Unstable Footing MTG Card

Unstable Footing levels the playing field, neutralizing opponents’ life gain and maintaining competitive balance. Offers strategic flexibility with instant speed, enabling surprise disruptions during crucial gameplay moments. Acts as a sideboard asset, countering specific meta decks, making it a versatile inclusion for competitive play.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Abilities	Kicker
Released	2009-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Zendikar
Set code	ZEN
Number	153
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Nic Klein

Text of card

Kicker (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.) Damage can't be prevented this turn. If Unstable Footing was kicked, it deals 5 damage to target player.

A long way down is shorter than you think.

Cards like Unstable Footing

Unstable Footing within the realm of Magic: The Gathering shines as a unique spell capable of turning the tide of the game. It echoes the destructive impact of spells like Flaring Pain, which also circumvents damage prevention strategies. Unstable Footing packs a punch not only by denying damage prevention but also by potentially inflicting significant damage if kicked. Unlike Flaring Pain, Unstable Footing can deal 5 damage to the opponent, making it a potential game-ender.

Alongside this, we observe Molten Disaster. This card shares the ability to cause unpreventable damage, a trait it holds in common with Unstable Footing. But Molten Disaster takes it to a larger scale, offering a global effect at the cost of it being at sorcery speed, contrasting with the instant speed of Unstable Footing, allowing for surprise plays during an opponent’s turn.

By comparing these elements and considering the strategic advantages each card presents, it is evident that Unstable Footing has its rightful place in MTG decks that aim to outmaneuver opponents relying heavily on damage prevention mechanics. Its potential for unexpected high damage makes it a formidable contender in its class.

Cards similar to Unstable Footing by color, type and mana cost

March of Reckless Joy - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Unstable Footing can potentially negate a substantial amount of life gain by an opponent, maintaining a level playing field and preventing your opponent from getting too far ahead on life total.

Resource Acceleration: While Unstable Footing does not directly accelerate resources, it can effectively pave the way for your creatures to deal lethal damage, unhindered by life gain strategies that could otherwise provide your opponent more turns and resources to stabilize.

Instant Speed: The instant nature of Unstable Footing allows players to react in a timely manner, particularly during the combat phase or in response to life gain spells, making it a versatile card that can catch an opponent off guard and disrupt their calculated plays.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To play Unstable Footing, you need to meet more than just its mana cost. Being compelled to discard a card could set you back, especially in tight situations where every card in hand is crucial to maintaining an advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Unstable Footing requires red mana, which restricts its inclusion to decks that can generate that specific type of mana. This limits the card’s versatility and may deter players from adding it to more color-diverse decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its specific effect, Unstable Footing comes with a relatively high mana cost. Players might find themselves weighing its benefits against other options that could provide a bigger impact or be more cost-effective for advancing their game strategy.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Unstable Footing is a flexible sideboard card that can be used in various strategies. It’s particularly useful as a counter to life-gain decks, making it a smart choice for tournaments and casual play alike.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combos due to its ability to deal damage that can’t be prevented. Paired with effects that double damage or spells that increase the number of spells cast in a turn, Unstable Footing can be a game-ending surprise.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where life-gain can be prevalent, having a cost-effective solution like Unstable Footing can give you an edge. It’s a savvy inclusion for keeping pace with the evolving competitive landscape, ensuring your deck is capable of handling a wide range of opposing strategies.

How to beat

Unstable Footing is one of those intriguing cards in Magic: The Gathering that can turn the tides of a match, especially when your opponent relies heavily on life gain strategies. Similar to the ingenuity of a well-timed removal spell, Unstable Footing negates the cushion that life-boosting cards provide, leveling the playing field for a more aggressive approach.

To effectively counter Unstable Footing, it is essential to diversify your strategy beyond just life gain. Consider employing cards that offer hexproof to shield your life total from such direct interference. Spells that utilize counterspells or redirect effects can also be key in safeguarding your position against this powerful card. Having a mix of proactive and reactive measures ensures that your deck can adapt and withstand the impact of such specific spells.

Overall, the key to overcoming Unstable Footing lies in a resilient deck build that does not rely too heavily on a single axis of advantage, thus mitigating the effect of any single card that might otherwise destabilize your game plan.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Unstable Footing MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar, 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 Unstable Footing and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Unstable Footing 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 Unstable Footing card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2009-10-01	Effects that replace or redirect damage without using the word “prevent” are not affected by Unstable Footing.
2009-10-01	If Unstable Footing is kicked and the targeted player is an illegal target by the time it resolves, the entire spell doesn’t resolve. Damage can still be prevented.
2009-10-01	If a creature is dealt lethal damage, it can still regenerate. If it does, the damage marked on it will be removed from it.
2009-10-01	If damage can’t be prevented, damage prevention shields don’t have any effect. If a prevention effect has an additional effect, the additional effect will still work (if possible). Spells that create prevention effects can still be cast, and abilities that create prevention effects can still be activated.
2009-10-01	If damage can’t be prevented, static abilities that prevent damage (including protection abilities) don’t do so. If they have additional effects that don’t depend on the amount of damage prevented, those additional effects will still work. Such effects are applied only once per source of damage.
2009-10-01	Unstable Footing’s effect causes damage from all sources to be unpreventable, not just damage from Unstable Footing itself.