Strictly Better // Strictly Better (cont'd) MTG Card

Card Pros

Card Advantage: A Strictly Better card can often swing a game in your favor by replacing itself with another card or even multiple cards. This means you’re effectively drawing into more resources, enabling strategies that outpace your opponent in terms of available options.

Resource Acceleration: Certain Strictly Better cards enable you to tap into your resources more efficiently or grant you extra access to mana. By doing so, they allow you to play your impactful spells sooner than normally possible, propelling you ahead of the curve.

Instant Speed: The ability to play a Spell at instant speed, especially one that’s Strictly Better, provides unparalleled flexibility. It keeps your opponents guessing and allows you to make decisions with the most information possible, responding to threats or opportunities on the fly and often during your opponent’s turn for maximum surprise and strategic advantage.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In the context of cards considered strictly better, these alternatives may require the player to discard as part of the cost. This drawback can be particularly punishing in game situations where maintaining a full hand is critical to strategy and momentum.

Specific Mana Cost: Cards that are strictly better often have a mana cost that demands specific colors, which can potentially make them less versatile. If your deck doesn’t consistently generate the required mana type, integrating such cards could hinder rather than help your gameplay.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Some strictly better MTG cards present a lofty mana investment. When you’re pacing your game plan, it’s vital to consider whether the mana cost aligns with your deck’s curve and objectives. There might be other options that offer similar benefits for less mana, thereby optimizing your deck’s efficiency.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Strictly Better cards are a must-have due to their ability to enhance any deck. Their improved efficiency over similar cards provides increased utility in various game scenarios.

Combo Potential: Cards labeled as Strictly Better often work seamlessly within combos. Integrating them could enhance existing strategies or unlock new synergistic possibilities in your gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: Meta-games are ever-changing, but Strictly Better cards maintain relevance by providing consistent performance. Their superior mechanics can give you a competitive edge regardless of the prevailing deck trends.

How to beat

Strictly Better is a concept in Magic the Gathering that resonates deeply with players who aim to optimize their decks. At its core, a card considered Strictly Better means it has all the benefits of one card with added advantages, without any increased costs or drawbacks. For example, Lightning Bolt is viewed as Strictly Better when compared to Shock, since it deals more damage for the same mana investment and has no additional disadvantages.

Overcoming a card or a play that is ‘Strictly Better’ can be a challenge, however, there are strategies. Focus on deck versatility and include cards that offer multiple modes of response or benefits. For instance, versatile removal spells that can handle various threats, creatures with flexible enter-the-battlefield effects, or counter spells that serve dual purposes. Additionally, adapting your play style to be reactive and waiting for the right moment to disrupt your opponent’s strategy can provide an upper edge. While a card may seem superior in isolation, remember that MTG is a game of context—understanding the metagame and preparing your deck to tackle popular strategies often yields success.