Joint Assault MTG Card


Enables advantageous trades or damage, pivoting the game’s momentum in your favor. Instant speed and low mana cost make it a versatile combat trick in many decks. Limited to green mana decks and requires powerful creatures to unlock full potential.
Joint Assault - Avacyn Restored
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2012-05-04
Set symbol
Set nameAvacyn Restored
Set codeAVR
Number183
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byRaymond Swanland

Text of card

Target creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn. If it's paired with a creature, that creature also gets +2/+2 until end of turn.

"By my power, werewolves shall become the wolfir, our allies in combat against darkness." —Avacyn's Cursemute Decree


Cards like Joint Assault

Joint Assault is an intriguing combat trick that can serve as a crucial swing in power in Magic: The Gathering matches. It shines in decks that focus on creatures with the ‘tap’ mechanic, offering them a boost just when it’s most needed. Comparable cards include Invigorated Rampage, which also provides a similar power increase but gives the player choices on the distribution of that boost. It also enhances the toughness, which Joint Assault does not.

Temur Battle Rage is another similar card, giving not just a power boost but also trample and potentially double strike—a formidable combo that can end games if used correctly. However, it lacks the ally-targeting synergy that Joint Assault possesses with decks designed around camaraderie and cooperation among creatures. Lastly, there’s the card Rush of Adrenaline, providing a significant power boost and the pivotal addition of trample for a lower cost, but it enhances only a single creature without the support for the ally theme.

Within the realm of combat tricks and power buffs in Magic: The Gathering, Joint Assault’s specialty in ally interaction affords it a unique position. It is particularly strong in a narrower, ally-centric context where it can turn the tides of battle swiftly.

Invigorated Rampage - MTG Card versions
Temur Battle Rage - MTG Card versions
Rush of Adrenaline - MTG Card versions
Invigorated Rampage - MTG Card versions
Temur Battle Rage - MTG Card versions
Rush of Adrenaline - MTG Card versions

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Joint Assault provides a direct increase in a creature’s power which can lead to advantageous board states, enabling trades or damage that can skew the card advantage in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: With a low mana cost, Joint Assault allows for efficient use of mana, essentially speeding up your resource allocation to apply pressure on the opponent early in the game.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Joint Assault at instant speed offers tactical flexibility, permitting reactive plays to surprise an opponent during combat or at the end of their turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Joint Assault requires you to have a creature with power 4 or greater to activate its secondary bonus. This can be a drawback in decks that focus on smaller creatures or have inconsistent access to large creatures.

Specific Mana Cost: Joint Assault’s mana cost is color specific, needing one green. This requirement may pose a challenge when trying to fit it into multi-color decks that may not always have the necessary green mana available when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For two mana, Joint Assault provides a temporary power boost, which may not be as cost-effective compared to other low-cost spells that offer more permanent solutions or additional effects besides the power increase.


Reasons to Include Joint Assault in Your Collection

Versatility: Joint Assault can easily slide into decks that are creature-heavy and capitalize on higher attack power. It works exceptionally well in strategies that focus on utilizing creatures with the soulbond mechanic or just those that thrive on being aggressive.

Combo Potential: This card has the potential to become a key piece in combos that involve doubling the power of a creature before delivering a swift game-ending blow. Pair it with creatures that have trample or double strike for a devastating effect.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where tempo plays are crucial, Joint Assault can be a game-changer. It allows for substantial swings in power dynamics, potentially clearing the way for a win in fast-paced matchups.


How to beat

Joint Assault epitomizes the union of speed and synergy in Magic: The Gathering, particularly within decks dedicated to creature strategies. The ability to bestow a potentially game-changing power and toughness boost based on the number of creatures you control with Soulbond can spiral out of control quickly if not addressed. To dismantle this strategy, efficient creature removal is key. It’s essential to remove key bonded pairs or potential targets for the Joint Assault before the buff can be applied. Use instant speed removal like Doom Blade or Path to Exile to disrupt the Soulbond mechanic and leave your opponent’s Joint Assault stranded in their hand without a target.

Another tactic is to limit the number of creatures your opponent controls. Board wipes such as Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict can reset the battlefield, rendering Joint Assault ineffective. For those looking for a more pinpointed approach, countermagic serves as a powerful tool. By countering the Joint Assault itself with spells like Counterspell or Mana Leak, you halt your opponent’s momentum and maintain pressure. When employing these strategies, keep in mind the importance of timing and resource management to effectively neutralize the threat posed by Joint Assault and maintain control of the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Joint Assault MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored, 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 Joint Assault and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Joint Assault has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2012-05-01 Joint Assault checks whether the target creature is paired only when it resolves. If it becomes unpaired later in the turn, neither creature will lose the bonus. Similarly, if it becomes paired later in the turn, the creature it’s paired with won’t gain the bonus.
2012-05-01 Joint Assault targets only one creature. If that creature is an illegal target when Joint Assault tries to resolve, it won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen. No creature will get +2/+2.