Justice Strike MTG Card


Justice Strike - Guilds of Ravnica
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Released2018-10-05
Set symbol
Set nameGuilds of Ravnica
Set codeGRN
Number182
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byClint Cearley

Key Takeaways

  1. Justice Strike offers efficient creature removal, preserving card advantage and mana resources for players.
  2. Its instant speed allows for tactical responses during opponents’ turns, disrupting their strategies effectively.
  3. While powerful, its specific color requirement and two mana cost can limit its versatility in varied decks.

Text of card

Target creature deals damage to itself equal to its power.

"Those who show no mercy to the weak deserve no mercy from the strong." —Firemane Kavrova


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Justice Strike offers strategic value, letting you remove a threat from the board without losing a card yourself, essentially trading one for one and maintaining your card count while potentially depleting your opponent’s resources.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana resources, efficient removal such as Justice Strike optimizes your mana usage, effectively handling larger threats with just two mana and preserving your mana pool for further plays within the same turn.

Instant Speed: The strength of Justice Strike is significantly enhanced by its instant speed, allowing players to react in real-time to opponents’ moves. By disrupting enemy maneuvers on their turn, you can maintain the upper hand and protect your strategy.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Justice Strike doesn’t force you to discard, which is a plus compared to other spells that require additional cards as part of their casting cost.

Specific Mana Cost: Demanding both red and white mana, Justice Strike can be challenging to cast in a deck that’s not dedicated to those colors. This hinders its utility in multicolor decks that may not have the mana consistency to cast it when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Justice Strike’s two mana cost may appear reasonable, but it’s restrictive in fast-paced games where each mana point matters. Some alternatives could provide similar or better effects with more flexibility in terms of mana requirements or additional benefits.


Reasons to Include Justice Strike in Your Collection

Versatility: Justice Strike is particularly flexible, fitting seamlessly into red and white decks that aim to control the board. This instant can remove a wide range of creatures your opponents control, supporting defense or paving the way for a strategic attack.

Combo Potential: Given its low cost and accessibility, Justice Strike works well in synergistic strategies. It pairs efficiently with cards that benefit from spells being cast or with creatures that have abilities triggered upon casting instants and sorceries.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where large creatures are the norm, Justice Strike proves to be a highly relevant removal option. It’s capable of taking down many of the format’s heavy hitters at a minimal mana investment, making it a strategic inclusion in numerous competitive settings.


How to beat Justice Strike

Justice Strike is a potent removal spell in Magic: The Gathering, providing Red-White decks with a way to deal with larger creatures. This instant card can be quite the hurdle, as it forces the targeted creature to deal damage to itself equal to its power. However, evading its impact isn’t as daunting as it might seem. Let’s delve into some strategies.

One effective tactic is to focus on creatures with low power and high toughness, as they won’t be as affected by their own power stat. Indestructible creatures are another great choice, rendering Justice Strike’s ability moot. Additionally, utilizing spells that grant hexproof or using counterspells can intercept Justice Strike before it takes effect. Lastly, employing creatures with beneficial exit effects can turn the table on your opponent, making the use of Justice Strike a risky play for them rather than a setback for you.

In essence, while Justice Strike can dismantle certain strategies, building your deck with its presence in mind, using circuitous strategies, and leveraging the right spells can deftly neutralize its potential and secure your creatures’ place on the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

With every card comes an opportunity to refine your MTG deck, and Justice Strike is no exception. Whether you face behemoths that dominate the board or want to weave a more intricate tapestry of spells that rewards you each time you cast, this card delivers. Consider integrating Justice Strike into your collection for its dependable creature removal at instant speed. It’s a solid choice in a meta filled with formidable creatures. Interested in enhancing your strategic play and expanding your MTG repertoire? Dive deeper with us for insights and tactics that can give you the edge in your next duel.


Cards like Justice Strike

Justice Strike is an intriguing removal option in MTG, closely aligning with spells like Lightning Helix due to its direct damage approach. However, Justice Strike targets creatures specifically, requiring them to deal damage to themselves equal to their power, which can be a swift end for large, formidable creatures. Lightning Helix, though it deals a set amount of damage, has the advantage of also healing the caster.

Reckless Rage is another card that shares some similarities, offering a damage-based removal but at an even lower cost, with the trade-off being that you must also damage one of your own creatures. Unlike Justice Strike’s self-inflicted damage pattern, Reckless Rage’s ability to deal direct, targeted damage offers a different strategic angle. Then we have Swift Justice, which although doesn’t provide removal capabilities, grants a creature lifelink and first strike, potentially upsetting combat outcomes in your favor.

In conclusion, examining the specifics of these cards reveals that Justice Strike holds a unique position, combining cost-effective removal with the potential to eliminate particularly sturdy creatures without the need for direct damage numbers. It’s a testament to the versatility found within MTG’s array of removal spells.

Lightning Helix - MTG Card versions
Reckless Rage - MTG Card versions
Swift Justice - MTG Card versions
Lightning Helix - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Reckless Rage - Rivals of Ixalan (RIX)
Swift Justice - Return to Ravnica (RTR)

Cards similar to Justice Strike by color, type and mana cost

Captain's Maneuver - MTG Card versions
Lightning Helix - MTG Card versions
Flamescroll Celebrant // Revel in Silence - MTG Card versions
Lantern Flare - MTG Card versions
Boros Charm - MTG Card versions
Double Cleave - MTG Card versions
Fight to the Death - MTG Card versions
Burning Oil - MTG Card versions
Shattering Blow - MTG Card versions
Aurelia's Fury - MTG Card versions
Martial Glory - MTG Card versions
Ride Down - MTG Card versions
Deflecting Palm - MTG Card versions
Sacred Fire - MTG Card versions
Heartflame Duelist // Heartflame Slash - MTG Card versions
Inventory Management - MTG Card versions
Captain's Maneuver - Planechase (HOP)
Lightning Helix - Murders at Karlov Manor (MKM)
Flamescroll Celebrant // Revel in Silence - Strixhaven: School of Mages Promos (PSTX)
Lantern Flare - Innistrad: Double Feature (DBL)
Boros Charm - Phyrexia: All Will Be One Commander (ONC)
Double Cleave - Ultimate Masters (UMA)
Fight to the Death - Alara Reborn (ARB)
Burning Oil - Dark Ascension (DKA)
Shattering Blow - Gatecrash (GTC)
Aurelia's Fury - The List (PLST)
Martial Glory - Double Masters 2022 (2X2)
Ride Down - Shadows over Innistrad Remastered (SIR)
Deflecting Palm - Murders at Karlov Manor Commander (MKC)
Sacred Fire - Innistrad: Double Feature (DBL)
Heartflame Duelist // Heartflame Slash - Wilds of Eldraine (WOE)
Inventory Management - Fallout (PIP)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Justice Strike MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica, 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 Justice Strike and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Justice Strike has restrictions

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

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