Stun MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Stun cards grant control and tempo by pausing enemy creatures and allowing for advantageous plays.
  2. Instant speed offers flexibility, allowing for reactive plays to an opponent’s actions.
  3. The requirement to discard and high mana costs are notable drawbacks to consider.

Text of card

Target creature cannot block this turn. Draw a card.

"I concede it was a cheap shot, but it was the only one I could afford." —Gerrard of the *Weatherlight*


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Stun helps you take control by neutralizing an opposing creature’s ability to contribute to the board. Effectively, this can prolong your game and result in a card advantage as your opponent may lose a draw or waste resources dealing with the implications of the stun effect.

Resource Acceleration: By delaying threats, Stun allows you to reallocate resources typically designated for defense. This acceleration can provide the opportunity to develop your board presence or strategies further without the immediate pressures of attack.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of instant speed spells like Stun is a significant advantage. It allows you to adapt to the developing game, only using the card at the most impactful moment, such as in response to an opponent declaring attackers, thereby maximizing the card’s strategic value.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Holding a stun card often comes with the downside of needing to discard another card to activate its effect. This can be troublesome when you’re trying to maintain card advantage or when your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: Stun cards frequently require a precise combination of mana types. This can make them less versatile and more challenging to cast if you’re not running a deck that can reliably produce the necessary colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana cost to deploy a stun effect might be steep when compared to other disruptive or creature removal options available in the game. Players may find that other cards can achieve similar or better results without the burdensome mana investment that stun cards often entail.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Stun provides an efficient way to disrupt your opponent’s actions. Its ability to temporarily remove a creature from combat means it can be included in control decks as well as aggressive strategies seeking to clear the path for a crucial turn.

Combo Potential: As a low-cost instant, Stun can be a key component in decks that aim to capitalize on casting multiple spells in a single turn. It can synergize with cards that trigger upon casting a red spell or an instant, bolstering your offensive or defensive game plan.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment dominated by creature-based tactics, Stun has the ability to tip the scales in your favor. It can be a strategic addition, especially when facing decks that hinge on combat to secure a win. By throwing off your opponent’s rhythm, Stun can provide a decisive edge in many matchups.


How to beat

The card Stun in Magic: The Gathering can be a tricky obstacle when it taps your creature and draws a card for your opponent. Yet understanding the tempo and control aspects of the game is key to overcoming this hurdle. To effectively beat Stun, flexibility in your strategy is crucial. Utilize instant-speed removals or tricks to mitigate the effect before your creature becomes tapped. Moreover, having creatures with vigilance or abilities that take effect whether they’re tapped or untapped reduces the impact Stun can have on your game plan.

Another approach is to include cards in your deck that can untap your creatures, giving you an unexpected edge and the ability to respond after the Stun resolves. Additionally, playing with a higher density of creatures ensures that even if one falls victim to Stun, you can maintain a formidable presence on the board. Lastly, using spells that can counteract your opponent’s non-creature spells or hand disruption to preemptively remove threats proves potent against control strategies that include cards like Stun.

Ultimately, while the card can disrupt your initial intentions, a combination of strategy adaptation and proactive defense can minimize its effects, enabling you to maintain momentum and control of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the intricacies of MTG’s mechanics can be as thrilling as it is challenging. Stun cards have surfaced as a notable tactic for players looking to dictate the pace of the game. As you refine your deck and strategy, consider how a well-placed Stun could shift the tide of battle in your favor. Are you ready to enhance your gameplay and outmaneuver your opponents with skillful plays? Embark on a deeper dive into the world of MTG control spells with us and uncover how to exploit Stun’s potential to its fullest. Gear up for your next duel with insights and tricks that could secure your dominance at the table.


Cards like Stun

Stun is an intriguing tactical play in MTG, fitting nicely into the realm of tempo control spells. When compared to a card like Shock, which deals 2 damage to any target, Stun adds another layer by also preventing the damaged creature from untapping during the next untap step. Shock is straightforward and is often used for its versatility, while Stun focuses on disrupting the enemy’s game plan.

Another card worth mentioning is Frost Breath, which can freeze two creatures in their tracks without dealing damage. Frost Breath provides a broader control option, affecting multiple adversaries, albeit without the benefit of inflicting damage. Conversely, Stun targets a single creature, but it combines damage with tempo control. Then, there’s Blinding Beam, which can prevent multiple creatures from untapping and has the potential to influence the board significantly when cast at the right moment.

Overall, Stun holds its ground in Magic: The Gathering as a choice spell for players looking to maintain the pace of the game while providing enough flexibility to deal with imminent threats. It embodies a strategic balance between tempo and impact, making it a worthy inclusion in decks that prioritize control and disruption.

Shock - MTG Card versions
Frost Breath - MTG Card versions
Blinding Beam - MTG Card versions
Shock - Stronghold (STH)
Frost Breath - Magic 2012 (M12)
Blinding Beam - Mirrodin (MRD)

Cards similar to Stun by color, type and mana cost

Shatter - MTG Card versions
Word of Blasting - MTG Card versions
Incinerate - MTG Card versions
Guerrilla Tactics - MTG Card versions
Orcish Catapult - MTG Card versions
Blood Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Falter - MTG Card versions
Shattering Pulse - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Strike - MTG Card versions
Starstorm - MTG Card versions
First Volley - MTG Card versions
Surging Flame - MTG Card versions
Psychotic Fury - MTG Card versions
Sudden Shock - MTG Card versions
Fists of the Anvil - MTG Card versions
Magma Jet - MTG Card versions
Seismic Shudder - MTG Card versions
Fling - MTG Card versions
Comet Storm - MTG Card versions
Pyretic Ritual - MTG Card versions
Shatter - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Word of Blasting - Ice Age (ICE)
Incinerate - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Guerrilla Tactics - Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils (FMB1)
Orcish Catapult - Astral Cards (PAST)
Blood Frenzy - Tempest (TMP)
Falter - Urza's Saga (USG)
Shattering Pulse - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Flowstone Strike - Nemesis (NEM)
Starstorm - Onslaught (ONS)
First Volley - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Surging Flame - Arena League 2006 (PAL06)
Psychotic Fury - Dissension (DIS)
Sudden Shock - Time Spiral (TSP)
Fists of the Anvil - Tenth Edition (10E)
Magma Jet - Friday Night Magic 2009 (F09)
Seismic Shudder - Zendikar (ZEN)
Fling - Magic 2012 (M12)
Comet Storm - Commander 2017 (C17)
Pyretic Ritual - Magic 2011 (M11)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Stun MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Invasion, 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 Stun and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Stun Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-10-14TempestTMP 2071997normalblackTerese Nielsen
22000-10-02InvasionINV 1721997normalblackMike Ploog
32007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 2402003normalblackTerese Nielsen
42015-05-06Tempest RemasteredTPR 1632015normalblackTerese Nielsen

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Stun has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2004-10-04 Must be used before blockers are declared in order to affect blocking decisions. You can’t wait to see what your opponent declares and then try to stop them.
2004-10-04 You can use it after combat or even on a creature which can’t possibly block this turn because it’s that player’s turn to attack, but it generally has no effect other than to let you draw a card.

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