Everyone who thinks this is a card for mono red is wrong, its a control card. You play this in a BLUE/RED counter deck, NOT a burn deck. You play this card in a CONTROL deck, not a deck that wants to kill the opponent as fast as possible. This is for winning CARD ADVANTAGE wars, something red cannot normally do. Its very good, if you can use it correctly, it just takes more skill to use. Dont give a card a bad rating because you cannot evaluate it correctly.

  -- By Rodney from Florida on December 05, 2009

Heres a fun little trick if you're playing red blue have this and time stretch in your graveyard and imprint both onto a speelweaver's helix then burning wish the hammer back and toss the hammer at something and get 2 turns and use the fist to put the hammer back into your hand and the second to play it again and repeat. Playing solitaire is fun :)

  -- By Sean from CT on October 13, 2009

This isn't a burn card; it's a control card. You don't want it in a deck that's designed to win on turn 5. It's your win condition after you've taken control of the board and shut down your enemy's attack. A control deck with an active Hammer wins.

  -- By zach from Kansas City, MO USA on March 08, 2007

This is not a card for a speed red deck. The only upside of this card is those games that come to a standstill towards the end. That's the only reason I gave it 3 stars. Otherwise it's 1RR to do 3 damage and will cost you a total of 11 mana to do 6 damage! I can think of a couple of better spells than that... One of the most overrated cards since it was released.

  -- By Kristen P. from Madison,WI on June 23, 2006

This card isn't horrible, but anyone with a good burn deck will tell you it is all about speed, and this card is slow as can be. Not just to bring it back, but even the casting cost. 3 damage for 3 mana....No. You want to run lightning bolts and chain lightning. 3 damage for 1 mana much better. And if you are worried about not having them dead after about 5th or 6th turn which shouldn't happen, then run cursed scrolls, they will provide the few damage later in the game that should be all you need to finish you opponent off. Plus it is a first turn drop if you want, and it is an ability, can't counter, and you can use next turn without having to spend 5 mana to get back.

  -- By Joshua from Oakwood, OH on March 21, 2006

I think this is a good card to have if u want a burn deck. A really good one. thats why i give it 5 stars

  -- By Anonymous from Groves,TX USA on November 26, 2005

i play burn and i hate this card red struggles with mana and has little acceleration burn decks need speed they need to have won by like the 7th turn if they havent its pretty much over i dont see why its so popular where do you peole get your red mana from?i can clearly see the principle and the advantage of preventing burn out but it is just too costly

  -- By freindly for fun from bristol england on October 11, 2005

I play a red deck. Oh My Goodness. This has to be the best red burn card. I know it cost a lot of mana. But if you have a ensanring bridge out. You can do this like once every 2 turns and beat the crap out of your opponent. I recommend this card for anyone that plays a red deck

  -- By Serdy from on August 29, 2003

I dislike this card very much. It should not be worth as much as it is. It costs 5 mana to bring it back from the graveyard...sure you can use it over and over again and if they counterspell it you can just bring it out again...that is why i give it a 2 star rating instead of a 1 star. If the damage could be divided how you choose it would get a 3 star rating from me...but most good red decks trouble for 5 mana so this card wouldnt be that good

  -- By Juggla from Shangri-la on February 10, 2003

sure beats the hell out of flashback!

  -- By jrod from Clarkson, KY on April 01, 2002

This is one of the best burn spells aside from Rage and Bolt. This card gives counter decks fits.

  -- By Magus from USA on March 16, 2002

This card packs unlimited horrendous power! With it at your side, you will never run out of power. It may be a tad costly to bring back, but it is well worth it, and in the right deck, 5 mana is nothin. It eaisly can kill your opponent almost singlehandedly, and also can be a relentless creature killer. It can ever laugh off countermagic and discard! A must for any fire deck!

  -- By Nick from Tampa, Florida on March 12, 2002