Kill Shot MTG Card
2014-09-26 - Number 15
2016-08-26 - Number 94
2022-04-29 - Number 19
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Key Takeaways
- Instant speed allows for surprise removal during combat, providing a significant strategic advantage.
- Three-mana cost and white mana specificity might limit its inclusion in some multicolor decks.
- The card’s simplicity and efficiency make it a practical choice for white-based control strategies.
Text of card
Destroy target attacking creature.
Mardu archers are trained in Dakla, the way of the bow. They never miss their target, no matter how small, how fast, or how far away.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Kill Shot doesn’t directly provide additional cards, it can effectively neutralize key threats from opponents. By targeting an attacking creature, it helps maintain your board state and preserve your valuable creatures for future turns.
Resource Acceleration: Kill Shot’s low casting cost helps you stay ahead in the resource game. Costing only three mana, it allows you to deal with large threats without a significant investment, freeing up resources for other strategic plays.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Kill Shot at instant speed offers tactical flexibility. You can bide your time and respond to your opponent’s moves, casting Kill Shot during the combat phase to disrupt their strategy and remove a potentially game-changing attacker without warning.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Kill Shot does not have a discard requirement itself, it can indirectly lead to card disadvantage. When played, you’re using a spell to counter a single creature’s attack which means you’re down one card, whereas your opponent might not be sacrificing any resources at all.
Specific Mana Cost: Kill Shot requires two white mana to cast, making it less flexible for multicolor decks that might need access to different colors of mana at crucial points in the game. This specific cost can sometimes be a drawback in diverse mana bases.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Kill Shot is considered to have a higher cost for a removal effect that is conditional. Several removal spells offer more immediate impact or broader targeting criteria for similar or lower mana investments, potentially making Kill Shot a less attractive option in decks where mana efficiency is paramount.
Reasons to Include Kill Shot in Your Collection
Versatility: Kill Shot is a simple, yet effective card to have in white-based decks, especially for those seeking reliable removal options. Its ability to target attacking creatures gives it a place in decks that focus on control and protection.
Combo Potential: Though not a combo piece in the traditional sense, it pairs well with strategies that incentivize opponents to attack, only for you to turn the tables with a timely Kill Shot.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where players rely on key attacking creatures to win, having Kill Shot up your sleeve ensures you’re always one step ahead, making it a meta-savvy choice.
How to beat
Kill Shot is a well-known removal spell that can halt aggressive creatures in their tracks during combat. The card showcases its prowess by targeting attacking creatures, thus eliminating the immediate offensive threat. However, not all is lost when facing a Kill Shot across the battlefield. There are several strategies to consider when going up against this removal card.
Firstly, baiting out the spell with a less valuable attacker can save your more potent creatures for future turns. Another effective strategy is to use instant-speed spells or abilities that can grant your creatures hexproof or indestructible, effectively nullifying Kill Shot’s effect. Lastly, keeping a watchful eye on your opponent’s untapped lands and available mana can give you a hint as to whether Kill Shot might be looming. Playing around the assumed threat can be just as impactful as countering it outright.
In essence, understanding and anticipating this instant-speed trap enables savvy playmakers to maneuver around the limitations of Kill Shot. Careful play and strategic baiting can effectively neutralize this classic removal option.
Cards like Kill Shot
Kill Shot stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a reliable removal option for dealing with attacking creatures. Functionally akin to cards like Divine Verdict, Kill Shot offers a similar reactive measure by targeting creatures that are declared as attackers. Unlike Divine Verdict, however, Kill Shot demands less mana, necessitating only three mana, which can be a crucial advantage in the tempo of a game.
Another comparable spell is Gideon’s Reproach, which also costs less mana and deals damage instead of destroying the creature outright. This difference can be significant, depending on the toughness of the creature it is used against. Rebuke closely resembles Kill Shot as well, with the same mana cost, but it has an additional restriction to it being cast only in a multiplayer game. This specificity makes Kill Shot a more versatile choice in various MTG formats.
By examining the aspects and evaluating the utility of similar spells, Kill Shot is often preferred for its straightforward and less restrictive removal capability. Its value is recognized in decks that need to deal with attacking creatures efficiently without compromising their mana curve.
Cards similar to Kill Shot by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kill Shot MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir and Conspiracy: Take the Crown, 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 Kill Shot 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 Kill Shot Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2014-09-26 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014-09-26 | Khans of Tarkir | KTK | 15 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Michael C. Hayes | |
| 2 | 2016-08-26 | Conspiracy: Take the Crown | CN2 | 94 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Michael C. Hayes | |
| 3 | 2022-04-29 | Streets of New Capenna | SNC | 19 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josh Hass |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Kill Shot 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 |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
