Torbran, Thane of Red Fell MTG Card


Torbran elevates red damage spells, adding significant impact and card advantage to your game. His presence optimizes resource use, boosting efficiency without extra mana or cards. The amplification of red instant spells with Torbran can turn tides in combat significantly.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Dwarf Noble
Power 2
Toughness 4

Text of card

If a red source you control would deal damage to an opponent or a permanent an opponent controls, it deals that much damage plus 2 instead.


Cards like Torbran, Thane of Red Fell

Exploring the vast landscape of cards within Magic: The Gathering, Torbran, Thane of Red Fell stands out as a unique commander for red-intensive decks. With a similar intention to enhance the potency of red deck strategies, we can look to cards like Embermaw Hellion. This creature also amplifies red damage but lacks the direct leadership role that Torbran occupies in a deck structure.

Comparably, we see Zo-Zu the Punisher, which also dishes out damage to opponents. However, Zo-Zu targets land plays rather than the broad range Torbran affects. While Zo-Zu can be exceptionally punishing in the right setup, Torbran’s consistent damage boost across all red sources can be more reliable in dishing out pain. Then there’s Furnace of Rath, doubling damage dealt, which mirrors the intensity of Torbran’s effect but at the cost of affecting all players’ damage, potentially backfiring on the controller.

Assessing the landscape of red enhancers, Torbran, Thane of Red Fell presents an aggressive and focused avenue for players to increase their damage output across the board, securing it as a cornerstone in decks emphasizing red damage spells and abilities.

Embermaw Hellion - MTG Card versions
Zo-Zu the Punisher - MTG Card versions
Furnace of Rath - MTG Card versions
Embermaw Hellion - MTG Card versions
Zo-Zu the Punisher - MTG Card versions
Furnace of Rath - MTG Card versions

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Crimson Manticore - MTG Card versions
Márton Stromgald - MTG Card versions
Reckless Embermage - MTG Card versions
Wildfire Emissary - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Giant - MTG Card versions
Rathi Dragon - MTG Card versions
Mogg Bombers - MTG Card versions
Warmonger - MTG Card versions
Bloodfire Kavu - MTG Card versions
Whipkeeper - MTG Card versions
Anger - MTG Card versions
Nalathni Dragon - MTG Card versions
Everquill Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Goblin Goon - MTG Card versions
Lesser Gargadon - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions
Ogre Taskmaster - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Red AggroMono-Red Aggro PioneerMono-Red AggroPioneer League 2024-02-07
Mono-Red Some Brand of CerealMono-Red Some Brand of Cereal GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024
Mono-red GoblinsMono-red Goblins PioneerMono-Red GoblinsReCQ - Pioneer - SCG CON Philadelphia - Friday - 1:30 pm (Bronze)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Torbran, Thane of Red Fell, adds exceptional value to red spells by effectively increasing the damage output. This means each card that deals damage becomes more impactful, effectively offering a form of card advantage through quality over quantity. With Torbran on the field, mundane red damage spells or abilities can often trade up, taking out larger creatures or closing games faster.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing additional mana or resources, Torbran’s ability to enhance red spells means you can achieve the effects usually requiring more mana or additional cards for damage amplification. This enables a swifter pace in games by making your existing resources, particularly damage-dealing spells and creatures, far more efficient.

Instant Speed: Although Torbran himself does not operate at instant speed, his constant effect on red damage spells significantly improves those played at instant speed. Red instants become more threatening, providing players with a potent way to surprise opponents by turning what would be minor threats into game-changing assets, whether it be during combat or in reaction to an opponent’s plays.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Torbran, Thane of Red Fell requires a mana arrangement with a heavy red element, demanding three red mana to cast. This makes it challenging to include in multi-color decks that may struggle to provide the necessary red mana consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including three that must be red, Torbran presents a substantial investment in the early to mid-game phases. There are other options within the red color that come into play faster or cost less, potentially offering a quicker impact on the game.

Discard Requirement: While Torbran, Thane of Red Fell does not have a discard requirement itself, playing high-cost cards like it could lead to a reduced hand size. This makes you more vulnerable to opponent’s discard strategies and may limit your options as the game progresses.


Reasons to Include Torbran Thane of Red Fell in Your Collection

Versatility: Torbran Thane of Red Fell adds significant power to any red-centric build. Whether you’re running an aggressive burn deck or a creature swarm strategy, Torbran ups the damage output, turning even modest pings into substantial burns.

Combo Potential: This Red Fell monarch works wonders with cards that deal damage across the board. Every incidental damage source is enhanced, making it a key piece in combos that can swiftly chip away at your opponents’ life totals, often turning the tides in your favor unexpectedly.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that leans heavily towards creature-based strategies or where life totals are a constant tug-of-war, Torbran becomes a linchpin. Its ability to escalate the impact of each damage point ensures that your red spells and abilities are working overtime, keeping you competitive and often ahead in the race to victory.


How to beat

Torbran, Thane of Red Fell, can be a formidable foe in Magic: The Gathering with its ability to amplify red damage spells and abilities. Tackling this dwarven powerhouse requires strategic planning and an understanding of its mechanics. Keeping removal spells handy is crucial. Instant-speed spells that can eliminate Torbran before it affects the board, such as Murderous Rider or Heartless Act, are essential in your deck.

It’s also wise to limit the number of creatures you deploy when facing a deck with Torbran. This strategy prevents giving your opponent a broad platform to amplify damage through Torbran’s ability. Instead, focusing on control elements or increasing your life total with cards like Revitalize can prove to be effective counters. Lifegain and damage prevention, with spells like The Wanderer, can negate the bonus damage and keep your health out of critical range.

Remember, dealing with Torbran, Thane of Red Fell, is all about timing and maintaining control. Prevent the damage amplification from swinging the game and focus on instant removal to keep the battlefield in your favor, and Torbran’s influence will be reduced significantly.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into MTG strategies, Torbran, Thane of Red Fell emerges as a powerful force in red decks, turning simple spells into devastating weapons. With Torbran, your regular damage spells and creatures transform into formidable threats, making every move count. Mastering this card means understanding its synergy with other red spells, proper timing, and deck construction to make the most of its potential. Ready to harness the power of Torbran and dominate your opponents with strategic plays and amplified spells? Dive deeper into the possibilities and ensure your deck is a red-hot path to victory with our insights. Learn more today and ascend to new heights in your MTG conquests.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Torbran, Thane of Red Fell MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine and Throne of Eldraine, 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 Torbran, Thane of Red Fell and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Torbran, Thane of Red Fell Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-10-04 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-10-04Throne of EldraineELD 3672015NormalBlackGrzegorz Rutkowski
22019-10-04Throne of EldraineELD 1472015NormalBlackGrzegorz Rutkowski
32019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 6782015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 4632015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Torbran, Thane of Red Fell has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-10-04 If another effect modifies how much damage your red source would deal, including preventing some of it, the player being dealt damage or the controller of the permanent being dealt damage chooses an order in which to apply those effects. If all of the damage is prevented, Torbran's effect no longer applies.
2019-10-04 If damage dealt by a source you control is being divided or assigned among multiple permanents an opponent controls or among an opponent and one or more permanents they control, divide the original amount before adding 2. For example, if you attack with a 5/5 red creature with trample and your opponent blocks with a 2/2 creature, you can assign 2 damage to the blocker and 3 damage to the defending player. These amounts are then modified to 4 and 5, respectively.
2019-10-04 The additional 2 damage is dealt by the same source as the original source of damage. The damage isn't dealt by Torbran unless Torbran is the original source of damage.