Strike the Weak Spot MTG Card
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Released | 2013-10-19 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Face the Hydra |
| Set code | TFTH |
| Number | 12 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jason A. Engle |
Text of card
Destroy target Head. If that Head was elite, the Hydra takes an extra turn after this one.
Cards like Strike the Weak Spot
Strike the Weak Spot earns its place in the roster of removal options in Magic: The Gathering with its narrow yet potentially impactful targeting ability. This card mirrors the functional design of Death Wind, as both allow players to deal with creatures by scaling the amount of mana invested in them. However, unlike Death Wind, Strike the Weak Spot offers a more surgical approach by requiring the targeted creature to have power 4 or greater, exchanging flexibility for cost efficiency in certain board states.
Comparatively, Reave Soul features a restriction similar to Strike the Weak Spot, targeting creatures with power 3 or less, but it differs by offering consistent cost regardless of the creature’s size. Expunge, on the other hand, presents an unrestricted removal but also includes the need for an additional cost to unlock its full instant-speed potential. These nuanced differences highlight the metagame considerations a player must deliberate when choosing the right removal card for their strategy.
In conclusion, within MTG’s strategic landscape, Strike the Weak Spot may not be as universally applicable as other removal spells. Yet, for decks looking to manage larger threats efficiently, it serves as a specialized tool that can carve a path to victory when timed perfectly. This precision in removal options underpins the tactical diversity in Magic: The Gathering deck building.
Cards similar to Strike the Weak Spot by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Strike the Weak Spot can tip the duel in your favor by potentially removing a key creature from your opponent, disrupting their strategy while you maintain your forces for a stronger board presence.
Resource Acceleration: This card enables you to eliminate a threat without spending a card from your hand if you control a creature with power 4 or greater, effectively conserving your resources for future turns and accelerating your game plan.
Instant Speed: Its instant speed flexibility allows you to adapt to the unfolding game, choosing the optimal moment to take out an adversary’s creature, whether that be during their attack phase to avoid damage or in response to an opponent attempting a combo.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One significant drawback of Strike the Weak Spot is the prerequisite of discarding another card to activate its ability. This can pose a strategic dilemma when your hand is running thin, potentially forcing you to sacrifice key components of your game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: Tailored for a specific mana alignment, Strike the Weak Spot necessitates a precise combination of red mana. This requirement may impose constraints on deck construction, particularly for those that operate on a broad spectrum of mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an investment of three red mana, Strike the Weak Spot’s mana cost is on the higher end for its effect when compared with other removal options available in MTG. The effectiveness of its deployment hinges on your ability to leverage the mana spent towards a decisive tactical advantage.
Reasons to Include Strike the Weak Spot in Your Collection
Versatility: Strike the Weak Spot offers flexibility to players by being an efficient removal spell that can seamlessly fit into various decks. Its ability to target and destroy a creature with an aura or equipment is particularly useful across multiple game formats.
Combo Potential: In synergistic strategies, this spell can work wonders. For instance, in a deck that manipulates equipments or auras, Strike the Weak Spot ensures that when your opponents attempt to build their defenses or combo off, you have an immediate response to disrupt their plans.
Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of aura and equipment-based decks in the current meta, having access to a card like Strike the Weak Spot can give you an edge. It acts as a tailored solution against popular strategies, making it a card that can greatly influence your game outcomes. Its inclusion in your set can help pivot matches in your favor.
How to beat
Strike the Weak Spot is a unique spell that focuses on exploiting opposing creatures’ vulnerabilities in Magic: The Gathering. Its allure comes from its ability to potentially remove a high-powered creature for only two mana. Understanding the situations in which Strike the Weak Spot shines is crucial for planning a successful strategy against it.
When facing an opponent who relies on Strike the Weak Spot, remember that it can only target creatures without a counter. This emphasizes the importance of investing in creatures that either enter the battlefield with counters or have the capacity to generate counters through various in-game mechanics. A solid mix of such creatures can serve as a surefire way to undermine the usefulness of Strike the Weak Spot.
Moreover, instant-speed spells or abilities that can place counters on your creatures in response to Strike the Weak Spot are invaluable. They not only save your creature but also waste your opponent’s spell. Therefore, having flexibility and responsive plays enhances your resilience against such removal spells, making your deck less susceptible to this pinpoint removal option. With careful deck construction and tactical gameplay, mitigating the impact of Strike the Weak Spot becomes a manageable task.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Strike the Weak Spot MTG card by a specific set like Face the Hydra, 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 Strike the Weak Spot 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
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