Sonic Assault MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Abilities	Jump-start
Released	2018-10-05
Set symbol
Set name	Guilds of Ravnica
Set code	GRN
Number	199
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Tyler Walpole

Key Takeaways

Provides card advantage by combining creature tap and direct damage, pivotal for controlling the game’s pace.
The jump-start ability offers a valuable resource reutilization, letting you cast it from the graveyard.
Instant speed ensures strategic flexibility, allowing for mid-combat interruptions or unexpected plays.

Text of card

Tap target creature. Sonic Assault deals 2 damage to that creature's controller. Jump-start (You may cast this card from your graveyard by discarding a card in addition to paying its other costs. Then exile this card.)

He heard stars and saw thunder.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sonic Assault offers strategic play by tapping an opponent’s creature and dealing damage to that opponent. This dual action can shift the tide of battle and effectively neutralize an imminent threat, keeping you ahead in resource management.

Resource Acceleration: With its Jump-start ability, you can cast Sonic Assault from your graveyard by discarding a card in addition to paying its other costs, essentially giving you a second use. This feature accelerates your resource utility by maximizing the use of the cards in your hand and graveyard.

Instant Speed: The instant speed of Sonic Assault allows for flexible play, enabling you to respond swiftly to evolving board states. Its nature makes it perfect for disrupting your opponent’s strategy at a critical moment, be it during their combat phase or when they least expect a setback.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Sonic Assault asks players to jump through an extra hoop by discarding a card to activate its jump-start ability. This can be a strategic setback, especially when your hand is nearly empty or when each card in hand is crucial for upcoming turns.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both blue and red mana, Sonic Assault may not seamlessly fit into a multicolored deck’s mana base. This can be a hitch for players running decks that don’t focus on Izzet (blue-red) colors, potentially leading to instances where Sonic Assault is stuck in hand with no means to cast it.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a total cost of three mana, including two specific colors, Sonic Assault’s immediate impact might not seem as potent compared to other spells in the same mana range. Other cards could offer more versatility or more powerful effects, making the mana investment in Sonic Assault feel less efficient in certain situations.

Reasons to Include Sonic Assault in Your Collection

Versatility: Sonic Assault offers flexible options for tempo and aggressive strategies, fitting comfortably into decks that aim to disrupt opponents while applying pressure.

Combo Potential: With its ability to tap a creature and deal damage, Sonic Assault works well with cards that capitalize on both tapped creatures and direct damage, enabling more intricate and potent combos.

Meta-Relevance: Sonic Assault shines in a meta where creature-based aggressive decks prevail. Its capacity to temporarily remove blockers or deactivate potential threats can swing games in your favor.

How to beat

Sonic Assault is an intriguing Instant card in MTG that disrupts opponents by tapping their creatures and dealing damage at the same time. It’s a fusion of aggressive and controlling strategies, capable of throwing off your opponent’s calculations. Despite its potential, like any other card, it can be countered or its impact minimized.

To effectively neutralize Sonic Assault, instant speed removal or creature-based strategies can be key. Consider using cards that can untap your creature or counteract the tap effect. Additionally, cards that provide hexproof or shroud to your creatures can prevent Sonic Assault from targeting them in the first place. In a pinch, having a healthy life total or a robust defense can also mitigate the damage dealt by Sonic Assault. It’s all about staying one step ahead, maintaining card advantage, and being prepared to protect your key pieces.

By understanding and anticipating this card’s mechanics, players can ensure that Sonic Assault doesn’t derail their game plan. Solid deck-building and timely reactions will help turn the tables, allowing you to maintain control over the game and diminish the effectiveness of your opponent’s strategy.

Cards like Sonic Assault

Sonic Assault is an intriguing instant in MTG that provides a unique blend of tempo and damage. It shares similarities with cards like Inside Out, which allows for a quick switch in a creature’s power and toughness, albeit without the direct damage component. Sonic Assault distinguishes itself with its tap and damage function, offering both disruption and a way to press an advantage.

Another card that echoes Sonic Assault’s tap strategy is Frost Breath. While Frost Breath affects two creatures and completely skips the damage aspect, it provides vital control during your opponent’s turn. Conversely, Sonic Assault adds a direct pressure component by dealing damage, which can be crucial for closing out games.

Comparatively, Izzet cards like Thunderous Wrath offer direct damage but lack the tactical versatility of tapping an opponent’s creature. While Sonic Assault may not finish a game as swiftly as Thunderous Wrath, the ability to unsettle your opponent’s board provides a strategic edge that’s valuable in certain scenarios.

Ultimately, Sonic Assault’s mix of immediate board impact and the potential to disrupt an opponent’s rhythm carves out its niche among MTG instants, making it a card worth considering for decks that aim to maintain tempo and apply consistent pressure.

Cards similar to Sonic Assault by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sonic Assault 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 Sonic Assault and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sonic Assault has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2018-10-05	A spell cast using jump-start will always be exiled afterward, whether it resolves, it’s countered, or it leaves the stack in some other way.
2018-10-05	If a card with jump-start is put into your graveyard during your turn, you’ll be able to cast it right away if it’s legal to do so, before an opponent can take any actions.
2018-10-05	If an effect allows you to pay an alternative cost rather than a spell’s mana cost, you may pay that alternative cost when you jump-start a spell. You’ll still discard a card as an additional cost to cast it.
2018-10-05	If the target creature becomes an illegal target for Sonic Assault, the spell doesn’t resolve. No player is dealt damage.
2018-10-05	Sonic Assault can target a tapped creature. The creature can’t be tapped again, but Sonic Assault still deals 2 damage to that creature’s controller.
2018-10-05	You must still follow any timing restrictions and permissions, including those based on the card’s type. For instance, you can cast a sorcery using jump-start only when you could normally cast a sorcery.