Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist MTG Card


Dual-faced nature enables Volatile Arsonist to adapt between damaging creatures and pressuring opponents directly. Strategic gameplay is enhanced, forcing opponents to alter their instant spell use due to its persistent menace. Requires careful mana planning and synergistic deck construction to unlock its full potential and manage its cost.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Human Werewolf
Abilities Daybound,Haste,Menace
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

Menace, haste Whenever Volatile Arsonist attacks, it deals 1 damage to each of up to one target creature, up to one target player, and/or up to one target planeswalker. Daybound (If a player casts no spells during their own turn, it becomes night next turn.)


Cards like Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist

In the realm of transformative creatures in Magic: The Gathering, Volatile Arsonist makes its mark as a dynamic force. It parallels the adaptability found in cards like Ravager Wurm, which also features a double-faced capability. While Volatile Arsonist highlights direct damage to multiple targets upon attacking, Ravager Wurm showcases versatility by offering a choice of creature fight mechanics or land destruction. Nevertheless, both are high-cost, impactful creatures.

Daybreak Ranger is another card that shares the night and day mechanic with Volatile Arsonist, providing a werewolf transformation that unleashes additional powers. Although not as aggressively statted, Daybreak Ranger offers a more controlled creature removal option in its nighttime form. Similarly, the recently popularized Reckless Stormseeker boasts werewolf lineage but emphasizes speed with its haste-giving ability post-transformation, differing from Volatile Arsonist’s area damage approach.

Volatile Arsonist holds a unique position as a high-impact card that presents a dual threat – as a creature that is formidable on its own and capable of dealing damage strategically across the board. This makes it an intriguing choice for players looking to add a fiery twist to their MTG decks.

Ravager Wurm - MTG Card versions
Ravager Wurm - MTG Card versions

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Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions
Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions
Covetous Dragon - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Volatile Arsonist has the ability to deal damage to any target upon attacking, potentially eliminating opposing creatures and paving the way for enhanced card advantage. This puts you in a strong position by potentially removing an opponent’s card from the board with each attack.

Resource Acceleration: When Volatile Arsonist transforms into Dire-Strain Anarchist, its damage output increases, indirectly contributing to resource acceleration. By pressuring life totals or clearing out blockers, you’re effectively hastening the game pace to your advantage.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Volatile Arsonist’s menace makes it a looming threat that opponents must consider at all times. This influences how they play their instant speed cards, potentially giving you a strategic edge as they are forced to play more conservatively or risk taking substantial damage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Volatile Arsonist necessitates a certain setup or sequence of plays to leverage its transformation into Dire-Strain Anarchist, which may demand discarding cards or other actions not always conducive to your game plan.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s cost requires both red and green mana, which could pose constraints in deck building and limit its inclusion to specific types of decks that can reliably generate both colors of mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of five, which includes a heavier red mana cost, Volatile Arsonist can be considered costly, potentially arriving on the battlefield later than other impactful creatures or spells that could have an immediate effect on the game’s outcome.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Volatile Arsonist offers a flexible role in your deck, functioning well as both an aggressive threat and a game-ending bomb. Its ability to switch from dealing damage to creatures to hitting opposing players makes it a valuable card in diverse game scenarios.

Combo Potential: With its damage-dealing transform ability, this card can seamlessly integrate into strategies focused on direct damage or “burn” effects. It amplifies the power of other cards that reward you for damaging opponents or their creatures.

Meta-Relevance: Given the card’s capacity to adapt to various board states and its power to quickly close out games, it remains a strong choice within the ever-evolving meta. Its presence in your collection ensures you have a robust option against a range of competitive decks.


How to Beat Volatile Arsonist

Volatile Arsonist is a powerhouse on the battlefield, commanding attention with its menace ability, making it a challenging creature to block. For players aiming to take it down, spot removal spells are an efficient solution. Cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can dispatch the Arsonist before its damage-dealing abilities trigger. Additionally, it’s crucial to manage the board effectively, keeping creatures back to handle the menace or using removal spells during earlier stages to prevent its transformation into Dire-Strain Anarchist.

Enchantment-based removal such as Pacifism or Bound in Gold can also neutralize Volatile Arsonist, though players need to be wary of red’s enchantment removal capabilities. Should the Arsonist flip into its nightbound form, the stakes rise as it gains the potential to inflict significant damage across multiple targets. In this scenario, board wipes like Day of Judgment become valuable, clearing out the threat alongside other problematic creatures your opponent controls.

Focusing on these strategies, from spot removal to strategic creature management, can ensure that Volatile Arsonist’s presence on the board is kept in check, maintaining a balanced game and leading you toward victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Volatile Arsonist continues to be an explosive addition to MTG decks, offering versatility and a substantial threat to opponents. Whether it’s the initial attack damage to multiple targets or its terrifying transformation into Dire-Strain Anarchist, this card brings heat to the battlefield. Embrace the strategic advantage it provides and consider how it fits into your deck construction and playstyle. With proper support and game plan, Volatile Arsonist can be a game-changer. Dive deeper into the potential of this fiery werewolf and optimize your strategy. Ready to harness the power of Volatile Arsonist? Enhance your MTG experience by learning more with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Innistrad: Crimson Vow, 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 Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Gabor Szikszai.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 953972015TransformBlackGabor Szikszai
22021-11-19Innistrad: Crimson VowVOW 3822015TransformBlackGabor Szikszai
32021-11-19Innistrad: Crimson VowVOW 1812015TransformBlackGabor Szikszai
42022-01-28Innistrad: Double FeatureDBL 4482015TransformBlackGabor Szikszai

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist has restrictions

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