Fateful Showdown MTG Card


Provides significant card advantage by refreshing your hand and increasing draw potential in the game. Instant speed allows for unexpected plays and flexibility in responding to opponents. Requires careful timing due to its hand discard requirement and specific mana cost.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Text of card

Fateful Showdown deals damage to target creature or player equal to the number of cards in your hand. Discard all the cards in your hand, then draw that many cards.

Tonight at the Grand Exhibition, witness Head Judge Tezzeret face off against the infamous renegade Pia Nalaar.


Cards like Fateful Showdown

Fateful Showdown makes for a thrilling experience among red card options in Magic: The Gathering. Its dual ability to both deal damage and refresh a player’s hand puts it in line with similar cards such as Fiery Temper. While Fiery Temper also allows for direct damage, it doesn’t facilitate the drawing of new cards. Fateful Showdown’s distinct advantage is that it can potentially alter the tide of a game by drawing you into better cards.

Comparatively, Cathartic Reunion offers the draw mechanic as well, but without the ability to harm opponents or their creatures. It requires the upfront cost of discarding two cards, which can be a major play if timed right, yet lacks the immediate impact of Fateful Showdown. On another note, Tormenting Voice stands in the mix, a simple spell requiring a single discard to draw two cards. Although at a lower cost than Fateful Showdown, it misses the potential for immediate board influence through damage.

To sum up, Fateful Showdown delivers a unique blend of deck cycling and damage that aligns it closely yet favourably when gauged against its counterparts. Its versatility in both offensive and card advantage aspects makes it a card that can dynamically shift game momentum in MTG.

Fiery Temper - MTG Card versions
Cathartic Reunion - MTG Card versions
Tormenting Voice - MTG Card versions
Fiery Temper - MTG Card versions
Cathartic Reunion - MTG Card versions
Tormenting Voice - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Fateful Showdown by color, type and mana cost

Blind Fury - MTG Card versions
Lightning Blast - MTG Card versions
Boil - MTG Card versions
Blood Oath - MTG Card versions
Warpath - MTG Card versions
Magma Burst - MTG Card versions
Sudden Impact - MTG Card versions
Temporary Insanity - MTG Card versions
Stoke the Flames - MTG Card versions
Fated Conflagration - MTG Card versions
Solar Blast - MTG Card versions
Grab the Reins - MTG Card versions
Tears of Rage - MTG Card versions
Blind with Anger - MTG Card versions
Ire of Kaminari - MTG Card versions
Torrent of Stone - MTG Card versions
Overblaze - MTG Card versions
Hidetsugu's Second Rite - MTG Card versions
Gaze of Adamaro - MTG Card versions
Dogpile - MTG Card versions
Blind Fury - MTG Card versions
Lightning Blast - MTG Card versions
Boil - MTG Card versions
Blood Oath - MTG Card versions
Warpath - MTG Card versions
Magma Burst - MTG Card versions
Sudden Impact - MTG Card versions
Temporary Insanity - MTG Card versions
Stoke the Flames - MTG Card versions
Fated Conflagration - MTG Card versions
Solar Blast - MTG Card versions
Grab the Reins - MTG Card versions
Tears of Rage - MTG Card versions
Blind with Anger - MTG Card versions
Ire of Kaminari - MTG Card versions
Torrent of Stone - MTG Card versions
Overblaze - MTG Card versions
Hidetsugu's Second Rite - MTG Card versions
Gaze of Adamaro - MTG Card versions
Dogpile - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Fateful Showdown acts as a potent mechanism to refresh your hand, potentially trading in a poor selection for new options, thus helping you find the answers or threats you need precisely when you need them.

Resource Acceleration: While the card doesn’t directly accelerate resources, the ability to discard your hand and draw new cards can effectively cycle through your deck faster, increasing the chances of drawing into ramp or mana sources.

Instant Speed: Fateful Showdown can be cast at instant speed, offering the flexibility of a surprise finish during an opponent’s turn or responding to your opponent’s actions, making it a versatile tool in any player’s arsenal.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Fateful Showdown forces you to discard your entire hand, which can put you at a significant disadvantage if you’re unable to refill your hand quickly or if you discard key cards needed for your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires two red and two colorless mana, which makes it specific to decks that can reliably produce red mana, potentially limiting its inclusion in multi-color decks or those that do not focus heavily on red mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of four mana, Fateful Showdown’s impact on the board might not match its expense, especially when compared to other immediate damage spells or draw mechanics that cost less and offer similar or more flexible benefits.


Reasons to Include Fateful Showdown in Your Collection

Versatility: Fateful Showdown offers flexibility in red decks, acting as both a tool for card refreshment and a form of direct damage. This allows it to perform well in various game scenarios, from resetting a stale hand to removing problematic creatures.

Combo Potential: The card has inherent combo potential, particularly in decks that capitalize on discarding or drawing cards. Synergies with cards like Alhammarret’s Archive can lead to powerful plays, turning the downside of discarding into a significant advantage.

Meta-Relevance: Depending on the meta, Fateful Showdown could serve as a key card against certain matchups. In environments where card advantage and precision removal are crucial, this card could provide the edge needed to outmaneuver opponents.


How to Beat

Fateful Showdown is a red instant card that can change the course of a game in an instant. With its dual nature of dealing damage and refreshing your hand, it can be both a threat and an opportunity. To counter this card, the key is to minimize the impact of the damage dealt. Protecting your life total with cards like Essence Warden or employing damage redirection tactics through cards like Deflecting Palm can turn the tide in your favor. Moreover, instant-speed discard effects like Thoughtseize could be used to disrupt your opponent’s hand before they can unleash the full potential of Fateful Showdown.

Efficient use of counter spells like Negate can also neutralize this card before it even takes effect. In addition, keeping your hand size small can greatly reduce the damage potential of Fateful Showdown, making it less of a devastating blow. Remember, understanding the timing and strategic play of your opponent is crucial in mitigating the effects of powerful cards like Fateful Showdown. By keeping these strategies in mind, you’ll be well-equipped to handle the explosive nature of this card and maintain control of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG is a continual process that encompasses deck building, strategic play, and an understanding of every card’s role on the battlefield. Fateful Showdown can be a game-changer, whether you’re looking to revitalize your hand or deal decisive damage. Familiarizing yourself with its mechanics and potential synergies is crucial. For those intrigued by the prospects of weaving Fateful Showdown into their strategic tapestry, we invite you to delve deeper with us. Embrace the challenges it presents, discover combos that amplify its strengths, and learn to mitigate its risks. Your MTG prowess can only grow from here. Journey with us to unlock the full potential of your deck with Fateful Showdown.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fateful Showdown MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Kaladesh Promos, 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 Fateful Showdown and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Fateful Showdown Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2020-11-12. Illustrated by Chris Rallis.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-09-30KaladeshKLD 1142015NormalBlackChris Rallis
22016-09-30Kaladesh PromosPKLD 114s2015NormalBlackChris Rallis
32020-11-12Kaladesh RemasteredKLR 1232015NormalBlackChris Rallis

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fateful Showdown has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Fateful Showdown card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2016-09-20 If Fateful Showdown's target becomes an illegal target, you won't discard your hand or draw any cards.
2016-09-20 The number of cards in your hand is counted only as Fateful Showdown resolves. Fateful Showdown is on the stack at this time, so it's not counted.
2018-01-19 There are many important moments in the story, but the most crucial—called “story spotlights”—are shown on cards. These cards have the Planeswalker symbol in their text box; this symbol has no effect on gameplay. You can read more about these events in the official Magic fiction at http://www.mtgstory.com.