Sudden Impact MTG Card
1997-10-14 - Number 208
2001-04-11 - Number 223
2001-04-11 - Number 223★
2003-07-28 - Number 226
2003-07-28 - Number 226★
2005-07-29 - Number 222
2005-07-29 - Number 222★
2007-07-13 - Number 241
| Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Sudden Impact deals 1 damage to target player for each card in his or her hand.
The *Predator* roared like an unruly beast, and the *Weatherlight* suddenly listed. "No!" screamed Hanna.
Cards like Sudden Impact
Sudden Impact is a unique spell in the arsenal of Magic the Gathering players, dealing damage to opponents based on the number of cards in their hand. Comparable to Sudden Impact is Runeflare Trap, which also takes advantage of a stocked hand to inflict pain, though with the potential for a lower mana cost if certain conditions are met.
On the topic of using an opponent’s hand size against them, there is also Storm Seeker. This classic from Legends set a precedent for punisher cards and, like Sudden Impact, offers direct damage but at a set rate rather than the variable impact based on hand size. Another peer in this damaging lineup is Ebony Owl Netsuke, an artifact that constantly threatens life totals of those with seven or more cards in hand at the upkeep.
What sets Sudden Impact apart is its ability to synergize in decks focusing on compelling opponents to draw with spells like Howling Mine. This combination can lead to unexpected and massive damage turns. Each card has its playstyle, but Sudden Impact creates dynamic and punishing gameplay for the unprepared opponent.
Cards similar to Sudden Impact by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sudden Impact leverages the opponent’s card drawing strategy against them, potentially dealing a high amount of damage proportionate to the size of their hand, leading to strategic advantages.
Resource Acceleration: Although Sudden Impact itself doesn’t accelerate resources directly, seeing it as a threat can force opponents to play fewer cards, indirectly slowing down their game plan and resource usage.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Sudden Impact at instant speed provides the element of surprise and disrupts the opponent’s calculations, making it an excellent choice for reacting to an opponent’s end-of-turn moves.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For Sudden Impact to kick in, a prerequisited setup is needed where the opposing player must have a sizeable hand. Without it, its effectiveness dwindles dramatically, which can be a setback when your strategy doesn’t pan out as planned or your opponent manages their hand size well.
Specific Mana Cost: Sudden Impact’s casting cost commits exclusively to red mana sources. This can potentially restrict deck building options, confining it to mono-red or red-heavy decks, thus limiting its integration with more versatile or colorful strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost pegged at three mana and requiring another red, Sudden Impact sits at a higher curve position. Considering its conditional nature—reliant on opponent’s hand quantity—it can be a less appealing choice compared to other damage-dealing spells with more immediate or guaranteed impact within the same mana range.
Reasons to Include Sudden Impact in Your Collection
Versatility: Sudden Impact is a card that fits into various strategies that focus on dealing damage based on an opponent’s hand size. It’s particularly useful in decks aimed at punishing opponents who draw a lot of cards.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes with effects that force opponents to draw additional cards, maximizing the damage dealt. Pairing Sudden Impact with cards that inhibit discarding can lead to devastating turns.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments where players tend to accumulate large hands, Sudden Impact can serve as a powerful surprise to shift the tide of the game. It’s a smart addition for anyone predicting a shift towards such a meta.
How to beat Sudden Impact
Sudden Impact is a known force within the arsenal of red spells that can lead to a dramatic swing in life totals in Magic: The Gathering. This spell’s damage potential scales with your opponent’s hand size, making it particularly potent in the late game when your adversary may be hoarding cards. To mitigate the impact of this spell, the key lies in maintaining a smaller hand size, thus reducing the damage inflicted by Sudden Impact.
An effective strategy to outmaneuver Sudden Impact is to proactively play out your hand. Prioritize casting your spells rather than saving them, to keep your hand lean. Moreover, using cards that force you to discard as part of their cost can be a double-edged sword that also serves as a defense mechanism against such high-impact cards. Thoughtseize is an exemplary card that disrupts the opponent’s plans while trimming your hand, thereby diminishing Sudden Impact’s effect.
Deck builders and players might also consider incorporating effects that limit hand size or force drawing and discarding to sidestep Sudden Impact’s power. By anticipating the conditions that enhance Sudden Impact and adjusting your playstyle accordingly, you can soften its blow and maintain your footing on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sudden Impact MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Seventh Edition, 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 Sudden Impact 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
Printings
The Sudden Impact Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2007-07-13. Illustrated by 8 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-10-14 | Tempest | TMP | 208 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Alan Pollack | |
| 2 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 223 | 1997 | Normal | White | Greg Hildebrandt & Tim Hildebrandt | |
| 3 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 223★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Greg Hildebrandt & Tim Hildebrandt | |
| 4 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 226 | 2003 | Normal | White | Greg Hildebrandt & Tim Hildebrandt | |
| 5 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 226★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Greg Hildebrandt & Tim Hildebrandt | |
| 6 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 222 | 2003 | Normal | White | Simon Bisley | |
| 7 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 222★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Simon Bisley | |
| 8 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 241 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Wayne Reynolds |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sudden Impact has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |