Critical Hit MTG Card


Instant speed and card draw from Critical Hit can pivot game momentum, offering tactical and handsize advantages. Discarding for Critical Hit risks resource loss; fitting it in multicolor decks requires careful mana management. Effective use of Critical Hit demands strategic balance, leveraging its graveyard play and combat enhancement.
Critical Hit - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Released2021-07-23
Set symbol
Set nameAdventures in the Forgotten Realms
Set codeAFR
Number137
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byFrancisco Miyara

Text of card

Target creature gains double strike until end of turn. When you roll a natural 20, return Critical Hit from your graveyard to your hand. (A natural 20 is a roll that displays 20 on the die.)

"How do you kill what's already dead? *That's* how."


Cards like Critical Hit

Critical Hit carves its own niche within the pantheon of double strike enablers in Magic: The Gathering. When compared to other cards like Temur Battle Rage, it has a distinguishing advantage – it can be played from the graveyard, thus giving you a second chance to amplify your creatures’ abilities. Temur Battle Rage is well-regarded for granting both double strike and trample but is a one-time opportunity tied to its casting.

Aside from that, we also have Assault Strobe, a single red mana spell that bestows double strike but, unlike Critical Hit, lacks flexibility due to its sorcery speed. Dual Strike, another related card, offers the possibility to copy the next instant or sorcery spell with mana cost four or less. Dual Strike grants a different strategic angle and when compared to Critical Hit, it doesn’t directly impact the creatures but rather works to magnify other spells’ effects.

Scrutinizing the intricate differences and uses of these spells, Critical Hit demonstrates considerable merit. Its reusability from the graveyard and instant speed execution make it a formidable option for players looking to maximize their creatures’ combat potential.

Temur Battle Rage - MTG Card versions
Assault Strobe - MTG Card versions
Dual Strike - MTG Card versions
Temur Battle Rage - MTG Card versions
Assault Strobe - MTG Card versions
Dual Strike - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Critical Hit by color, type and mana cost

Shatter - MTG Card versions
Word of Blasting - MTG Card versions
Incinerate - MTG Card versions
Guerrilla Tactics - MTG Card versions
Orcish Catapult - MTG Card versions
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Shattering Pulse - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Strike - MTG Card versions
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First Volley - MTG Card versions
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Fists of the Anvil - MTG Card versions
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Fling - MTG Card versions
Comet Storm - MTG Card versions
Pyretic Ritual - MTG Card versions
Punishing Fire - MTG Card versions
Shatter - MTG Card versions
Word of Blasting - MTG Card versions
Incinerate - MTG Card versions
Guerrilla Tactics - MTG Card versions
Orcish Catapult - MTG Card versions
Blood Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Falter - MTG Card versions
Shattering Pulse - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Strike - MTG Card versions
Starstorm - MTG Card versions
First Volley - MTG Card versions
Psychotic Fury - MTG Card versions
Sudden Shock - MTG Card versions
Fists of the Anvil - MTG Card versions
Magma Jet - MTG Card versions
Seismic Shudder - MTG Card versions
Fling - MTG Card versions
Comet Storm - MTG Card versions
Pyretic Ritual - MTG Card versions
Punishing Fire - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Delivering direct damage while drawing cards can shift the momentum in your favor, providing both a tactical edge and bolstering your hand with additional options.

Resource Acceleration: By dealing damage to creatures or players, you pave the way to accelerate your board state without obstruction, enhancing your tempo and resource allocation.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast at instant speed offers flexibility to disrupt opponent’s plays or to end their turn with a surprise twist, making it a versatile addition in any strategy where timing is crucial.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Critical Hit requires you to discard a card, which can be a trade-off in situations where preserving hand size is crucial. Players need to weigh the potential benefit of the spell against the disadvantage of diminishing their own options.

Specific Mana Cost: Having a mana cost that includes both red and generic mana may limit the card’s flexibility. It’s optimal in a red-centric deck but could be a tough fit in multicolor decks that cannot reliably produce the necessary mana early on in the game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When it comes to spells that serve a similar purpose, Critical Hit’s mana cost might be on the higher side. Evaluating alternative spells with lower mana requirements is important, as they may provide more efficiency and fit more seamlessly into a player’s strategy.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Critical Hit can be seamlessly integrated into a wide array of deck builds, particularly those that capitalize on spell-slinging or strategies reliant on dealing direct damage to creatures or players.

Combo Potential: This card holds the potential to create explosive turns when combined with spells that copy or enhance damage, paving the way for powerful game-ending combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where creatures frequently hit the board and combat is vital, Critical Hit ensures your creatures prevail in battles and can catapult you into a winning position against creature-heavy decks.


How to beat

The Critical Hit card in Magic: The Gathering is a tricky spell to navigate due to its potential to double damage. This card’s impact is undeniable, elevating ordinary attacks to lethal encounters. When facing a deck with Critical Hit, the best approach is through effective negation. Counterspells, such as Negate or Dovin’s Veto, can neutralize it before it hits the battlefield, mitigating the risk. Another strategy is to remove the creatures that would benefit from Critical Hit, using removals like Murder or Path to Exile, thereby nullifying the card’s effect.

Additionally, keeping a watch on your opponent’s mana pool and their untapped lands can give you insight into a possible Critical Hit play, allowing you to strategically hold back your counters or removal until needed. Lastly, always prioritize your life total’s safety; consider creatures with lifelink to offset the double damage or employ damage prevention spells like Healing Salve. Understanding and anticipating Critical Hit’s impact can ultimately turn the tides in your favor.

By dissecting the nuances of defeating Critical Hit’s effect, players can effectively counter this potent card, ensuring their longevity in the game. Critical Hit commands respect but isn’t unbeatable with prepared strategies and timely responses.


BurnMana Recommendations

The MTG battlefield is a chessboard where every card can be the key to victory. Recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of cards like Critical Hit is essential for any strategy. As players weigh the pros of card advantage, resource acceleration, and the pivotal instant speed against the cons like discard requirements and mana cost, knowing when and how to use this card becomes pivotal. Moreover, understanding its role in your collection and how it stacks against similar spells deepens your strategic pool. If you’re looking to refine your plays or craft a deck that capitalizes on Critical Hit’s double damage potential, join us for insights that sharpen your edge in every duel. Let’s unlock the full potential of your MTG arsenal together.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Critical Hit MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, 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 Critical Hit and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Critical Hit has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal