Can someone please explain to me how Firedrinker Satyr is good?
General forum
Posted on Feb. 13, 2018, 10:56 a.m. by S1ayerMonkey
Way back when Theros came out I got my first ever foil rare: Firedrinker Satyr. I've always wanted to use it in a deck, but I can't justify it because as long as it's blocked it damages me.
Is there a niche use (possibly from Theros) where this works well, or is it a junk rare?
Aftertherevolution says... #3
Hey check out the wincon on this edh deck http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/zedruu-gods-gifts/ Seems like using it with Mirrorweave then piling on the damage is good.
February 13, 2018 11:09 a.m.
It is a pretty mediocre card. There are vastly better one drops in red, such as Goblin Guide and Monastery Swiftspear. That does not mean Firedrinker is unplayable--mono red aggro is not overly concerned with its life total, as it seeks to win as quickly as possible. Having a 1 drop that can swing for a surprise amount of damage isn't terrible--it's just that there are vastly better cards out there.
That said, whenever I see an ability with a backfire provision, my first thought is "how do I break this?" I have not looked through the Gatherer, but I would not be surprised if there existed cards which allowed you to abuse this mechanic.
(Also, as an aside, if you gave him lifelink, you would negate the damage dealt. That might be something to consider if you want to break this card.)
February 13, 2018 11:14 a.m.
S1ayerMonkey,
Firedrinker Satyr was amazing at Pro Tour Origins but I haven't seen him much since then. Though he showed up in a RDW list a while ago at a small Modern tournament.
He was also tearing it up in 1v1 Commander for a while, as one of the 99 in Zurgo Bellstriker or Chandra, Fire of Kaladesh Flip decks.
Good luck (and skill) with your brew!
February 13, 2018 11:31 a.m. Edited.
S1ayerMonkey says... #6
huh, thanks everyone.
Seems like in most cases it's junk, but if it was used in protour i'm sure that I can somehow get some use out of it.
I'm considering making my next Commander deck a Gruul aggro with Ruric Thar, the Unbowed as the commander. Maybe I can find a use for it there.
Thanks again!
February 13, 2018 11:40 a.m.
brandonsperry25 says... #7
That is a perfect card to trade to your opponent with Zedruu the Greathearted and then hit it with Shivan Meteor.
February 13, 2018 12:22 p.m.
brandonsperry25 says... #8
You could also use Bazaar Trader to give it up. That way you can still run Ruric Thar. Just thought of that so sorry for the double post!
February 13, 2018 12:25 p.m.
So when Theros first came out, people were playing a Red Deck Wins list with mono mountains, Rakdos Cackler, Firedrinker Satyr, Ash Zealot, Boros Reckoner, and Fanatic of Mogis as a finisher. Beyond that, you had burn from Lightning Strike and Magma Jet.
The deck didn't care about taking damage because it was almost always attacking. Yes, there were games when the opponent played some decent blocker like Fleecemane Lion and now you could no longer attack into them, but you had burn and Fanatic of Mogis to provide you with a lot of reach in the late game.
In short, Firedrinker Satyr is not great. It was just an aggressively costed early game threat that was just good enough to see some play. That quickly disappeared off the face of the earth even in Standard once the format evolved.
February 13, 2018 4:41 p.m.
Check out https://www.mtggoldfish.com/articles/budget-magic-84-27-tix-modern-all-in-shaman
This deck is a blast to play and is on a budged.
Rzepkanut says... #2
Its not for blocking with, its for attacking with. The damage isn't supposed to matter because you should be killing your opponent first. And its also a junk rare.
February 13, 2018 11:07 a.m. Edited.