Panic MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 212
1997-03-24 - Number 260
2008-09-22 - Number 145
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Target creature cannot block this turn. Cast only during combat before defense is chosen. Draw a card at the beginning of the next turn's upkeep.
"If you'd been there, you would've run from that deer, too!" —Jaya Ballard, Task Mage
Cards like Panic
Panic, an intriguing utility in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, shares some common ground with other instant-speed red spells designed to disrupt opponents’ strategies. Panic demands that a target creature be unable to block this turn—an effect akin to that of Break Through the Line. Break Through the Line offers more flexibility by allowing multiple creatures to gain this benefit with extra mana investment, but it requires setup as it’s an enchantment.
Glaringly similar is the prowess of Seismic Stomp, which denies all creatures without flying the ability to block for a turn, thus impacting the board more extensively than Panic’s single-target approach. But this comes at the cost of being slightly more expensive in terms of mana. Active Volcano is another comparison, which not only clears a path by making creatures unable to block but also holds the strategic upside of countering blue spells or returning islands to their owner’s hand, offering a broader spectrum of utility.
Despite these comparisons, Panic’s low mana cost and the immediacy of its effect give it a distinctive edge. It’s particularly effective for surprise plays, allowing for potentially game-changing moments when attackers slip through an opponent’s defenses.
Cards similar to Panic by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Panic allows quick cycle through the deck, offering a chance to draw into the right answers or threats when most needed.
Resource Acceleration: Panic’s nominal casting cost facilitates swifter plays, setting the stage for executing powerful combos or overwhelming board states ahead of schedule.
Instant Speed: The ability to play Panic on an opponent’s turn provides strategic flexibility, allowing players to adapt to the evolving game state without sacrificing momentum.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Panic necessitates discarding a card upon activation. This cost can be steep when hand size is crucial to maintaining control of the game’s progression or when trying to maximize each card’s value.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring red mana for casting, Panic can be restrictive for decks that are not heavily invested in red mana sources. This can potentially hamper deck-building flexibility and make the card less versatile in multi-color decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its need for one red mana, Panic’s cost can be deemed relatively high for its one-time effect. Players might find other cards with a lower mana requirement or those offering a recurrent benefit as more cost-effective choices.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Panic is a classic card with the ability to fit seamlessly into red decks that favor fast and aggressive playstyles. Its low mana cost and instant speed make it highly adaptable for various situations.
Combo Potential: Panic helps enable combos by removing potential blockers, allowing your creatures to swing in unimpeded. It pairs well with strategies that revolve around dealing direct damage or creature combat.
Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-based strategies are prevalent in many metas, Panic can serve as an efficient tool to disrupt your opponent’s board state and maintain pressure, making it a relevant inclusion in many competitive scenes.
How to beat
Panic, an intriguing MTG card, can disrupt careful planning by granting haste at the cost of card discard at the end of turn. Its ability to thwart defensive measures and enable a surprise attack makes it a considerable challenge. To effectively counter Panic, focus on card advantage and removal tools. Ensuring a solid hand size allows you to recover from any forced discard, while removal spells or effects can neutralize creatures boosted by Panic’s haste. Adequate preparation and preserving control cards for critical moments can turn the tables against Panic’s aggressive strategy.
Additionally, consider the timing of your plays. By playing more conservatively, you can bait out Panic and then respond accordingly—potentially on opponent’s end step or during your turn before the creature with Panic becomes a threat. The strategic use of instant speed interaction or flash creatures can create unexpected blockers or removal opportunities, stifling your opponent’s hasty ambitions.
Ultimately, facing Panic requires patience and calculated decision-making. Instead of racing, outvalue and outmaneuver your opponent to maintain the upper hand. By playing smart and retaining control, Panic becomes less intimidating, transforming the rush into a calculated risk for your opponent rather than a surefire path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Panic MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Fifth Edition, 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 Panic 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 Panic Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 212 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mike Kimble | |
| 2 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 260 | 1997 | Normal | White | Greg Simanson | |
| 3 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 145 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mike Kimble |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Panic has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Panic card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-09-20 | If a turn has multiple combat phases, this spell can be cast during any of them as long as it’s before the beginning of that phase’s Declare Blockers Step. |