Strafe MTG Card

Instant speed of Strafe allows surprise maneuvers against opponents during combat or their turn. Demands two red mana and discarding a card, potentially limiting or costly in tight situations. Strafe’s precision in targeting active threats shapes it as a potent but situational tactical spell.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery
Released	2001-02-05
Set symbol
Set name	Planeshift
Set code	PLS
Number	73
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jim Nelson

Text of card

Strafe deals 3 damage to target nonred creature.

"All right, let's light 'em up!" —Gerrard

Cards like Strafe

Exploring the strategic depth of Magic: The Gathering, Strafe emerges as a notable combat trick in red’s arsenal. It aligns closely with cards like Searing Spear, which also enable players to deliver direct damage to creatures or planeswalkers. However, Strafe’s uniqueness lies in its limitation to targeting attacking or blocking creatures, thus requiring more tactical gameplay compared to the versatility in Searing Spear’s broader target selection.

When considering other parallels, Strafe is reminiscent of cards such as Deflecting Palm. While Deflecting Palm also influences combat outcomes, it stands apart by redirecting the damage back to the opponent or another one of their creatures. This reflects a different strategic use case, emphasizing reactive play over Strafe’s proactive approach. Another comparative card is Chandra’s Pyrohelix, capable of splitting its damage—an advantage in dealing with multiple threats, something Strafe cannot emulate.

Within the framework of red’s direct damage spells, Strafe offers targeted precision against active threats on the board. It holds its place as a choice for particular situations where a player needs to maintain combat advantage rather than seeking the flexibility of unrelated direct damage options.

Cards similar to Strafe by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Strafe provides card selectivity by enabling you to choose a card you need amidst a combat scenario, helping you sculpt your hand for upcoming plays.

Resource Acceleration: With its synergy with spellcasting and prowess-like mechanics, Strafe can effectively accelerate your resource gains by empowering your creatures or complementing your combos without additional mana costs.

Instant Speed: Being an instant, Strafe allows you to react dynamically to the board state, catching opponents off-guard during the combat phase or at the end of their turn, increasing the versatility of your play.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Strafe necessitates discarding another card to be cast, a steep price when your hand is already depleted or when each card in hand is crucial for maintaining board presence or strategy execution.

Specific Mana Cost: Strafe’s casting cost demands two red mana, making it a less flexible option for decks that run multiple colors. This can often lead to it being a dead card in hand when you’re unable to produce the necessary mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of three mana, including the strict double red, Strafe’s impact on the game might not equate to its expense, particularly when you could activate other spells with similar or more potent effects for the same or lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include Strafe in Your Collection

Versatility: Strafe is a card that shines in a variety of deck types due to its ability to deal direct damage. This flexibility allows it to be a relevant card in both aggressive and control-oriented strategies.

Combo Potential: Its potential to combo with cards that benefit from spell casting or damage dealing effects provides deck builders with the opportunity to craft powerful synergies within their decks.

Meta-Relevance: Depending on the current meta, removal spells like Strafe can be extremely significant, as they can disrupt opposing tactics or remove key creatures that are central to an opponent’s strategy.

How to beat Strafe

Strafe can significantly disrupt an opponent’s game plan in Magic: The Gathering. This potent spell’s ability to target two creatures for the cost of one can tilt the combat phase in your favor. But no card is without its weaknesses, and Strafe is no exception. To counter this tactical move, players can prepare strategies that either increase the resilience of their creatures or sidestep targeting entirely.

One effective method is to employ hexproof or shroud abilities, which prevent a creature from being the target of spells or abilities like Strafe. Additionally, utilizing instant-speed spells that provide indestructibility or apply a buff to toughness during the combat phase can mitigate or nullify the damage Strafe deals. And don’t forget, timing is crucial when it comes to combat tricks. Holding back on spell casting or creature playing until after Strafe has been played could save your key pieces and ultimately turn the tide of the battle in your favor.

The chess-like dance of MTG requires anticipating an opponent’s moves and having a counter-play ready. Thus, with some thoughtful deck building and strategic play, the impact of Strafe can be effectively minimized, ensuring your forces stay on the battlefield and ready to strike.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Strafe MTG card by a specific set like Planeshift, 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 Strafe and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Strafe has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal