Tainted Strike MTG Card


Tainted Strike - Scars of Mirrodin
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2010-10-01
Set symbol
Set nameScars of Mirrodin
Set codeSOM
Number80
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byJames Ryman

Key Takeaways

  1. Instantly bestows infect, transforming modest creatures into formidable threats without extra mana costs.
  2. Demands keen strategy, leveraging black mana and card sacrifices for unexpected, lethal attacks.
  3. Excels in combo decks and against closely contested life totals, making it a meta-relevant choice.

Text of card

Target creature gets +1/+0 and gains infect until end of turn. (This creature deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters.)

"Welcome to perfection." —Sheoldred, Whispering One


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tainted Strike has the potential to be a game-changer in situations where you’re just one point short of lethal damage. It represents a sort of card advantage as it can abruptly end the game or force opponents to react, thereby using up their resources in the process.

Resource Acceleration: While this card itself does not accelerate resources directly, it maximizes the impact of the creatures you already have in play. By turning any modestly sized creature into a major threat, Tainted Strike helps you capitalize on your existing board without requiring additional mana investment to achieve a significant effect.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Tainted Strike at instant speed is where the card truly shines. This allows for surprise wins, giving a creature +1/+0 and infect out of nowhere during combat. It adds a layer of strategy, enabling players to wait until their opponent is unprepared to deal with an unexpected lethal attack.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Demands you to discard a card as an additional cost, which can be a hindrance if you’re trying to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Tainted Strike requires black mana, which could restrict its integration in decks that aren’t tailored to include black mana in their pool.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While just one black mana might seem low, in fast-paced games, spending one mana solely to give one creature +1/+0 and infect can be less efficient than other low-cost combat tricks available.


Reasons to Include Tainted Strike in Your Collection

Versatility: Tainted Strike is a versatile card that enables players to turn any sizable creature into an immediate threat with its ability to grant infect until end of turn. It can be easily slotted into various deck types that can benefit from unexpected burst damage or infect capabilities.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combo-centered decks, where it pairs seamlessly with high-power creatures or those that can be easily buffed, setting the stage for a potential one-turn kill. Its low mana cost makes it a strong complement to swift win conditions.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the pace and combat mechanics prevalent in the current meta, Tainted Strike can catch opponents off-guard, especially in games where life totals are closely contested, and traditional damage may not be enough to seal the victory.


How to beat

Tainted Strike, a potent card in Magic: The Gathering, can turn the tide of battle with its instant-speed capability to give a creature +1/+0 and infect until end of turn. This attribute allows even a single unblocked attacker to potentially end the game by dealing ten poison counters to an opponent. Hence, the strategic prevention or timely countering of this card’s effect is crucial.

To effectively counter Tainted Strike, players need a solid defense. This can range from having creatures with sufficient toughness to block potential attackers, to holding up mana for instant-speed removal or counter spells that disrupt the combo. Spot removal spells like Path to Exile or Rapid Hybridization can neutralize a buffed creature before damage is dealt; whereas counter spells like Negate or Mana Leak can stop Tainted Strike from taking effect altogether.

Good game sense is essential, and players must always be mindful of an opponent’s open mana and potential for such game-changing plays. Adapting one’s playing style, such as choosing to leave blockers up or playing more conservatively when the opponent has untapped black mana, can be key to surviving what could otherwise be a lethal surprise.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring MTG strategies is akin to diving into an ocean of opportunities—each card can open a door to new tactics and victories. Tainted Strike stands as a testament to this, being a dark horse capable of turning the tides in a single move. If you are looking to add an element of surprise to your gameplay, or you want to harness the power of infect, then understanding and utilizing this card could significantly impact your deck’s performance. Dive deeper with us into the nuances of deck building, optimizing card synergy, and outmaneuvering opponents on the battlefield. Expand your collection, finesse your strategy, and invite the thrill of the unexpected into your next duel. Unearth more insights and strategies to cement your legacy in the annals of MTG lore.


