Leaping Ambush MTG Card
2023-09-08 - Number 177
2023-09-08 - Number 26
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Target creature gets +1/+3 and gains reach until end of turn. Untap it.
Witchstalkers have extremely powerful legs—all the better to reach you with.
Cards like Leaping Ambush
Leaping Ambush makes a unique mark in the realm of combat tricks in MTG. Its kinship is close to cards like Giant Growth, offering a temporary boost in power and toughness. Where Leaping Ambush diverges is in its surprise factor, granting creatures the reach ability, enabling strategies that thwart aerial attacks unexpectedly. Giant Growth lacks this strategic nuance, providing a straightforward enhancement.
Comparatively, we consider a spell like Sudden Spinnerets, which also confers reach and takes it up a notch by untapping the creature. It’s a cost-efficient trick that not only blocks fliers but readies your defender for further actions. Even though it doesn’t offer the same power boost, its utility can’t be ignored. Additionally, there’s Skysnare Spider, which inherently possesses reach and vigilance, potentially deterring flying creatures over multiple turns. It represents a permanent solution, as opposed to the temporary nature of combat tricks.
Each card offers distinct advantages, catering to different styles of play. While Leaping Ambush provides a momentary edge in battle, other options present varying forms of flexibility and longevity. Understanding these subtleties can help players tailor their decks to their tactical preferences in MTG.
Cards similar to Leaping Ambush by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Leaping Ambush. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Sultai Midrange | Standard | Sultai Graveyard | BLACK - FRI - 11AM - Chicago 75K Standard Open |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Leaping Ambush provides the potential to twist a game’s pace in your favor by setting you up with additional creature presence. Effectively, by unleashing creatures from your deck onto the battlefield, you’re capitalizing on card economy and overwhelming your opponent with surprise attacks.
Resource Acceleration: The strategic use of Leaping Ambush enables savvy players to bypass traditional mana costs associated with casting creatures. This card therefore acts as a catalyst for resource acceleration, empowering you to deploy high-powered creatures earlier than conventional play would typically allow.
Instant Speed: The flexibility offered by instant speed spells cannot be overstated, and Leaping Ambush is no exception. It allows you to adapt swiftly to the evolving state of play, catching adversaries off guard during their turn, and ensuring your maneuvers remain cloaked in secrecy until the perfect moment arrives.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When you play Leaping Ambush, it asks for an additional payment beyond mana: sacrificing a creature is a tall order, especially in a game where every creature can be a valuable asset on the battlefield.
Specific Mana Cost: Deck builders looking to include Leaping Ambush need to be mindful of its green mana requirement. This can be restrictive and makes the card less versatile as it can’t be effortlessly slotted into decks that don’t run green mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With so many cards vying for a spot in your four-mana curve, Leaping Ambush faces stiff competition. There are alternatives that might not only cost less but also offer more straightforward advantages without additional costs.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Leaping Ambush is a flexible card that can be easily integrated into a variety of green decks. Its ability to disrupt your opponent’s battle plans makes it a solid choice for both offensive and defensive strategies.
Combo Potential: This card excels in decks that thrive on surprise tactics and instant-speed interactions. It can synergize with abilities that trigger upon creatures entering the battlefield or benefit from the element of surprise to overcome your opponent’s defenses.
Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to catch opponents off-guard and tip the scales in creature-heavy matchups, Leaping Ambush remains relevant in metas where combat tricks can decisively influence the board state and outcome of the game.
How to Defeat Leaping Ambush
Leaping Ambush is a dynamic card known for catching opponents off guard in Magic: The Gathering. The fact that it can disrupt an adversary’s combat strategy makes it a noteworthy challenge to overcome. Those facing this card must think strategically, given Leaping Ambush’s potential to generate a pivotal tempo shift during a game.
To effectively counter this card, consider the robust range of removal spells. A timely removal when Leaping Ambush is cast can mitigate its effects, ensuring your creatures aren’t caught in a surprise block. Similarly, one could utilize counterspells to prevent it from resolving in the first place. Another route is to manage potential ambush targets by not over-committing creatures to an attack, reducing the impact of Leaping Ambush and retaining control over the game’s flow.
Additionally, instant-speed creature buffs can turn the tables on an opponent attempting to utilize Leaping Ambush, transforming a defensive move into an unexpected loss for them. By staying prepared and responsive, players can preserve their battlefield position and deftly navigate around the snares that cards like Leaping Ambush set.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Leaping Ambush MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine and Wilds of Eldraine Art Series, 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 Leaping Ambush and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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 Leaping Ambush Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-09-08 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by Vincent Christiaens.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine | WOE | 177 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Vincent Christiaens | |
| 2 | Wilds of Eldraine Art Series | AWOE | 26 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Vincent Christiaens |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Leaping Ambush has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |