Strangle MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Released | 2022-04-29 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Streets of New Capenna |
| Set code | SNC |
| Number | 125 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Vincent Proce |
Text of card
Strangle deals 3 damage to target creature or planeswalker.
They'd warned him greed would be the death of him. He never thought to take it literally.
Cards like Strangle
Strangle is a card that efficiently resonates within the realm of creature removal spells in Magic: The Gathering. It is often seen as a relative to the iconic Lightning Bolt due to its ability to deal with creatures. Strangle, which deals 3 damage to a target creature for two mana, provides a responsive option during the early game phase. Lightning Bolt, in comparison, also deals 3 damage but has the versatility of targeting either creatures or players, and only requires one mana.
Another cousin in the removal family is Shock, which costs the same as Lightning Bolt but halves the damage dealt. It gives players a similar quick response but is limited in its reach to remove sturdier threats. Conversely, Abrade extends beyond creature removal, providing the utility to destroy an artifact as an alternate mode, although at the same mana cost as Strangle, but with one less damage output.
In summary, Strangle finds a balanced position in the MTG arsenal by striking a middle ground between low-cost and versatility. It’s a reliable pick for players looking to manage early threats while reserving mana for other plays, illustrating its place as a solid, cost-effective removal card.
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Strangle. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Gruul Midrange | Pioneer | Gruul Midrange | Pioneer Challenge 64 2024-05-18 |
| Gruul Aggro | Pioneer | Gruul Aggro | Pioneer Challenge 64 2024-05-16 |
 | Rakdos Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 14 2024 | |
 | R | Pioneer | Pioneer League 2024-05-06 | |
 | Mono-Red Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 14 2024 | |
 | Temur Prowess | Standard | Temur Aggro | Pro Tour Thunder Junction |
 | Jeskai Ascendancy | Pioneer | Jeskai Ascendancy | Pioneer Challenge 64 2024-04-07 |
| Temur Aggro | Standard | Temur Aggro | Standard Challenge 32 2024-04-20 (1) |
| Temur Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 14 2024 | |
 | Jeskai Tempo | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 14 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Strangle, while not directly providing card draws, can disrupt your opponent’s strategy by efficiently removing a threat. This translates into a form of card advantage as it prevents your opponent from capitalising on their plays.
Resource Acceleration: Although Strangle doesn’t produce mana or tokens, it’s low casting cost aids in resource acceleration by allowing you to utilize your mana effectively in the early game, keeping pace with your opponent’s developments.
Instant Speed: Strangle’s instant speed is a key advantage, giving you the flexibility to deal with threats during your opponent’s turn or at the end of their turn, maintaining the element of surprise and optimizing your reaction timing.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Strangle card demands from players to bid farewell to a card from their hand, which might be a troublesome ask when options are running thin and every card holds potential value.
Specific Mana Cost: Locked into a red mana quota, Strangle may find itself benched in decks that juggle a broader spectrum of the mana rainbow, potentially stifling its play rate in multicolored deck strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Commanding a toll of two red mana amidst its total cost of three could be considered steep, particularly when eyeing the landscape of alternatives that could execute similar board impacts with less mana strain or with additional benefits.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Strangle is a flexible card that fits seamlessly into a variety of decks, particularly those requiring efficient removal. Its low mana cost allows players to handle threats early on without sacrificing tempo.
Combo Potential: Not only does Strangle remove creatures from the battlefield, but it’s also effective in decks that capitalize on death triggers, enabling intricate interactions and fluid synergy within your mechanics.
Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to disrupt opposing game plans at a moment’s notice, Strangle adapts well to a shifting meta. Its inclusion in a collection ensures you’re prepared to tackle prevalent creature-based strategies in the current environment.
How to beat
Strangle is a versatile removal spell that has made its mark in Magic: The Gathering, particularly useful for dealing with early threats. It shines in its ability to deal three damage to a target creature or planeswalker for a mere two mana, one of which is red. This efficiency makes it a staple in red-inclusive decks that aim for board control in the early stages of the game. Despite its apparent strength, overcoming Strangle requires strategic planning.
One key strategy is to deploy creatures with toughness greater than three. This ensures that they fall outside of Strangle’s damage range, forcing your opponent to use more resources or a different removal spell. Another effective approach to counteract Strangle is to use instant-speed spells or abilities that can give your creatures an increase in toughness, such as combat tricks or flash enchantments. Such responses can save your creature and potentially leave your opponent’s mana spent inefficiently.
Protecting valuable planeswalkers can be trickier, but utilizing counterspells or abilities that redirect damage can preserve your key pieces on the board. Lastly, simply baiting out Strangle with less important creatures before playing your trump cards can exhaust your opponent’s removal options, clearing a path for your more significant threats to dominate the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Strangle MTG card by a specific set like Streets of New Capenna, 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 Strangle 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Strangle has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |