Stunning Strike MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant, Flash |
| Released | 2022-06-10 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate |
| Set code | CLB |
| Number | 97 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | David Gaillet |
Text of card
Flash Enchant creature When Stunning Strike enters the battlefield, tap enchanted creature and remove it from combat. As long as enchanted creature isn't legendary, it doesn't untap during its controller's untap step.
Cards like Stunning Strike
When exploring the interactions and clever moves within Magic: The Gathering, Stunning Strike emerges as a versatile removal spell. Its likeness to other instant-speed spells such as Shock is noticeable, as both allow for quick responses to threats. Shock, however, trades the tap effect for direct damage, giving it a different strategic advantage.
Delving further into the comparison, we come across cards like Blinding Beam. While Blinding Beam also taps creatures, it provides the option to keep them from untapping during the opponent’s next untap step, something Stunning Strike doesn’t offer. On the flip side, Blinding Beam is more mana-intensive, which could be critical in faster-paced matches.
Considering functionality, Swift Response is another card that can be pitted against Stunning Strike. Swift Response, with its condition to destroy only tapped creatures, requires more setup compared to the straightforward utility of Stunning Strike. Each card’s value ultimately depends on the deck’s overall tempo and the specific moment within the game they’re played.
Analyzing the strengths and trade-offs of these cards helps players craft their decks with precision. Stunning Strike, with its ability to neutralize a creature albeit temporarily, stands out as a reliable choice in creature-focused strategies.
Cards similar to Stunning Strike by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Stunning Strike offers the potential for card advantage by potentially removing an opponent’s creature from combat, thereby negating any immediate threats and possibly forcing your opponent to expend additional resources to re-establish their board presence.
Resource Acceleration: Although Stunning Strike doesn’t directly ramp your mana like some other spells, it buys you time by tapping an attacking or blocking creature. This disruption can be crucial, giving you additional turns to draw into the resources or answers you need without falling behind in the game.
Instant Speed: The versatility of Stunning Strike is significantly increased by its instant speed, allowing you a tactical edge by making strategic plays during your opponent’s turn. This flexibility can swing the tempo of the game in your favor, preserving your blockers or preventing incoming damage at a critical moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Stunning Strike demands you to part with another card from your hand to cast it, which might backfire if your hand is already running low on ammunition or if the opportunities to refill your hand are scarce.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a precise combination of mana to cast, Stunning Strike mandates both white and blue mana, potentially restricting its use to decks that can reliably produce both colors. This could be a stumbling block for players running a more color-diverse deck or those without the necessary mana-fixing capabilities.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its given effect, Stunning Strike might seem steeply priced, especially when juxtaposed with other options in the vast pool of MTG cards. Players might gravitate towards lower-cost alternatives that provide a similar or even better strategic advantage, making the decision to include it in a deck a measured gamble.
Reasons to Include Stunning Strike in Your Collection
Versatility: Stunning Strike is a card that provides flexibility in a multitude of deck builds. With its potential to disrupt opponent strategies, it shines in decks that emphasize control and timing.
Combo Potential: Its ability to effectively tap a creature can integrate seamlessly with tap and untap mechanics. This opens the door for clever combinations that can incapacitate an opponent’s key creatures or clear the way for your offense.
Meta-Relevance: As the game environment adapts, Stunning Strike maintains relevance by countering decks that rely on creature-based momentum. It becomes a tactical asset against aggressive and creature-heavy decks that dominate the current meta.
How to beat
In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Stunning Strike presents an interesting challenge with its ability to interfere with the combat phase. Its temporary removal effect disrupts opponent’s plans by tapping and freezing an attacking or blocking creature. Well-timed counterspells like Negate can prevent Stunning Strike from ever taking effect. Cards with hexproof or those granting it, such as Vine Mare or Lazotep Plating, can also render Stunning Strike useless by protecting your creatures from being targeted.
Additionally, leveraging instant-speed removal spells such as Fatal Push can preemptively take out key threats before they fall victim to your opponent’s Stunning Strike. It’s essential to keep in mind that the card’s impact is temporary, so playing around it by not fully committing all your creatures in a single attack can be a smart strategy. You could also turn the tables with cards like God’s Willing to provide protection from a color of your choice, essentially nulling the effect of Stunning Strike and granting you the opportunity for a counterattack.
All in all, understanding the mechanics and restrictions of Stunning Strike assists in devising effective strategies to mitigate its influence, preserving your battleground momentum and leading you toward victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Stunning Strike MTG card by a specific set like Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate, 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 Stunning Strike 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 Stunning Strike has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.