Flamekin Harbinger MTG Card


Flamekin Harbinger is a tutor card, prepping future plays by selecting specific Elemental creatures. Though it requires a card discard, its ability greatly refines deck consistency and strategy. The card’s specific red mana cost could limit deck building but enhances Elemental strategies.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Elemental Shaman
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

When Flamekin Harbinger comes into play, you may search your library for an Elemental card, reveal it, then shuffle your library and put that card on top of it.


Cards like Flamekin Harbinger

Flamekin Harbinger is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering, serving as part of the intriguing toolbox of cards that tailor deck construction. Situated within the Elemental tribe, it echoes the functionality of cards like Fauna Shaman, allowing players to streamline their game plan by searching for specific pieces. Where Fauna Shaman requires an active ability to search for creatures, Flamekin Harbinger does so immediately upon entering the battlefield, though it is limited to Elementals.

Another card with a similar role is Goblin Matron, which tutors goblins specifically to your hand. Both cards share a dedication to tribe-specific tutoring but vary in their tribal allegiance. The Harbinger is steadfast in guiding players toward powerful Elemental synergies as it sets the stage from turn one. Woodland Bellower, a larger creature, also offers a form of tutoring upon entering the battlefield. However, the Bellower fetches nonlegendary green creatures, potentially ringing in a wider but less specialized set of allies compared to Flamekin Harbinger’s focused approach.

In essence, although Flamekin Harbinger finds itself in a niche of tribal tutoring creatures within Magic: The Gathering, its early game potential and precise tribal search does give it a distinct and advantageous position when cultivating a strategy centered around Elementals.

Fauna Shaman - MTG Card versions
Goblin Matron - MTG Card versions
Woodland Bellower - MTG Card versions
Fauna Shaman - MTG Card versions
Goblin Matron - MTG Card versions
Woodland Bellower - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Flamekin Harbinger by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Balloon Brigade - MTG Card versions
Mons's Goblin Raiders - MTG Card versions
Hurr Jackal - MTG Card versions
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Primordial Ooze - MTG Card versions
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Goblin Swine-Rider - MTG Card versions
Orcish Conscripts - MTG Card versions
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Jackal Pup - MTG Card versions
Mogg Fanatic - MTG Card versions
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Branded Brawlers - MTG Card versions
Scarred Puma - MTG Card versions
Grim Lavamancer - MTG Card versions
Enslaved Dwarf - MTG Card versions
Kessig Wolfrider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Guide - MTG Card versions
Goblin Balloon Brigade - MTG Card versions
Mons's Goblin Raiders - MTG Card versions
Hurr Jackal - MTG Card versions
Goblin Digging Team - MTG Card versions
Primordial Ooze - MTG Card versions
Goblin Artisans - MTG Card versions
Gorilla Shaman - MTG Card versions
Goblin Swine-Rider - MTG Card versions
Orcish Conscripts - MTG Card versions
Mountain Goat - MTG Card versions
Roc Hatchling - MTG Card versions
Jackal Pup - MTG Card versions
Mogg Fanatic - MTG Card versions
Flailing Soldier - MTG Card versions
Branded Brawlers - MTG Card versions
Scarred Puma - MTG Card versions
Grim Lavamancer - MTG Card versions
Enslaved Dwarf - MTG Card versions
Kessig Wolfrider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Guide - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Gruul ShamansGruul Shamans ModernShamansANZ Super Series Cycle 5 Regional Championship
Four-color ElementalsFour-color Elementals ModernElementals#3 Last Chance Qualifier: Modern
ElementalsElementals ModernElementalsModern Challenge 96 2023-12-17
Five-color ElementalsFive-color Elementals ModernElementalsLegacy European Championship Ghent
SkelementalsSkelementals ModernSkelementalsModern Preliminary 2024-01-12

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Acting as a reliable tutor, Flamekin Harbinger lets you search your library for a specific Elemental creature card, thus effectively increasing your hand options and preparing future plays.

Resource Acceleration: By ensuring you draw into your key Elemental creatures more consistently, Flamekin Harbinger optimizes your deck’s flow and accelerates your resource allocation by allowing you to plan your moves with more precision.

