Thunder Strike MTG Card

Enhances creatures’ power, indirectly providing card advantage by disrupting opponents. Instant-speed nature allows for unexpected combat maneuvers, offering strategic benefits. Can be less effective if mana or hand resources are inadequate for optimal use.

Magic 2011 (M11)
2010-07-16 - Number 157

Magic 2014 (M14)
2013-07-19 - Number 159

Battlebond (BBD)
2018-06-08 - Number 185

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant

Text of card

Target creature gets +2/+0 and gains first strike until end of turn. (It deals combat damage before creatures without first strike.)

Lightning reflexes, thunderous might.

Cards like Thunder Strike

Thunder Strike is a notable combat trick in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, offering a temporary but significant boost to a creature’s capabilities. It can be likened to cards like Sure Strike, which similarly grants a power increase and first strike to tip combat in your favor. Yet, Thunder Strike differs in that it provides a higher power boost, though at an increased mana cost.

Comparatively, Brute Strength stands out with its added ability to increase toughness in addition to power, potentially altering the outcome of combat phases. While it doesn’t grant first strike, the toughness boost can be critical in preserving a creature on the battlefield. On the other end of the spectrum, Rush of Adrenaline is more mana-efficient, giving a creature a slighter power boost but adding the highly coveted trample ability, possibly translating into more direct damage to your opponent.

Ultimately, each card holds potential in various strategic contexts within Magic: The Gathering. Thunder Strike’s significant power hike and first strike capability make it formidable for decisive combat, especially in decks that aim to overwhelm quickly with powerful, swift attacks.

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

Smash to Smithereens - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Thunder Strike doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, the enhanced power it gives a creature can often lead to successful combat results, which in turn can disrupt your opponent’s board presence, indirectly translating to a form of card advantage. Overcoming a critical blocker or taking down a valuable threat can shift the game in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Thunder Strike may not provide traditional resource acceleration in terms of mana, but by increasing a creature’s power, it accelerates your ability to deal damage and potentially shorten the game’s length. This can be particularly valuable in aggressive strategies where time is a critical resource.

Instant Speed: Thunder Strike’s instant speed capability provides dynamic combat interaction, allowing you to surprise an opponent during the heat of battle. The ability to wait until the most opportune moment—such as during the declare blockers step—gives a strategic advantage, making it a versatile card in many situations.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One potential downside to Thunder Strike is that in some game scenarios, the forced discard to trigger its effects might backfire, especially when your hand is already running low on cards. This can lead to a diminished strategic position as you let go of potentially crucial resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Thunder Strike comes with a red mana cost that might not blend seamlessly into every deck composition. This could be a hurdle for players running multi-color decks who might struggle to consistently produce the required mana without the right mana base or fixing options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Another facet to consider is its mana cost relative to the benefit it provides. In the pacey landscape of current builds, the mana investment for the temporary power boost and first strike might not stack up against other lower-cost alternatives that could have a more immediate or lasting impact on the game state.

Reasons to Include Thunder Strike in Your Collection

Versatility: Thunder Strike is a flexible card that can be slotted into various red decks. Its ability to give a creature a sudden boost in power and first strike can turn the tides of combat in your favor unexpectedly.

Combo Potential: This instant pairs well with cards that have abilities triggered by dealing combat damage or cards that benefit from the first strike advantage. Integrating Thunder Strike can create impactful synergies within your deck.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where combat is king, Thunder Strike provides a significant edge. It’s particularly useful against decks with creatures that rely on toughness to survive through battles.

How to beat

Thunder Strike can be a game changer when it comes to combat, offering a swift power boost and the critical ability to strike without obstruction. With this card, a creature not only gets a +2/+0 increase to their muscle, but also gains trample, making it a risk to reckon with on the battlefield. Thunder Strike’s instant speed allows for sudden shifts in the midst of combat, tipping the scales when your opponent least expects it.

To effectively counter this card, one must have a strategy that can mitigate surprise enhancements or neutralize creatures before they’re powered up. Instant-speed removals like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can disrupt your opponent’s combat trick, leaving them handicapped without their buffed attacker. Additionally, cards with the ‘hexproof’ or ‘indestructible’ abilities can stand as steadfast defenders, diluting the impact of Thunder Strike. Denying opponents targets by keeping creatures untapped or using cards like Frost Breath can also ensure your forces remain intact despite these surprise onslaughts.

Understanding the utility and timing of Thunder Strike is key; being prepared with answers or deterrents can thwart an opponent’s attempt to turn the tides of combat in their favor, preserving your stance in the match.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thunder Strike MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2011 and Magic 2014, 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 Thunder Strike and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Thunder Strike Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2010-07-16 and 2018-06-08. Illustrated by Wayne Reynolds.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2010-07-16	Magic 2011	M11	157	2003	Normal	Black	Wayne Reynolds
2	2013-07-19	Magic 2014	M14	159	2003	Normal	Black	Wayne Reynolds
3	2018-06-08	Battlebond	BBD	185	2015	Normal	Black	Wayne Reynolds

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Thunder Strike has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2010-08-15	If a creature doesn’t have first strike, granting it first strike after combat damage has been dealt in the first-strike combat damage step won’t prevent it from dealing combat damage. It will still assign and deal its combat damage in the second combat damage step.
2010-08-15	Thunder Strike can target any creature, even one that already has first strike or double strike. (If it affects such a creature, it will, in effect, just give it +2/+0.)