Cards like Tainted Strike

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Tainted Strike offers a unique twist as an infect enabling instant. It’s often compared to cards like Assault Strobe, which provides a creature with double strike for a single red mana. Yet, what sets Tainted Strike apart is its ability to grant a creature not only +1/+0 but also the potential game-ending infect keyword. This means that instead of dealing regular damage, the creature deals damage in the form of -1/-1 counters, which can quickly escalate to a win if 10 or more are accumulated on the opponent.

Besides, when looking at cards such as Temur Battle Rage, which gives a creature double strike and trample if you have a creature with power 4 or greater, Tainted Strike shines in its lower cost and immediate impact regardless of the creature’s power. Another comparable card is Titan’s Strength, which provides a similar power boost and scry ability, but lacks the critical infect mechanic that defines Tainted Strike’s appeal in certain MTG strategies.

Ultimately, Tainted Strike finds its niche within MTG as a deceptively powerful enhancer for surprise tactics. Its ability to turn any unblocked creature into an instant threat makes it a formidable card amongst its peers, especially in formats where swift victories are prevalent.

Assault Strobe - MTG Card versions
Temur Battle Rage - MTG Card versions
Titan's Strength - MTG Card versions
Assault Strobe - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
Temur Battle Rage - Fate Reforged (FRF)
Titan's Strength - Theros (THS)

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

Howl from Beyond - MTG Card versions
Dark Ritual - MTG Card versions
Sacrifice - MTG Card versions
Darkness - MTG Card versions
Marsh Gas - MTG Card versions
Deathlace - MTG Card versions
Gravebind - MTG Card versions
Misinformation - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Tutor - MTG Card versions
Dredge - MTG Card versions
Vendetta - MTG Card versions
Coffin Purge - MTG Card versions
Defile - MTG Card versions
March of Wretched Sorrow - MTG Card versions
Fatal Push - MTG Card versions
Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight - MTG Card versions
Fade from Memory - MTG Card versions
Duh - MTG Card versions
Aesthetic Consultation - MTG Card versions
Stop That - MTG Card versions
Howl from Beyond - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Dark Ritual - Warhammer 40,000 Commander (40K)
Sacrifice - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Darkness - Warhammer 40,000 Commander (40K)
Marsh Gas - The Dark (DRK)
Deathlace - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Gravebind - Ice Age (ICE)
Misinformation - Alliances (ALL)
Vampiric Tutor - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Dredge - Invasion (INV)
Vendetta - World Championship Decks 2001 (WC01)
Coffin Purge - World Championship Decks 2002 (WC02)
Defile - Modern Horizons 1 Timeshifts (H1R)
March of Wretched Sorrow - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty (NEO)
Fatal Push - Kaladesh Remastered (KLR)
Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight - The List (PLST)
Fade from Memory - Onslaught (ONS)
Duh - Unhinged (UNH)
Aesthetic Consultation - Unhinged (UNH)
Stop That - Unhinged (UNH)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tainted Strike MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin, 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 Tainted Strike and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tainted Strike has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2011-01-01 A player who has ten or more poison counters loses the game. This is a state-based action.
2011-01-01 Damage from a source with infect affects planeswalkers normally.
2011-01-01 Damage from a source with infect is damage in all respects. If the source with infect also has lifelink, damage dealt by that source also causes its controller to gain that much life. Damage from a source with infect can be prevented or redirected. Abilities that trigger on damage being dealt will trigger if a source with infect deals damage, if appropriate.
2011-01-01 If damage from a source with infect that would be dealt to a player is prevented, that player doesn’t get poison counters. If damage from a source with infect that would be dealt to a creature is prevented, that creature doesn’t get -1/-1 counters.
2011-01-01 Infect’s effect applies to any damage, not just combat damage.
2011-01-01 The -1/-1 counters remain on the creature indefinitely. They’re not removed if the creature regenerates or the turn ends.

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