Lunge MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mercadian Masques
Set code	MMQ
Number	203
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dan Frazier

Key Takeaways

Lunge’s instant speed and direct damage offer tactical advantages in combat and board control.
The discard requirement and specific mana cost may limit its use in multi-colored decks.
Despite limitations, Lunge’s utility in targeted removal makes it a viable collection addition.

Text of card

Lunge deals 2 damage to target creature and 2 damage to target player.

Cho-Arrim righteousness was no match for Benalish combat training.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Lunge enables you to deal direct damage to a creature, efficiently handling threats without losing card balance in hand-to-board dynamics.

Resource Acceleration: While Lunge itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its low mana cost aids in preserving mana for other crucial plays within the same turn cycle.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Lunge provides the flexibility to respond to opponents’ moves on their turn, maintaining the element of surprise and control over the progression of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the limitations of Lunge when considering its integration into your deck is the necessity to discard another card. This requirement can strain your hand, especially in tight situations where each card’s value is paramount. Having to let go of potentially crucial spells or creatures could turn the tide against you, making Lunge a costly choice at times.

Specific Mana Cost: Lunge’s mana cost is color-intensive, meaning it demands a specific combination of mana types. This can be restrictive for multicolor decks that might not always have the required mana readily available. Such a limitation ensures that Lunge fits more cohesively into mono-red decks, potentially limiting its versatility across various builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its capability to deal direct damage, Lunge comes with a high mana cost for the effect it provides. Other cards in the MTG universe may offer similar effects for less, or provide additional benefits alongside the damage for a more cost-effective impact. When building a deck, weighing the mana efficiency of each card is critical, and Lunge’s balance of cost versus effect might not always justify its inclusion, especially in formats where efficiency and speed are key.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Lunge is a flexible inclusion in various decks due to its instant speed and direct damage capability. It pairs well with decks focused on removing threats or requiring spot removal to maintain board control.

Combo Potential: This card can work in tandem with spells and abilities that trigger upon dealing damage or casting instants, bolstering your overall strategy and creating opportunities for powerful plays.

Meta-Relevance: Lunge remains useful in environments where efficient creature removal is paramount. Its ability to impact the board immediately keeps it relevant, particularly in the face of aggro strategies.

How to beat

Lunge is an intriguing removal option in Magic: The Gathering’s vast arsenal of spells. It shines in its simplicity, offering targeted damage that rivals many comparable instant-speed removals. To overcome Lunge, consider creatures with higher toughness that can withstand its damage. Diversifying your threats can also dilute Lunge’s impact, forcing opponents to make difficult choices about when to play it. Additionally, leveraging cards with hexproof or protection from red hinders Lunge’s effectiveness, making your creatures immune to its fiery burst.

Favoring spells and abilities that regenerate or return creatures from the graveyard can also mitigate Lunge’s impact. Indeed, if you anticipate facing Lunge or similar cards, including such resilient elements in your deck strategy can substantially increase your chances of maintaining a strong board presence. This strategic anticipation ensures that when Lunge is cast, its threat is neutralized, and its potential advantage for your opponent is turned into a moment of resilience for you.

Ultimately, clever deck building and an awareness of Lunge’s limitations are key. By incorporating creatures that outsize its damage potential, using protective spells, or embracing graveyard mechanics, you can effectively nullify the threat posed by Lunge in Magic: The Gathering matches.

Cards like Lunge

Lunge presents an interesting dynamic within the realm of instant cards designed to give creatures a temporary boost in Magic: The Gathering. Within its category, Giant Growth is a noteworthy comparison; it provides an impressive +3/+3 bonus to creatures until the end of the turn. However, unlike Lunge, Giant Growth doesn’t facilitate direct damage to another target, focusing solely on creature enhancement.

Another analogous card is Sure Strike, which offers a creature not only a bonus of +3/+0 but also grants first strike. Though both cards are instants, Sure Strike allows creatures to potentially avoid damage altogether by defeating the opponent’s creature before it can retaliate. In contrast, Lunge provides the strategic edge of impacting the board without relying on combat.

As we appraise the mechanics and strategic uses, it’s clear that Lunge holds its own in MTG, especially when players need the flexibility of removing an opponent’s creature while beefing up their own in a single, swift move. Its blend of direct damage and combat enhancement offers a dual-purpose that can be pivotal in the heat of battle.

Cards similar to Lunge by color, type and mana cost

Merchant of the Vale // Haggle - MTG Card versions

Path of Anger's Flame - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lunge MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Lunge and other MTG cards: