Showstopping Surprise MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. This card offers a significant edge in card advantage, flipping key spells into play unexpectedly.
  2. Showstopping Surprise boosts your resources, enhancing your strategy with rapid speed.
  3. Its instant cast ability allows for flexible, tactical game maneuvers to upset opponents.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Showstopping Surprise MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor Commander and Murders at Karlov Manor Commander, 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 Showstopping Surprise and other MTG cards:

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Text of card

Choose target creature you control. Turn it face up if it's face down. Then it deals damage equal to its power to each other creature.

"I prefer gasps and screams to polite applause." —Judith


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Showstopping Surprise card enables you to uncover hidden potential from your deck, often resulting in unexpected plays that can tilt the scales in your favor. The ability to flip cards from the top of your library until you reveal a key spell gives you that rush of possibility and a critical edge in card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: When it hits the battlefield, Showstopping Surprise provides an impressive boost to your resources. Whether granting additional mana opportunities or enabling faster deployment of your strategy, this card stands as a powerhouse in propelling your game plan forward with unexpected velocity.

Instant Speed: Agility is king in MTG, and the instant speed of Showstopping Surprise offers you the flexibility to react swiftly to the evolving board state. With the power to cast it when your opponent least expects it, this card adds a tactical layer to your game, providing strategic depth and the potential to disrupt your opponent’s strategy at a pivotal moment.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Often, a showstopping surprise card in the game requires players to discard cards, which can be a strategic setback, especially when your hand is already dwindling.

Specific Mana Cost: The cards that pack a punch frequently come with a strict mana color requirement, limiting their inclusion to decks that can meet these color demands without disrupting the mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana cost to unleash such a card’s full potential is usually steep, and players may find there are more cost-effective alternatives to achieve similar or even better results.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Showstopping Surprise is the kind of card that can be a game-changer in various deck builds. Its ability to disrupt the opponent’s strategies while offering you a chance to cast spells without payment of their mana cost makes it a valuable addition to any collection.

Combo Potential: The element of surprise this card brings to the table, combined with its potential to weave into combos, creates opportunities for instant-win conditions or turns the tide in dire situations.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capability to outplay popular decks that rely on a set sequence of plays, incorporating Showstopping Surprise can keep your opponents guessing and tilt the odds in your favor, making it a relevant choice in a shifting meta.


How to beat

Showstopping Surprise is a card that truly lives up to its name, creating unforgettable moments on the battlefield. Clever strategy and foresight are crucial to outmaneuver this card. To tackle Showstopping Surprise, proactive measures such as hand disruption and counterspells can be effective. Hand disruption forces the opponent to reveal and discard certain cards, diminishing the likelihood that Showstopping Surprise will catch you off guard. Cards like Thoughtseize and Inquisition of Kozilek allow you to surgically remove threats before they can be used against you.

Counterspells also serve as a reliable defense by negating Showstopping Surprise the moment it is cast. Opting for counterspells like Negate or Dovin’s Veto can help you maintain control of the game. Moreover, instant speed removals or sacrifice effects can disrupt the impact of Showstopping Surprise by eliminating the surprise element or its beneficiaries from the equation. In essence, maintaining open mana and readiness to act in response are key components to securing victory against this card’s potential game-swinging effect.


Printings

The Showstopping Surprise Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2024-02-09 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by David Palumbo.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 3452015NormalBlackDavid Palumbo
22024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 352015NormalBlackDavid Palumbo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Showstopping Surprise has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2024-02-02 If the target creature is a face-down creature that can’t be turned face up for any reason, it will remain face down on the battlefield and still deal damage equal to its power (which is very likely to be 2) to each other creature.