Hundred-Talon Strike MTG Card

Provides deck penetration, creature enhancement, and adaptive play at instant speed, boosting offensive capabilities. Demands a card discard and specific mana, which may restrict usage across various deck constructions. Presents a higher mana cost than alternatives, requiring careful consideration of in-game resource allocation.

Hundred-Talon Strike - Betrayers of Kamigawa

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant — Arcane
Abilities	Splice
Released	2005-02-04
Set symbol
Set name	Betrayers of Kamigawa
Set code	BOK
Number	8
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Matt Cavotta

Text of card

Target creature gets +1/+0 and gains first strike until end of turn. Splice onto Arcane— Tap an untapped white creature you control. (As you play an Arcane spell, you may reveal this card from your hand and pay its splice cost. If you do, add this card's effects to that spell.)

Cards like Hundred-Talon Strike

Hundred-Talon Strike is an intriguing combat trick in Magic: The Gathering, sharing a role played by other instant spells that boost creatures’ abilities. Where Hundred-Talon Strike shines is in its versatility, offering not only a +2/+1 increase to a target creature but also providing the potential to untap that creature. This dual function can be a surprise boon during combat.

Take the card Expedite for example—another instant that confers haste and draws a card. Expedite excels at speed but lacks the combat prowess boost that Hundred-Talon Strike provides. Conversely, Unleash Fury doubles a creature’s power until end of turn, a potent offensive play that outmatches Hundred-Talon Strike’s temporary stat boost. Yet, it doesn’t have the added utility of untapping the creature for unexpected blocks or additional attacks.

Assessing these spells side by side, Hundred-Talon Strike holds its own as a tactical option in deck builds that aim to capitalize on swift, pivotal combat maneuvers. Its capacity to alter the course of a duel with an unexpected twist makes it a card worth considering for players who value flexibility and surprise in their strategies.

Cards similar to Hundred-Talon Strike by color, type and mana cost

Swords to Plowshares - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Hundred-Talon Strike can be an effective tool for reaching further into your deck, pulling out essential cards to maintain momentum against your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: By potentially bolstering your creature’s presence on the battlefield, this card sets the stage for a more powerful offensive strategy, accelerating your resource utility in the game.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Hundred-Talon Strike at instant speed offers considerable flexibility, allowing players to adapt to the unfolding game and catch opponents off guard during combat.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the notable drawbacks of Hundred-Talon Strike is that it necessitates the player to discard a card. This action could put players at a disadvantage, particularly when their hand is already running low on cards and each one holds significant value for the ongoing strategy. Discarding can unintentionally deplete crucial resources and upset the balance of play.

Specific Mana Cost: The card features a mana cost that requires a specific color alignment, which inherently limits its flexibility. Decks not running the right color scheme will find it difficult to incorporate Hundred-Talon Strike, making it less of a universal option and more of a niche pick. Players must carefully consider if their deck’s color identity can consistently meet this cost.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When pitted against other options in its category, Hundred-Talon Strike’s mana cost is on the higher side. Players may find that for the mana investment needed to play this card, there are alternatives that could execute similar functions at a lower cost or offer added value. The high mana demand could slow down a player’s momentum, especially in the early game where mana efficiency is key.

Reasons to Include Hundred-Talon Strike in Your Collection

Versatility: Hundred-Talon Strike is a flexible card that finds its place in various deck builds. Its ability to empower both attacking and non-attacking creatures makes it a multifaceted tool for creature-based strategies.

Combo Potential: This spell can spark synergy within decks that capitalize on additional spellcasting or prowess triggers. When paired with creatures that have tap abilities, it can unexpectedly enhance your board’s impact.

Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment crowded with creature interactions, Hundred-Talon Strike provides an affordable way to boost your forces and stay ahead in the race for combat superiority. Its instant speed makes it relevant in multiple phases of the game.

How to beat

Hundred-Talon Strike can be a quite powerful card in MTG, allowing creatures to not only gain a significant boost but also a tactical advantage with its double strike feature. However, like any card, it has its vulnerabilities. By navigating the complexities of the game, you can implement strategies to counteract its effects. Ensuring you have instant speed removal can dismantle the plans of the opposing creature before the spell resolves, negating the potential for damage.

Moreover, having access to counter spells in your deck increases your ability to handle such combat tricks effectively. Another approach is controlling the board state through cards that manage, restrict, or prohibit the casting of spells like Hundred-Talon Strike. This ensures the opposition cannot gain an upper hand through these sudden bursts of power.

In essence, by preparing with defensive mechanics, foresight, and strategic planning, you can effectively mitigate the impact of Hundred-Talon Strike and similar threat-enhancing spells, preserving your board and maintaining the upper hand in the duel.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hundred-Talon Strike MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers of Kamigawa, 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 Hundred-Talon Strike and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Hundred-Talon Strike has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2013-06-07	A card with a splice ability can’t be spliced onto itself because the spell is on the stack (and not in your hand) when you reveal the cards you want to splice onto it.
2013-06-07	If all of the spell’s targets are illegal when the spell tries to resolve, it won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen.
2013-06-07	You choose all targets for the spell after revealing cards you want to splice, including any targets required by the text of any of those cards. You may choose a different target for each instance of the word “target” on the resulting spell.
2013-06-07	You reveal all cards you intend to splice at the same time. Each individual card can be spliced only once onto any one spell.