Optimizing the Mana Curve with Lavakin Brawler in Red Aggro

In TCG ·

Lavakin Brawler card art from Magic: The Gathering Core Set 2020

Image courtesy of Scryfall.com

Lavakin Brawler and the red aggro mana curve

In the heat of a red-leaning race to the battlefield, Lavakin Brawler stands out as a reliable accelerant for the midgame pivot. With a mana cost of {3}{R} and a sturdy 2/4 body, this Elemental Warrior marches onto the scene ready to impose pressure. The real payoff, though, is the attack trigger: Whenever this creature attacks, it gets +1/+0 until end of turn for each Elemental you control. That means the more Elementals you already own—whether from your own creatures or temporary tokens—the bigger the swing you can unleash on a single combat step. It’s a design that rewards the mechanics red craves: tempo, reach, and a dash of surprise power 🧙‍♂️🔥.

“She swings with the ease of flowing lava and hits with the force of a meteor.”

From a strategic standpoint, Lavakin Brawler helps smooth out the notorious red mana curve. You’re not just casting a 4-drop and hoping for the best—you’re building toward a moment where a well-timed attack catapults your numbers. In a deck that can generate Elementals—whether through other creatures, global buffs, or token generators—the Brawler acts like a rolling trigger that compiles momentum across turns. It’s not just about the raw stats; it’s about leveraging the Elemental mass you already control to turn a midrange board into a sweeping liability for your foe ⚡.

How to maximize the payoff

  • Curved planning: Lean into a two- to three-attack plan. Early turns deploy low-cost threats or direct-damage pressure, then ramp into Lavakin Brawler with a sufficiently stocked board of Elementals for the big payoff on attack. The hidden gem is that the buff is not limited to a single turn—each attack waves in more power as your Elementals stay on the battlefield.
  • Elemental redundancy: If your deck can churn out multiple Elementals per turn (think of cards or effects that create Elemental tokens or permit multiple Elemental bodies), Lavakin Brawler scales quickly. Even a modest board of two Elementals can push the buff to +2/+0, turning a 2/4 into a much more threatening threat in combat.
  • Tempo and removal: Red aggro thrives on pressuring the opponent’s life total while denying blockers. Keep your curve tight with efficient 1- and 2-drops to maintain tempo, and use removal or combat tricks to ensure your Brawler’s attack trigger lands unimpeded.
  • Format flexibility: The card’s legality spans formats like Modern, Legacy, and Commander, which makes it a versatile inclusion for casual kitchen-table games or more competitive brew sessions. The core mechanic of “attack and buff” translates well across formats, especially when Elementals proliferate in your local meta 🎲.

Artistically and flavor-wise, Lavakin Brawler embodies red’s molten energy. The runic imagery of lava, meteor-like impact, and the relentless surge of a desert storm all echo the core idea: the more you fuel the army of Elementals, the harder every strike lands. For players who love both the lore and the play pattern, this card scratches that itch with a satisfying, scalable payoff and a dash of spice in the late-game swing 🔥🎨.

As a common, Lavakin Brawler is accessible on casual tables where you’re just starting to explore Elemental synergies or red-aggro micro archetypes. It’s not a flashy mystery in the way a mythic could be, but it’s the kind of brick-and-mortar engine that helps a deck feel cohesive and resilient. If you’re shaping a red aggressive shell that wants a dependable 4-drop with a meaningful attack boost on the horizon, this is a compelling piece to consider. And because it can snowball in the right environment, you’ll often find yourself racing to an explosive attack while your opponent scrambles to stabilize 🧙‍♂️⚔️.

For builders, Lavakin Brawler invites a quick-swap approach: insert a couple of Elementals and lean into token producers or spell-driven Elemental generation. If you err on the side of caution, you can still deploy Brawler as a stout front-line threat on 4 mana, with a built-in upside if your battlefield is already churning with Elemental power. In short, it’s a value-targeted engine piece that rewards thoughtful sequencing and careful mana management.

Quick reference card data

  • Name: Lavakin Brawler
  • Set: Core Set 2020 (M20)
  • Mana cost: {3}{R}
  • Type: Creature — Elemental Warrior
  • Power/Toughness: 2/4
  • Color: Red
  • Rarity: Common
  • Oracle text: Whenever this creature attacks, it gets +1/+0 until end of turn for each Elemental you control.
  • Flavor text: “She swings with the ease of flowing lava and hits with the force of a meteor.”

In a meta where tempo and value collide, Lavakin Brawler can be a robust anchor for red decks that want to push through a crowded board. It rewards careful planning, a little synergy, and a readiness to seize the initiative on the battlefield. If you’re chasing that satisfying moment when your board explodes with red-hot power, keep an eye on how many Elementals you’ve assembled—because every one of them could become a catalyst for a brutal, board-swinging attack 💥🧨.

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Lavakin Brawler

Lavakin Brawler

{3}{R}
Creature — Elemental Warrior

Whenever this creature attacks, it gets +1/+0 until end of turn for each Elemental you control.

She swings with the ease of flowing lava and hits with the force of a meteor.

ID: 3eeea9e5-3041-4439-bc52-fd00ec83c7a1

Oracle ID: fa4ad622-5021-44fe-92af-0de115059eb6

Multiverse IDs: 466901

TCGPlayer ID: 192650

Cardmarket ID: 378798

Colors: R

Color Identity: R

Keywords:

Rarity: Common

Released: 2019-07-12

Artist: Victor Adame Minguez

Frame: 2015

Border: black

EDHRec Rank: 22578

Penny Rank: 16254

Set: Core Set 2020 (m20)

Collector #: 147

Legalities

  • Standard — not_legal
  • Future — not_legal
  • Historic — legal
  • Timeless — legal
  • Gladiator — legal
  • Pioneer — legal
  • Modern — legal
  • Legacy — legal
  • Pauper — legal
  • Vintage — legal
  • Penny — not_legal
  • Commander — legal
  • Oathbreaker — legal
  • Standardbrawl — not_legal
  • Brawl — legal
  • Alchemy — not_legal
  • Paupercommander — legal
  • Duel — legal
  • Oldschool — not_legal
  • Premodern — not_legal
  • Predh — not_legal

Prices

  • USD: 0.07
  • EUR: 0.03
  • EUR_FOIL: 0.10
  • TIX: 0.03
Last updated: 2025-11-14