Scare Tactics MTG Card

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When playing Scare Tactics, the potential to disrupt multiple opponents simultaneously equates to a form of card advantage. Particularly in multiplayer formats, this card can turn the tide, as it forces each opponent to make difficult decisions about creature blocks, potentially leading to a more favorable board state for the casting player.

Resource Acceleration: Scare Tactics doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration in the form of added mana or tokens. However, by persuading opponents to avoid blocking, it can indirectly accelerate your victory, preserving your creatures and allowing them to deal damage more effectively and tip the scales in resource-heavy board states.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Scare Tactics offers strategic flexibility, allowing you to catch opponents off-guard during the combat phase. Deciding whether to block or take damage becomes a more complex and risky decision for them. The instant-speed nature of this card makes it a powerful tool in the hands of a player adept at reading the game and their opponent’s patterns.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Scare Tactics necessitates discarding a card to activate its ability, posing challenges when your hand is already depleted or if key cards are crucial for your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both black and generic mana, Scare Tactics can be restrictive and may not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks that don’t prioritize black mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Demanding three mana, two of which must be black, players may find the cost steep relative to the card’s impact on the game, particularly when other spells could provide greater utility or board presence for a similar investment.

Reasons to Include Scare Tactics in Your Collection

Versatility: Scare Tactics is a unique instant that can slide into a variety of deck builds. It’s particularly useful in decks focused on creature numbers, turning even the smallest creatures into significant threats for a decisive turn.

Combo Potential: This card excels in synergy with strategies that amass large numbers of creatures. Couple it with token generators to unexpectedly amplify your board presence and take opponents by surprise during crucial combat phases.

Meta-Relevance: In a landscape where combat tricks can tilt the tide of battle, Scare Tactics stands out. Its ability to give an unexpected boost can disrupt opponent plans and strategies, making it a card worth considering in many game scenarios where creatures are key.

How to beat

Scare Tactics is a black instant card in Magic: The Gathering that can give creatures an unexpected boost during combat, making it a trickier spell to navigate around. To effectively counteract Scare Tactics, understanding the timing of its use is crucial. This low-cost card is often activated during the declare blockers step to boost the power of attacking or blocking creatures. A well-placed removal or bounce spell in response can neutralize the threat posed by Scare Tactics. Furthermore, it’s beneficial to keep a watchful eye on the number of creatures your opponent has, as the spell’s effect scales with quantity.

To maintain the upper hand, consider playing control elements. Cards with the ability to counter spells provide a direct way to prevent Scare Tactics from resolving, while having instant removal can minimize its impact on the game. Tactical plays and strategic foresight are the keys to overcoming the potential surprise that Scare Tactics brings to the battlefield in MTG. Mastering these concepts will help players navigate and ultimately prevail against such sudden wave of power in their matches.