Assassin's Strike MTG Card
2012-10-05 - Number 57
2018-06-08 - Number 138
2020-07-17 - Number 200
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Destroy target creature. Its controller discards a card.
When Selesnya missionaries moved into the Shanav Quarter, they faced scorn, ridicule, and ultimately martyrdom.
Cards like Assassin's Strike
Assassin’s Strike stands out in the array of removal spells available in MTG. It is akin to cards like Murder, which offers a straightforward creature removal with no additional effects. Assassin’s Strike takes it a step further by adding a layer of disruption, forcing the opponent to discard a card. This can sometimes turn a simple creature elimination into a significant setback for your opponent.
On another note, there’s Mind Rot, an iconic card that purely focuses on the discard aspect, making an opponent lose two cards from their hand. Without creature destruction, it serves a different strategic purpose. Then we look at cards like Unmake the Graves which, like Assassin’s Strike, have a dual functionality. Unmake the Graves offers recursion capabilities, bringing creatures back from the graveyard to the hand, yet it lacks the immediate board impact of eliminating an opponent’s creature.
To sum up, Assassin’s Strike provides a unique blend of removal and hand disruption within the MTG repertoire. Its ability to interrupt an opponent’s hand while dealing with threats on the board gives it an edge in decks that capitalize on reducing an opponent’s resources.
Cards similar to Assassin's Strike by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Assassin’s Strike not only removes a creature your opponent controls but also compels them to discard a card, potentially disrupting their strategy and swinging the momentum in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: While this card doesn’t directly accelerate resources, removing a key creature can set your opponent back and slow down their game plan, giving you a defacto acceleration in board presence.
Instant Speed: Although Assassin’s Strike is a sorcery and must be played during your main phases, the advantage gained by decimating your opponent’s resources can be worth the trade-off of instant speed flexibility.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Assassin’s Strike forces the target opponent to discard a card upon resolution. While disrupting your opponent’s hand can be beneficial, this effect is conditional on the spell resolving, and therefore, can be lackluster against strategies that easily refill their hand or have no valuable cards to discard.
Specific Mana Cost: Costing both black and additional mana, the card demands a commitment to heavy black influence in your deck. This requirement may limit your flexibility in deck building, particularly in multicolored decks that require a stable mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of six mana, including one black, Assassin’s Strike is considered expensive for its removal effect, especially when compared to other removal spells in the MTG universe that are more cost-effective or offer additional benefits for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Assassin’s Strike in Your Collection
Versatility: Assassin’s Strike proves to be a flexible removal option suitable for any black-inclusive decks looking to manage opposing threats. Its added benefit of forcing an opponent to discard a card can disrupt an opponent’s plan, making it a valuable two-for-one.
Combo Potential: This card works well in decks that capitalize on discard mechanics or benefit from opponents losing resources. Paired with effects that trigger on discard or opponents’ card losses, Assassin’s Strike can become a key component in a synergistic strategy.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature-heavy decks are prevalent, having reliable removal is crucial. Assassin’s Strike can be particularly potent in a meta defined by crucial creatures and tight hand resources, giving black decks an edge in control and attrition wars.
How to beat
Assassin’s Strike is a potent card in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, asserting a strong presence on the battlefield. Within the game, encountering this card can drastically alter the flow of play due to its dual effects: destroying a creature and forcing the opponent to discard a card. Overcoming this can be challenging, but strategy is key.
To successfully navigate against Assassin’s Strike, it’s essential to prepare for its high mana cost. Be ready to counteract with instant-speed removal or counterspells before it affects your hand and board. Shielding your most valuable creatures with hexproof or indestructible abilities is another method to mitigate the impact of this spell. Additionally, maintaining card advantage and having a diverse hand will soften the blow of the forced discard. Another tactic is to bait out the spell with less critical creatures, conserving your high-value targets for when the coast is clear.
Deftly managing your resources and keeping a cool head when Assassin’s Strike is played can turn the tides to your favor, despite the initial disruption it may cause.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Assassin's Strike MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica and Battlebond, 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 Assassin's Strike and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Assassin's Strike Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2012-10-05 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Chase Stone.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-10-05 | Return to Ravnica | RTR | 57 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Chase Stone | |
| 2 | 2018-06-08 | Battlebond | BBD | 138 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chase Stone | |
| 3 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 200 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chase Stone |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Assassin's Strike has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Assassin's Strike card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-10-01 | If the creature is an illegal target when Assassin’s Strike tries to resolve, it won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen. Its controller won’t discard a card. |
| 2012-10-01 | You must be able to target a creature to cast Assassin’s Strike. |
| 2013-07-01 | If Assassin’s Strike resolves but the creature isn’t destroyed (perhaps because it regenerated or has indestructible), its controller will discard a card. |