Hand to Hand MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Enchantment
Released	1997-10-14
Set symbol
Set name	Tempest
Set code	TMP
Number	180
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Carl Frank

Key Takeaways

Draw an extra card and protect creatures with Hand to Hand for an upper hand in games.
Untapping a land with Hand to Hand accelerates your resources, enabling faster threats.
The instant speed of Hand to Hand allows for reactive plays and surprises opponents.

Text of card

Instants and abilities requiring an activation cost cannot be played during combat.

The match between Tahngarth and Greven was close only in the mind of the minotaur.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Hand to Hand allows players an edge by drawing an additional card while also protecting their creatures with the subtlety it brings to the table. The extra card drawn can give players the upper hand they need to outmaneuver their opponents.

Resource Acceleration: This card offers the strategic benefit of untapping a land, which effectively accelerates your resources. It can be crucial for ramping up your mana base, allowing you to deploy threats earlier than expected.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Hand to Hand at instant speed provides the advantage of flexibility, enabling reactive gameplay and keeping opponents guessing. It allows for strategic plays even during your opponent’s turn, making it a versatile addition to your arsenal.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When playing Hand to Hand, one notable drawback is the need to discard a card from your hand. This requirement can be quite challenging, especially in the mid to late game when your hand might be already depleted, forcing you to make tough decisions about resource management.

Specific Mana Cost: Hand to Hand comes with a mana cost that necessitates a precise combination of resources. This specificity may not always align with the mana you have available during a crucial turn, potentially causing a delay in your strategy or even being a dead card in your hand at times.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Hand to Hand provides a distinctive effect, its mana cost is on the higher side compared to other options within the game. This might render it less appealing in a fast-paced match where efficiency and speed are paramount, and where other cards could deliver similar benefits for less mana investment.

Reasons to Include Hand to Hand in Your Collection

Versatility: Hand to Hand serves as a valuable tool in a variety of decks thanks to its ability to grant creatures not only haste but also protection from spells and abilities until the end of the turn. This makes it a fine addition to any collection seeking options for surprise attacks or shielding key creatures from removal.

Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with powerful creatures that benefit from swift and unexpected deployment. Deploying significant threats without giving opponents a chance to respond can turn the tide of the game, making Hand to Hand a combo enabler in many strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In game environments where instant-speed interaction is prevalent, having protection like Hand to Hand can be crucial. It keeps your important creatures safe during your turn, which is especially pertinent in formats where counter spells and spot removal are common.

How to Beat

Hand to Hand is a unique card within the realm of MTG that provides creatures with the coveted ability of protection from spells and abilities until end of turn. This can often be a roadblock for players relying on targeted removal or counterspells. Additionally, the perk of giving your creatures the potential to avoid effects like tapping adds another layer of strategic advantage.

To overcome Hand to Hand, it’s crucial to shift tactics away from individual creature targeting. Board wipes that don’t target, such as “Wrath of God” or “Damnation”, circumvent Hand to Hand’s protection by not singling out creatures. Alternatively, playing underused spells like “Humility” can also nullify creature abilities en masse, rendering the card’s benefits ineffective.

Lastly, engaging in combat on the stack and prioritizing the use of instant-speed spells before the main phase can help. This approach exploits the window before the opponent casts Hand to Hand, maintaining control and minimizing its impact on your strategy. Though Hand to Hand can initially seem daunting, a well-planned approach can counteract its advantages and keep you in a winning position.

Cards like Hand to Hand

Hand to Hand in MTG stands out for its ability to offer both creature protection and improved spellcasting performance. Comparable to cards like Apostle’s Blessing, Hand to Hand provides creatures with a degree of protection; however, it foregoes targeting flexibility in exchange for card draw and the ability to cast spells as though they had flash. Comparatively, cards such as Swiftfoot Boots provide an enduring protection with its hexproof ability alongside the added benefit of haste, yet lack the instantaneous, cantrip nature of Hand to Hand.

Another parallel can be drawn with the card Mother of Runes, which grants protection to a creature from the color of your choice until the end of turn. This effect is quite versatile, offering either offensive or defensive advantages, though unlike Hand to Hand, it doesn’t allow for the immediate cantrip effect. Conversely, Hand to Hand ensures your spells can’t be countered by spells or abilities, giving a subtle yet powerful edge in ensuring your crucial plays land unimpeded.

In light of these comparisons, Hand to Hand grants a unique concoction of utility to players, skillfully blending protection, card draw, and counter-resistance, marking its distinct place in the realm of MTG instant-speed interaction spells.

Cards similar to Hand to Hand by color, type and mana cost

Curse of Hospitality - MTG Card versions

Anax, Hardened in the Forge - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

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