Can anyone make this work for me?

[Upinthe]

I really like this idea, but I can't get it to work I think it would be really cool, especially in draft.

Cinder-Tail R/B
Creature - Snake

As an additional cost to play Cinder-tail, discard a burn spell.

3/1

Cinder-Tail R/B
Creature - Snake

As an additional cost to play Cinder-tail, discard a burn spell

3/1

[Matt]

Well, this is a tricky one, but here goes:

Cinder Snake
<cost>
Creature -- Snake
3/3
At the end of the turn Cinder Snake comes into play, sacrifice it unless it was dealt damage by a spell you control.

So the idea is, instead of discarding a burn spell, you play it, then immediately have to cast a burn spell on it or else it will die (this will make for some AWESOME flavor text btw). That means increasing the toughness so it will survive the spell, but that's okay because you'd BETTER get a nice creature for all the trouble you're going through.

I'm not seeing how this is black in any way, though.

Option #2:

Cinder Snake

Creature -- Snake
3/3
Defender
Whenever Cinder Snake is dealt damage by a source you control, it loses defender until end of turn.

That one is a little simpler, but not quite as strong. It sits there being all lazy until you poke it in the butt, at which point it gets up and goes lumbering off to smash the hell out of something.

[Jacob Orlove]

A 3/3 defender for R is pretty savage on its own, actually. Torpid Moloch is 3/2, and has a much harsher activation condition.

I like the "do damage to this or it dies" version.

[Marco]

There's [card]Cinder Wall[/card], but it dies when it blocks...

[SpencerForHire]

Couldn't you just say sacrifice it unless you discard a red instant or sorcery?  For the most part that is QUITE the same as a burn spell.

[dandan]

Cinder-Tail

Creature - Snake
Comes into play with a +1/+1 counter on it.
Remove a +1/+1 counter at the end of any turn that ~this~ comes into play.
If ~this~ would be dealt damage by an Instant or Sorcery you control, instead put that many +1/+1 counters on ~this~
0/0

(I think the intent is clear although I suspect it needs tidying up)

Bolt this for a 3/3. Shock it for a 2/2. Keep on bolting it to make it bigger, works well with Earthquake and Pyroclasm. Clearly it sucks as a top-deck.

[Ephraim]

Couldn't you just say sacrifice it unless you discard a red instant or sorcery?  For the most part that is QUITE the same as a burn spell.

I like this solution the best.  Trying to describe a "burn" spell is very tricky business.  I think that SpencerForHire's suggestion gets the general idea across in a way that doesn't overburden the card.  Compared to Minotaur Explorer, this card is probably as close to fair as possible.  A "red instant or sorcery card" may be a blessing or a curse compared to "a card at random," although I think it's a trifle better.  The mana cost on this is obviously lower.  Of course, this also has -0/-2 from the Minotaur, so I am inclined to say that this is right where it needs to be.  If it needs any drawback, I would recommend "Cinder Tail attacks each turn if able."

[Mindstab_Thrull]

OK.. let's try this then..

Cinder-Tail
R
Creature - Snake
2/1
When ~ comes into play, discard a card. If the discarded card is an instant or sorcery card that deals damage to a target creature or to a target player, put a +1/+1 counter on ~.

I think that's the best I can do.

[Anusien]

Define "deals damage to a creature or player".  Does Mana Clash count?  Grab the Reins?  I think you either have to go in the style of War Elemental or follow Ephraim's suggestion.  Otherwise it's just an ugly hack.

[jcb193]

This is a great card, it should be formalized.  I like the damage done to it, pumps it effect.

JB

[Mindstab_Thrull]

Anusien I agree the wording is a pain. Realistically it would likely be simply 'a red instant or sorcery card', as taking player game-related vernacular and trying to make it behave on a card.. it just won't. If there's a better way to word the idea without being overly cumbersome, I say go for it Incidentally, I like dandan's version too