Hard-Hitting Question MTG Card


Gains an edge by revealing opponents’ hands, allowing for anticipative and strategic plays. Instant speed offers flexible play, maintaining tempo and keeping opponents wary. Requires careful hand management due to the discard cost, adding a layer of complexity.
Hard-Hitting Question - Murders at Karlov Manor
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery
Released2024-02-09
Set symbol
Set nameMurders at Karlov Manor
Set codeMKM
Number164
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byNicholas Gregory

Text of card

Target creature you control deals damage equal to its power to target creature or planeswalker you don't control.

"Keen eyes and an analytical mind are some of a detective's most important tools. As is a mean left hook." —Senior Inspector Holjo


Cards like Hard-Hitting Question

In the realm of thought-provoking plays, Hard-Hitting Question sits among impactful probe spells in MTG. It shares a strategic kinship with the iconic Duress, offering a glimpse into an opponent’s hand but with a unique twist. Whereas Duress targets noncreature, nonland cards, Hard-Hitting Question delves deeper, revealing their entire hand and forcing a decision with potentially game-altering implications.

Discerning Minds is another spell that echoes this invasive theme, but Hard-Hitting Question pushes further by cornering the opponent with a choice that could disrupt their strategy. Meanwhile, Inquisition of Kozilek provides a similar yet more limited interrogation method, with the restriction of only taking cards with a certain mana cost. Hard-Hitting Question, unfettered by such limitations, opens the door to broader strategic moves.

Comparatively, Hard-Hitting Question secures a unique spot amongst its peers by combining the raw information-gathering of spells like Gitaxian Probe with the tactical edge of forcing an opponent to act. It’s a confluence of knowledge and control that makes it a standout, albeit potentially situational addition to any deck built to outmaneuver the opposition through superior intel and cunning gameplay.

Duress - MTG Card versions
Inquisition of Kozilek - MTG Card versions
Gitaxian Probe - MTG Card versions
Duress - MTG Card versions
Inquisition of Kozilek - MTG Card versions
Gitaxian Probe - MTG Card versions

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Decks using this card

MTG decks using Hard-Hitting Question. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Simic Artifact AggroSimic Artifact Aggro StandardSimic Artifact AggroTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: March 25, 2024
DecklistDecklist Free form86#CS
Simic AggroSimic Aggro StandardSimic Artifact AggroCCG Standard
Mono-Green AggroMono-Green Aggro StandardMono-Green AggroStandard Preliminary 2024-02-14
Gruul AggroGruul Aggro GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 08 2024
Simic ArtifactsSimic Artifacts StandardSimic Artifact AggroBOP! Standard Open
Gruul StompyGruul Stompy GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 10 2024
Simic TempoSimic Tempo GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 08 2024
GG StandardTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: March 4, 2024
RGRG StandardTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 26, 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Hard-Hitting Question lets players uncover critical information from their opponents while potentially disrupting their strategy. By revealing their hand, you gain insights that allow for better informed decisions, keeping you one step ahead in the duel. This can equate to a significant advantage as you better anticipate and navigate around your opponent’s plans.

Resource Acceleration: Although it may not directly produce mana or tokens, the intelligence gleaned from a Hard-Hitting Question can accelerate your game by wasting no resources on threats that can be avoided, and instead focusing on deploying your own resources more effectively.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Hard-Hitting Question at instant speed cannot be overstated. This enables savvy players to disrupt opponents during their turn, possibly when they least expect it, all while leaving mana available for other tricks and surprises. It’s the perfect tool for maintaining tempo and keeping opponents on their toes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Hard-Hitting Question card requires a player to discard a card, which can be a tricky play if your hand is already running thin. This might force you to let go of strategic pieces or valuable spells that could be crucial for your game plan.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise blend of mana types to cast, which can be particularly challenging in multicolored or mana-intensive decks. Ensuring you have the right mana available at the right time is essential, otherwise, the card might remain stuck in your hand.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a substantial mana investment needed, players need to weigh the benefits that Hard-Hitting Question offers against other cards with lower mana costs that provide similar or better effects. It might not always be the optimal choice when curating a deck for efficiency and performance.


Reasons to Include Hard-Hitting Question in Your Collection

Versatility: Hard-Hitting Question adds strategic depth to decks keen on intellectual warfare. Perfect for control and interrogation themed builds, it provokes thought and disrupts opponents’ plans by forcing them to reveal and potentially lose crucial cards.

Combo Potential: The card slots seamlessly into any puzzle that thrives on knowledge of the opponent’s hand. It pairs well with mechanics that punish discards or reward players for possessing information about the adversary’s resources.

Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-shifting landscape of competitive play, a card like Hard-Hitting Question remains relevant due to its ability to extract information and tilt matches in your favor against a variety of popular strategies.


How to beat

Hard-Hitting Question is a card that can disrupt the flow of your opponent’s game in MTG, offering a challenge through its unique effect that ties a creature’s ability to attack with a player’s trivia knowledge. To effectively beat this card, it is essential to focus on diversifying your approach rather than just attempting to answer the question posed by the card correctly. A good strategy involves the use of removal spells to bypass the need for answering altogether. Cards such as Murder, Path to Exile, or Bedevil can eliminate the creature associated with Hard-Hitting Question, allowing your forces to press on unhindered.

Another tactic is to employ instant-speed spells that can alter combat or negate the effects of such cards. Counterspells like Cancel or Disallow can prevent Hard-Hitting Question from impacting the battlefield in the first place, whereas combat tricks like Unsummon can return the problematic creature to its owner’s hand, temporarily thwarting your opponent’s plans. As always, a well-constructed deck that anticipates and prepares for various disruptions will stand a stronger chance against the quirky challenges posed by cards like Hard-Hitting Question.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hard-Hitting Question MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor, 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 Hard-Hitting Question and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Hard-Hitting Question has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
StandardbrawlLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal