Sure Strike MTG Card

Sure Strike enhances creature survival and battlefield presence with a cost-efficient and timely power boost. Being an instant, it allows for dynamic and tactical play, ensuring flexibility and unpredictability in combat. While potent, deck synergy and mana considerations are vital for its optimal inclusion and play.

Battle for Zendikar (BFZ)
2015-10-02 - Number 157

Ixalan (XLN)
2017-09-29 - Number 166

Core Set 2019 (M19)
2018-07-13 - Number 161

Guilds of Ravnica (GRN)
2018-10-05 - Number 118

Core Set 2021 (M21)
2020-07-03 - Number 163

Sure Strike - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)

Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
2021-11-19 - Number 179

Sure Strike - Innistrad: Double Feature (DBL)

Innistrad: Double Feature (DBL)
2022-01-28 - Number 446

Card sets	Released in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant

Text of card

Target creature gets +3/+0 and gains first strike until end of turn.

To survive imminent doom, it sometimes takes a foolhardy soul who acts first and fears later.

Cards like Sure Strike

Within the realm of combat tricks in Magic: The Gathering, Sure Strike is an intriguing spell known for turning the tide of battle. Similar cards that give creatures a sudden boost in power include Brute Strength. Just like Sure Strike, it provides a significant power increase, but Brute Strength also increases a creature’s toughness and grants it trample, making it different in how it can assist creatures in breaking through defensive lines.

Another card echoing the effects of Sure Strike is Titan’s Strength. This spell offers a smaller power boost but comes with the additional bonus of scrying. The ability to scry helps with deck manipulation, setting up future plays. Though it doesn’t give as much of an immediate combat advantage as Sure Strike, the longer game impact can be substantial.

When comparing these spells, Sure Strike shines for its ability to provide a substantial power leap at instant speed. It allows creatures to compete with more formidable opponents unexpectedly and can quickly alter the outcome of combat, making it a reliable choice among Magic: The Gathering combat spells.

Cards similar to Sure Strike by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Sure Strike doesn’t directly draw cards, it can be the key to winning combat that would otherwise result in losing a creature. Play it wisely to ensure your creatures survive battles, potentially eliminating opposing threats and keeping your hand and field advantage secure.

Resource Acceleration: Sure Strike demands a minimal investment of only one red mana. This cost-effective play allows you to strengthen your battlefield position without significantly tapping into your resources, enabling a fast-paced, aggressive strategy and leaving mana open for other spells.

Instant Speed: The agility to cast Sure Strike at instant speed provides a strategic edge. It empowers you to adapt to the unfolding game, potentially turning the tide during combat or catching an opponent off-guard, increasing the likelihood of your creatures dealing crucial damage and surviving encounters.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Sure Strike doesn’t require you to discard cards, managing your hand to ensure its timely use is crucial. Holding onto it may cost you opportunities to play other cards when needed.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring one red mana can be restrictive. Decks that do not run heavily on red mana may find it difficult to include Sure Strike without affecting their mana base consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For an instant that provides a temporary boost, such as +3/+0 until end of turn, the single red and one generic mana cost may be less economical compared to other combat tricks in MTG. More versatile or impactful alternatives may be available for the same or lower cost.

Reasons to Include Sure Strike in Your Collection

Versatility: Sure Strike is an instant card that can be seamlessly integrated into a variety of red decks. Its ability to give a creature +3/+0 and first strike until end of turn can turn the tide in combat, making it a utilitarian choice for both aggressive and defensive strategies.

Combo Potential: This spell pairs well with creatures that have abilities triggered upon dealing damage, or those that can benefit from the sudden burst in power. It can enable surprise wins and complement strategies that aim to take out key threats or deliver a decisive blow.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where combat is king, Sure Strike’s ability to affect the outcome of battles is particularly useful. Against decks relying on trades in combat, it can serve as a means to preserve your creatures while eliminating opponents’, keeping you ahead in the resource game.

How to beat Sure Strike

Sure Strike stands out as an exceptional combat trick that can turn the tide of battle in Magic: The Gathering. By granting a creature +3/+0 and first strike until end of turn for a mere two mana, it often ensures not only an advantageous attack but can also be a formidable defensive play. This red instant has the potential to be a game-changer by allowing even a small creature to take down a much larger threat.

Defending against Sure Strike requires anticipation and strategic counterplay. It’s essential to be aware of the mana available to your opponent, especially when they have red mana sources untapped that could cast this spell. Using instant-speed removal in response to Sure Strike can mitigate its impact, essentially neutralizing the threat before it can deal damage. Alternatively, having creatures with high toughness on board can deter your opponent from employing it as an offensive maneuver. In scenarios where you can’t avoid the spell, having instant-speed creature buffs of your own can help salvage what might otherwise be an unfavorable exchange.

By understanding the dynamics of combat and being prepared for combat tricks like Sure Strike, you can minimize its effect and maintain control of the battlefield. Playing cautiously, especially during the critical moments when your opponent has untapped mana, is key to overcoming the surge of power that Sure Strike can provide.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sure Strike MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar and Ixalan, 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 Sure Strike and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Sure Strike Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2015-10-02 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2015-10-02	Battle for Zendikar	BFZ	157	2015	Normal	Black	Jakub Kasper
2	2017-09-29	Ixalan	XLN	166	2015	Normal	Black	Izzy
3	2018-07-13	Core Set 2019	M19	161	2015	Normal	Black	Jakub Kasper
4	2018-10-05	Guilds of Ravnica	GRN	118	2015	Normal	Black	Steve Argyle
5	2020-07-03	Core Set 2021	M21	163	2015	Normal	Black	Jakub Kasper
6	2021-11-19	Innistrad: Crimson Vow	VOW	179	2015	Normal	Black	Lie Setiawan
7	2022-01-28	Innistrad: Double Feature	DBL	446	2015	Normal	Black	Lie Setiawan

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sure Strike has restrictions

Format	Legality
Standard	Legal
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Future	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Brawl	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal