Outflank MTG Card

Instant-speed Outflank permits tactical plays, turning combat phases to your advantage. White mana requirement limits its use to certain deck compositions, affecting versatility. Outflank’s power scales with creature quantity, beneficial in swarm or token strategies.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	2019-10-04
Set symbol
Set name	Throne of Eldraine
Set code	ELD
Number	23
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Victor Adame Minguez

Text of card

Outflank deals damage to target attacking or blocking creature equal to the number of creatures you control.

"With the drum of hooves and a flash of blades, the monster's terrifying roar changed to a cry of fear." —*Legend of the Gilded Knights*

Cards like Outflank

Outflank stands as a unique tactical spell among creature removal cards in MTG. In essence, it bears resemblances to other white spells designed to neutralize threats, such as the straightforward Sunlance, which also deals damage to target creature. Nevertheless, Outflank’s dependency on the number of attacking creatures you control differentiates it, offering potentially greater damage output in swarm strategies.

Considering other alternatives, Condemn is a worthy mention. As a one-mana white instant, it dispatches a threat by putting an attacking creature on the bottom of its owner’s library. Unlike Outflank, its effect is not influenced by the number of creatures you command, providing a reliable answer in one-on-one scenarios. Then, there’s the celebrated Swords to Plowshares, a staple in removal for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness, instantly exiling any creature at the risk of giving your opponent life.

Outflank shines in games where the battlefield is teeming with your units, serving as a cost-efficient way to capitalize on your army’s size. Its place within white’s creature control arsenal remains secure for those seeking a devastating reveal during a full-on assault.

Swords to Plowshares - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Outflank by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Outflank shines in scenarios where the battlefield is crowded with creatures, giving players a decisive edge. By potentially removing a key threat, it can shift the balance and maintain supremacy in the tug-of-war for board dominance.

Resource Acceleration: Although Outflank does not directly accelerate resources, its low cost permits players to deploy other strategies alongside it. This efficient use of mana keeps the tempo in favor of the player who can make multiple impactful plays in a single turn.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Outflank at instant speed offers flexibility that can catch an opponent off-guard. Whether it’s during combat on their turn or yours, the instantaneous nature of this spell allows for strategic combat tricks that can tip a battle in your favor without sacrificing your own turn’s actions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Outflank necessitates a player to have a number of attacking creatures equal to or greater than the number of creatures defending. This situation may not always be favorable, especially if you’re facing a more defensive opponent with fewer creatures on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Outflank requires white mana, making it exclusive to decks that can produce this color. This specificity could potentially limit its inclusion only to white or multi-colored decks that can accommodate white mana in their mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its effect, Outflank’s mana cost is on the higher side when compared to other combat tricks in the game. Players may opt for more mana-efficient alternatives that provide a similar or even greater impact on the game without being as taxing on their mana resources.

Reasons to Include Outflank in Your Collection

Versatility: Outflank easily slides into white creature-based decks, capitalizing on its ability to deal damage equivalent to the number of creatures you control. This makes it an excellent choice for swarm strategies or token decks, where the number of creatures can quickly escalate.

Combo Potential: This card demonstrates impressive synergy with tactics that increase the number of creatures on the field. Pairing Outflank with cards that produce multiple tokens or with effects that double creature counts can turn it into a devastating removal spell for a minor mana investment.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where creature-heavy decks are dominant, Outflank shows its true colors as a cost-effective combat trick. It’s particularly strong against single, high-value threats, allowing you to maintain board control without expending multiple resources.

How to beat

Outflank is a versatile combat trick that can tip the scales in combat scenarios within Magic: The Gathering. This white instant allows a player to deal damage to an attacking or blocking creature equal to the number of creatures they control. It shines in decks that flood the battlefield with creatures, turning a defensive stand into a removal opportunity.

To outmaneuver Outflank, it is crucial to maintain control of the battlefield. One strategy is to reduce the opponent’s creature count, weakening Outflank’s potential. Spell-based removal or board wipes can effectively diminish the opposing army, ensuring Outflank lacks the necessary numbers to be impactful. Additionally, pacing your own creature plays to avoid extensive losses during combat can also mitigate the card’s effectiveness.

Furthermore, dueling with decks that focus less on a wide creature strategy and more on quality over quantity, with fewer, stronger creatures, can also minimize the impact of Outflank. By limiting the targets and ensuring your essential creatures have high toughness, you can ensure that Outflank’s effect is less devastating. Through thoughtful play and strategic deck building, overcoming Outflank’s influence can be achieved.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Outflank MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine, 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 Outflank and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Outflank has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2019-10-04	Count the number of creatures you control as Outflank resolves to determine how much damage Outflank deals.