Quick Answer

Smolder Initiate is a common Creature — Elemental Shaman from SHM (SHM) costing {B}. Current price: $0.16 USD. Legal in Modern. Legal in Commander.

Smolder Initiate MTG card

Smolder Initiate

Creature — Elemental Shaman

Card Text

Whenever a player casts a black spell, you may pay {1}. If you do, target player loses 1 life.

"Life is a circle. Death is a vicious circle."

Card Stats

1/1 common CMC: 1.0 SHM SHM 🎨 Chippy

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$0.16
Normal
Buy
TCGPlayer
$0.71
Foil
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.35
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.49
Foil
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.13
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.43
Foil
Buy
Prices updated: 2025-12-04

Format Legality

Commander Legal
Duel Legal
Legacy Legal
Modern Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Pauper Legal
Paupercommander Legal
Penny Legal
Predh Legal
Vintage Legal

Similar Cards

Community Stats

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Smolder Initiate? Basics

Smolder Initiate is a Creature — Elemental Shaman card from the Magic: The Gathering trading card game.

Its ability reads: "Whenever a player casts a black spell, you may pay {1}. If you do, target player loses 1 life."

How much mana does Smolder Initiate cost to cast? Basics

Smolder Initiate has a mana cost of {B}, which equals 1.0 total mana (converted mana cost/mana value).

It requires B mana to cast.

What does mana cost mean in Magic: The Gathering? Basics

Mana cost is the amount and type of mana required to cast a spell in Magic: The Gathering.

Smolder Initiate's mana cost of {B} means you need to pay that much mana from your lands or other sources.

Colored symbols (W=White, U=Blue, B=Black, R=Red, G=Green) must be paid with that specific color, while numbers can be paid with any color.

What is converted mana cost (CMC) or mana value? Basics

Converted mana cost (now officially called "mana value") is the total amount of mana in a card's mana cost, regardless of color.

Smolder Initiate has a mana value of 1.0. This is important for effects that care about a spell's total cost, like cascade or cards that say "mana value 3 or less."

What is oracle text? Basics

Oracle text is the official, current rules text for a Magic card as maintained by Wizards of the Coast. It supersedes any printed text on older cards.

Smolder Initiate's current oracle text is: "Whenever a player casts a black spell, you may pay {1}. If you do, target player loses 1 life."

What is the current price of Smolder Initiate? Pricing

The current market price for Smolder Initiate is approximately $0.16 USD on TCGPlayer.

A foil copy costs approximately $0.71 USD.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €0.13 EUR.

Where can I buy Smolder Initiate? Pricing

You can purchase Smolder Initiate from major MTG retailers including:

Prices vary by condition and printing. Check multiple sellers to find the best price.

What is the difference between normal and foil cards? Pricing

Foil cards have a shiny, holographic finish that makes them more collectible. They are functionally identical to normal cards but typically cost more due to their rarity and visual appeal.

Smolder Initiate normal: $0.16 | foil: $0.71

Is Smolder Initiate legal in Standard? Legality

Format legality information for Smolder Initiate in Standard is not available.

Standard is a rotating format that only allows cards from the most recent sets.

Is Smolder Initiate legal in Modern? Legality

Smolder Initiate is Legal in Modern format.

Modern includes all cards printed in a standard-legal set from 8th Edition forward.

Is Smolder Initiate legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Smolder Initiate is Legal in Commander (EDH) format.

Commander is a casual multiplayer format where you build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature.

Is Smolder Initiate legal in Pioneer? Legality

Format legality information for Smolder Initiate in Pioneer is not available.

Pioneer is a non-rotating format that includes all standard-legal sets from Return to Ravnica forward.

Is Smolder Initiate legal in Legacy? Legality

Smolder Initiate is Legal in Legacy format.

Legacy allows almost all cards ever printed, with a substantial ban list for balance.

Is Smolder Initiate legal in Vintage? Legality

Smolder Initiate is Legal in Vintage format.

Vintage is the most permissive format, allowing almost all cards with only a minimal ban list. Some powerful cards are "Restricted" (limited to 1 copy).

Is Smolder Initiate legal in Pauper? Legality

Smolder Initiate is Legal in Pauper format.

Pauper only allows cards that have been printed at common rarity in a paper or online set.

What is format legality in MTG? Legality

Format legality indicates which official MTG formats allow a card to be played:

  • Legal: Card is allowed in the format
  • Banned: Card is prohibited from play
  • Restricted: Limited to 1 copy (Vintage only)
  • Not Legal: Card was never part of that format's card pool

Different formats have different banned lists based on power level and game balance.

What set is Smolder Initiate from? Details

This printing of Smolder Initiate is from SHM (SHM), with collector number 78.

Smolder Initiate may also appear in other MTG sets with different art or special treatments.

What is Smolder Initiate's rarity? Details

Smolder Initiate is a common card in SHM.

Card rarity affects both availability and price. From rarest to most common: Mythic Rare → Rare → Uncommon → Common.

Who illustrated Smolder Initiate? Details

Smolder Initiate was illustrated by Chippy.

Magic: The Gathering features artwork from hundreds of talented artists, and many cards have been reprinted with new art over the years.

What is Smolder Initiate's power and toughness? Details

Smolder Initiate is a 1/1 creature.

Power (1) determines how much combat damage the creature deals. Toughness (1) determines how much damage it can take before being destroyed.

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