Sudden Shock MTG Card
2006-10-06 - Number 179
2006-10-06 - Number 179★
2013-06-07 - Number 133
2021-03-19 - Number 194
2002-06-24 - Number 36316
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Split second |
Text of card
Split second (As long as this spell is on the stack, players can't play spells or activated abilities that aren't mana abilities.) Sudden Shock deals 2 damage to target creature or player.
Arc mages aren't known for their patience.
Cards like Sudden Shock
Sudden Shock is a standout instant in MTG due to its Split Second ability, rendering it uncounterable as players can’t cast spells or activate abilities in response. It’s often compared to Shock, a staple in the red direct damage category. While Shock is cheaper and can be played at critical moments, it lacks the uncounterable nature of Sudden Shock, which ensures the intended damage goes through.
Another comparable option is Lightning Bolt, favored for its cost-effectiveness, offering three damage for one mana. However, the strategic certainty provided by Sudden Shock’s Split Second makes it uniquely reliable in tight situations. Then comes Incinerate, which ensures that creatures it damages can’t be regenerated that turn. It gives more damage than Sudden Shock but doesn’t have the same guaranteed impact due to its vulnerability to counterspells.
Considering the need for assured impact in a game where timing is key, Sudden Shock holds its ground in MTG, especially when the element of surprise and uncounterability are crucial in competitive play.
Cards similar to Sudden Shock by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sudden Shock might not directly allow you to draw additional cards, but its Split Second ability means it’s almost guaranteed to resolve, effectively taking out a key creature or interrupting a crucial combo without opposition. This can lead to a loss of resources for your opponent while you maintain board presence.
Resource Acceleration: While Sudden Shock doesn’t accelerate your resources in the traditional sense, it can thwart your opponent’s development by unexpectedly removing their mana dorks or creatures with tap abilities used for acceleration, slowing them down and giving you a time advantage.
Instant Speed: The power of Sudden Shock is significantly amplified by its ability to be cast at instant speed. This allows strategic flexibility, letting you respond to threats or actions during your opponent’s turn without warning. Furthermore, the inability for opponents to react due to Split Second can catch them off guard, securing its effect takes place.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Sudden Shock doesn’t necessitate discarding, it’s worth noting that cards with this mechanic can be detrimental if your hand is already sparse and you’re relying on topdecks to stay in the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Sudden Shock requires a specific mana composition – one red and one colorless. This restriction can potentially limit the card’s inclusion to certain types of decks, particularly those that run red or have easy access to color-fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of two for an instant that deals 2 damage, Sudden Shock might compete for a slot in your deck against other burn spells with lower mana costs or those that can deal more damage, affecting its desirability and overall utility in gameplay.
Reasons to Include Sudden Shock in Your Collection
Versatility: Sudden Shock is a unique card that seamlessly integrates into decks that aim to control the field without giving opponents a chance to respond. Its instant speed and Split Second ability ensure that timely plays can be executed, disrupting your opponent’s strategy at critical moments.
Combo Potential: This card shines in scenarios where preventing interference is paramount. Whether it’s preventing the activation of crucial abilities or stopping your opponent’s creatures in their tracks, Sudden Shock is an excellent complement to strategies intent on maintaining the element of surprise.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where fast creature-based strategies are prevalent, Sudden Shock’s instantaneous and uncounterable nature can give players an upper hand. By preemptively eliminating threats or key pieces of an opponent’s combos, this card serves as a potent tool to level the playing field or swing momentum in your favor.
How to beat
Sudden Shock is a staple in MTG for delivering unanswerable damage, thanks to its Split Second ability. This means that while Sudden Shock is on the stack, players can’t cast other spells or activate abilities that aren’t mana abilities, making it exceptionally difficult to counter. However, there are strategies to mitigate its impact.
One method is by maintaining a higher life total, allowing you to absorb its impact without major consequences. Engagement with life-gaining cards can provide a buffer against such surprise attacks. Another approach is the preemptive use of cards with shroud or hexproof, which keeps your key creatures out of Sudden Shock’s reach, as it can’t target them. Moreover, since Sudden Shock only deals 2 damage, creatures with toughness higher than 2 or those that can regenerate could withstand its effect. Lastly, avoid overextending with low toughness creatures when your opponent has untapped mana and could cast Sudden Shock. Instead, playing around it by curating a battlefield that’s less vulnerable to direct damage spells is crucial.
Adopting these tactics will help you maintain a stable board and life total, even when facing the sudden surprise of Sudden Shock in your MTG games.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sudden Shock MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Time Spiral, 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 Shock 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 Shock Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2006-10-06 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by Vance Kovacs.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 36316 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Vance Kovacs | ||
| 2 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral | TSP | 179 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Vance Kovacs | |
| 3 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral Promos | PTSP | 179★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Vance Kovacs | |
| 4 | 2013-06-07 | Modern Masters | MMA | 133 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Vance Kovacs | |
| 5 | 2021-03-19 | Time Spiral Remastered | TSR | 194 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Vance Kovacs |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sudden Shock has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sudden Shock card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-03-19 | After a spell with split second resolves (or otherwise leaves the stack), players may again cast spells and activate abilities before the next object on the stack resolves. |
| 2021-03-19 | Casting a spell with split second won’t affect spells and abilities that are already on the stack. |
| 2021-03-19 | If the resolution of a triggered ability involves casting a spell, that spell can’t be cast if a spell with split second is on the stack. |
| 2021-03-19 | Players may turn face-down creatures face up while a spell with split second is on the stack. |
| 2021-03-19 | Players still get priority while a card with split second is on the stack; their options are just limited to mana abilities and certain special actions. |
| 2021-03-19 | Split second doesn’t stop triggered abilities from triggering, such as that of Chalice of the Void. If one does, its controller puts it on the stack and chooses targets for it, if any. Those abilities will resolve as normal. |