Deadshot MTG Card

Tempest (TMP)
1997-10-14 - Number 170

Tempest Remastered (TPR)
2015-05-06 - Number 129

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Sorcery

Key Takeaways

Deadshot’s instant speed and card advantage can shift the game momentum in your favor through strategic play.
Its specific mana cost and discard requirement may impose restrictions on deck construction and hand management.
Despite its higher mana cost, Deadshot’s versatility and meta relevance make it a valuable addition to certain decks.

Text of card

Tap target creature. That creature deals damage equal to its power to another target creature.

"Carrion! Keep your distance. My blade will come to you!" —Crovax

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Deadshot provides a unique card advantage by dealing damage and effectively removing a target creature all at once, trimming down your opponent’s resources while maintaining yours.

Resource Acceleration: By removing potential blockers or threats, Deadshot minimizes mana that might otherwise be used on your turn for combat tricks or other creature removal, indirectly contributing to resource acceleration.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of instant speed enables you to cast Deadshot during crucial combat moments or in response to your opponent’s actions, maximizing its strategic potential and keeping the element of surprise on your side.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Deadshot brings a mandatory discard condition to the table, which can be a setback when your hand is already depleted and you’re holding onto key strategic pieces.

Specific Mana Cost: The precision of Deadshot’s mana cost means it demands two red mana. This can be restrictive and may not fit seamlessly into decks that aren’t heavily red or lack sufficient mana fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at four mana, Deadshot’s cost-value proposition is up for debate. Some players might find alternative spells or creatures that provide similar or better functionality for a lower investment, making it a less appealing choice in decks focusing on efficiency.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Deadshot is a card that’s easily slotted into decks that require pinpoint creature removal. Its ability to tap and deal damage, equivalent to the power of the tapped creature, grants flexibility in handling threats across the board.

Combo Potential: With the capability to use any creature’s power to target another, this card interacts favorably in combinations with high-power creatures or those that have tap effects but little to no use in combat.

Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-based strategies are prevalent in many metas, having a removal option like Deadshot in your arsenal means you’re well-equipped to disrupt your opponent’s game plan and maintain control.

How to Beat

Overcoming the challenge of the Deadshot card in Magic: The Gathering hinges on a clear strategy to neutralize its impact. Recognized for its ability to create board control through targeted creature destruction, players aim for ways to safeguard their creatures or diminish Deadshot’s effectiveness.

To navigate around Deadshot, consider using hexproof or shroud abilities on your creatures to prevent them from being targeted. Alternatively, employing instant-speed spells that grant indestructibility or regenerate your creatures can be a lifeline in protecting them from Deadshot’s sniping ability. The key lies in timing these spells to counteract the removal threat posed by Deadshot effectively.

Another angle of play is to keep Deadshot from hitting the field altogether. Utilizing counter spells or discard effects disrupts your opponent’s plan to rely on Deadshot’s removal capabilities. By anticipating the card’s arrival and preempting its activation, you maintain the upper hand—keeping your creatures safe and sustaining your offensive strategy.

Cards like Deadshot

Deadshot is another intriguing MTG card known for its creature-targeting ability, allowing players to potentially clear the board of threats. A card with a similar function is Flame Slash, which delivers four damage to a creature at a lower cost but lacks Deadshot’s ability to tap the creature. This tapping mechanism is crucial for mitigating incoming attacks or using tap-triggered abilities.

Comparing it further, we might look at cards like Arc Lightning. It offers a flexible distribution of damage across multiple creatures or players. While it doesn’t tap creatures like Deadshot, the versatility to divide the damage can be game-changing. Searing Spear is also worth mentioning. It costs less but deals less damage and doesn’t tap, making Deadshot preferable in scenarios where you need to prevent a creature from untapping on the next turn.

In summary, Deadshot offers a unique blend of damage and control. It may not have the lowest mana cost or deal the highest damage, but its ability to influence combat by tapping creatures can give it a strategic edge in certain MTG decks and situations.

Cards similar to Deadshot by color, type and mana cost

Draconic Intervention - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Deadshot MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Tempest Remastered, 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 Deadshot and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Deadshot Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by Heather Hudson.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1997-10-14	Tempest	TMP		170	1997	Normal	Black	Heather Hudson
2	2015-05-06	Tempest Remastered	TPR		129	2015	Normal	Black	Heather Hudson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Deadshot has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Deadshot card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2004-10-04	Deadshot can target a creature which is already tapped as its first target, and it will still damage the second target. This is because it taps that creature as an effect, not as a cost.