Instant Speed: While Flamekin Harbinger doesn’t operate at instant speed, the fact that it sets up your next draw can indirectly give you an advantage much like an instant. It allows for strategic planning, letting you adapt to board states more fluidly in subsequent turns.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Flamekin Harbinger offers a powerful tutoring effect for Elemental creatures, it does not come without a drawback. Players must be prepared to discard a card to capitalize on this effect, a requirement that might not always align with your hand’s content, especially if key cards are crucial for your strategy progression.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Flamekin Harbinger is specifically red, which inherently limits its inclusion to decks that can produce red mana. This requirement can restrict deck diversity and may require mana base adjustments to accommodate the inclusion of such card without causing inconsistencies in gameplay.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although the mana cost of Flamekin Harbinger is not excessively high, in the realm of modern competitive play, the investment of one red and one generic mana could be considered steep for its tutoring effect. Other cards in the game offer similar or broader search capabilities at a lower cost or with added benefits, making the Flamekin Harbinger’s positioning in a deck somewhat contested by more mana-efficient options.


Reasons to Include Flamekin Harbinger in Your Collection

Versatility: Flamekin Harbinger serves as a key piece in setups focusing on Elementals or multicolored decks. Its ability to search for a specific Elemental card and place it on top of your deck allows for strategic planning, ensuring that you draw the necessary components for your plays.

Combo Potential: This card shines when it comes to building combos with other Elemental cards. Its tutor effect can help you fetch game-ending threats or necessary combo pieces, refining your deck’s performance and consistency.

Meta-Relevance: With a dynamic gameplay environment, Flamekin Harbinger maintains relevance especially in formats where Elemental strategies are prevalent. Its low casting cost and strategic value can react efficiently to the ever-changing meta, giving your deck a sturdy foundation within the competitive scene.


How to beat

Encountering Flamekin Harbinger in a game of MTG often means your opponent is setting up a powerful elemental combo. This little creature’s ability to tutor an elemental card directly to the top of the library sets up their next draw with precision. Despite its utility, there are strategies you can employ to temper the threat it represents. Foremost, consider removal spells that can get it off the board before its ability triggers. Since it’s a 1/1 creature, simple spells like Shock or Fatal Push are effective and efficient options.

Counterspells are also your friend against tutors like Flamekin Harbinger. By countering the spell as it’s cast, you avoid dealing with whatever elemental would have been tutored. This proactively disrupts your opponent’s game plan. Additionally, hand disruption plays like Thoughtseize can extract key elemental threats from your opponent’s hand before they’re even drawn into play.

Undermining an opponent’s setup is crucial in MTG. With judicious spell use and a proactive approach, Flamekin Harbinger’s potential to catalyze a powerful play can be mitigated, keeping you in control of the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

The Flamekin Harbinger is a cornerstone for Elemental-themed strategies in MTG, seamlessly blending into decks that harness the raw energy of this tribe. As players scout for innovative ways to strengthen their deck’s consistency, cards like the Harbinger stand out for their ability to reliably fetch crucial pieces to the battlefield’s intricate puzzle. Whether you’re looking to forge an unstoppable combo or craft a surprise victory, including Flamekin Harbinger in your arsenal is a move worth considering. Dive deeper into the tactical depths of MTG and discover how this small yet potent card can ignite a chain reaction of game-changing plays. Embark on this journey with us, enhance your gameplay, and embrace the elemental power at your fingertips.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Flamekin Harbinger MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn and Planechase, 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 Flamekin Harbinger and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Flamekin Harbinger Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2007-10-12 and 2020-03-08. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-10-12LorwynLRW 1672003NormalBlackSteve Prescott
22009-09-04PlanechaseHOP 532003NormalBlackSteve Prescott
32019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 12552015NormalBorderlessYu Maeda
42020-03-08Mystery Booster Retail Edition FoilsFMB1 502003NormalBlackSteve Prescott
52020-09-26The ListPLST LRW-1672003NormalBlackSteve Prescott

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Flamekin Harbinger has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal