Fulgent Distraction MTG Card


Fulgent Distraction - Scars of Mirrodin
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2010-10-01
Set symbol
Set nameScars of Mirrodin
Set codeSOM
Number7
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byNic Klein

Key Takeaways

  1. Fulgent Distraction’s instant speed can unexpectedly shift battle dynamics, potentially thwarting opponent strategies.
  2. This card necessitates careful consideration due to its discard cost and color-specific mana requirements.
  3. It shines in control decks, providing a tempo advantage and complementing creature-focused metagames.

Text of card

Choose two target creatures. Tap those creatures, then unattach all Equipment from them.

"Channeling the white-hot power of all five suns creates a pretty good diversion." —Yavash of the Accorders


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Fulgent Distraction can potentially divert your opponent’s focus by rerouting the attack patterns. This disturbance might buy you enough time to draw into a game-changing card or build a stronger board presence.

Resource Acceleration: The ability to force opponents to readjust their plans can act as a form of resource acceleration. It’s an indirect way of slowing them down while you get ahead, especially if you have synergistic effects waiting to be triggered during their turned-around state.

Instant Speed: Fulgent Distraction’s instant speed flexibility allows you to adapt swiftly to the battlefield’s dynamics. It’s not just about when you play it, but how its sudden activation can upend an opponent’s strategy at a moment’s notice, often when they least expect it.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Fulgent Distraction demands that a player discards a card to cast it, this can put the player at a card disadvantage, especially if their hand size is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: This spell’s mana cost is fixed in the blue spectrum, requiring a dedicated mana base, potentially restricting its inclusion in multi-colored or colorless decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Allocating three mana for a single-target temporary distraction may not be the most mana-efficient move, as other spells offer more permanent solutions at a similar, or even lower, mana cost.


Reasons to Include Fulgent Distraction in Your Collection

Versatility: Fulgent Distraction brings flexible board control to your arsenal, proving valuable in disrupting opponent’s strategies by altering creature attack dynamics. It slots nicely into various control or flicker decks aiming for tempo advantage.

Combo Potential: This card perfectly synergizes with archetypes that capitalize on casting spells during the opponent’s turn or those that seek to reset abilities of creatures. Its potential to chain with other instant spells creating complex battle scenarios is immense.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by heavy creature-based decks, Fulgent Distraction offers a tool to navigate through dense battlefields, giving a strategic edge by cleverly altering combat math and preserving vital life points.


How to beat

Fulgent Distraction presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield. This card offers players a unique form of control, allowing you to keep your opponent’s creatures from overwhelming you. At first glance, it may seem like a setback to face an instant that can rearrange your blocking creatures, potentially minimizing the impact of your defensive strategies.

To effectively counteract Fulgent Distraction, you’ll want to consider holding back on committing all your creatures to blocks if you suspect this trick up your opponent’s sleeve. Prioritize your high-value creatures by not putting them all in harm’s way at once. Additionally, cards with hexproof can serve as a reliable safeguard against such disruptive tactics, ensuring your key creatures remain unaffected. Lastly, keeping instant-speed removal or counter spells handy can disrupt your opponent’s plans, maintaining control over the encounter. By employing foresight and strategic conservation of resources, you can mitigate the disruptive power of Fulgent Distraction and maintain the upper hand in your matches.


Cards like Fulgent Distraction

Fulgent Distraction stands as an interesting choice for players looking to control the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. It’s akin to other spells that alter the state of creatures, such as Gods Willing. Gods Willing provides protection from a color of your choice, which can be pivotal during combat or to shield against targeted removal. However, unlike Fulgent Distraction, it does not impact multiple creatures and doesn’t force them to tap.

Another card to consider in this context is Blinding Beam. This spell also taps creatures, and it can put them out of commission for an entire turn. Fulgent Distraction, while not locking down creatures for as long, gives you flexibility by affecting two targets for a single white mana and offers card draw if kicked. Meanwhile, Blinding Beam requires an increased mana investment for its full effect.

Considering the tactical advantage of deploying quick, less resource-intense spells, Fulgent Distraction is certainly worthy of attention in card comparison discussions. While it may not incapacitate enemies for long or offer protection, its low cost and potential for card advantage can be especially valuable in strategically timed situations.

Gods Willing - MTG Card versions
Blinding Beam - MTG Card versions
Gods Willing - Theros (THS)
Blinding Beam - Mirrodin (MRD)

Cards similar to Fulgent Distraction by color, type and mana cost

Reverse Damage - MTG Card versions
Army of Allah - MTG Card versions
Holy Light - MTG Card versions
Morale - MTG Card versions
Blood of the Martyr - MTG Card versions
Piety - MTG Card versions
Martyrdom - MTG Card versions
Harsh Justice - MTG Card versions
Kor Chant - MTG Card versions
Just Fate - MTG Card versions
Waylay - MTG Card versions
Warrior's Honor - MTG Card versions
Radiant's Judgment - MTG Card versions
Abolish - MTG Card versions
Restrain - MTG Card versions
Prismatic Strands - MTG Card versions
Ardenvale Tactician // Dizzying Swoop - MTG Card versions
Teferi's Protection - MTG Card versions
Oblation - MTG Card versions
Wing Shards - MTG Card versions
Reverse Damage - Introductory Two-Player Set (ITP)
Army of Allah - Arabian Nights (ARN)
Holy Light - Masters Edition (ME1)
Morale - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Blood of the Martyr - Chronicles (CHR)
Piety - Renaissance (REN)
Martyrdom - Alliances (ALL)
Harsh Justice - Portal (POR)
Kor Chant - The List (PLST)
Just Fate - Masters Edition IV (ME4)
Waylay - Urza's Saga (USG)
Warrior's Honor - Anthologies (ATH)
Radiant's Judgment - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Abolish - Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Tezzeret (DDF)
Restrain - Invasion (INV)
Prismatic Strands - Commander 2019 (C19)
Ardenvale Tactician // Dizzying Swoop - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Teferi's Protection - Strixhaven Mystical Archive (STA)
Oblation - Commander 2011 (CMD)
Wing Shards - Commander 2017 (C17)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fulgent Distraction MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin, 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 Fulgent Distraction and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fulgent Distraction has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2011-01-01 Fulgent Distraction can target tapped and/or unequipped creatures.
2011-01-01 If one of the targeted creatures is an illegal target by the time Fulgent Distraction resolves, that creature won’t become tapped and no Equipment will be unattached from it. The other creature will still be affected. If both of the targeted creatures are illegal targets by the time Fulgent Distraction resolves, the spell doesn’t resolve.
2011-01-01 You must target two creatures as you cast Fulgent Distraction. If you can’t (because there’s just one creature on the battlefield, perhaps), you can’t cast the spell.

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