Assault Strobe MTG Card


Assault Strobe’s low cost facilitates high-impact plays, enabling swift victories with minimal mana investment. The sorcery offers double strike, leading to major battle swings and the possibility of surprise wins. Despite its strengths, Assault Strobe’s requirement for a red mana base and the need to be paired with formidable creatures may limit versatility and heighten mana costs.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Target creature gains double strike until end of turn. (It deals both first-strike and regular combat damage.)

When breaking someone's face once just isn't enough.


Cards like Assault Strobe

Assault Strobe occupies a unique niche among sorcery speed spells that double a creature’s power. Its main selling point is the single red mana cost that efficiently doubles a creature’s attack power for a turn. This is akin to the function of Temur Battle Rage, which grants a similar double strike but at two mana with the added benefit of trample if you have a creature with power 4 or greater.

Comparatively, Psychotic Fury serves a role similar to Assault Strobe, offering double strike but exclusively to multicolored creatures. Although it draws you a card, it’s slightly narrower in application due to the creature color restriction. Double Cleave is another card from this family, providing the same effect but at the cost of both red and white mana, making it less color-flexible.

Assault Strobe shines in decks focused on winning quickly, known as ‘combo’ or ‘aggro’ decks, by maximizing the output of a singular, powerful attack. When judging its utility and efficiency, Assault Strobe stands out for its cost-effectiveness and its ability to be a game-changer, particularly in decks designed to capitalize on swift, impactful turns.

Temur Battle Rage - MTG Card versions
Psychotic Fury - MTG Card versions
Double Cleave - MTG Card versions
Temur Battle Rage - MTG Card versions
Psychotic Fury - MTG Card versions
Double Cleave - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Assault Strobe by color, type and mana cost

Fireball - MTG Card versions
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Meteor Shower - MTG Card versions
Fireball - MTG Card versions
Disintegrate - MTG Card versions
Earthquake - MTG Card versions
Goblin Grenade - MTG Card versions
Mana Clash - MTG Card versions
Winds of Change - MTG Card versions
Detonate - MTG Card versions
Blaze - MTG Card versions
Gamble - MTG Card versions
Meltdown - MTG Card versions
Landslide - MTG Card versions
Tremor - MTG Card versions
Ghitu Fire - MTG Card versions
Tahngarth's Glare - MTG Card versions
Lava Burst - MTG Card versions
Overmaster - MTG Card versions
Devil's Play - MTG Card versions
Firebolt - MTG Card versions
Crack the Earth - MTG Card versions
Meteor Shower - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Assault Strobe. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Temur ProwessTemur Prowess ModernTemur ProwessModern Preliminary 2024-05-08 (1)
Gruul ProwessGruul Prowess ModernGruul ProwessModern League 2024-04-28
Boros BlitzBoros Blitz ModernBoros ProwessPachanga Trial ACUP Sbado
Naya BlitzNaya Blitz ModernNaya Prowess1 Torneio - 10 Liga Arena Guardians

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Assault Strobe does not directly allow for card drawing, it effectively doubles the damage output of a single creature, potentially closing out a game with fewer card resources used. By making each creature count for more, players can maintain pressure without needing a large board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Assault Strobe costs just a single red mana to cast, ensuring that players can execute high-impact plays without significant resource investment. Its low cost can lead to a swift victory, essentially accelerating the path to winning without the need for extensive mana development or setup.

Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Assault Strobe is used in the main phase, allowing players to create massive swings in battle before blockers are declared. This enables decisive and often unexpected turns that can take opponents by surprise, tilting the momentum of the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the discard isn’t inherent to Assault Strobe’s effect, when building around the card, players must account for potential discard effects from other spells that complement an aggressive red strategy, which can lead to a depleted hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Assault Strobe requires a single red mana, which could restrict it to decks with a strong red mana base, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its low individual cost, when considering the need to pair it with high-power creatures to maximize its effect, the overall mana expenditure can be significant. This can put players at a disadvantage against decks with more efficient, lower-cost interactions.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Assault Strobe is a staple for any collection as it effortlessly slots into a variety of aggressive or combo-oriented red decks. Its ability to grant double strike at a low cost can turn the tide of a game, making even the smallest creature a significant threat.

Combo Potential: With Assault Strobe in your arsenal, the potential for explosive turns skyrockets. Pair it with creatures that have powerful enter-the-battlefield effects or those that grow larger with spells cast, and you’ve got a recipe for a devastating attack that can end games out of nowhere.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where combat matters and races to finish off opponents are common, Assault Strobe provides the burst needed to outpace control and midrange decks. Its impact in game tempo and its ability to secure a win within the red archetype make it a card to consider for your collection.


How to Beat

Assault Strobe is a red sorcery that has become a staple in decks focusing on dealing rapid, high amounts of damage with creatures. This card grants a creature double strike until the end of the turn, potentially doubling the damage that creature can deal. While it’s a potent tool in aggressive strategies, overcoming a spell like Assault Strobe requires strategic planning and precision.

The key to beating this card lies in the fact that it only affects a single creature and is a sorcery, which means it can’t be cast during combat. Therefore, efficient use of instant-speed removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can neutralize the threat before it can deal its doubled damage. Additionally, maintaining a board presence with creatures that can block effectively, such as those with high toughness or with abilities like reach, can lessen the impact of a double strike enhanced creature. Board wipes like Wrath of God also provide a clean solution by removing all creatures from the battlefield, nullifying the impact of any buffs, including Assault Strobe.

Understanding the elements of timing and resource management plays a vital role in mitigating the damage from powerful enhancements such as Assault Strobe. By being prepared with instant removal, blockers, or wipe spells, you can safeguard your life total and maintain control of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

As you dive into the depths of strategic play in MTG, it’s clear that cards like Assault Strobe are game-changers, promising the thrill of a quick victory with their low-cost, high-impact abilities. Whether you’re optimizing your deck for speed, power, or a blend of both, understanding the nuances of each card is what separates the novice from the adept. Armed with insights from card advantages, mana acceleration, and a keen eye for timing, your next match could be a testament to your prowess. Take this knowledge, refine your collection, and join us to discover strategies that will make every draw lead you one step closer to mastery.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Assault Strobe MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin and Jumpstart: Historic Horizons, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Assault Strobe and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Assault Strobe Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2010-10-01 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by Kev Walker.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12010-10-01Scars of MirrodinSOM 822003NormalBlackKev Walker
22021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 7862015NormalBlackKev Walker

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Assault Strobe has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal