Galestrike MTG Card
2017-04-28 - Number 54
2019-11-15 - Number 22
2020-11-20 - Number 70
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Return target tapped creature to its owner's hand. Draw a card.
Strong wings make strong winds.
Cards like Galestrike
Galestrike is an intriguing instant that offers both a tactical advantage and card draw in Magic: The Gathering. It can be likened to other blue spells like Unsummon or Blink of an Eye that provide a temporary solution by returning a creature to its owner’s hand. Yet, Galestrike differentiates itself by allowing its caster to draw a card, going a step further than merely bouncing creatures.
Another card that comes to mind is Repulse, which shares the creature return and draw effect, but differs slightly in mana requirements. Meanwhile, Into the Roil could be considered a distant cousin, presenting versatility with its kicker cost that, when paid, also allows a card draw. Galestrike’s distinctiveness lies in its strict focus on tapping creatures as a condition for their return to the hand.
Comparing these interactions highlights how Galestrike can fit into a control strategy, seamlessly integrating creature management with maintaining card advantage. As players evaluate their decks, Galestrike holds its position firmly among MTG removal cards that merge board control with the replenishment of options in hand.
Cards similar to Galestrike by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Galestrike provides the utility of returning a tapped creature to its owner’s hand, often disrupting your opponent’s strategy and allowing you to draw a card, hence maintaining or advancing your card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While Galestrike doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it can effectively give you a time advantage by resetting an opponent’s tempo, potentially costing them resources if they need to replay the creature.
Instant Speed: The instant speed of Galestrike allows for strategic flexibility, permitting you to respond to your opponent’s moves, use your mana efficiently, and make pivotal decisions at the optimal time.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Galestrike does not have a discard requirement, it’s important to note that the absence of this effect means you’re not getting the potential card advantage seen in some alternate removal spells that could fuel graveyard strategies or benefit from discard synergy.
Specific Mana Cost: Galestrike asks for a specific combination of blue mana, which might not seamlessly fit into all decks. Players running multicolored decks may find the restrictive blue mana cost challenging to meet under tight circumstances, possibly hindering the spell’s timing and utility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including one blue, Galestrike’s ability to return a tapped creature to its owner’s hand and draw a card may appear costly. Other spells in MTG offer similar or better effects for a lower mana investment, making Galestrike a potential underperformer in competitive environments where efficiency is key.
Reasons to Include Galestrike in Your Collection
Versatility: Galestrike serves as a valuable tool in decks focused on controlling the tempo of a match. Its ability to tap a target creature and return it to its owner’s hand makes it a versatile option not only for removing blockers but also for saving your creatures from unfavorable engagements.
Combo Potential: This card can be synergistically combined with strategies that capitalize on casting spells during combat or with cards that trigger upon creatures leaving or entering the battlefield. The bounce effect can reset your own creatures with valuable enter-the-battlefield abilities for repeated use.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment teeming with formidable creatures, Galestrike gives you an edge by temporarily removing threats and disrupting your opponents’ plans. It can serve as a tactical response to high-value targets, setting up your board for success in both aggressive and control archetypes.
How to beat
Galestrike is an interesting card used to disrupt your opponent’s battlefield momentum. A key to overcoming Galestrike lies in its timing – since it’s played at instant speed, it can be challenging to predict. One must be cautious about when to commit to attacks or creature deployments, as Galestrike will not only tap a targeted creature but also force you to draw a card, maintaining card parity.
To effectively counter this card, consider holding onto instant-speed removal or hexproof effects to protect against such interruptions. Cards that grant indestructible until end of turn could also nullify Galestrike’s efforts to neutralize a major threat on your side. Add to that, creatures with vigilance could be resistant to its effects, since they needn’t tap to attack, or flash creatures that could be cast post-Galestrike to ensure your turn isn’t wasted.
Ultimately, sidestepping Galestrike’s setback isn’t just about having the right cards in hand, it’s also about playing with an awareness of your opponent’s mana and potential strategies, staying one step ahead so that Galestrike becomes more of a fleeting breeze than a sweeping storm.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Galestrike MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Game Night 2019, 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 Galestrike 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
Printings
The Galestrike Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by Mike Bierek.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet | AKH | 54 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mike Bierek | |
| 2 | 2019-11-15 | Game Night 2019 | GN2 | 22 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mike Bierek | |
| 3 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 70 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mike Bierek |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Galestrike has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Galestrike card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-11-10 | If the target creature is an illegal target by the time Galestrike tries to resolve, the spell doesn't resolve. You don't draw a card. |