Punishing Fire

Mana cost

Mana value2TypeInstant Color identity

Red RarityUncommon SetCommander 2011 (CMD) ArtistChristopher Moeller Price€0.37 · $0.34

About this card

Punishing Fire is an instant card in Magic: The Gathering with mana value 2 (color identity: red). First printed in Zendikar (2009); 4 paper printings in total. Role in Commander: removal. Legal in Commander, Legacy and Vintage. Banned in Modern. Cheapest printing: €0.14 (The List); most expensive: €0.41 (Zendikar).

Punishing Fire

Instant

Punishing Fire deals 2 damage to any target.
Whenever an opponent gains life, you may pay

. If you do, return this card from your graveyard to your hand.

Name in each language

FrançaisFeu punitifEnglishPunishing FireEspañolFuego castigadorDeutschBestrafendes FeuerItalianoFuoco PunitivoPortuguêsFogo Punidor日本語罰する火

Legality

CommanderLegalStandardNot legalPioneerNot legalModernBannedLegacyLegalVintageLegalPauperNot legalBrawlNot legalOathbreakerLegalHistoricNot legalTimelessNot legalPenny DreadfulNot legal

Rulings

2009-10-01
Punishing Fire's triggered ability triggers only if it's already in your graveyard at the time an opponent gains life. For example, you can cast it in response to a spell or ability that will cause an opponent to gain life. In that case, Punishing Fire will resolve first, so it will be in the graveyard by the time the opponent gains life. However, if you wait until an opponent actually gains life and then cast Punishing Fire, you won't be able to return it to your hand at that time.

2009-10-01
You choose whether to pay as the triggered ability resolves.

2009-10-01
If Punishing Fire has left your graveyard by the time its triggered ability resolves, you may still pay , but you won't return it to your hand. This is true even if Punishing Fire has left your graveyard and returned to it by the time its triggered ability resolves.