Awe Strike MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2003-10-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Mirrodin |
| Set code | MRD |
| Number | 6 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Scott M. Fischer |
Text of card
The next time target creature would deal damage this turn, prevent that damage. You gain life equal to the damage prevented this way.
Stunned by the mere presence of the leonin kha, the nim raider quickly fell to its knees.
Cards like Awe Strike
Awe Strike is a unique instant in Magic: The Gathering, providing a versatile defense by preventing all damage a creature would deal this turn and granting you life equivalent to the damage prevented. Comparable in its protective nature is Holy Day, an instant that prevents all combat damage for an entire turn, effective in stalling opponent strategies. While Holy Day is broader in scope, Awe Strike’s targeted application allows for more strategic plays, particularly in preserving key creatures from lethal attacks.
Another relevant card is Healing Salve, an option that either prevents the next 3 damage that would be dealt to any target this turn, or heals a player for 3 life. Though seemingly similar, Awe Strike offers the potential for greater life gain if the blocked creature is especially powerful. Lastly, there’s Safe Passage, which prevents all damage that would be dealt to you and creatures you control this turn. Although it covers a wide range, Awe Strike shines with its low cost and can be a game-changer in protecting individual creatures and swinging life totals.
When analyzing the strategic benefits in a game of Magic: The Gathering, Awe Strike holds its own against these similar spells by offering targeted protection combined with a potentially strong life gain aspect.
Cards similar to Awe Strike by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Awe Strike enables a unique kind of card advantage through combat trickery. By preventing damage from a powerful attacking creature, it can essentially neutralize an opponent’s turn, thereby preserving your board and maintaining card parity.
Resource Acceleration: Though Awe Strike doesn’t directly accelerate resources in traditional mana ramp ways, it allows you to efficiently use mana during an opponent’s turn. This can lead to effective mana utilization, giving you a tempo advantage when it’s your time to act.
Instant Speed: As an instant, Awe Strike offers flexibility critical in strategic gameplay. You can cast it in response to an opponent’s actions, potentially saving your creature from lethal damage or nullifying a combat phase that would otherwise be detrimental to your standing in the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Awe Strike compels the player to have another white card in their hand to use its Madness ability, which might be challenging during a game where your hand is dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: Awe Strike’s cost necessitates white mana, which restricts its inclusion to decks running that color, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing a single white mana might seem low, but considering the card’s effect is to prevent damage from a single source and gain life equal to that damage, there may be other spells in the same mana range that provide broader protection or more significant life gain.
Reasons to Include Awe Strike in Your Collection
Versatility: Awe Strike is a useful card in a variety of decks, particularly those that aim to protect key creatures or surprise opponents with instant combat tricks. Its ability to prevent all damage a creature would deal this turn and draw a card makes it a flexible defensive option.
Combo Potential: This card works well with strategies that capitalize on preventing damage or targeting your own creatures. It can be paired with other cards that trigger upon drawing cards or when damage is prevented, enhancing synergy within your deck.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where aggressive strategies are common, Awe Strike provides a valuable form of protection. It turns the tide against heavy hitters, buying you time to set up your game plan or thwart an opponent’s aggressive start.
How to beat
Awe Strike, a white instant card in Magic: The Gathering, is known for its ability to thwart an opponent’s attack by preventing all damage a single creature would deal this turn and, as a bonus, granting the creature’s controller life equal to the damage prevented. This can be a surprising turnaround during combat, making it critical to understand how to effectively play against it.
The key is timing and baiting. A wise approach is to initiate attacks with less crucial creatures first to draw out the Awe Strike. Alternatively, holding up instant-speed removal or counterspells can disrupt an opponent’s plans. Playing around an Awe Strike requires a strategic balance between aggression and patience, ensuring that when it does come into play, its impact on the game is minimal. Understanding the nuances of when to push for damage and when to hold back can mean the difference between victory and defeat when facing this potentially game-altering card.
Effective communication and a well-timed strategy can neutralize Awe Strike, keeping your key creatures safe from its life-giving prevention and ensuring that your path to victory remains unobstructed.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Awe Strike MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin, 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 Awe 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Awe Strike has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |