PyrokinesisPyrokinesis | Art by Igor Kieryluk
Welcome, spellslingers and Magic: The Gathering fanatics. Today, I want to talk about red cards with you. We could discuss red's lack of Game Changers or its best Tarkir: Dragonstorm (TDM) cards. Instead, I would like to explore red spells you can cast for zero mana.
As the saying goes, nothing is free in life, and MTG is no different: with spells costing zero mana, there's almost always a catch! Surprisingly, a few red cards have a casting cost of . Legends [LEG]'s Crimson KoboldsCrimson Kobolds, Crookshank KoboldsCrookshank Kobolds, and Kobolds of Kher KeepKobolds of Kher Keep are 0/1 Kobold creatures for zero mana.
Additionally, the updated Kobold, Rograkh, Son of RohgahhRograkh, Son of Rohgahh, has no power. A red instant named Pact of the TitanPact of the Titan gets played for free. Unfortunately, you have to pay at the beginning of your next upkeep, or you'll lose the game.
I just mentioned every red spell current in MTG, for those wondering. Conversely, some other red cards have a zero-mana alternative casting cost. One example is FlameshotFlameshot. You can cast FlameshotFlameshot to deal three damage divided between any number of creatures for three mana. Alternatively, you may discard a MountainMountain card rather than pay FlameshotFlameshot's mana cost. Although FlameshotFlameshot is not well-suited for Commander, there are free red spells that you may want in the 99. Let's dive further into the best free red spells for Commander.
7. Downhill ChargeDownhill Charge
Previously printed in Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth (DDI), Downhill ChargeDownhill Charge is a three-mana red instant. Casting Downhill ChargeDownhill Charge temporarily gives a creature +X/+0, where X equals the numbe of MountainMountains you control, and is mediocre.
However, sacrificing a Mountain instead of paying three mana is much more exciting. Though Downhill ChargeDownhill Charge's playability is mainly limited to mono-red decks, you could improve its potential power increase with Blood MoonBlood Moon or Magus of the MoonMagus of the Moon.
Red decks focused on damage output may want Downhill ChargeDownhill Charge. A timely Downhill ChargeDownhill Charge targeting your Ojer Axonil, Deepest MightOjer Axonil, Deepest Might may wipe out multiple opponents with a single direct damage spell. Leveraging Zada, Hedron GrinderZada, Hedron Grinder to give each of your creatures Downhill ChargeDownhill Charge's effect is also impressive.
Interestingly, combining Jeska, Thrice RebornJeska, Thrice Reborn's zero loyalty ability with Downhill ChargeDownhill Charge can dramatically increase a creature's combat damage dealt to an opponent.
6. Ricochet TrapRicochet Trap
Have you been searching for an anti-counterspell card? Ricochet TrapRicochet Trap may be the red card you didn't know you needed. At face value, Ricochet TrapRicochet Trap changes the target of a spell with a single target for four mana. In addition, you can play Ricochet TrapRicochet Trap for if an opponent casts a blue spell this turn.
While you cannot change the target of a blue counterspell with a single target to itself, you can change it to Ricochet TrapRicochet Trap. Using Ricochet TrapRicochet Trap to ensure a Jeska's WillJeska's Will or Wheel of FortuneWheel of Fortune resolves can be game-breaking.
A second use for Ricochet TrapRicochet Trap is to protect your commander from targeted removal. Assuming there is another legal target in play, Ricochet TrapRicochet Trap can redirect blue spells, like Rapid HybridizationRapid Hybridization, Reality ShiftReality Shift, and ResculptResculpt. Your red commanders may stay on the battlefield a little longer with Ricochet TrapRicochet Trap in the 99.
5. Mogg SalvageMogg Salvage
Modern Horizons 2 (MH2) reprinted a favorite uncommon of mine: Mogg SalvageMogg Salvage. You can destroy an artifact for free with Mogg SalvageMogg Salvage as long as you control a Mountain and an opponent controls an IslandIsland when casting it.
Sure, there will be games where an opponent may not have a commander identifying with blue. Even so, it is satisfying when you can cast Mogg SalvageMogg Salvage for free to destroy a Sol RingSol Ring or Bident of ThassaBident of Thassa.
Mogg SalvageMogg Salvage excels in metas where your opponents will play potent artifacts. Optimized and Competitive Commander playgroups may contain a meta full of targets for Mogg SalvageMogg Salvage. Destroying Game Changers like Grim MonolithGrim Monolith, Mana VaultMana Vault, and Bolas's CitadelBolas's Citadel with Mogg SalvageMogg Salvage is excellent.
You can run Mogg SalvageMogg Salvage in mono-red decks, but partner decks are also an option. A few red partners to pair with Mogg SalvageMogg Salvage, include Krark, the ThumblessKrark, the Thumbless, Dargo, the ShipwreckerDargo, the Shipwrecker, and Jeska, Thrice RebornJeska, Thrice Reborn.
4. Fury of the HordeFury of the Horde
I always find myself yearning for red cards that grant additional combat phases, and I hope you do too because Fury of the HordeFury of the Horde is one of the better free red spells available. Paying seven mana is not a great deal for an extra combat phase, yet you may cast Fury of the HordeFury of the Horde for free by exiling two red cards from your hand.
