---
name: "Punishing Fire"
mana_cost: "{1}{R}"
cmc: 2
type_line: "Instant"
colors: ["R"]
color_identity: ["R"]
keywords: []
set: "CMD"
set_name: "Commander 2011"
collector_number: "131"
rarity: "uncommon"
artist: "Christopher Moeller"
oracle_id: "1890ef1b-38e5-432d-b040-f33cea7814e7"
canonical_url: "https://avascry.com/printing/punishing-fire-cmd"
legalities:
  commander: "legal"
  standard: "not_legal"
  modern: "banned"
  pioneer: "not_legal"
  legacy: "legal"
  vintage: "legal"
  pauper: "not_legal"
  penny: "not_legal"
---

# Punishing Fire
- **Mana Cost:** `{1}{R}` (CMC: 2)
- **Type:** Instant

## Oracle Text
Punishing Fire deals 2 damage to any target.
Whenever an opponent gains life, you may pay {R}. If you do, return this card from your graveyard to your hand.

## Top 4096-Dim Neural Synergies
1. [Sacred Fire](/printing/sacred-fire-mid.md) — Instant
2. [Rekindled Flame](/printing/rekindled-flame-eve.md) — Sorcery
3. [Flames of the Blood Hand](/printing/flames-of-the-blood-hand-bok.md) — Instant
4. [Pulse of the Forge](/printing/pulse-of-the-forge-dst.md) — Instant
5. [Deal Damage](/printing/deal-damage-unh.md) — Instant
6. [Burn the Accursed](/printing/burn-the-accursed-dbl.md) — Instant

## Printing Details
- **Set:** Commander 2011 (CMD) #131
- **Rarity:** Uncommon
- **Artist:** Christopher Moeller
- **Total Printings:** 22 across all historical editions

## Format Legalities
Commander: `legal` | Standard: `not_legal` | Modern: `banned` | Pioneer: `not_legal` | Legacy: `legal` | Vintage: `legal` | Pauper: `not_legal` | Penny: `not_legal`