Fires of Invention is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
You can cast spells only during your turn and you can cast no more than two spells each turn. You may cast spells with mana value less than or equal to the number of lands you control without paying their mana costs.
Complete guide
Fires of Invention is a powerful red enchantment that completely alters the economy of a Magic: The Gathering game. By trading away the ability to cast spells on your opponent's turns, you gain the freedom to spend your mana on abilities while casting spells for free.
What It Does
Fires of Invention imposes two strict limits: you can only cast spells during your own turn, and you are capped at a maximum of two spells per turn. In exchange, as long as a spell's mana value is less than or equal to the number of lands you control, you can cast it without paying its mana cost. This effect counts all spells you cast in a turn, even those cast before Fires of Invention entered the battlefield.
Step-by-Step Resolution
First, the game checks how many spells you have already cast this turn; if it is two or more, you cannot cast another spell. Second, the game checks whose turn it is; if it is not yours, you cannot cast spells. Third, when you choose to cast a spell, you compare its mana value to the number of lands you currently control. If the mana value is lower or equal, you may choose to pay {0} instead of the mana cost. Finally, the spell is put onto the stack and counts toward your two-spell limit.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error is trying to cast a third spell after playing Fires of Invention itself. Because Fires of Invention is a spell, it counts as one of your two spells for the turn. Additionally, remember that while you can't cast spells on your opponent's turn, you can still activate abilities of permanents at any time. If you cast a spell with {X} in its cost for free, X must be zero. Lastly, you cannot use other alternative costs, like Flashback, if you are casting the spell for free via Fires of Invention.
When to Play It
This card shines in decks that possess 'mana sinks'—cards with activated abilities that require mana. Since your spells are free, all your lands remain untapped and ready to be used for abilities. It is also excellent in mid-range decks that want to play two high-impact threats in a single turn without needing ten or more lands to do so.
Interaction examples
Shared AnimosityIf you have four lands and cast Fires of Invention as your first spell, it resolves. You then have one spell remaining for the turn. Since Shared Animosity has a mana value of 3, which is less than your four lands, you can cast it immediately without paying any mana. You have now reached your two-spell limit.
Aggravated AssaultWith Fires of Invention on the battlefield and five lands, you can cast two creatures for free. Because you didn't spend any mana to cast those spells, all five of your lands are untapped. You can now spend five mana to activate Aggravated Assault, granting you an additional combat phase. Fires of Invention does not restrict activated abilities, allowing you to bypass the 'two spells' limit by using mana for effects instead.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Fires of Invention
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If a spell has
in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost.No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If an effect allows or instructs you to cast a spell during another player's turn, you can't do so. The restriction of Fires of Invention takes precedence over that permission. Similarly, if an effect allows or instructs you to cast a third spell during your turn, you can't do so.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
Fires of Invention doesn't impose any restrictions on playing lands or activating abilities.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
Fires of Invention will look at the entire turn to see if you've cast two spells yet that turn, even if Fires of Invention wasn't on the battlefield when those spells were cast. Notably, you can't cast Fires of Invention and then cast two more spells that turn; if Fires of Invention was your second (or third, or fourth) spell that turn, you can't cast another spell at all.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
If you cast a spell that was countered, it still counts as one of your two spells.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
You may choose to pay the mana cost or an alternative cost for spells you cast, even if their mana value is less than or equal to the number of lands you control.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #7· Wizards of the Coast
If you cast a card “without paying its mana cost,” you can't choose to cast it for any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs (such as that of Fling), you must pay those to cast the card.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #8· Wizards of the Coast
If an effect says that you may cast a card that you couldn't otherwise cast if you pay an alternative cost (such as the flashback keyword), you have to pay that alternative cost if you use that permission to cast the card. You can't choose to cast it but cast it without paying its mana cost.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #9· Wizards of the Coast
If you cast one card twice during a turn (such as by casting it as an Adventure and then casting it from exile as a creature), you've cast two spells.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
Commentaires
- Sois le premier à commenter cette carte.
Read next
Meta decks with Fires of Invention
