Unnatural Speed MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant — Arcane
Released	2004-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Champions of Kamigawa
Set code	CHK
Number	197
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Wayne Reynolds

Key Takeaways

Unnatural Speed allows instant, game-changing speed bursts, propelling creatures to attack sooner than expected.
Instant playability offers tactical surprise, enhancing your combat strategy with flexible timing.
Requires discernment, as its discard cost might deplete resources critical for sustaining your action plan.

Text of card

Target creature gains haste until end of turn.

"How can we hope to match the speed of lightning? The fury of storms? The power of mountains? The answer is simple. We cannot. I advise against this war." —Sensei Hisoka, letter to Lord Konda

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Unnatural Speed is like a wave of sudden momentum, giving you the chance to launch your creatures into overdrive and get ahead in the race. This strategic play can significantly tip the scales in your favor, especially when you’re fighting to maintain control of the game’s tempo.

Resource Acceleration: In the MTG landscape where every second counts, Unnatural Speed acts as a catalyst, propelling your creatures into the red zone faster than usual. It’s like adding an extra gear to your game engine – by giving your creatures the ability to hurdle over chump blockers, you’re effectively speeding up your victory clock.

Instant Speed: The true beauty of this card lies in its ability to be played at instant speed. This tactical flexibility allows you to make snap decisions in reaction to your opponent’s moves, keeping them on their toes and constantly second-guessing your next play. A surprise Unnatural Speed can turn a defensive stance into a victorious assault in the blink of an eye.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unnatural Speed necessitates discarding a card upon playing which can backfire if you’re currently low on cards in hand. This can potentially diminish your plays in subsequent turns, reducing your ability to respond to the opponent’s threats or advance your own board state.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a specific red mana in its casting cost, which could be a stumbling block for decks that are not heavily red or that have a restrictive mana base, making it less versatile than cards with generic mana costs.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a requirement of three mana, including one red, Unnatural Speed might be considered costly when pitted against other cards providing similar speed boosts or evasion capabilities for a lower mana investment, potentially making it a less attractive option in fast-paced games or aggro strategies.

Reasons to Include Unnatural Speed in Your Collection

Versatility: Unnatural Speed boasts flexibility, seamlessly integrating into various deck archetypes, particularly those that rely on swift creature strikes and require an immediate impact on the board.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to grant haste can be pivotal in numerous combinations, enabling otherwise dormant creatures to surprise opponents or synergize with effects that depend on attacking or tapping immediately after being played.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where tempo plays a critical role, Unnatural Speed can tip the scales, giving aggro decks the upper hand against slower setups by accelerating pressure and demanding an immediate response from the adversary.

How to beat

Unnatural Speed is a card designed to accelerate the tempo of aggro decks, offering creatures the potential for an immediate impact on the battlefield. This card flips the typical combat script by giving your freshly cast creatures the ability to attack without the usual turn delay. Naturally, this lends an aggressive deck the edge necessary to pressure opponents before they can establish defenses.

Countering this swift strategy demands a focus on removal spells that can be cast quickly or at instant speed. Efficient spot removal such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can be particularly effective in disrupting the pacing advantage Unnatural Speed provides. Additionally, employing cards with flash can help stabilize the board by introducing blockers when needed or by removing threats directly. Do not underestimate the value of board wipes for resetting the playing field, especially if your deck can recover quicker post-clearance.

Ultimately, preparing your deck to handle a rush of fast-attacking creatures is key to overcoming the haste-driven threat posed by Unnatural Speed. Precision, timing, and the right choice of responsive spells will ensure that you nullify the tempo gain that this card intends to provide.

Cards like Unnatural Speed

Unnatural Speed is an intriguing card that grants a creature haste until end of turn and draws you a card in Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent of other cards that offer similar benefits. Crashing Drawbridge is another card that can give your creatures haste, but lacks the card draw. It’s a more permanent solution, yet not as immediate or flexible as Unnatural Speed’s one-shot boost.

Comparably, Expedite is also in the repertoire of cards that confer haste and includes the advantage of card drawing on cast. However, Expedite works on any creature including your opponent’s, offering more versatility in certain play scenarios. Further in the lineup is Samut’s Sprint, a card much like Unnatural Speed in cost and speed, adding a power boost and scry to its list of advantages, but at the expense of potentially drawing a card.

Analyzing these cards side by side, Unnatural Speed provides a straightforward, low-cost advantage, making it an efficient tool for aggressive MTG strategies that aim to hit hard and fast while maintaining card flow.

Cards similar to Unnatural Speed by color, type and mana cost

March of Reckless Joy - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Unnatural Speed MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa, 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 Unnatural Speed and other MTG cards: