All MTG Modern Horizon 3 Flare cycle cards and how they work

Cheat out an Instant or Sorcery speed spell for free.

Wizard castng a spell through Flare of Malice in MH3
Image via WotC

Wizards of the Coast has designed a cycle of five new Magic: The Gathering cards for the Modern format through Modern Horizons 3, featuring Rare spells that can get cast for free. 

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What are MTG Flare spells in Modern Horizons 3?

Wizard castng a spell through Flare of Duplication in MH3
Sacrifice a non-token creature of the same color to bypass mana cost. Image via WotC

All five of the Flare spells in Modern Horizons 3 (MH3) are new to the format and have a rarity of Rare. Each of the five spells is Mono-colored, representing the five colors in MTG. Each Flare spell can get cast for free if its controller sacrifices a non-token creature of the same color. Mana costs of the five Flare spells vary and all but Flare of Cultivation are Instant spells. 

  • Flare requirement to cast for free: You may sacrifice a nontoken X color creature rather than pay this spell’s mana cost. 

Abilities of the Flare spells synergize with that MTG color. For example, the Blue Flare spell Flare of Denial counters a target spell. You can either sacrifice a creature or pay the mana cost to cast an MH3 Flare spell. All Flare spells have a Retro Frame alternative treatment.

Flare of Fortitude

Mage casting a spell on MH3 Flare cycle MTG card
Protect your life total. Image via WotC
  • Casting cost: 2WW
  • Type: Instant
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Ability: “Until end of turn, your life total can’t change, and permanents you control gain Hexproof and Indestructible.”
  • Flavor text: “I call upon a power greater than myself.”

Flare of Denial

Mage casting a spell on MH3 Flare cycle MTG card
I see what you are doing and Nope, it ain’t happening. Image via WotC
  • Casting cost: 1UU
  • Type: Instant
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Ability: “Counter target spell.”
  • Flavor text: “I see where you’re going with that, and I don’t like it.”

Flare of Malice

Mage casting a spell on MH3 Flare cycle MTG card
Destroy your opponent’s board state. Image via WotC
  • Casting cost: 2BB
  • Type: Instant
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Ability: “Each opponent sacrifices a creature or Planeswalker with the greatest mana value among creatures and Planeswalkers thy control.”
  • Flavor text: “Suffer as I have suffered. Lose as I have lost.”

Flare of Duplication

Mage casting a spell on MH3 Flare cycle MTG card
Copy your spells. Image via WotC
  • Casting cost: 1RR
  • Type: Instant
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Ability: “Copy target Instant or Sorcery spell. You may choose new targets for the copy.”
  • Flavor text: “Decent. But let me show what mastery looks like.”

Flare of Cultivation

Mage casting a spell on MH3 Flare cycle MTG card
Gain a mana advantage over your opponent(s). Image via WotC
  • Casting cost: 1GG
  • Type: Sorcery
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Ability: “Search your library for up to two basic land cards, reveal those cards, put one onto the battlefield tapped and the other into your hand, then shuffle.”
  • Flavor text: “You need to expand your horizons.”
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Danny Forster
Danny has been writing for Dot Esports for over five years, first as a freelancer and now as a staff writer. He is the lead beat writer for Magic: The Gathering and Teamfight Tactics. Danny is also a solid Monopoly GO player, having beaten every main event without spending a dime. When Danny isn't writing or gaming, he's chilling by the water in Spacecoast Florida with his family and friends. He's always got a tan, because touching grass is important, and loves playing strategic digital and tabletop games. Past outlets Danny has written for include TheGamer and ScreenRant.