-draw component that makes Firemind’s Research a versatile threat.

Assessing the strategic benefits and gameplay impact, Firemind’s Research offers an adaptive edge in decks that favor spellslinging, rewarding players not just with knowledge, but with a breadth of tactical options. It is this adaptability that allows it to hold its place in a spellcaster’s arsenal, providing a continuous source of advantage over the course of a game.

Sphinx's Tutelage - MTG Card versions
Niv-Mizzet, Parun - MTG Card versions
Guttersnipe - MTG Card versions
Sphinx's Tutelage - MTG Card versions
Niv-Mizzet, Parun - MTG Card versions
Guttersnipe - MTG Card versions

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Is key in outmaneuvering your opponent and Firemind’s Research facilitates this by granting you access to additional cards, bolstering your hand and options on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: This card efficiently turns your accumulated knowledge counters into fuel for your spells, effectively speeding up your mana curve and letting you play higher-cost cards earlier than usual.

Instant Speed: The ability to draw cards or deal damage at instant speed gives you the flexibility to respond to your opponents’ moves on the fly, or simply enhance your board state at the most opportune time.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To activate one of Firemind’s Research’s abilities, you’re required to part with a precious card from your hand, leaving you with fewer options both in your hand and on the battlefield. This can be a costly setback, particularly if you’re struggling to maintain card advantage against your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: The initial casting cost of Firemind’s Research demands both blue and red mana. For players not running an Izzet deck or lacking color flexibility, this requirement can be too restrictive, reducing the card’s versatility in a variety of deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For an enchantment that doesn’t impact the board immediately, its casting cost is on the steep side, requiring a significant investment before it starts to pay off. There are alternative draw engines or direct damage spells available at a lower mana cost that can affect the game state as soon as they’re played.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Firemind’s Research allows for a flexible approach in spell-slinger decks, providing a consistent source of card draw or damage output depending on the situation at hand.

Combo Potential: This enchantment can accumulate knowledge counters quickly in the right deck, facilitating game-ending combos by drawing into your win conditions or by dealing significant damage to opponents.

Meta-Relevance: With decks that focus on casting numerous instants and sorceries, Firemind’s Research remains a relevant addition, thriving in environments saturated with spell-based strategies.


How to Beat

Firemind’s Research is a unique enchantment in MTG that allows a player to accumulate knowledge counters and convert them into card draw or direct damage. This ability to both fuel your hand and control the board makes it a versatile threat that requires a distinct strategy to overcome.

To efficiently tackle Firemind’s Research, prioritizing enchantment removal spells is key. Cards like Disenchant or Naturalize offer a straightforward solution by removing it directly from the battlefield. Additionally, running counterspells gives you the opportunity to prevent the enchantment from ever taking effect, with options such as Negate being particularly effective.

Alternatively, considering a more aggressive strategy can pay off. By applying constant pressure, you can force your opponent to use their mana defensively, thereby limiting their ability to invest in Firemind’s Research. A swift tempo can often outpace the value generated by this enchantment, rendering it less impactful. In essence, a well-timed removal spell or a pressuring game plan are both effective paths towards dismantling the advantages offered by Firemind’s Research in your MTG matches.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring MTG’s vast universe, we constantly discover cards like Firemind’s Research that shape the game’s dynamic meta. Recognizing the pros such as card advantage and combo potential, it’s clear this card is a powerhouse in spell-slinger decks. While aware of its cons, including the specific mana need and initial setup cost, its versatility can’t be overlooked. For those looking to add strategic depth to their deck or harness the flexibility of Firemind’s Research, delve deeper with us. Enhance your MTG sessions by incorporating and mastering this multifaceted card. Learn more about optimizing your deck with our insights.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Firemind's Research MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and MTG Arena 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 Firemind's Research and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Firemind's Research Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2018-07-14 and 2018-10-05. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 699492015NormalBlackRobbie Trevino
22018-07-14MTG Arena PromosPANA 52015NormalBlackRobbie Trevino
32018-10-05Guilds of RavnicaGRN 1712015NormalBlackGrzegorz Rutkowski
42018-10-05Guilds of Ravnica PromosPGRN 1712015NormalBlackRobbie Trevino
52018-10-05Guilds of Ravnica PromosPGRN 171s2015NormalBlackGrzegorz Rutkowski

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Firemind's Research 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 Firemind's Research card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2018-10-05 The triggered ability of Firemind’s Research resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered.