Strictly Better // Strictly Better (cont'd) MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
TypeCard

Key Takeaways

  1. Strictly Better cards enhance decks with superior efficiency and versatility in various game scenarios.
  2. Carefully weigh a card’s mana cost and color demands to ensure they align with your deck’s strategy.
  3. Understanding the metagame allows you to select Strictly Better cards that maintain consistent performance.

Text of card

3-6 players | 3-6 packs | 15 minutes OBJECTIVE: Some cards are strong in Standard, others shine in Draft, but which card looks the tastiest? Take turns being the Judge and decide which Magic card is the best of the best in each wacky category. GET READY: Randomly determine who will be the first Judge. Each player then opens a pack, removes any cards without Magic backs, and looks at their cards. LET'S PLAY: The Judge chooses a category from the list on the back of this card (either their favorite or at random). The other players each secretly submit a card from their pack that they think fits the category. When the Judge has collected all the cards, they reveal each card, read it aloud, then choose the winner. The Judge role then passes to the next player, and they select a different category.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: A Strictly Better card can often swing a game in your favor by replacing itself with another card or even multiple cards. This means you’re effectively drawing into more resources, enabling strategies that outpace your opponent in terms of available options.

Resource Acceleration: Certain Strictly Better cards enable you to tap into your resources more efficiently or grant you extra access to mana. By doing so, they allow you to play your impactful spells sooner than normally possible, propelling you ahead of the curve.

Instant Speed: The ability to play a Spell at instant speed, especially one that’s Strictly Better, provides unparalleled flexibility. It keeps your opponents guessing and allows you to make decisions with the most information possible, responding to threats or opportunities on the fly and often during your opponent’s turn for maximum surprise and strategic advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In the context of cards considered strictly better, these alternatives may require the player to discard as part of the cost. This drawback can be particularly punishing in game situations where maintaining a full hand is critical to strategy and momentum.

Specific Mana Cost: Cards that are strictly better often have a mana cost that demands specific colors, which can potentially make them less versatile. If your deck doesn’t consistently generate the required mana type, integrating such cards could hinder rather than help your gameplay.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Some strictly better MTG cards present a lofty mana investment. When you’re pacing your game plan, it’s vital to consider whether the mana cost aligns with your deck’s curve and objectives. There might be other options that offer similar benefits for less mana, thereby optimizing your deck’s efficiency.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Strictly Better cards are a must-have due to their ability to enhance any deck. Their improved efficiency over similar cards provides increased utility in various game scenarios.

Combo Potential: Cards labeled as Strictly Better often work seamlessly within combos. Integrating them could enhance existing strategies or unlock new synergistic possibilities in your gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: Meta-games are ever-changing, but Strictly Better cards maintain relevance by providing consistent performance. Their superior mechanics can give you a competitive edge regardless of the prevailing deck trends.


How to beat

Strictly Better is a concept in Magic the Gathering that resonates deeply with players who aim to optimize their decks. At its core, a card considered Strictly Better means it has all the benefits of one card with added advantages, without any increased costs or drawbacks. For example, Lightning Bolt is viewed as Strictly Better when compared to Shock, since it deals more damage for the same mana investment and has no additional disadvantages.

Overcoming a card or a play that is ‘Strictly Better’ can be a challenge, however, there are strategies. Focus on deck versatility and include cards that offer multiple modes of response or benefits. For instance, versatile removal spells that can handle various threats, creatures with flexible enter-the-battlefield effects, or counter spells that serve dual purposes. Additionally, adapting your play style to be reactive and waiting for the right moment to disrupt your opponent’s strategy can provide an upper edge. While a card may seem superior in isolation, remember that MTG is a game of context—understanding the metagame and preparing your deck to tackle popular strategies often yields success.


Cards like Strictly Better // Strictly Better (cont'd)

Strictly Better is a term often bandied about in the MTG community, hinting at a card’s superiority when measured against others in its class. Take Lightning Bolt, for instance, a staple for direct damage. It costs a single red mana to deal 3 damage to any target. In comparison, Shock only deals 2 damage for the same cost and lacks the broader reach of Lightning Bolt’s potential targets.

Exploring deeper, we find Incinerate, which also deals 3 damage but for two mana, showcasing Lightning Bolt’s efficiency. Incinerate prevents regeneration, yet its higher cost can make it a less attractive choice in fast-paced matches. Path to Exile is another card compared for its removal efficiency. For a single white mana, it exiles a creature, overshadowing similar spells like Condemn, which also costs one white mana but requires the creature to be attacking and tucks it at the bottom of its owner’s library instead of exiling it.

When analyzing the minute details of these comparatives, it’s clear why some cards are deemed Strictly Better. Their enhanced versatility, efficiency, and cost-to-effect ratio elevate their status, making them highly sought-after in various MTG formats.

Lightning Bolt - MTG Card versions
Shock - MTG Card versions
Incinerate - MTG Card versions
Path to Exile - MTG Card versions
Condemn - MTG Card versions
Lightning Bolt - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Shock - Stronghold (STH)
Incinerate - Ice Age (ICE)
Path to Exile - DCI Promos (PDCI)
Condemn - Dissension (DIS)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Strictly Better // Strictly Better (cont'd) MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar Rising Minigames and Kaldheim Minigames, 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 Strictly Better // Strictly Better (cont'd) and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Strictly Better // Strictly Better (cont'd) Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2020-09-25 and 2023-02-03. Illustrated by 0 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12020-09-25Zendikar Rising MinigamesMZNR 52015double_faced_tokenblack
22021-02-05Kaldheim MinigamesMKHM 52015double_faced_tokenblack
32021-04-23Strixhaven: School of Mages MinigamesMSTX 12015double_faced_tokenblack
42022-04-29Streets of New Capenna MinigamesMSNC 32015double_faced_tokenblack
52023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be One MinigamesMONE 42015double_faced_tokenblack

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