Shoving Match MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Released	1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mercadian Masques
Set code	MMQ
Number	103
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dave Dorman

Key Takeaways

Instant speed allows Shoving Match to disrupt combat and control board interactions on demand.
Card’s utility may be outweighed by its discard cost, impacting hand size and overall strategy.
Despite drawbacks, its versatility in certain decks makes it a potentially powerful combo piece.

Text of card

Until end of turn, all creatures gain "oc T: Tap target creature."

Rishadan barkeeps know something the Mercadians have yet to learn: if you keep pushing, someone will eventually push back.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shoving Match doesn’t draw cards itself but can disrupt your opponent’s strategy, potentially causing them to lose card advantage when forced to make unfavorable blocks or when key creatures are tapped down and made vulnerable.

Resource Acceleration: While Shoving Match itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its low mana cost allows players to keep up the pressure on the battlefield while saving resources for other impactful plays in their hand.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Shoving Match at instant speed gives players a tactical edge, offering the flexibility to decide combat outcomes or tap creatures during an opponent’s turn, which can be crucial for maintaining board control.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Shoving Match mandates the discard of a card to activate its ability, raising the stakes in crucial gameplay moments when hand size could determine victory or defeat.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost includes red mana, which may not seamlessly fit into all deck builds, especially those that run a multicolor strategy with limited red sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its unique ability, the mana investment is on the higher side. Players might find that other cards provide more impactful effects or more efficient board control at a similar or lower cost.

Reasons to Include Shoving Match in Your Collection

Versatility: Shoving Match offers a unique mechanic that can be integrated into decks that aim to disrupt opponents’ plans. Its capacity to target multiple creatures means it can be a flexible addition to your arsenal, easily adapting to various board states.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with decks that have tap or untap triggers, turning each shove into a potential combo piece. Its interaction with cards that benefit from creatures being tapped or untapped can create unexpected turns and advantages.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies dominate, Shoving Match steps up as more than just a utility card. It can throw off combat math and enable favorable trades or push through damage, making it a relevant choice in creature-heavy metas.

How to beat

Shoving Match is a unique card in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, offering a quirky and often overlooked interaction that can disrupt your opponent’s combat strategy. To outmaneuver this effect, it is essential to minimize the card’s impact by reducing the number of creatures on the battlefield. This approach forces your opponent to have less flexibility in choosing blockers or attackers during a Shoving Match situation. Additionally, employing creatures with abilities like hexproof or shroud can be an effective counter, as these creatures are less susceptible to being chosen for an unwanted scuffle during the card’s activation.

Another solid strategy is to maintain instant-speed removal in your hand. This allows you to respond to the activation of Shoving Match by removing key creatures from the equation. Focusing on maintaining control with counterspells, bounce effects, or combat tricks can also tilt the outcome of battles in your favor, negating the advantage your opponent hopes to gain. The key is to stay prepared and adapt to the battlefield dynamics, ensuring that a Shoving Match doesn’t turn the tide against you.

Clever deck-building and smart in-game decisions are your best tools against this interactive card. Understanding when to play creatures, when to hold back, and how to maintain answers for unexpected challenges will help you maintain the upper hand against Shoving Match and other disruptive card effects in your MTG matchups.

Cards like Shoving Match

Shoving Match, a unique instant from the MTG universe, offers players a distinctive strategy during their end step phases. When considering cards with comparable mechanisms, we look at cards like Standstill which creates a different kind of engagement. Whereas Standstill is a deterrent that dissuades players from casting spells by promising card draws to the opponent, Shoving Match instead focuses on the tactical repositioning of creatures.

Another related card is Goblin Diplomats. This card also goads players into combat but does so in a way that forces all creatures to attack if able. It lacks the end step timing restriction but shares the tactical manipulation seen in Shoving Match. Lastly, there’s Incite War, granting creatures attack and block availability as they choose, much like Shoving Match; however, it is a single-use ability requiring a new cast each rotation, unlike the repeatable effect potential of Shoving Match when the conditions are met.

Delving into these interactions offers a peek into MTG’s complex playstyles, where Shoving Match stands out for its unique timing and repeated potential to redefine the battlefield each turn.

Cards similar to Shoving Match by color, type and mana cost

Thirst for Knowledge - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shoving Match 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 Shoving Match and other MTG cards: