Ambuscade MTG Card

Grants card advantage through removal and creature strengthening, optimizing resource management. Instant speed allows surprising combat tricks and optimal playtiming. Green mana requirement might be a limitation for non-green decks.

Hour of Devastation (HOU)
2017-07-14 - Number 110

Double Masters 2022 (2X2)
2022-07-08 - Number 133

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant

Text of card

Target creature you control gets +1/+0 until end of turn. It deals damage equal to its power to target creature an opponent controls.

"Spent a lifetime learning from predators. Picked up a few tricks."

Cards like Ambuscade

Ambuscade is a unique instant card that brings a blend of creature removal and buff within one spell. When stacked up against other creature-focused cards like Prey Upon, Ambuscade offers a noticeable edge, primarily due to the fact that it boosts a creature’s power in addition to instigating the fight. This not only typically ensures that your creature will survive the exchange, but it does so at instant speed, allowing for surprise tactics during combat.

Analogous to Ambuscade, Rabid Bite presents a one-sided fight mechanic. While it’s secure in ensuring your creature won’t take damage, it doesn’t pump your creature’s power. There’s also Nature’s Way which grants additional abilities to the chosen creature, such as trample and vigilance, yet Ambuscade’s appeal lies in the immediate power boost and potential surprise factor in battle.

Overall, Ambuscade shines in scenarios where players want to eliminate threats while simultaneously strengthening their own. Its synergistic approach makes it a formidable option among green creature interaction spells in Magic: The Gathering, fitting seamlessly into strategies that aim to maintain board presence.

Cards similar to Ambuscade by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ambuscade provides a two-for-one deal, potentially eliminating an opponent’s creature while buffing your own, thus retaining more cards in your hand relative to your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: While Ambuscade itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it can help maintain battlefield presence, thus protecting your mana-generating creatures which can result in accelerated resource development.

Instant Speed: Ambuscade’s instant speed allows you to catch an opponent off guard during combat or at the end of their turn, giving you the flexibility to optimize your plays and maintain the element of surprise.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ambuscade does not inherently require discarding a card; however, it’s important to consider the loss of card advantage when using single-use removal spells like this. You’re trading one of your cards for one of your opponent’s creatures, which may not always be an equitable exchange, especially if you’re behind on the board or in hand size.

Specific Mana Cost: Ambuscade requires one green mana, potentially restricting its inclusion to decks that are able to produce green mana efficiently. While this is not an issue for monogreen or green-inclusive multicolor decks, it does limit the card’s ubiquity across all possible deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana (two generic and one green), Ambuscade’s expense for target creature removal and buff might be considered steep when compared to other instant-speed options in MTG that may deliver more immediate board impact or versatility at a lower cost. This could influence deck-building decisions and in-game strategy, particularly in faster metagames where efficiency is key.

Reasons to Include Ambuscade in Your Collection

Versatility: Ambuscade is a flexible card that can be seamlessly integrated into various green decks. It can serve as a removal while simultaneously empowering your creatures, making it a dual-purpose powerhouse for your arsenal.

Combo Potential: When paired with creatures that have deathtouch or other damage-triggered abilities, Ambuscade can turn into a strategic tool for clearing the board. Its ability to create surprising shifts in board state opens up numerous tactical combinations.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors creature-heavy decks, Ambuscade shines by removing key threats while enhancing your own offensive capabilities. This responsiveness to the ever-shifting landscape of competitive play makes it a valuable addition to any collection.

How to beat

Ambuscade is a versatile removal spell in the realm of MTG, offering not only a way to eliminate threats but also bolstering your own creature temporarily. Its ability to provide a creature with a power boost and deal damage equal to that power to another target creature makes it a formidable choice for players seeking to clear the board while advancing their own strategy.

To effectively counter this spell, consider using instant-speed removal in response to the Ambuscade being cast. This ensures that the intended target will not receive the power buff or deal the damage. Additionally, including hexproof or indestructible creatures in your deck can nullify the impact of Ambuscade. By ensuring your creatures are protected from targeted spells or able to withstand damage, Ambuscade loses its potency and becomes a less threatening presence on the battlefield.

Understanding the timing and strategic deployment of your resources can turn the tables on an opponent’s Ambuscade. With the right approach, this once intimidating spell can be transformed into an opportunity for you to gain the upper hand and lead your deck to victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ambuscade MTG card by a specific set like Hour of Devastation and Double Masters 2022, 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 Ambuscade and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ambuscade Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-07-14 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by Kev Walker.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2017-07-14	Hour of Devastation	HOU		110	2015	Normal	Black	Kev Walker
2	2022-07-08	Double Masters 2022	2X2		133	2015	Normal	Black	Kev Walker

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ambuscade has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ambuscade card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2017-07-14	If the creature you control leaves the battlefield before Ambuscade resolves, Ambuscade has no effect and no damage is dealt. If the creature an opponent controls leaves the battlefield instead, the creature you control gets +1/+0 even though it won’t deal any damage.