Roast MTG Card


Roast provides card advantage by eliminating creatures, which helps maintain hand superiority in matches. While affordable at two mana and castable at sorcery speed, it does require discarding another card. It’s versatile and meta-relevant but limited to red decks and incapable of targeting flyers.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Roast deals 5 damage to target creature without flying.

"Intruders in the lands of Atarka have but two choices: be consumed by fire, or be consumed by maw." —Ulnok, Atarka shaman


Cards like Roast

In the realm of burn spells within Magic: The Gathering, the card Roast packs a significant punch. This spell allows players to deal five damage to a target creature without flying. In comparison, Flameslash is a similar card that delivers four damage, but it costs less mana. Although less powerful, the reduced cost makes it a flexible option early in the game.

Another spell echoing Roast’s objectives is Lava Coil. Dealing four damage and exiling the creature if it would die, Lava Coil removes threats permanently. However, Roast’s five-damage capability means it can handle larger threats. An additional spell to consider is Stoke the Flames, which offers versatility by targeting either a creature or a player and synergizes with the ‘convoke’ mechanic, potentially reducing its mana cost.

While Roast excels in eliminating hefty creatures, its limitation lies in only affecting those without flight. Each of these spells carves its niche within Magic: The Gathering based on players’ strategies and the specific demands of their decks, proving that Roast is just one of many formidable tools at a player’s disposal.

Lava Coil - MTG Card versions
Stoke the Flames - MTG Card versions
Lava Coil - MTG Card versions
Stoke the Flames - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Roast by color, type and mana cost

Scent of Cinder - MTG Card versions
Spitting Earth - MTG Card versions
Volcanic Hammer - MTG Card versions
Rolling Thunder - MTG Card versions
Fanning the Flames - MTG Card versions
Strategy, Schmategy - MTG Card versions
Disorder - MTG Card versions
Warrior's Oath - MTG Card versions
Last Chance - MTG Card versions
Tribal Flames - MTG Card versions
Breath of Darigaaz - MTG Card versions
Lava Blister - MTG Card versions
Pyroclasm - MTG Card versions
Incendiary Flow - MTG Card versions
Embereth Shieldbreaker // Battle Display - MTG Card versions
Nahiri's Lithoforming - MTG Card versions
Mizzium Mortars - MTG Card versions
Burning Wish - MTG Card versions
Recoup - MTG Card versions
Mana Seism - MTG Card versions
Scent of Cinder - MTG Card versions
Spitting Earth - MTG Card versions
Volcanic Hammer - MTG Card versions
Rolling Thunder - MTG Card versions
Fanning the Flames - MTG Card versions
Strategy, Schmategy - MTG Card versions
Disorder - MTG Card versions
Warrior's Oath - MTG Card versions
Last Chance - MTG Card versions
Tribal Flames - MTG Card versions
Breath of Darigaaz - MTG Card versions
Lava Blister - MTG Card versions
Pyroclasm - MTG Card versions
Incendiary Flow - MTG Card versions
Embereth Shieldbreaker // Battle Display - MTG Card versions
Nahiri's Lithoforming - MTG Card versions
Mizzium Mortars - MTG Card versions
Burning Wish - MTG Card versions
Recoup - MTG Card versions
Mana Seism - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Izzet ControlIzzet Control PioneerIzzet ControlPioneer Challenge 32 2024-03-10
Mono-Red AggroMono-Red Aggro PioneerMono-Red AggroPioneer Showcase Challenge 2024-01-07
Gruul VehiclesGruul Vehicles PioneerGruul AggroSat. 9:30 AM U.S. Regional Championship - Dreamhack Atlanta 2023

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Roast enables the removal of a key opposing creature without losing a card yourself, tipping the scales in your favor by indirectly contributing to your hand superiority.

Resource Acceleration: While Roast doesn’t directly enhance your mana pool, it efficiently utilizes available resources by only costing two mana. This cost-efficient removal keeps you on pace for developing your board while dealing with threats.

Instant Speed: This sorcery does its job at a crucial point in your turn, allowing you to strategically plan your plays and remove blockers or threats before they can impact the battlefield during your turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Roast demands you give up another card from your hand to cast, a significant setback when you’re scraping for every card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This spell’s red mana necessity confines it to red-inclusive deck builds, reducing its versatility across the diverse MTG landscape.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Roast’s five mana investment is hefty, especially when you could be deploying more impactful creatures or game-changing spells at that stage of a match.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Roast can be a valuable asset in any red deck’s arsenal given its ability to deal with formidable creatures. Its straightforward damage-dealing prowess can swiftly clear a path through large threats that can obstruct your winning strategy.

Combo Potential: Roast serves not just as removal but also plays well in decks that capitalize on spell-synergy or prowess triggers. It can be a key piece in sequences that turn removal into offensive momentum.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where tough creatures dominate, like Tarmogoyf or Siege Rhino, having Roast in your collection means you’re ready to face popular threats head-on, keeping your deck competitive and your board clear.


How to Beat

Roast is a powerful removal spell in the arsenal of red Magic: The Gathering decks, designed to eliminate substantial threats from the opponent’s battlefield. This efficient burn spell can deal five damage to target creature without flying, which makes it optimal against ground-based powerhouses that could otherwise swing the game. However, its limitation is also its weakness; creatures with flying or those with more than five toughness remain impervious to its fiery touch.

Countering Roast’s impact involves strategic deck building and gameplay adaptations. Emphasizing creatures with flying can render Roast useless as they soar over its blazing range. Additionally, incorporating creatures with indestructible or those that can regenerate, such as Troll Ascetic, negates the potential damage Roast could inflict. Bolstering your creatures beyond the five-damage threshold with spells like Giant Growth also helps in making them resilient against this red spell. Another effective tactic is to utilize instant-speed hexproof spells such as Blossoming Defense to protect a targeted creature when facing Roast.

Thus, by understanding Roast’s limitations and preparing your deck with these tactics, you can adeptly navigate around this spell and maintain your board presence, keeping your powerful creatures in the game and out of the burn zone.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Roast MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Dragons of Tarkir, 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 Roast and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Roast Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2015-03-27 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Zoltan Boros.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 582632015NormalBlackZoltan Boros
22015-03-27Dragons of TarkirDTK 1512015NormalBlackZoltan Boros
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 10422015NormalBlackZoltan Boros
42020-09-26The ListPLST DTK-1512015NormalBlackZoltan Boros

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Roast has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal