Image courtesy of Scryfall.com
Red sparks and battlefield timing: Flametongue Yearling in auras, artifacts, and tempo plays
Few red creatures arrive with as much punch as Flametongue Yearling. A Kavu from the Modern Horizons 2 set, this little red comet costs two mana to cast and carries a built-in spark of aggression: a multikicker ability that scales its impact the more you pay. In a world where enchantments and artifacts bend the battlefield to your will, Yearling offers a clean, recurring reminder that red isn’t just about big haymakers—it's about making each entry surprise a block or a deathblow. And yes, for longtime MTG fans, the art and flavor by Milivoj Ćeran deliver that signature bolt of nostalgia alongside a pragmatic, modern twist 🧙♂️🔥💎.
Multikicker is the engine here. Flametongue Yearling costs {R}{R}, has power 2 and toughness 1, and enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter for every time you kicked it. If you kick it once, it’s a 3/2 on entry; kick it twice, and it’s a 4/3; kick it thrice, a 5/4, and so on. When it enters, it deals damage equal to its power to a target creature. That means the cost you’ve just paid for kick upgrades translates directly into damage—an elegant, budget-friendly ramp into removal or a tempo swing. In a meta where players guard their board with aggressive traps and sturdy blockers, Yearling’s surprise damage can topple a key foe before the opponent even draws their next card.
That on-entry damage becomes a recurring theme in how you plan your turns. The card’s text is straightforward, but the implications are rich for deck builders who love the intersection of enchantments and artifacts. While auras and equipped artifacts often aim to protect or empower your creatures, Flametongue Yearling leans into red’s knack for high-powered tempo plays—and into the thrill of "boom, you lose your best blocker" moments. The moment you drop kick-heavy Yearling onto the battlefield, you’re setting up a two-step sequence: you commit to a plan (kick costs and mana) and you watch one creature’s fate swing with the Yearling’s power on entry ⚔️🎲.
Turning the corner: how auras and artifacts influence Yearling’s battlefield story
- Mana acceleration and kick leverage: The beauty of multikicker is that it rewards you for investing more mana. In a red shell, ramp spells and mana rocks let you push multiple kicks in a single turn, driving Yearling to new power levels and larger bombing damage on entry. Think of it as a two-card combo that doesn’t require you to assemble the whole board—just enough red mana and the right tempo to ensure you push the damage where it matters most.
- Auras and post-entry buffs: Auras and Equipment that attach after Yearling lands won’t boost the damage blast on that first entry, but they dramatically influence what happens next combat step. Auras like Rancor or equipment such as Bonesplitter can turn a subsequent attack into a lethal threat, transforming the Yearling from a one-off damage spell into a persistent source of pressure. It’s a reminder that red loves to pressure and convert momentum into advantage across turns.
- Copying the moment with artifacts: You can pair Flametongue Yearling with artifacts that copy or recast triggers to multiply the on-entry impact. For instance, Strionic Resonator or other spell-copy effects can duplicate the Yearling’s damage pulse, forcing your opponent to answer two separate on-entry threats from a single creature. The math becomes delicious: if you’ve kicked Yearling once or twice, you’re not just dealing 3 or 4 damage—you’re potentially guiding two simultaneous damage events to target creatures, and possibly the same target twice if you’ve got the board ready for it 🧙♂️.
- Protection and denial through artifacts: Red isn’t shy about protecting its own with fast removal and targeted disruption. Equip Yearling with protection or speed bumps (think quick answers like your standard red removal, or a few defensive auras until you can exploit the top of the curve). The trick is keeping Yearling alive long enough to stick around for the next big kick or the next trigger, while your artifacts and enchantments maintain tempo pressure on the opponent’s lineup.
“A little burn, a lot of spark—your board presence grows as fast as your curve.”
The synergy here isn’t about a single card combo; it’s about how Flametongue Yearling invites you to sculpt a red-based tempo deck around smart mana planning, timely removal, and auras or equips that reinforce your battlefield presence after Yearling lands. Modern Horizons 2 gave us a card that’s not just a cute mechanical pun but a genuine tool for players who like to weave aggression with careful timing. The high-interest risk (paying for multiple kicks) pays off when you watch an otherwise ordinary 2/1 turn into a doorway to a clean, efficient creature kill or a dramatic swing on an unsuspecting opponent.
From a collector’s perspective, Yearling sits in the uncommon slot, with a value curve that rewards foils for players who chase shiny finishes. Its power is not in a lofty price tag, but in the nostalgia factor and the practical feel of a card that can tilt a game with a well-timed entry. As with many MH2 cards, it embodies a design ethos that blends old-school kick mechanics with modern drafting innovation—perfect for players who love both memory-tinged aesthetics and crisp, direct lines of play.
When you’re laying out a deck plan, consider how Flametongue Yearling can anchor a red-led shell that thrives on tempo, aggression, and strategic removes. And if you’re looking to savor the hobby in a momentary retreat from the grind, take a moment to set up the desk for study or play with some ergonomic comfort. The featured product below is a friendly reminder that great gaming moments happen best when you’re comfortable and focused 🧙♂️🔥💎.
For those who want to explore the card in a few concrete examples, here’s a quick reference:
- Kick zero: Yearling is 2/1 on entry; deals 2 damage to a target creature.
- Kick once: Yearling becomes 3/2; deals 3 damage.
- Kick twice: Yearling becomes 4/3; deals 4 damage.
- With Strionic Resonator on the stack, you can potentially deal damage twice from a single entry, multiplying the impact of your plan.
Modern Horizons 2 kept the line between nostalgia and modern play clean and exciting. Flametongue Yearling is a small but mighty example of that design philosophy, offering a reliable on-entry effect while rewarding players who lean into multikicker economics and the wider ecosystem of red enchantments and artifacts. Whether you’re brewing a quick draft deck or planning a competitive modern tempo shell, Yearling is a vivid reminder that red can be precise, punishing, and surprisingly thoughtful when you craft the curve just right 🎨⚔️.
Ready to deepen your setup? While you map the path to victory, upgrade your desk setup with a thoughtfully designed accessory. Your hands deserve comfort as you chase those perfect turns. Tap the button below to explore a practical companion for long gaming sessions: