Desperate Lunge MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	2019-05-03
Set symbol
Set name	War of the Spark
Set code	WAR
Number	266
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Deruchenko Alexander

Key Takeaways

Instant-speed and low mana cost make Desperate Lunge a versatile combat trick in MTG.
Provides card advantage and tempo with its unexpected +2/+2 and flying ability.
Usage may be limited due to specific mana requirements and reliance on creature presence.

Text of card

Target creature gets +2/+2 and gains flying until end of turn. You gain 2 life.

Ravnica held its breath as the hero of the resistance—their last hope—flew through the sky, his dark sword ready to strike a god.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Desperate Lunge provides not only a pivotal +2/+2 boost to a creature but can also be an unexpected way to save a creature from removal or enable a successful trade in combat. This surprise element can indirectly lead to gaining card advantage, as it may force an opponent to use additional resources to deal with the creature.

Resource Acceleration: Desperate Lunge’s low mana cost offers a form of resource acceleration. At just two mana, you are free to continue developing your board presence or hold up mana for other game-changing plays. This efficient use of resources gives players the ability to stay ahead or quickly catch up in tempo.

Instant Speed: The instant speed of Desperate Lunge means it can be utilised at any time, whether it’s during combat on your turn to push through extra damage, or defensively on your opponent’s turn to foil their plans. Moreover, casting it during the opponent’s end step can keep them guessing about the full range of strategies you have at your disposal.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Desperate Lunge calls for you to have a creature in play to target, which might deplete your board presence or leave you vulnerable if you’re relying on it for a situational boost.

Specific Mana Cost: Desperate Lunge costs one white mana and one of any color, which restricts its use to decks with an appropriate mana base, possibly hindering deck diversity and flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For an instant that provides a temporary boost, Desperate Lunge’s mana cost might be seen as steep compared to other combat tricks in MTG that cost less and offer similar benefits or more versatility.

Reasons to Include Desperate Lunge in Your Collection

Versatility: Desperate Lunge isn’t just a tool for protecting important creatures; its ability to grant a sudden +2/+2 and flying can also turn the tables in combat or finish off an opponent when they least expect it. This instant fits nicely into decks that value surprise tactics and defensive flexibility.

Combo Potential: With its low mana cost and instant speed, Desperate Lunge works well within combos that aim to utilize life gain for benefits, like triggering abilities or powering up certain creatures. It’s also adept in decks that can benefit from temporary evasion or additional power to press an advantage.

Meta-Relevance: Given that the card can respond to removal or turn a tight race in your favor, Desperate Lunge has practical use in various metas. It shines against decks that rely on non-flying creatures to block and can be a game-changer in close matches where combat tricks decide the winner.

How to beat

Desperate Lunge is one of those MTG cards that can swing the tide in combat, offering both a surprise and a boost with its ability to give a creature +2/+2 and flying until end of turn. To effectively navigate around this card, it’s crucial to anticipate and prepare for instant-speed tricks like Desperate Lunge. One way to do this is by keeping mana open for your own instant-speed interaction, such as removal spells or counter magic that can neutralize the buffed creature before it deals its increased damage.

Moreover, cards with the reach attribute or those which can gain flying can act as a backup defense, effectively warding off creatures temporarily powered by Desperate Lunge. It’s also worth considering the state of the battlefield; sometimes the best move might be not to overextend your own forces, which can minimize the impact of combat tricks and prevent your opponent from gaining a decisive advantage through a well-timed Desperate Lunge.

Lastly, maintaining awareness of the cards your opponent has available, including their mana pool and cards in hand, can be instrumental. Gauging when they have the potential to cast such spells could guide you in making more informed decisions during combat phases, thus enabling you to outmaneuver the Desperate Lunge.

Cards like Desperate Lunge

Desperate Lunge is an intriguing spell found in the pool of combat tricks in the Magic: The Gathering arsenal. It bears a resemblance to cards like Sheltering Light, which also provides indestructibility to a target creature. Unlike Desperate Lunge, however, Sheltering Light doesn’t offer the added benefit of a +2/+2 until end of turn, but it does scry 1, allowing for more deck manipulation.

Gods Willing is another card in the conversation of comparison. Like Desperate Lunge, it’s a single mana spell that confers protection to a creature, but it grants protection from a color of your choice instead of a temporary stat boost and indestructibility. This gives Gods Willing a higher level of tactical flexibility in response to removal spells.

Examining these options, Desperate Lunge stands out for its surprise element and the potential to swing a combat phase in your favor. While it may not provide the color protection of Gods Willing or the scry of Sheltering Light, the immediate stat boost and indestructibility make it a strong contender for any deck looking to outmaneuver opponents in battle.

Cards similar to Desperate Lunge by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Desperate Lunge MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark, 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 Desperate Lunge and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Desperate Lunge has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2019-05-03	A creature gaining flying after it has been blocked by a creature without flying or reach won’t remove the blocking creature from combat or cause the creature it blocked to become unblocked.
2019-05-03	If the target creature is an illegal target by the time Desperate Lunge tries to resolve, the spell doesn’t resolve. You don’t gain 2 life.