Startle MTG Card
2021-09-24 - Number 78
2022-01-28 - Number 78
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Key Takeaways
- Startle provides card draw and disrupts opponents, crucial for maintaining hand advantage and tempo.
- Despite demanding a specific mana mix, its utility makes it a strong contender in blue-centric strategies.
- Its comparative high mana cost can be offset by the card advantage and tactical flexibility it affords.
Text of card
Target creature gets -2/-0 until end of turn. Create a 2/2 black Zombie creature token with decayed. (It can't block. When it attacks, sacrifice it at end of combat.) Draw a card.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Startle lets you immediately draw a card, ensuring your hand stays filled and your strategies flexible.
Resource Acceleration: While not a direct accelerator, given it’s a low-cost card, Startle helps maintain mana efficiency and may enable bigger plays in subsequent turns.
Instant Speed: As an instant, Startle gives you the versatility to disrupt your opponent’s strategy at the most opportune moment without having to commit resources until absolutely necessary.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Startle compels players to part with a precious card from their hand, which might deplete their strategic options or force them to discard a critical piece of their game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a precise combination of blue and another mana, Startle can be inconvenient for decks not dedicated to these colors, potentially restricting its play to only certain archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For three mana, Startle’s immediate impact may not compare favorably with other instant speed interactions in the game, making it a less attractive option, especially when mana efficiency is crucial.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Startle is a flexible card that can slot into various blue-based decks. Its ability to both disrupt an opponent’s attack and provide a creature token makes it a multi-use tool in any match.
Combo Potential: The additional draw and token generation synergize well with decks that capitalize on spell casting or token strategies, making Startle a solid choice for intricate game plans.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s creature-heavy or where tempo plays are crucial, Startle’s instant-speed interaction can swing the board state in your favor, proving its worth in your collection.
How to beat Startle
Startle finds its place in the realm of instant-speed interaction in Magic: The Gathering. This card could catch many players off guard, offering a multifaceted approach to disrupt an opponent’s strategy by not only tapping a creature but also creating a 1/1 token that can be a surprising blocker or an enabler for sacrifice strategies. Nevertheless, countering Startle involves strategic play and deck building. Prioritizing the inclusion of instant-speed removal or hexproof-granting cards can thwart this spell’s impact. Moreover, employing creatures that benefit from being targeted or those that have tap/untap synergies can turn this apparent setback into a strategic advantage. It’s important to maintain a proactive gameplay, keeping the mana open for reactive spells to nip Startle’s effect in the bud.
Remember that Startle works best when it disrupts your combat phase or key creature activation. Thus, it can be highly effective to diversify your threats to dilute the impact of a single Startle. In games where Startle may be prevalent, consider incorporating spells and abilities that cannot be easily obstructed by token generation or temporary tapping.
In summary, defeating Startle requires a keen sense of timing and a diverse array of responses to ensure that its sudden appearance doesn’t derail your game plan. A balanced approach combining vigilant play with adaptable strategies can effectively neutralize Startle’s disruptive potential.
Cards like Startle
Startle is an intriguing card within the Magic: The Gathering spell lineup, offering a unique twist on the typical creature control mechanics. It’s akin to Frost Breath, which also temporarily disables opponent creatures by tapping them and preventing them from untapping during the next untap step. Startle brings its own flair by not only tapping a creature but also creating a 2/2 black Zombie creature token with decayed in addition to drawing a card, which Frost Breath doesn’t offer.
Another kindred spirit is Unsummon, which bounces an opponent’s creature back to their hand, temporarily clearing the way for an attack or disrupting a combo. Startle doesn’t bounce creatures, yet it still disrupts opponents’ plans while providing you with a token and card advantage. There’s also Blind Phantasm, a straight blue creature-based approach to tapping opposing creatures, though without the additional benefits that Startle grants.
Assessing the broader scope of control spells, Startle stands out by not only impacting the board state but also fueling your hand and board presence, distinguishing itself as a multipurpose tool for players in Magic: The Gathering. Its combination of immediate impact and value generation makes it a fine option for decks looking to disrupt and capitalize on each spell cast.
Cards similar to Startle by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Startle MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Startle and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Startle Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Craig J Spearing.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-09-24 | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt | MID | 78 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Craig J Spearing | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 78 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Craig J Spearing |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Startle has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Startle card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-09-24 | Decayed does not create any attacking requirements. You may choose not to attack with a creature that has decayed. |
| 2021-09-24 | Decayed does not grant haste. Creatures with decayed that enter the battlefield during your turn may not attack until your next turn. |
| 2021-09-24 | Decayed represents a static ability and a triggered ability. "Decayed" means "This creature can't block" and "When this creature attacks, sacrifice it at end of combat." |
| 2021-09-24 | Once a creature with decayed attacks, it will be sacrificed at end of combat, even if it no longer has decayed at that time. |