Paying Fury of the HordeFury of the Horde's alternative cost can be tricky in multicolor decks. Thus, mono-red Extra Combat decks are a more suitable home for Fury of the HordeFury of the Horde. Rionya, Fire DancerRionya, Fire Dancer synergies with Fury of the HordeFury of the Horde as it creates more creature tokens with haste for every instant and sorcery you cast before combat.
Another synergistic commander is Ken, Burning BrawlerKen, Burning Brawler (Aisha of Sparks and SmokeAisha of Sparks and Smoke). You can play Fury of the HordeFury of the Horde for free, triggering Ken, Burning BrawlerKen, Burning Brawler's prowess ability, and hopefully cast two more sorcery spells for no mana.
Moreover, dealing seven or more combat damage with Ken, Burning BrawlerKen, Burning Brawler will allow you to cast Fury of the HordeFury of the Horde from your hand for free.
Etali, Primal StormEtali, Primal Storm is probably the best mono-red commander to pair with Fury of the HordeFury of the Horde. Merely attacking with Etali, Primal StormEtali, Primal Storm allows you to cast the top card of each player's library without paying their mana costs. You could get lucky and hit Fury of the HordeFury of the Horde off the top of your library with Etali, Primal StormEtali, Primal Storm.
Further, casting Fury of the HordeFury of the Horde in your first main phase can double Etali, Primal StormEtali, Primal Storm's attack triggers through two combat phases. Any possibilities to avoid paying Fury of the HordeFury of the Horde's casting cost are worth exploring.
3. PyrokinesisPyrokinesis
Originating from Alliances (ALL), PyrokinesisPyrokinesis is one of the oldest red free spells in MTG. Dealing four damage between any number of creatures is helpful, but not for six mana. Instead, you should only play PyrokinesisPyrokinesis when you can take advantage of its alternative casting cost.
PyrokinesisPyrokinesis's zero-mana condition is best achieved in mono-red decks looking for creature removal. Slicer, Hired MuscleSlicer, Hired Muscle and Godo, Bandit WarlordGodo, Bandit Warlord can use PyrokinesisPyrokinesis to eliminate pesky blockers. Also, PyrokinesisPyrokinesis can destroy opponents' creatures and increase Rionya, Fire DancerRionya, Fire Dancer's generatable creature tokens.
In addition to mono-red, has a few commanders interested in PyrokinesisPyrokinesis. A personal favorite of mine is Ghyrson Starn, KelermorphGhyrson Starn, Kelermorph. While Ghyrson Starn, KelermorphGhyrson Starn, Kelermorph is under your control, targeting four creatures with PyrokinesisPyrokinesis will result in three damage to each of them!
Slotting PyrokinesisPyrokinesis in the 99 of Stella Lee, Wild CardStella Lee, Wild Card may also produce an advantageous outcome. Stella Lee, Wild CardStella Lee, Wild Card's activated ability only works when you have cast three or more spells in a turn. Playing PyrokinesisPyrokinesis for free will save mana and get you one step closer to copying an instant or sorcery with Stella Lee, Wild CardStella Lee, Wild Card.
2. Flare of DuplicationFlare of Duplication
Modern Horizons 3 (MH3) includes a cycle of Flare cards that you may cast for no mana assuming you sacrifice a nontoken creature of the same color. Flare of DuplicationFlare of Duplication is the red Flare. Casting it lets you copy an instant or sorcery spell and choose new targets for the copy.
Note that Flare of DuplicationFlare of Duplication does not alter the target of the spell it copies. Even so, it can serve a great purpose. Copying your own Brass's BountyBrass's Bounty, Temporal ManipulationTemporal Manipulation, or ExpropriateExpropriate is exciting. Additionally, a duplicated Crackle with PowerCrackle with Power or Expansion // ExplosionExpansion // Explosion can become lethal for opponents.
Before you attempt to copy a game-ending spell, consider starting small. Getting two Demonic TutorDemonic Tutor or Grim TutorGrim Tutor can find the two-card combo you need to win the game. You could try removing threats by doubling AbradeAbrade or drawing another set of three cards via Treasure CruiseTreasure Cruise. Flare of DuplicationFlare of Duplication's flexibility provides a plethora of spells to copy across various decks.
1. Deflecting SwatDeflecting Swat
To the surprise of no one, Deflecting SwatDeflecting Swat is the ultimate free red spell. Deflecting SwatDeflecting Swat lets you choose new targets for a spell or ability for free if you control your commander. Want to protect your commander, yourself, or your favorite Goblin creature card? Deflecting SwatDeflecting Swat can do it all. You may even have Deflecting SwatDeflecting Swat redirect a spell or ability from one opponent to another.
Deflecting SwatDeflecting Swat deserves its place among the most-played red cards on EDHREC. Practically any Commander game will have one or more instances where Deflecting SwatDeflecting Swat can shine. Whether you're vying for the top spot of a Commander League or looking to compete at the cEDH level, Deflecting SwatDeflecting Swat is a card worth playing. Did I mention that Deflecting SwatDeflecting Swat is not a Game Changer?
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